President Sheikh Mohamed and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stressed the need to work towards enhancing security and stability in the region. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
President Sheikh Mohamed and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stressed the need to work towards enhancing security and stability in the region. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
President Sheikh Mohamed and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stressed the need to work towards enhancing security and stability in the region. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
President Sheikh Mohamed and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stressed the need to work towards enhancing security and stability in the region. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

President Sheikh Mohamed reaffirms need for two-state solution during call with Dutch PM


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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.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

Updated: January 22, 2025, 3:43 AM`