UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has expressed the UAE's positivity over Libyan peace talks. AP
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has expressed the UAE's positivity over Libyan peace talks. AP
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has expressed the UAE's positivity over Libyan peace talks. AP
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has expressed the UAE's positivity over Libyan peace talks. AP

Gargash: UAE-Israel deal a 'death blow' to annexation of Palestine


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The UAE's agreement to establish ties with Israel deals a "death blow" to the annexation of Palestinian lands, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said of Thursday’s announcement.

Israel agreeing to halt annexation is a “very big breakthrough,” and “the impending danger to the two-state solution has been neutralised”, Dr Gargash told Sky News Arabia.

He said deep political disagreements remain with Israel and the announcement between the US, UAE and Israel “wasn’t perfect".

“Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region,” Dr Gargash said. “But I think we used our political chips right.

He said the UAE had been contacted by several European countries in recent months asking what they could do to stop the annexation of much of the West Bank and Jordan Valley.

They said it was a “worry for countries worldwide” that if Israel went ahead with the threats it would make a two-state solution impossible.

After the March 2 election in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz agreed to a power-sharing deal to alternate as prime minister.

As part of the deal, the two agreed to extend Israeli law to Jewish settlements on Palestinian territories that are considered to be illegal under international law.

But the July 1 start date for annexation passed with no announcement, as the UAE and other countries intensified diplomatic efforts to stop the move.

Arab-Israel peace process 

With the potential impact annexation would have, Dr Gargash said the UAE wanted to “try and put one on one together” and “try and get something tangible".

“We came out and argued that in every difficult political file in the region, when you do have bridges and contacts you become more important and influential in trying to effect results and trying to help,” he said.

“The UAE has been always of the opinion that preserving communications and talks were necessary.”

While he said restarting peace talks was a decision for the Israelis and Palestinians, “it is our duty to support the Palestinian brothers in this direction".

“The region cannot move forward without leadership initiatives,” Dr Gargash said.

“Fundamentally, our initiative is not to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict – this is left to the Palestinian and Israelis.

"Rather, it is to contribute to defusing a time bomb that was threatening the two-state solution."
The UAE's ambassador to the US, Minister of State Yousef Al Otaiba, also praised the outcome of the deal.

"Today's announcement is a win for diplomacy and for the region," Mr Al Otaiba said.

"It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change."

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

MATCH INFO

Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 2

Keita 5', Firmino 26'

Porto 0

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.