With lobster on the menu and a panoramic view over Paris from the Eiffel Tower on a summer evening, Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, tonight will try to woo Donald Trump, urging the US leader to curb his American First instincts in dealing with Europe.
The two day trip has seen Mr Trump mark America’s entry into the First World War, visit the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, hold a summit with Macron and then will take dinner at the Paris landmark. Mr Trump and his wife Melania, who was dressed in a pillar-box red outfit on arrival, will tomorrow review the military parade for the French national day before returning home.
Beyond the ceremonial, Mr Macron has a point to prove. With the British absorbed in the complex, stuttering process of leaving the European Union, there is a vacancy for the role of European interlocutor with Washington.
While Germany is the European powerhouse, Mr Trump and Angela Merkel have frosty personal relations. The 39-year old ex-banker who became French president in May has stepped into the void.
“France, oldest ally of the US (1778!) is happy and proud to welcome @POTUS to commemorate the entry of the US into WW1 on its side,” wrote Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to Washington in a Twitter storm to mark Mr Trump’s touchdown. “Great symbolism of this day for @EmmanuelMacron when meeting Merkel and then @POTUS : France in the EU and in our transatlantic alliance.”
Mr Trump was in Europe just last week at the G20 summit in Hamburg where he met with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The US president told an interviewer that he had made “a deal” with Mr Putin in setting up a southwest Syrian ceasefire zone. Tonight Mr Trump indicated that plans to step up the ceasefire zone were imminent.
While all sides would welcome more peace making in Syria, Europe is wary of Mr Trump's talks with Mr Putin, who is viewed as a hostile force. By gaining better relations with Mr Trump, the French leader hopes to head off any more surprises somewhere further down the line.
That would require a leap of faith by two men who have very different outlooks. The youthful centrist French leader likes to compare himself to the Roman God Jupiter who flashed thunderbolts from the sky. Mr Trump views himself as the tribune of the unshaven ordinary man who uses Twitter often and uncompromisingly to castigate his doubters. “In the Trump-Macron relationship, opposites attract,” Denis Lacorne told the New York Times. “Macron has positions much closer to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He’s a pluralist. He’s got a world vision that’s exactly the opposite of Trump’s.”
The Europeans appear to have already lost the battle to cajole Mr Trump back into the global warming arrangement known as the Paris Accord. During a news conference this evening, Mr Trump made a non-committal statement on his current position on the issue: "Something could happen with respect to the Paris accord... We'll see what happens."
At the public events, the pair appeared to gel well, speaking animatedly and exchanging signals of bonhomie at another tomb - that of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander of French forces in 1917. “Trump and Macron spoke and gestured to each other,” wrote the US reporter covering the visit. “Trump pointed to the tomb a few times. Macron at one point punched his hand into his fist to make a point.”
As the two men later sat in the gilted reception rooms of the Elysee Palace for head-to-head talks, Mr Trump and Mr Macron were expected to agree on intensifying the fight against Isil and stronger diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
At their fourth meeting in just two months, the presidents were also expected to exchange views on Mr Trump’s agenda for fairer trade between the world economy’s biggest players.
Beset by the controversy over Donald Trump Jr’s meeting with a Russian lawyer offering the Kremlin’s help to defeat Mrs Clinton in the 2016 election, Mr Trump needs the ceremonial events to glow back home in the US. Pleased to be able to grant Mr Trump a protest-free visit - the Bastille Day holiday has deterred the troublemakers of the ilk that wrecked Hamburg - the French are happy to oblige their guest.
“The main objective is to show our strong friendship over the years and that despite differences we remain close allies,” said Emmanuelle Lachaussée, a spokeswoman for the French embassy in Washington.
The most significant business of the day for Mr Macron therefore may well have been a German/French cabinet meeting with Mrs Merkel, which broke up just as the US leader arrived. At a news conference afterwards, the German leader made a significant gesture to the French by conceding that the eurozone could start talks on the establishment of its own finance minister.
Germany has resisted the move throughout the financial crisis, fearing that it would be forced to bankroll the weaker economies in the currency area. Berlin also worried the post would lead to a loosening of fiscal rules as politicians looked to the state to solve economic problems.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More on animal trafficking
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
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
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 four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Results
Stage three:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s
General Classification:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
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'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
AIR
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Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Age: 30
Position: Senior lab superintendent at Emirates Global Aluminium
Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, post graduate degree in light metal reduction technology
Favourite part of job: The challenge, because it is challenging
Favourite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandi
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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