Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called for the rapid resumption of aid deliveries to Gaza during a visit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the city of Al Arish, a transit point for international assistance to the war-battered Palestinian territory.
The French and Egyptian leaders toured storage sites for humanitarian aid intended for Gaza, which has been a been under a complete Israeli blockade since March 2, and also visited Palestinians injured in the war who are being treated in hospitals in North Sinai city.
Mr Macron called for "the resumption of humanitarian aid as quickly as possible", saying the situation in Gaza was "intolerable".
The trip to Al Arish, about 40 kilometres from the Rafah crossing used for aid deliveries into Gaza, came at the conclusion of Mr Macron's two-day visit to Egypt.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in the border region to protest against the war in Gaza and call for immediate humanitarian relief for Palestinians in the enclave. The demonstrators carrying Egyptian, Palestinian and French flags – as well as photographs of Mr El Sisi and Mr Macron – chanted slogans such as “Gaza is not for sale” and “No to displacement”, reflecting widespread rejection of any plans to resettle Palestinians in the Sinai.
The Rafah crossing remains the only gateway for aid into Gaza not controlled by Israel and its reopening is a key demand of protesters and international humanitarian organisations.
Local tribal leaders and members of the region’s Bedouin community took part in the demonstrations, a military official stationed at the border told The National. He said the Bedouin leaders have played a significant role in organising and welcoming the diverse groups of protesters, emphasising Egyptians’ unity on the Palestinians’ right to their homeland.
Mr Macron’s visit, which began on Sunday evening with a cultural tour of some of Cairo’s major sites, has been dominated by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli air strikes have continued since October 7, 2023, with two brief ceasefires that failed to take hold.
The French leader joined Mr El Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Cairo on Monday for a trilateral summit to address the escalating violence and explore pathways to peace. The three leaders issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s escalation and calling for a return to a ceasefire in the enclave.
During a joint press conference, they expressed their shared commitment to a two-state solution and condemned the displacement of Palestinians as a violation of international law.
Mr El Sisi stressed that “Egypt remains committed to peace but will not accept any attempts to undermine its national security”. Mr Macron echoed these sentiments, stating that: “France stands ready to support humanitarian efforts and will continue to advocate for a ceasefire.”
The leaders also called for the immediate establishment of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are without access to food, clean water, or medical care.
Gaza's Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that the death toll has surpassed 50,800, more than half of them women and children.
The United Nations has described the continuing siege as a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis”. Humanitarian organisations, including the UN and the International Red Cross, have warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
Hospitals are running out of essential supplies and prolonged power cuts have knocked out critical medical equipment. Aid agencies have urged the international community to pressure Israel to lift its blockade and allow the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian supplies.
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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
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
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If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
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The biog
Year of birth: 1988
Place of birth: Baghdad
Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany
Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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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
The five pillars of Islam
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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UAE v Bolivia, Friday, 6.25pm, Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium, Dubai
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Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
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Dubai World Cup prize money
Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf – $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000
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6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
