The UN’s top court has rejected a US bid to stymie Iranian efforts to recover $2 billion in frozen assets earmarked for victims of Tehran-backed terrorism.
Tehran brought the case two months after the US Supreme Court agreed in 2016 that frozen funds from Iran’s central bank could to be used to pay families, including of 241 servicemen killed in the 1983 Marine Corps barracks bombing in Lebanon.
The US sought to have Iran’s case thrown out, arguing that its role as a sponsor of international terrorism, including of bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and plane hijackings, should disqualify it from making a claim for the money.
But the International Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that Iran’s legal bid could continue with a hearing at a future date.
The court’s decision is likely to further anger the US which responded to an adverse ruling last year over US sanctions on humanitarian aid to Iran by pulling out of a 63-year treaty.
The 1955 Treaty of Amity, which had promised “enduring peace and sincere friendship” between the two countries, had underpinned both cases.
Iran had argued that the freezing of $2 billion of funds had been in breach of the treaty and claimed that the US illegally seized Iranian state and company assets.
The international court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to pull out of the treaty in October had “no effect on the jurisdiction of the court” to rule over the latest case.
The court’s 15-judge panel “unanimously finds that it has jurisdiction… to rule on the application filed by the Islamic Republic of Iran”, said presiding judge Abdulqawi Yusuf on Wednesday.
The ruling comes amid rising tensions between the two countries after Donald Trump last year reimposed sanctions on Iran after pulling out of a nuclear deal struck by his predecessor Barack Obama. The US is also seeking to increase pressure on Iran at a meeting of foreign ministers in Warsaw as the clerical regime marks 40 years since the Revolution that overthrew the Shah.
The US is facing a further challenge in the UN court from Palestinians over the move of its Israel embassy to Jerusalem. The cases are likely to sharpen dissatisfaction within the Trump administration over the role of international institutions.
The US has refused to sign up to the international criminal court which has tried high-profile defendants accused of atrocities. The hawkish national security adviser John Bolton has said that the ICC, also based in the Hague, was “dead to us”.
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
