Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II held a call on Monday to discuss the situation in Gaza, the French presidency said.
Although details of the call were not made public, it came as Mr Macron visited Cairo for a summit on Gaza with Mr El Sisi and King Abdullah. A joint declaration to upgrade relations between France and Egypt to the level of a strategic partnership was also signed.
Mr Macron and Mr El Sisi witnessed the signing of several agreements at Al Ittihadiya Presidential Palace on Monday after a round of talks on French-Egyptian relations and economic ties.
International concern is growing over the situation in Gaza, where violence has surged and civilians are bearing the brunt of Israel's war on the enclave.
During a joint press conference, both leaders called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave.
"We reject any calls for the displacement of Palestinians from their land,” Mr El Sisi said. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the Arab plan for Gaza's postwar reconstruction.
"We agreed to co-ordinate efforts for the upcoming Gaza reconstruction conference that Egypt intends to host once hostilities cease,” he added.
Mr Macron said France and Egypt shared a vision for the region. "We condemn the Israeli escalation, which has had catastrophic consequences for civilians,” he said. "Hamas must not have any role in Gaza’s governance moving forward, as it continues to pose a threat to Israel.”
Mr El Sisi and Mr Macron held talks on the situation in Gaza with King Abdullah in the early afternoon, when the call with Mr Trump took place. The monarch did not make any public remarks after the meeting, but the Royal Hashemite Court issued a statement adding his voice to the calls by Mr El Sisi and Mr Macron for a ceasefire in Gaza and for sustained humanitarian aid deliveries.
Mr Macron is expected to visit the North Sinai port city of Al Arish on Tuesday, where he will discuss aid for Gaza with local officials.
The two leaders also expressed their support for Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun and its government. They also underscored the importance of all of Syrian society being represented by the new government there, particularly non-Muslim religious minorities.
The newly signed declaration to elevate Egypt-France relations to a strategic partnership encompasses a wide variety of areas for increased co-operation.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of bolstering economic ties, with a particular focus on localising railway manufacturing, expanding technical and vocational training, and enhancing collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security and green hydrogen production.
Mr Macron highlighted France's commitment to supporting Egypt's 2030 development agenda through investments by French companies and financial assistance from the French Development Agency, which has so far provided €4 billion ($4.39 billion) in funding since 2006.
The partnership also prioritises educational collaboration, including the expansion of francophone schools in Egypt, the reform of the French University in Egypt and cultural ties through archaeological projects and artistic exchanges, Mr Macron said.
Mr El Sisi affirmed Egypt's commitment to helping the EU fight illegal immigration and requested increased support for its efforts, noting that the country currently hosts more than nine million refugees and plays a critical role in regional migration management.
He called on partner countries to recognise the strain this places on Egypt’s resources and to provide greater financial and logistical assistance to combat illegal migration and support refugees.
Mr Macron and Mr El Sisi then closed the Egyptian-French Business Forum, which was held at Al Massah Hotel to facilitate talks between the business communities of both countries. Mr Macron arrived with a delegation of French business people who came to explore investment opportunities in the Egyptian market.
During his speech at the forum's closing, Mr Macron highlighted that a part of the strategic partnership would be renewed efforts to increase the number of Egyptians who speak French, which he said would make them more valuable employees for international companies operating in Egypt.
After the forum, Mr Macron was escorted to Adly Mansour transit station, a newly built transport centre that connects the city's metro to the recently launched Cairo Light Rail Transit (LRT). France paid for and operates the train through its state-owned RATP Dev subsidiary, a branch of the RATP Group specialising in international transport operations and maintenance.
RATP Dev has been managing the Cairo Metro Line 3 since 2020 and the LRT since 2022, marking a significant collaboration between France and Egypt in modernising public transport infrastructure.
The French President took a ceremonial ride on the Cairo metro, escorted by Mr El Sisi.
Mr Macron arrived in Egypt on Sunday night for a two-day official visit. He was received by Mr El Sisi at Al Ittihadiya Presidential Palace on Sunday evening, before being taken on a cultural tour. The French leader visited the Grand Egyptian Museum and the historic Khan El Khalili bazaar in Old Cairo.
Mr Macron will also visit the French University in Egypt and close the first day of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Conference at Cairo University.
He arrived in Cairo accompanied by a fleet of Rafale fighter jets. Egypt signed a deal in 2021 for the purchase of 30 of the French-made warplanes.
"Arrived in Egypt with proud flight companions: Egyptian Rafales, a strong symbol of our strategic co-operation,” Mr Macron said on X.
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
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
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Homie%20Portal%20LLC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End%20of%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulla%20Al%20Kamda%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2014%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaunch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
