The UAE and US announced deepening ties across many sectors on Monday, after President Sheikh Mohamed and US President Joe Biden met at the White House.
In a statement, the two leaders voiced support for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza and reaffirmed their countries' enduring strategic and defence partnership and deepening co-operation in advanced technology and investments.
Washington recognised the UAE as one of two major defence partners, alongside India. The new designation will lead to more defence co-operation and enhanced security in the Middle East, East Africa and the Indian Ocean regions, “in furtherance of regional stability”, said a statement reported by state news agency Wam.
The announcement came soon after Mr Biden welcomed Sheikh Mohamed to the White House for the first meeting between sitting UAE and US presidents on American soil since the Emirates was founded in 1971.
Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the country's “unwavering commitment” to its relations with the US. He spoke of the “power of partnerships” during the talks and said he looked forward to discussing relations between their countries.
Later, Sheikh Mohamed posted on social media: “I was pleased to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The strategic and enduring partnership that unites our countries is unwavering, and today we explored ways to further build on these historic ties in key areas including trade, investment, technology, AI, space and climate action.
“Together our nations will continue to promote stability and prosperity for the people of the UAE, the USA, and the world.”
During the meeting, Mr Biden also said he had been briefed on the latest escalation in Israel and Lebanon. “My team is in contact with their counterparts and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their homes safely,” he said.
“Mr President, I want you to know that I remain committed to UAE security and look forward to discussions covering a lot of areas.”
The two leaders reviewed various aspects of the long-standing ties between their countries, particularly in the fields of trade and investment, the economy, advanced technology, space, renewable energy, climate action, sustainability and food security, Wam reported. They also expressed their commitment to expand collaboration in these areas to help advance the shared ambitions of the UAE and US to boost global prosperity and stability.
Sheikh Mohamed recalled a 1974 meeting between UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a team from Nasa who gave a briefing on the Apollo programme. Fifty years later, Sheikh Mohamed said, the UAE is now working with Nasa on the development of the Gateway mission, the first space station to orbit the Moon.
Mr Biden credited the UAE as being “a nation of trailblazers, always looking to the future, always making big bets”, he said.
“That’s something our countries have in common, our people have in common,” he added, pointing to growing co-operation in artificial intelligence, clean energy and investment in infrastructure.
Sheikh Mohamed also praised the mediation efforts of the US, Egypt and Qatar to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees. He emphasised his commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
After arriving at the White House, Sheikh Mohamed wrote in the guestbook about his pleasure at meeting Mr Biden.
The talks were attended by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, and Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador to the US and Minister of State.
US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic Party's nominee and aims to succeed Mr Biden in November's presidential elections, met Sheikh Mohamed later on Monday.
They discussed the long-standing strategic partnership between the UAE and the US, Wam reported. Sheikh Mohamed discussed the need for peace and stability in the Middle East with Ms Harris, stressing “the critical need for all parties to pursue a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace”.
Both expressed their confidence that UAE-US relations would continue to flourish, in no small part thanks to opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as the economy, trade and investment, technology, energy, and climate action.
While regional affairs are a key concern for both countries, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to Sheikh Mohamed, stressed last week that the visit will focus on bilateral ties and “how we want to realign our relationship with America for the next 10 years”.
In a briefing in Dubai, Dr Gargash noted that “sometimes people like to talk about some tensions in the relationship, but the big story is that this is our most important strategic relationship, regardless of fair or foul weather”, adding that the “relationship is growing”.
Sheikh Mohamed has sought to strengthen the UAE-US alliance in recent years. He has met Mr Biden and Ms Harris previously and visited the US several times as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Biden speak frequently by phone and met in Jeddah in 2022, and again at the G20 summit in New Delhi last year.
Dr Gargash said “the main purpose of the visit, from an Emirati perspective, is investing in our future, and that's through an economic lens and through a real realignment with what's happening in AI and in technology”.
Relations between US presidents and UAE leaders go back decades. In 2008, Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the time, hosted George W Bush when he travelled to the country to meet former UAE President, the late Sheikh Khalifa, in Abu Dhabi. The occasion was the first official visit to the Emirates by a sitting American president.
Five months later, Sheikh Mohamed held talks with Mr Bush at Camp David. Sheikh Mohamed was also received in Washington by presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
SPECS
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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
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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