US President Donald Trump declared the Gaza war over on Monday after hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis were freed from imprisonment.
Mr Trump led a signing ceremony in Egypt for a Gaza ceasefire deal he hailed as a historic moment for the Middle East.
"With the historic agreement we’ve just signed, those prayers of millions have finally been answered," Mr Trump said. "At long last, we have peace in the Middle East."
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined Mr Trump in signing a document related to the deal at a summit in Sharm El Sheikh.
Mr Trump held up one page to the cameras that contained a pledge of tolerance and dignity for the Middle East. "We pursue a comprehensive vision of peace, security, and shared prosperity in the region, grounded in the principles of mutual respect and shared destiny," it said.
The US President arrived in Egypt from Israel after addressing its parliament, the Knesset, earlier on Monday. "This is a tremendous day for the world, it's a tremendous day for the Middle East," he said.
After landing in Egypt, Mr Trump praised Mr El Sisi for having "played a very important role" in brokering the Gaza peace deal. "I appreciate it very much," the US President said.
Mr Trump said reconstruction of Gaza would be the main focus of the next round of negotiations, which he said had already begun, with US backing. He hinted that some of the countries present at the Egyptian summit would be invited to join a "board of peace" overseeing a new authority in Gaza.
Mr El Sisi said Mr Trump was the "only one who can achieve peace", in remarks praising the US role in brokering the truce. He said Mr Trump had shown "real leadership is not achieved through waging war but through brokering peace ... and we are confident in your leadership to implement the current agreement and its various stages".
The summit marks the best hope yet that the two-year Gaza war is over after claiming more than 67,000 Palestinian lives during relentless Israeli bombardment. Gaza officials said 60 more bodies were recovered on Monday as rescue workers sift through the rubble.
Several Middle East and European leaders were attending the peace summit in Egypt. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, represented the UAE.
World leaders attend Gaza peace summit in Egypt - in pictures
Among the leaders attending from the region were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose authority is being lined up for a greater role in one day governing Gaza, and Jordan's King Abdullah II.
Sheikh Tamim and Mr Erdogan were sat at the front of the signing ceremony with Mr El Sisi and Mr Trump, reflecting their nations' key role in mediating the ceasefire talks that produced an initial ceasefire deal in Egypt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend, with his office citing a Jewish holiday that begins on Tuesday, after Egypt had briefly raised expectations that he would.
US envoy Steve Witkoff promised during a meeting with Mr Trump and Mr El Sisi that the US would remain involved in the region to ensure the ceasefire is implemented and that aid deliveries to Gaza are sustained. The UN declared a famine in parts of Gaza in August after a months-long Israeli blockade.
European leaders at the talks included Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has pledged about $27 million to help rebuild water and sanitation systems in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also travelled to Egypt.
Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under phase one of the ceasefire deal sealed last week. It is also expected to release the remains of 28 dead hostages, although only four were being handed over on Monday, to the annoyance of relatives.
In return, Israel is releasing hundreds of Palestinian detainees, some of whom had been serving long prison sentences in Israeli jails. Some were returning to Gaza or the occupied West Bank on Monday, while others were deported to Egypt to live in exile.
In Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, families told The National they had been warned by Israeli authorities not to celebrate publicly, but the scene quickly overflowed with emotion. Mothers and fathers clutched their sons, crying and screaming with relief.
Phase two of the plan is expected to feature talks on disarming Hamas and a fuller Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli troops have so far retreated only to agreed lines within the strip – they still control about half the territory.
Reconstruction of Gaza could then begin with Arab and international funds. A new "board of peace" chaired by Mr Trump would oversee a new Palestinian administration in Gaza, potentially involving former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who has also worked as a Middle East envoy.
During his speech at the Knesset, Mr Trump declared an end to the “long and painful nightmare” of the Gaza war. He said a new coalition of “proud and responsible” nations had come together to achieve peace and the “historic dawn of a new Middle East”.
“Now at last, not only for Israelis, but for Palestinians and many others, the pain is over,” said the US leader.
His speech, the first by a US president in the Knesset since 2008 when George W Bush addressed the chamber, was interrupted by two members of the parliament, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, who were removed for protesting by calling Israel's war in Gaza "genocide" and urging Mr Trump to recognise Palestinian statehood. Both are representatives of the left-wing Hadash alliance.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
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.”
