President Sheikh Mohamed has reaffirmed the need for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict – during a call with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
According to the state news agency Wam, the two leaders welcomed the long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, which came into effect on Sunday, but stressed the need to work towards enhancing security and stability in the region.
The leaders reviewed a number of regional and international issues. They also explored ways to strengthen co-operation in various sectors, including economic, investment and development fields.
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, on Monday issued a renewed plea for an independent Palestinian state. In a message on social media platform X, posted on Sunday evening, he said the six-week halt to fighting had brought an end to “months of death and devastation”.
President Sheikh Mohamed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday offered their support to the ceasefire plan during high-level talks in Abu Dhabi.
The two leaders underlined the importance of ensuring sufficient humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and reaffirmed the need for a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace.
Hostages released as ceasefire begins
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday at 11.15am local time, after the Palestinian group released the names of the three Israeli hostages to be freed on the first day of the truce.
Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were the three names on the initial list of 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of ceasefire. All three returned to Israel on Sunday.
The Israel Prison Service confirmed in a statement that it had completed the first release of prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal.
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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.
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
The national orchestra
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Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Tomorrow 2021
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
School uniforms report
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
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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
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The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
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Plastic tipping points
EMILY%20IN%20PARIS%3A%20SEASON%203
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
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 three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
