France and Saudi Arabia assured Lebanon of their support during a call to the Lebanese prime minister, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.
Mr Macron told reporters that he and Prince Mohammed called Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stress that Paris and Riyadh were committed to supporting the crisis-hit country.
The French president's remarks suggest a thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon after a diplomatic crisis sparked by critical remarks from former Lebanese information minister George Kordahi, who stepped down on Friday.
The French president was in Jeddah on the final stop of a two-day Gulf tour that began in the UAE, where the two countries announced agreements worth billions of dollars.
Mr Macron was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in Dubai, where the two leaders toured the Expo 2020 site.
One of the highlights of Mr Macron’s visit was a deal worth almost $19 billion for France to supply the UAE with 80 Rafale fighter jets and 12 H225 helicopters. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company also announced two agreements to increase investment in priority sectors in France by up to $3.6bn.
The French president was accompanied by a business delegation of about 100 companies, including TotalEnergies, EDF, Thales and Vivendi.
Mr Macron, who arrived in Jeddah after a stop in Qatar, said that he and the Saudi crown prince had "worked a lot" on the issue of assisting Lebanon.
“We want to intervene to help the Lebanese people and do all we can to reopen economic and trade exchange, whether it comes to supplying energy, providing foodstuff or humanitarian aid, these issues are urgent for the people," he said.
"Our goal is for the government to operate normally and meet as soon as possible to carry out crucial reforms."
"I will speak to President Michel Aoun tomorrow as soon as I return to Paris."
Saudi Arabia expelled Lebanon's envoy to the kingdom, recalled its ambassador to Beirut and banned Lebanese imports after the comments by Mr Kordahi. The UAE and Bahrain took similar steps.
Mr Macron considers Saudi Arabia vital to stabilise regional tensions with Iran, as well as an ally in the fight against extremists from the Middle East to West Africa, where France is leading an international counterinsurgency operation in the Sahel region.
Aside from longstanding energy and defence co-operation, both countries are expanding ties to cover transport and renewable energy – French company Alstom is working on the Riyadh Metro project, which will involve 176 kilometres of rail line and 85 stations, while French energy company EDF has worked on a 300-megawatt solar power plant and a 400MW wind farm.
In pictures: French ambassador Ludovic Pouille visits AlUla
Mr Macron last visited Saudi Arabia in November 2017, when Lebanon’s crisis of government was in its early days, amid a massive influx of refugees and increasing national debt.
The continuing economic and political crisis in Lebanon and the need to de-escalate regional tensions are expected to top the meeting's agenda.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia's exports to France were worth more than $6 billion a year, while France exported $3.5bn of goods to the kingdom.
France-Saudi co-operation has in recent years centred on the AlUla tourism project, part of the country’s drive to bring to life the kingdom's Nabatean history as Saudi Arabia promotes tourism to diversify its oil-based economy.
In April, Franck Riester, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, said France planned to expand co-operation to further sectors, including tech and collaboration on smart cities.
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Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal
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Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science
Tomorrow 2021
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
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Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
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“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
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When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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Date started: early 2020
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Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
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- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
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The specs: 2018 Ford F-150
Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Started: 2016
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Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
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Hometown: Cologne, Germany
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Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
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Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
