Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Egypt has told Washington that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a phased but full detainee and hostage swap will be essential elements of any agreement to end the three-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, sources have told The National.
Cairo's position was conveyed to US officials before a meeting in Paris on Sunday between the chiefs of the US, Egyptian and Israeli intelligence agencies and the Qatari Prime Minister.
The meeting, which has not been officially announced by any of the four parties, is expected to discuss a deal to pause the fighting in Gaza for two months and secure the release of about 130 hostages held by Hamas.
Two White House officials told Reuters over the weekend that the proposed agreement would play out in two phases.
In the first phase, fighting would stop to allow Hamas to release the remaining female, elderly and wounded hostages.
During the first 30 days of the pause, Israel and Hamas would aim to work out the details of a second exchange during which Israeli soldiers and male civilians would be released. The agreement also requires Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
While the proposed deal would not end the war, US officials are hopeful that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict, Reuters reported.
Egypt’s insistence on a permanent ceasefire, an agreement to exchange the remaining hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza mirror Hamas's demands.
The militant group has told Egyptian mediators that it is not prepared to entertain, let alone agree to, a deal that does not include these three conditions, the sources said.
Egypt, Qatar and the US mediated a truce in late November, when about 100 hostages were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
The truce ended on December 1, and fighting resumed in Gaza. Israel has been conducting an air and ground campaign in the coastal enclave since October 7, when Hamas militants launched deadly attacks on southern Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 and taking about 240 hostages.
More than 26,400 Palestinians have been killed during the war in Gaza, where large areas have been razed to the ground and most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents displaced.
Egypt has repeatedly called for a ceasefire followed by the establishment of an interim administration to govern Gaza throughout its reconstruction and efforts to reconcile rival Palestinian factions. This would be followed by presidential and legislative elections across the Palestinian territories.
“The Hamas leadership in Gaza went off the grid last week for at least two days to make clear its rejection of suggestions that there will only be a pause, not a permanent ceasefire,” one of the sources told The National.
“Yahya Sinwar [Hamas's leader in Gaza] has also told the group's leaders in Qatar and Lebanon to toe the same line and not to give as much as a hint that Hamas will accept less.”
Israel has long maintained that a ceasefire would allow Hamas to regroup, rearm and attack it again, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the war in Gaza will not end until Hamas’s governance and military capabilities are dismantled.
He has also dismissed a resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state model supported by the US, EU and Israel’s Arab neighbours.
Hamas, whose leaders in Gaza relay their negotiating positions through Egyptian mediators, also want any deal to end the war to include guarantees from Washington that Israel will not repeat its military operation in Gaza, and that the detainee and hostage swap will be followed through, even if in phases, the sources said.
The Paris meeting will take place as relations become increasingly frayed between Israel on one side and US allies Egypt and Qatar on the other.
The sources confirmed Israeli media reports that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has refused to take calls from Mr Netanyahu in the three months since the war began.
Cairo was deeply angered by Mr Netanyahu's suggestion that Israel must control the Gaza side of the enclave’s border with Egypt, they said.
Mr Netanyahu said Israeli control of the Gaza side of the border, known as the Philadelphia corridor, would be aimed to curb the smuggling of weapons into the territory.
Egypt, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has dismissed claims that its border with Gaza was being used to smuggle weapons, and rejected the idea of stationing Israeli troops in the corridor.
Mr El Sisi reaffirmed Cairo's position during a phone call with US President Joe Biden on Friday, the sources said.
Egypt has also rejected allegations that it is responsible for the slow flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and Mr El Sisi has responded by accusing Israel of holding up the aid deliveries to generate pressure for the release of hostages.
Israel says it places no limits on aid brought into Gaza as long as it passes security inspections, and Mr Netanyahu suggested Mr El Sisi's remarks were designed for domestic consumption.
“Relations with Egypt are managed in a continuing and proper manner, between the governments, all the time,” Mr Netanyahu said at a media briefing on Saturday. “Each of us, of course, has its interests. Egypt has the need to say certain things. I will not elaborate on this matter.”
He also said Qatar should apply the influence it has as a host and benefactor of Hamas to secure the release of the hostages.
“Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas. It also funds Hamas. It has leverage over Hamas,” he said. “So, they should be so good as to apply their pressure. They positioned themselves as mediators – so please go right ahead, let them be so good as to bring back our hostages.”
Mr Netanyahu has previously described Qatar's involvement in mediating peace talks as “problematic”. Doha has called these comments “appalling”.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Summer special
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
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More coverage from the Future Forum
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
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- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
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