Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Iraq has announced an Arab Solidarity Fund to help Gaza and Lebanon, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said at the Arab League summit in Baghdad on Saturday.
These are among 18 “ambitious initiatives to stimulate joint Arab action”, Mr Al Sudani said, adding that Iraq has pledged $20 million towards reconstruction efforts in Gaza and a similar amount for Lebanon.
All members of the Arab League rallied their support for a “cohesive national agenda” in Palestine and for the factions there to unite.
In a joint communique at the summit's close, they also called for an end to the killing in Gaza. “We urge the international community to pressure for a halt to bloodshed in Gaza and the immediate entry of aid there,” it said.
“We reiterate our firm rejection of all forms of displacement and forced migration of the Palestinian people,” the communique said, adding that Palestine remains an issue of “central importance” to Arab states.
The summit was taking place as Gaza's Health Ministry said 153 people were killed and 459 had been wounded in Israeli attacks since Friday, after said it was launching “extensive strikes” under another offensive against the enclave.
The ministry said the toll since October 7, 2023, has risen to 53,272. At least 3,131 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire with Hamas ended and Israel resumed attacks on March 18.
'Ethnic cleansing'
At the summit, several members, including Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned Israel's actions.
Mr Aboul Gheit said the killing of children and civilians in Gaza has become “normal” to the world.
“It is shameful for a country to carry out ethnic cleansing on a people while the world is silent, and for the killing of children and civilians to become normal,” he told delegates and guests who included UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Mr Aboul Gheit thanked Egypt and Qatar for their efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
“The Palestinian cause will remain a prime issue for the Arab League,” he said.
Members of the League called for the immediate entry of aid into Gaza after Israel began a blockade on all vital assistance on March 2.
Speaking at the summit, Mr Guterres reiterated the UN's refusal to partake in “so-called aid operations” that do not adhere to international and humanitarian law, referring to a disputed US and Israel-backed plan to take aid into Gaza by creating zones and using private contractors.
The UN and other international organisations have said the plan endangers civilians and encourages their displacement.
“I reiterate and appeal for full support of UNRWA's work – including financial support,” Mr Guterres told Arab League summit.
Israel has imposed a ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which is the largest aid provider for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Mr Guterres also repeated criticism of Israel's annexation and expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
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.
SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support
Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
