US Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs on Monday for a Middle East trip to consolidate the ceasefire that brought 11 days of deadly bombardments between Israel and Hamas to a halt.
"Secretary Blinken will meet Israeli leaders about our ironclad commitment to Israel's security," US President Joe Biden said.
"He will continue our administration's efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and leaders, after years of neglect."
Mr Biden, who came under criticism from many within his own Democratic party for not pushing US ally Israel more publicly to call a ceasefire, has touted his administration's "quiet, relentless diplomacy" to bring about a halt in the fighting.
Mr Blinken's trip, in addition to meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, will take him to Cairo and Amman for consultations with officials there.
In a tweet, Mr Blinken said the trip will aim to support "efforts to solidify a ceasefire".
"The United States has engaged in intensive diplomacy to bring an end to the hostilities and reduce tensions," he said.
Israeli strikes on Gaza this month killed 248 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
Rockets and other fire from Gaza killed 12 people in Israel, including one child, medics said. At least 357 people in Israel were wounded.
In a call with reporters on Monday, a senior US official said the most immediate goal for the trip “is to make sure the ceasefire holds”.
“We will be working in partnership with the UN and the PA [Palestinian Authority],” the official said. The UN will lead the effort, he explained, but said the US hopes “for reintegration of the PA in Gaza".
Mr Blinken later said Washington wanted to build a "better future for Israelis and Palestinians."
Militant movement Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007 and Gaza has been subject to an Israeli air, naval and border blockade since then.
The official said “we don’t see Hamas as having a veto power” on the aid, and that Washington is in close communication with Gulf partners on the issue.
Mr Biden's statement on the trip is rare, signalling support for the talks and involvement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The goal is to continue the administration's low-profile but intensive diplomacy that saw more than 80 calls to the region in the past two weeks in efforts to broker a ceasefire.
In an indirect criticism of the his predecessor Donald Trump's approach to the conflict, President Biden said the US is resuming ties and support for the Palestinian Authority after “years of neglect”.
Mr Blinken's meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will be the first from the US side since 2017.
Relations broke off between the PA and the Trump Administration in 2018.
Mr Biden said the trip will include co-ordinating “an international effort to ensure immediate assistance reaches Gaza in a way that benefits the people there and not Hamas, and on reducing the risk of further conflict in the coming months”.
The US is planning a reconstruction conference for Gaza with Egypt, regional and European partners that would guarantee aid and support through the PA and UN.
Securing such a mechanism has been a challenge.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hady Amr remains in the region and helped lay the groundwork for Mr Blinken’s first trip to the Middle East.
The State Department said Mr Blinken will begin his trip in Jerusalem, meeting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and other senior Israeli officials.
In Ramallah, he is slated to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and other senior officials.
Continuing US-Egypt co-operation on the issue, Mr Blinken's trip to Cairo will see meetings with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, then on to Jordan to meet King Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi.
The US official said reconstruction and aid efforts for Gaza will be discussed during Mr Blinken’s stop in Egypt.
Mr Al Safadi visited Washington two weeks ago to co-ordinate the ceasefire.
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The%20specs
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UAE%20SQUAD
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
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- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20Profile
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