Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The escalating conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, along with the risk of a broader regional war, will be high on the agenda during a meeting between European leaders and their GCC counterparts on Wednesday.
Energy, migration, and the war in Ukraine will also be discussed during the gathering in at the European Council in Brussels.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is among leaders from six Gulf countries attending this inaugural summit with EU leaders. The event is co-hosted by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim and European Council President Charles Michel.
The UAE delegation is led by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and includes Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Khalifa Al Marar, Minister of State, Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE ambassador to the EU.
Trade, climate action and Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon were among the topics of discussion between Reem Al Hashimy and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola before the summit.
“It is important to establish this dialogue at the highest possible level in order to join our voices and the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in order to ensure that this conflict does not completely spiral out of control,” said the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as he arrived at the summit.
A draft version of a final communique circulating in Brussels on Wednesday said the blocs would deepen their partnership across a broad front, including participation in another joint meeting in Riyadh in January.
“We commit to our EU-GCC strategic partnership and pledge to elevate it to the next level,” it read. “We agree to build our strategic partnership, based on mutual respect and trust, for the benefit of the people of our regions and beyond.
“We will engage in negotiations of bilateral strategic partnership agreements between the EU and the GCC countries with a view to strengthening our existing co-operation. We will also actively explore and seek enhanced co-operation on security through the definition and implementation of joint priorities and co-operation initiatives on security.”
The document also expressed concern about Israeli military action over Lebanon's Blue Line and called for implementation of UN Resolution 1701. It called for increased humanitarian access to Gaza and redoubled support for a two-state solution to that conflict.
“We strongly condemn attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers, whose safety must be ensured. We call for an immediate and enduring ceasefire and stress the need to implement orders of the International Court of Justice, which are legally binding.”
European leaders said the meeting would seek urgent solutions to the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
“The signal is first of all that we are partners, and in many topics we are partners with aligned interests,” the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo told reporters. “Peace will only come when reasonable people sit around the table and we know that many Gulf countries have been facilitators in that and we hope that we continue to join forces in that.”
“We want to avoid a general conflagration, which is a fear on both sides,” an EU official told a briefing before the summit began. The talks come as Israeli escalates what it calls “targeted attacks” on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The death toll in Lebanon has exceeded 2,350, and more than 1.2 million people have been displaced.
Cross-border exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border have already led to the displacement of tens of thousands before the conflict escalated into an air and ground campaign by Israel.
“We share the same concerns about peace and security in the region,” said EU's foreign affairs minister Josep Borrell before a working dinner with GCC foreign ministers on Tuesday.
“Both meetings – today at the ministerial level and tomorrow at the leaders' level – reflect the growing positive dynamics between the Gulf Co-operation Council and the European Union.”
While discussions are under way to release a joint statement, its final form remains uncertain. European officials said they were optimistic. One EU diplomat said that GCC countries were prudent in wording linked with Iran.
“They want to give space to a dialogue which has been developing between GCC and Iran,” he said.
Salman bin Hamad, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah are also expected to attend. Oman will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister for International Affairs Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mr Borrell will participate in the EU-GCC meeting, alongside the heads of the EU's 27 nations, ahead of a European Union leaders' summit on Thursday. The EU has called for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the summit in person on Thursday in an effort to win more support from the EU for his country's war effort against Russia.
With the war in Ukraine, Europeans are eager to strengthen partnerships with the Gulf leaders to address the continent’s growing energy needs and to create a unified response to international conflicts.
Migration will also be a crucial topic at the summit, with 14 member states, including Germany, France and Italy pushing the issue at all levels of the EU.
European countries aim to curb irregular migration by strengthening partnerships with non-EU countries. A letter from Ms von der Leyen to EU leaders on October 14 emphasises the need for continued co-operation with third countries and is expected to guide discussions on migration.
Her 10-point plan to modernise Europe’s migration system includes a proposal for return hubs in non-EU countries to expedite the deportation of individuals who do not qualify for asylum status.
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
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Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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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)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
