President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday met Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar, in Doha, where they discussed the strong ties between the two countries and the Israeli aggression on Qatari territory that targeted Hamas leaders.
Sheikh Mohamed was received by Sheikh Tamim at Doha International Airport, state news agency Wam reported. Other Gulf leaders and Jordan's King Abdullah II are expected to travel to Doha in a show of support.
During his meeting with Sheikh Tamim, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s resolute solidarity with Qatar and its steadfast support for all measures taken to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its people, Wam reported.
He stressed that the attack was a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty and of all international laws and norms, warning that such actions threaten the region’s security, stability and prospects for peace. Sheikh Mohamed also praised Sheikh Tamim's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
After leaving Doha, Sheikh Mohamed visited Bahrain, where he was met by King Hamad at Sakhir Airbase.
Sheikh Mohamed and King Hamad condemned Israel's aggression in Qatari territory, noting that it represented a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, a breach of international law, and a threat to regional security.
They also stressed their solidarity with Qatar and their support for everything that would protect its security and the safety of its citizens.
Following Tuesday's strike, the UAE expressed its solidarity with Qatar and its condolences over the death of a member of the country's Internal Security Force in the attack.
Hamas said its top negotiator and senior officials survived the Israeli attempt to assassinate them, but five others were killed. The Qatari security officer died at the scene.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was on Wednesday speaking to Jordan's King Abdullah II about the unprecedented attack on a US-allied Gulf state. Arab governments have condemned the Israeli strike, while US President Donald Trump said he was "not thrilled".
Qatar is seeking a "collective response" to Israel's attack with a summit of Arab and Islamic countries to be held in the coming days, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.
"There is a response that will happen from the region. This response is currently under consultation and discussion with other partners in the region," he told CNN in an interview.
The European Union tabled plans to scale back support for Israel, while acknowledging its proposals might be "too much for some" of the bloc's 27 members. The sanctions would not affect Israeli civil society or its Holocaust memorial centre.
Sources told The National that Egypt was seeking guarantees from the US that Israel will not stage another attack on Hamas leaders abroad. Egypt and Qatar have been acting as go-betweens in ceasefire talks during the Gaza war, meaning they have played host to Hamas representatives.
Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, a Nato member and close US ally, have in recent days discussed ways to provide protection for Hamas's exiled leaders, the sources said.
“The intention is to safeguard the negotiations at a time when Israel is sending a clear message to everyone that no one in the Arab world can stop it from doing what it pleases,” said one of the sources. “Israel is telling everyone that there's no ceiling to what it could do.”
Israel was unrepentant about the strike, even after senior Hamas leaders were said to have survived. "Israel's security policy is clear – Israel's long hand will act against its enemies everywhere," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. "There is no place for them to hide."
He said that if Hamas did not release Israeli hostages and lay down weapons "they will be destroyed and Gaza will be destroyed".
Israeli troops destroyed another tower block in Gaza city on Wednesday as part of their campaign to seize the area. They said Hamas was using the Harmony Tower to spy on soldiers and plot attacks, a claim it has made about more than 50 high-rise buildings that were razed in recent days.
At least 34 Palestinians, including 26 in Gaza city, were killed in Israeli attacks across the strip on Wednesday, official news agency Wafa said. It said some Israeli strikes hit the tents of displaced people in western Gaza city.
“Israel’s attempt to assassinate the negotiating delegation in the heart of Qatar’s capital is a message that it no longer wants negotiations,” said Munther Abu Shumala, a 28-year-old sociology graduate in Gaza.
"It has decided to continue the war and slaughter in the Gaza strip without restraint, even as Hamas was studying Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire," he told The National.
Fuad Ghanem, 41, had clung to hope that a ceasefire would prevent him from having to leave Gaza city. But “Israel’s operation in Qatar immediately made me decide to evacuate to the south to save my family,” he said.
“This operation shows Israel’s intention to leave no room for calm or solutions. It will continue its war of extermination until Gaza’s last breath."
Initial reports in Israeli media suggested officials were optimistic that key targets had been killed. From Wednesday morning, however, reports changed with an increasing number suggesting that the mission had failed, as Hamas claimed.
Israel targets Hamas leadership in attack on Doha – in pictures
Israel's air force attacked Doha on Tuesday afternoon, causing several explosions. Hamas said the attack killed five people – the son of senior leader Khalil Al Hayya, the director of his office, and three others – but failed to take out its top leadership. Qatar said a sixth person, a member of its security forces, was killed "while performing his duties" at the site of the attack, and others injured.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed described Israel’s strike on Doha as “state terrorism”. He said US officials first informed Qatar of the strike 10 minutes after it began.
“Qatar reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack and will take all necessary measures to respond,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He added that a legal team has been formed to handle the Gulf country's response.
“There is a rogue actor practising continuing political chaos in this region and violating the sovereignty of states there,” he said.
Despite his strong criticism, he said Qatar’s mediation efforts to end the Gaza war would continue. Mediation work is part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter the nation’s role in that regard, he said.
Hamas accepted a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire last month. But Israel failed to respond, instead launching a new offensive to seize Gaza city. It has also increased its operations in the occupied West Bank, promising to go after "nests of terror".
Israel has assassinated several senior Hamas figures during the war in Gaza. The group’s leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a missile strike in Tehran in August 2024. His successor Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza a few months later.
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
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SECRET%20INVASION
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Naga
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
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INDIA%20SQUAD
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Marseille 0
Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
