Pro-Palestinian supporters demonstrate outside the White House on Monday. Reuters
Pro-Palestinian supporters demonstrate outside the White House on Monday. Reuters
Pro-Palestinian supporters demonstrate outside the White House on Monday. Reuters
Pro-Palestinian supporters demonstrate outside the White House on Monday. Reuters

Could chaos in Congress slow US response in Israel-Gaza war?


Ellie Sennett
  • English
  • Arabic

The war between Israel and Gaza comes at a moment of historic chaos in the US Congress, where Republican infighting risks hampering the US response as Washington rushes to support its ally Israel.

Most pressing is the fact the House of Representatives has no way to bring forward legislation to approve new spending for Israeli security, after Kevin McCarthy was removed from his position as speaker by his own Republican Party last week.

The earliest that Republicans, who hold a narrow majority, can try to install a new leader is on Wednesday.

House foreign affairs committee chairman Mike McCaul told Fox News on Monday that the US has “adequate” funding to support its response to the war “in the short term".

But Mr McCaul said that Congress must act to ensure longer-term support to Israel, including replenishing its Iron Dome anti-missile system and its supplies of precision-guided missiles.

“I would urge my colleagues to not play games with this. It is very serious. It sent a message to the rest of the world that we are weak and dysfunctional,” he said.

“Democracy has to work right now. The world is simply too dangerous.”

Israel has launched a barrage of strikes on the densely packed Gaza Strip, vowing a “complete siege” including “no electricity, no food, no fuel” in response to Hamas militants' surprise attack that has killed at least 900 people in Israel.

More than 500 Palestinians have been killed since the war's launch.

At least nine Americans are among the dead.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday that the US military will immediately start shipping ammunition to the Israel Defence Forces.

The House of Representatives has a temporary Speaker, Patrick McHenry, but he has only limited authority and is unable to bring forward legislation until a permanent leader is elected.

He does not have the power to issue subpoenas or sign off on any other official House business.

The Congress had already appropriated $3.3 billion for assistance to Israel, which President Joe Biden has full authority to take from.

“It's absolutely essential we elect a speaker and get back to the business of the people. The first bill on the floor will be my bill condemning Hamas for this terrorist assault on Israel,” Mr McCaul said.

Jonathan Lord, senior fellow and director of the Middle East security programme at the Centre for a New American Security, said the House was going through “unprecedented times”.

Mr Lord said that rules are “opaque” regarding Congress's ability to act on increasing support for Israel without a speaker of the House.

Mr Biden “is going to need more support in the form of a supplemental [spending approval] once he's either exhausted the US stock supply or feels he can't deplete it any further,” Mr Lord, who previously worked on the staff of the House armed services committee, told The National.

He believes with strong enough bipartisan support to push relevant legislation through, Mr McHenry “could get legislation passed to support Israel in this conflict … but the adults in the room need to prevail".

“Checks and balances require the US Congress to function. If it doesn't function, things go bad really fast even before we get to these types of crises," he said.

"If the Congress can't get itself into a position where it can enact legislation, that's detrimental in massive ways.”

Already, the usual order of business for moments of crisis has been disrupted in the Congress.

Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries was reported to have been briefed on the war on Saturday, and is expected to schedule a briefing for all House members next week.

Typically, the speaker of the House would have received that briefing.

But the war has rallied strong bipartisan shows of support for Israel in Congress, and Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been in frequent contact, seemingly setting aside political differences for the moment.

Senate foreign relations chairman Ben Cardin said he intended to advance legislation “at the first opportunity” that boosts US military support of Israel, including “replenishment of missile defence for Iron Dome that ensures such interceptors are always available".

Meanwhile, the war appears to have expedited the stalled confirmation of Mr Biden's nominee for ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew.

US media reported on Monday that the Senate foreign relations committee will host his confirmation hearing on October 18.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday also ordered the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier strike group into the Eastern Mediterranean in support of Israel and to deter Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The US and Israel trained together in January during the allies' largest ever joint military exercise, Juniper Oak.

  • Smoke near houses and buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. Reuters
    Smoke near houses and buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. Reuters
  • People sleep in a bomb shelter as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters
    People sleep in a bomb shelter as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters
  • Israeli soldiers drive in a tank by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel. Reuters
    Israeli soldiers drive in a tank by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel. Reuters
  • Palestinians inspect the massive destruction following Israeli air strikes on Gaza City's Al Rimal district. AFP
    Palestinians inspect the massive destruction following Israeli air strikes on Gaza City's Al Rimal district. AFP
  • The abandoned site of the Supernova desert music festival in southern Israel. AFP
    The abandoned site of the Supernova desert music festival in southern Israel. AFP
  • Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in the Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in the Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • Palestinians attend a rally in support of Hamas and the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Nablus. AP
    Palestinians attend a rally in support of Hamas and the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Nablus. AP
  • A medic tends to an injured child following Israeli air strikes in the Rimal district of Gaza city. Bloomberg
    A medic tends to an injured child following Israeli air strikes in the Rimal district of Gaza city. Bloomberg
  • Injured civilians arrive at a hospital following Israeli airstrikes in the Rimal district of Gaza City. Bloomberg
    Injured civilians arrive at a hospital following Israeli airstrikes in the Rimal district of Gaza City. Bloomberg
  • Israeli soldiers patrol a road near the border fence with Gaza. AFP
    Israeli soldiers patrol a road near the border fence with Gaza. AFP
  • Palestinians sit among rubbles of a damaged residential building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters
    Palestinians sit among rubbles of a damaged residential building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters
  • People gather at the site where a rocket landed in Ashdod, southern Israel. Reuters
    People gather at the site where a rocket landed in Ashdod, southern Israel. Reuters
  • Pictures of Natthaporn On-kaew, 26, a factory worker in Gaza, who has been abducted in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his house in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Reuters
    Pictures of Natthaporn On-kaew, 26, a factory worker in Gaza, who has been abducted in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his house in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Reuters
  • A fire burns among the rubble of a damaged residential building in Gaza city. Reuters
    A fire burns among the rubble of a damaged residential building in Gaza city. Reuters
  • Palestinians view aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Gaza city. EPA
    Palestinians view aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Gaza city. EPA
  • A Palestine Red Crescent Society paramedic carries a wounded child to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, following an Israeli air strike. EPA
    A Palestine Red Crescent Society paramedic carries a wounded child to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, following an Israeli air strike. EPA
  • People view a sign showing landed and cancelled flights at the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, south-east of Tel Aviv. Getty Images
    People view a sign showing landed and cancelled flights at the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, south-east of Tel Aviv. Getty Images
  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Toronto, capital of Canada's Ontario province. AFP
    Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Toronto, capital of Canada's Ontario province. AFP
  • A rally in support of Israel in Aventura, Florida. AFP
    A rally in support of Israel in Aventura, Florida. AFP
  • Israeli soldiers at the funeral of Ili Bar Sade, a soldier killed in an attack by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv. Reuters
    Israeli soldiers at the funeral of Ili Bar Sade, a soldier killed in an attack by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv. Reuters
  • Lightning strikes as smoke billows following Israeli bombardment of Gaza City. AFP
    Lightning strikes as smoke billows following Israeli bombardment of Gaza City. AFP
  • A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment of Gaza city. AFP
    A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment of Gaza city. AFP
  • Israeli artillery soldiers clean a cannon at an area on the border with Gaza, southern Israel. EPA
    Israeli artillery soldiers clean a cannon at an area on the border with Gaza, southern Israel. EPA
  • Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli air strike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. AFP
    Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli air strike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Palestinians assess damage in Gaza city. EPA
    Palestinians assess damage in Gaza city. EPA
  • Israeli soldiers cordon off an area after a shooting in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    Israeli soldiers cordon off an area after a shooting in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • Palestinians evacuate the area after an Israeli air strike on Al Sousi Mosque in Gaza city. AFP
    Palestinians evacuate the area after an Israeli air strike on Al Sousi Mosque in Gaza city. AFP
  • A site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip is evacuated in Ashkelon, southern Israel. AP
    A site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip is evacuated in Ashkelon, southern Israel. AP
  • Israeli troops in Merkava tanks take position near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. AFP
    Israeli troops in Merkava tanks take position near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. AFP
  • The heavily hit refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip is littered with debris. AFP
    The heavily hit refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip is littered with debris. AFP
  • Israeli soldiers take cover during a missile attack next to the border with Gaza, near Sderot, southern Israel. EPA
    Israeli soldiers take cover during a missile attack next to the border with Gaza, near Sderot, southern Israel. EPA
  • The rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    The rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • A plume of smoke rises over Gaza city as Israeli air strikes hit. AFP
    A plume of smoke rises over Gaza city as Israeli air strikes hit. AFP
  • Grief at the funeral of Palestinians from the Shamalkh family, who health officials said were killed in Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters
    Grief at the funeral of Palestinians from the Shamalkh family, who health officials said were killed in Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters
  • Palestinians inspect damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli strikes at Al Shati refugee camp in Gaza city. Reuters
    Palestinians inspect damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli strikes at Al Shati refugee camp in Gaza city. Reuters
  • A wedding photo in the rubble of a building in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters
    A wedding photo in the rubble of a building in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters
  • Destruction in Gaza city's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP
    Destruction in Gaza city's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP
  • A mosque destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. AFP
    A mosque destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. AFP
  • A vigil for Israeli victims at the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. AFP
    A vigil for Israeli victims at the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. AFP
  • An Israeli soldier directs armoured vehicles heading towards the border with the Gaza Strip. Getty Images
    An Israeli soldier directs armoured vehicles heading towards the border with the Gaza Strip. Getty Images
  • A burnt out car from a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in Sderot. Getty Images
    A burnt out car from a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in Sderot. Getty Images
  • A police station that was destroyed in Sderot. Getty Images
    A police station that was destroyed in Sderot. Getty Images
  • A missile explodes in Gaza city. AFP
    A missile explodes in Gaza city. AFP
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

  Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books

SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Transmission: CVT auto

Power: 181bhp

Torque: 244Nm

Price: Dh122,900 

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Top Hundred overseas picks

London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith 

Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah 

Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott

Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz

Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw

Trent Rockets: Colin Munro

Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson

Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock

List of alleged parties

 

May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff 

May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'

Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff 

Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 

Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party

Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters 

Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz 

Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 

Racecard
%3Cp%3E1.45pm%3A%20Bin%20Dasmal%20Contracting%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh50%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E2.15pm%3A%20Al%20Shafar%20Investment%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E2.45pm%3A%202023%20Cup%20by%20Emirates%20sprint%20series%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E3.15pm%3A%20HIVE%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh68%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E3.45pm%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Mile%20Prep%20by%20Shadwell%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20Dh100%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E4.15pm%3A%20JARC%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E4.45pm%3A%20Deira%20Cup%20by%20Emirates%20Sprint%20series%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C950m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Australia World Cup squad

Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting%20there%20
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Ftravel%2F2023%2F01%2F12%2Fwhat-does-it-take-to-be-cabin-crew-at-one-of-the-worlds-best-airlines-in-2023%2F%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EEtihad%20Airways%20%3C%2Fa%3Eflies%20daily%20to%20the%20Maldives%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%20The%20journey%20takes%20four%20hours%20and%20return%20fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C995.%20Opt%20for%20the%203am%20flight%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20land%20at%206am%2C%20giving%20you%20the%20entire%20day%20to%20adjust%20to%20island%20time.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERound%20trip%20speedboat%20transfers%20to%20the%20resort%20are%20bookable%20via%20Anantara%20and%20cost%20%24265%20per%20person.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons.  Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

if you go

Getting there

Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.

Staying there

On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.

More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

What is an FTO Designation?

FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes. 

It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.

Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.

Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.

Source: US Department of State

Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

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ESSENTIALS

The flights 

Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes. 

Where to stay 

The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

Results

2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).

2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.

3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.

4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.

Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

Results

5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer) 

5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud 

6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel 

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel 

7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami 

7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.  

Updated: October 10, 2023, 12:05 PM