Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Friday received French President Emmanuel Macron at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The meeting was also attended by business leaders and several important deals were signed for the benefit of the two countries. These included an accord between Mubadala and the French Economy Ministry, an agreement between Adnoc and Total, and the sale of French-made defence systems to the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Mr Macron and conveyed to him the greetings of President Sheikh Khalifa, who wished the French leader health and happiness, and further progress and prosperity to the people of France.
Sheikh Mohamed said he hoped both countries would continue to work together in various fields.
The French President congratulated Sheikh Mohamed and the UAE on the country’s 50th anniversary.
He wished the Emirates further progress and prosperity and expressed his country's aspiration to co-operate with the UAE to carry out joint initiatives that serve the interests of both countries and support peace efforts in the region.
The leaders discussed friendly relations and co-operation in various sectors, including advanced technology, energy, food security and education.
During the meeting, the two sides spoke about issues of common interest and other regional and international developments.
A number of important agreements and deals were signed on the sidelines. Wam news agency reported that these included:
- A deal between Mubadala Investment Company and the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery. It was signed by Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive and managing director of Mubadala, and Bruno Le Maire, France’s Minister of Economy and Finance.
- An agreement on behalf of Mubadala and BPI France, an investment bank. It was signed by Mr Al Mubarak and Nicolas Dufourcq, chief executive of the bank.
- Another agreement was made between the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Ministry of Economy and Finance in France. It was signed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Mr Le Maire.
- An agreement between Adnoc and Total Energy was signed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the group chief executive of Adnoc, and Patrick Pouyanne, chief of Total Energy.
- A contract was signed by Borouge – a manufacturer of polyolefins and part of Adnoc Group – and Technip, a French engineering company, to build an ethane cracker to expand the Borouge 4 project. It was signed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Arnaud Pieton, chief executive of Technip.
- A deal was also made between Masdar and Engie, a French utility company. It was signed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Catherine MacGregor, chief executive of Engie.
- UAE’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Dassault Aviation to buy aircraft, related products and services. The signatories were Tareq Al Hosani, chief executive of Tawazun Economic Board, and Eric Trappier, chief executive of Dassault Aviation.
- An agreement on the supply of Rafale weapons equipment was made by the UAE’s Ministry of Defence and MBDA, a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles. It was signed by Mr Al Hosani, chief executive of Tawazun economic board of directors, and Eric Beranger, chief executive of MBDA.
- An agreement for the purchase of H225M helicopters and related services was made by the UAE’s Ministry of Defence and Airbus Helicopters. It was signed by Mr Al Hosani and Bruno Even, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters.
- An accord between Abu Dhabi Holding Company and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance was signed by Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Holding Company, and Mr Le Maire.
- An amendment was added to the Louvre Abu Dhabi agreement that was first signed on March 6, 2007. It was signed by Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, and Roselyne Bachelot, the French Minister of Culture.
- A letter of intent was issued to co-operate in the field of lunar exploration between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and the National Centre for Space Studies in France. It was signed by Salem Humaid Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Philippe Baptiste, president of the French National Centre.
- An agreement was made between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Electricitie De France. It was signed by Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, chief executive of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and John Bernard Levy, chairman and chief executive of the French company.
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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