At his goodbye party in November, the EU foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, made a diplomatic gesture that received little attention at the time but meant a lot to Palestinians.
Mr Borrell received copies of the mission letters of the new Palestinian ambassador, Amal Jadou, in a symbolic gesture of support for the Palestinian diplomatic profile at the heart of Europe.
That was a change in protocol and in keeping with Mr Borrell's public frustration over the EU's passive position on the Israel-Gaza war. Palestinian ambassadors did not usually hand over their letters to such high-ranking EU officials.
Palestine is recognised as a fully-fledged state by a minority of the EU's 27 countries. But the gesture paved the way six months later for Ms Jadou to become the first Palestinian ambassador in Brussels to present her credentials to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
The event, which included 10 other ambassadors from countries ranging from Egypt to Colombia, took place on May 20 − the same day that the bloc announced it would launch a review of its relations with Israel. Backed by 17 countries out of 27, it was an important move triggered by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We see the shift,” an Arab diplomatic source told The National. “It's too late. It's too little. But we are happy something is happening.”
"This is a major change in EU dynamics on the Gaza crisis," said Martin Konecny, director of the European Middle East Project think tank in Brussels. "Even countries with right-wing governments that have backed Israel so far are now becoming ready to put EU pressure on their ally."
Diplomatic boost
Letters of credence are a diplomatic tradition that signal the start of formal relations between an envoy and the leadership of the country they work in. It “highlights the importance of international dialogue and the EU’s commitment to fostering co-operation with countries around the world,” according to the European Council.
The Palestinian mission described its participation in the ceremony as representing “an advanced step in consolidating diplomatic relations between the State of Palestine and the European Union”.
Palestinian ambassadors normally hand over their letters of credence to the chief of protocol of the European External Action Service, the equivalent of the EU's foreign affairs ministry, unlike normal states. Those states give them to the EU's presidents − Mr Costa and Ms von der Leyen. But Palestinians had been requesting an upgrade, which they view as reciprocity. The EU ambassador to Palestine always gives his letters of credence to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
This year, the change in protocol in Brussels was backed by Mr Costa. This mirrors practices by a number of EU countries such as Luxembourg and Belgium to upgrade their diplomatic relations with Palestinian officials.
“The current political context and the EU’s commitment to the two state solution were clearly on Mr Costa's mind," an EU diplomatic source said. "It is a symbolic gesture, but a strong political message of support toward the recognition of the State of Palestine.”
This upgrade in diplomatic relations with Palestinians comes against a backdrop of increased diplomatic isolation of Israel, 19 months into the Gaza war. Israel's ambassador to the EU, Haim Regev, on Thursday warned of a “diplomatic erosion”. “Europe is seeing horrific images and struggling to deal with them. The support we had at the beginning of the war is no longer there,” Mr Regev said, quoted by The Times of Israel.
The most recent high-level diplomatic meeting between the EU and Israel took place in February, after a three-year suspension, in a move that “highlighted a positive light on Israel-EU relations”, an Israeli diplomatic source told The National.
'Challenging times'
“We are examining the current developments following the last foreign affairs council,” they said, in a reference to the May 20 meeting when the review of relations was announced by Mr Borrell's successor, Kaja Kallas.
“We believe that despite the current challenges, the dialogue between Israel and the EU will continue to be constructive and reflective of the deep relations and shared values between both parties,” added the Israeli diplomat.
The launch of the review may lead to a proposal to partly or fully suspend the EU-Israel association agreement, which could heavily impact trade relations between the two parties. However, such a proposal, before it is submitted to a vote to the 27 EU countries, must be greenlit by Ms von der Leyen. Widely viewed as Brussels' most powerful official, Ms von der Leyen, a former German minister, is known to be against a review.
In another important diplomatic move that may affect the EU's work on the Israel-Palestine conflict, on May 20 it announced the appointment of former French ambassador to Israel Christophe Bigot as special envoy for Middle East Peace Process. He replaces Dutch lawyer Sven Koopmans. The EU's long-standing policy is to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, but recognition is off the table for a number of states, including Germany and Italy.
Mr Bigot, who will take up his duties on June 2, recently served as director of the Africa and Indian Ocean department at the French Foreign Affairs Ministry and director of strategy for France's external intelligence agency, the DGSE.
In the 1990s, his first posting abroad was in Beirut, and he later worked as adviser to socialist foreign affairs minister Bernard Kouchner. “France supported his nomination as we always do when French diplomats are nominated in multilateral institutions,” French diplomatic sources said.
Mr Bigot is scheduled to travel to Israel and Palestine in late June as part of his role focusing on a two-state solution, as France is preparing to co-host a major conference in New York with Saudi Arabia.
France's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood has been heavily criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Relations between Europe and Israel further soured this week after the murder of two Israeli embassy officials in Washington, which Israeli leaders have blamed on the support for Palestinian statehood by some Europeans.
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
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On sale: from January 2022
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
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5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
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- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
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Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
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Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
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THREE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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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
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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- Bagpat, India
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
Lazio v Napoli (9pm)
Inter Milan v Atalanta (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
Fiorentina v SPAL (6pm)
Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
Roma V Juventus (11.45pm)
Parma v Lecce (11.45pm)
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)