Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: UAE Presidential Court; Reuters
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: UAE Presidential Court; Reuters
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: UAE Presidential Court; Reuters
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: UAE Presidential Court; Reuters

Sheikh Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discuss Gaza ceasefire and regional stability


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the significance of the Gaza ceasefire agreement for regional stability during a phone call.

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Rubio underlined the need to advance “post-conflict planning” for the long-term governance and security of the enclave and discussed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in the talks, the US State Department said.

The UAE minister congratulated Mr Rubio on his appointment as the US's top diplomat in Donald Trump's White House administration. The former Florida senator, who has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be a key figure in guiding US foreign policy.

Sheikh Abdullah said he was eager to work with Mr Rubio to “enhance the friendship and strategic partnership between the UAE and the US, contributing to regional and international peace and security”, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.

The two men reviewed regional and global developments and efforts to combat extremism and hatred, promote tolerance and coexistence, and support worldwide peace, stability and development during the call.

The US State Department said Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Rubio discussed “the importance of the US-UAE partnership for peace and stability in the region”.

“They committed to elevate the relationship and work together on shared opportunities and to counter common threats,” spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. “They discussed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

“The secretary reinforced the significance of this agreement for regional security and stability and the need to continue implementation, and further discussions to advance post-conflict planning for the governance and security of Gaza for the longer-term.”

UAE call for peace

Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s position that a comprehensive peace must be based on the two-state solution in talks with Gideon Saar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, earlier this month.

He said this would bring stability and achieve sustainable security in the region while ending the violence. Protecting the lives of civilians and making every effort to enable the flow of urgent humanitarian aid must be a priority, Sheikh Abdullah added.

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

THREE
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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Bharat

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

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

Updated: January 23, 2025, 9:19 AM`