Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Iraq has announced an Arab Solidarity Fund to help Gaza and Lebanon, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said at the Arab League summit in Baghdad on Saturday.
These are among 18 “ambitious initiatives to stimulate joint Arab action”, Mr Al Sudani said, adding that Iraq has pledged $20 million towards reconstruction efforts in Gaza and a similar amount for Lebanon.
All members of the Arab League rallied their support for a “cohesive national agenda” in Palestine and for the factions there to unite.
In a joint communique at the summit's close, they also called for an end to the killing in Gaza. “We urge the international community to pressure for a halt to bloodshed in Gaza and the immediate entry of aid there,” it said.
“We reiterate our firm rejection of all forms of displacement and forced migration of the Palestinian people,” the communique said, adding that Palestine remains an issue of “central importance” to Arab states.
The summit was taking place as Gaza's Health Ministry said 153 people were killed and 459 had been wounded in Israeli attacks since Friday, after said it was launching “extensive strikes” under another offensive against the enclave.
The ministry said the toll since October 7, 2023, has risen to 53,272. At least 3,131 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire with Hamas ended and Israel resumed attacks on March 18.
'Ethnic cleansing'
At the summit, several members, including Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned Israel's actions.
Mr Aboul Gheit said the killing of children and civilians in Gaza has become “normal” to the world.
“It is shameful for a country to carry out ethnic cleansing on a people while the world is silent, and for the killing of children and civilians to become normal,” he told delegates and guests who included UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Mr Aboul Gheit thanked Egypt and Qatar for their efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
“The Palestinian cause will remain a prime issue for the Arab League,” he said.
Members of the League called for the immediate entry of aid into Gaza after Israel began a blockade on all vital assistance on March 2.
Speaking at the summit, Mr Guterres reiterated the UN's refusal to partake in “so-called aid operations” that do not adhere to international and humanitarian law, referring to a disputed US and Israel-backed plan to take aid into Gaza by creating zones and using private contractors.
The UN and other international organisations have said the plan endangers civilians and encourages their displacement.
“I reiterate and appeal for full support of UNRWA's work – including financial support,” Mr Guterres told Arab League summit.
Israel has imposed a ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which is the largest aid provider for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Mr Guterres also repeated criticism of Israel's annexation and expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Torque: 985Nm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
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Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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)
