Israel is hosting the foreign ministers of the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Bahrain on Sunday during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the region.
The Arab dignitaries landed on Sunday in Israel for an unprecedented regional summit between Israel and its neighbours, hosted by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in the southern Negev Desert.
Mr Blinken was also set to attend after finishing his meetings in Jerusalem.
The UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, said in a tweet addressed to Mr Lapid that he was "happy with the friendship and working towards peace and development".
This is Sheikh Abdullah’s first visit to Israel. He held a meeting with Mr Lapid on Sunday, the UAE state news agency Wam reported.
They discussed “issues of mutual concern” on the regional and global stage including the crisis in Ukraine.
Sheikh Abdullah thanked Israel for the “warm welcome and stressed the joint will between the two countries to strengthen the relationship and expand their partnership” in line with Abraham Accords.
He also repeated the need for reinforcing regional peace and stability.
The UAE’s ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Al Khaja, also attended the meeting.
Iran was expected to dominate the summit's agenda as regional powers are looking to increase their defence and security co-ordination.
Israel fears that a nuclear deal with Tehran will strengthen Iran's destablising hand in the region.
The summit reflects the geopolitical changes in the region after the Abraham Accords, in which the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco made peace with Israel in 2020.
It fosters a new diplomatic front in the face of increasing regional threats.
On Monday, the foreign ministers will hold bilateral working meetings focused on security co-operation.
Mr Blinken repeated on the eve of the summit that Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and that the security of the Middle East is best served with Iran tied into a deal that ensures such goal.
A revived nuclear deal “is the best way to put Iran’s nuclear programme back in the box that it was in but has escaped from since the United States withdrew from that agreement” in 2018, Mr Blinken said in Jerusalem.
“But whether there’s a [nuclear deal] or not, our commitment to the core principle of Iran never acquiring a nuclear weapon is unwavering.”
Iran with a nuclear weapon “would become even more aggressive and would believe it could act with a false sense of impunity”, he said, alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
On Saturday, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said he believed a deal could be struck in “a matter of days”.
“Now we are very close to an agreement and I hope it will be possible,” Mr Borrell said.
Iran’s neighbours fear any relief from economic sanctions could embolden the regime to step up its attempts to destabilise the region through its proxies.
Israel believes the deal does not include enough protection against Iran developing nuclear weapons.
LUKA CHUPPI
Director: Laxman Utekar
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
SUZUME
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Company%C2%A0profile
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
