Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets US Secretary of State in Washington


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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the two discussed several topics including the Negev process, an effort to strengthen ties between Arab states and Israel and build on the Abraham Accords.

They also spoke about increased tension between Palestinians and Israelis after the formation of a new far-right government in Israel.

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Blinken spoke warmly of the two countries' close ties.

“We have a wonderful, diverse relationship with the United States,” Sheikh Abdullah said.

“And we should be very proud of everything we have achieved together as governments but together, as the people of both our countries — we are in a terrific place.”

Mr Blinken said Tuesday’s meeting was an opportunity to “advance the cause of regional peace, stability, security” in the Middle East.

In a tweet, he said that they "discussed avenues to further deepen the bilateral relationship and cooperation on shared regional and international priorities, such as the importance of supporting de-escalation between Israelis and Palestinians."

Mr Price he "also reiterated the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine and expressed appreciation for the UAE’s generous humanitarian aid contributions to the Ukrainian people."

The meeting follows a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which has claimed the lives of more than 35,000 people so far.

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Blinken discussed ways the two countries could contribute to relief efforts, the State Department said.

Both countries have been active in search and rescue efforts and pledged millions of dollars in aid.

The UAE has allocated $100 million of relief to Turkey and Syria and delivered 107 tonnes of assistance to affected areas.

The US, meanwhile, has pledged $85 million in relief to Turkey and Syria and has sent 150 search and rescue operators to the affected areas.

Week two of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria — in pictures

  • A woman walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay, Turkey. Getty Images
    A woman walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay, Turkey. Getty Images
  • A woman mourns a relative during the burial of one of the earthquake victims in Antakya, southeastern Turkey. AP Photo
    A woman mourns a relative during the burial of one of the earthquake victims in Antakya, southeastern Turkey. AP Photo
  • A family photo is seen amid the rubble in Hatay. Getty Images
    A family photo is seen amid the rubble in Hatay. Getty Images
  • Syrian refugees in Turkey return to their home country following the deadly earthquake. AFP
    Syrian refugees in Turkey return to their home country following the deadly earthquake. AFP
  • Members of NGOs Deathcare Embalming Team and Turkish Kurt-Ar inspect the bucket of an excavator as they search for bodies in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. AP Photo
    Members of NGOs Deathcare Embalming Team and Turkish Kurt-Ar inspect the bucket of an excavator as they search for bodies in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. AP Photo
  • Dust covers a family photo album found in Antakya. AP Photo
    Dust covers a family photo album found in Antakya. AP Photo
  • A man made homeless by the 7.8-magnitude quake carries mattresses distributed by an NGO at a makeshift camp in Afrin, in Syria's Aleppo province. AFP
    A man made homeless by the 7.8-magnitude quake carries mattresses distributed by an NGO at a makeshift camp in Afrin, in Syria's Aleppo province. AFP
  • A cracked road near the quake’s epicentre in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. AFP
    A cracked road near the quake’s epicentre in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. AFP
  • A rescuer stands near the site where Aleyna Olmez, 17, was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, about 10 days after the quake struck. AFP
    A rescuer stands near the site where Aleyna Olmez, 17, was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, about 10 days after the quake struck. AFP
  • A rescuer holds a cat after it was rescued from the ruins of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. AFP
    A rescuer holds a cat after it was rescued from the ruins of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. AFP
  • Quake survivors queue for food amid the rubble in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
    Quake survivors queue for food amid the rubble in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
  • Bedran, a local resident who lost his house in the earthquake, keeps warm in Antakya, Turkey. Reuters
    Bedran, a local resident who lost his house in the earthquake, keeps warm in Antakya, Turkey. Reuters
  • A girl carries a box of water bottles next to a damaged mosque in Antakya. Reuters
    A girl carries a box of water bottles next to a damaged mosque in Antakya. Reuters
  • A car lies crushed by parts of a badly damaged building in Samandag, Turkey. AP
    A car lies crushed by parts of a badly damaged building in Samandag, Turkey. AP
  • Residentes remove their belongings from their destroyed house in Samandag. AP
    Residentes remove their belongings from their destroyed house in Samandag. AP
  • Aleyna Olmez, 17, is rescued after being trapped for 10 days in Kahramanmaras. Getty
    Aleyna Olmez, 17, is rescued after being trapped for 10 days in Kahramanmaras. Getty
  • Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, left, with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ankara. AFP
    Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, left, with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ankara. AFP
  • A message scrawled on a car covered in dust from collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
    A message scrawled on a car covered in dust from collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
  • Destruction in Antakya. AP
    Destruction in Antakya. AP
  • A cracked road leads to a flooded area in Antakya. AP
    A cracked road leads to a flooded area in Antakya. AP
  • A man looks bewildered at the site of collapsed buildings in Hatay, Turkey. EPA
    A man looks bewildered at the site of collapsed buildings in Hatay, Turkey. EPA
  • Numbered stones near graves of earthquake victims at a cemetery in Adiyaman, Turkey. EPA
    Numbered stones near graves of earthquake victims at a cemetery in Adiyaman, Turkey. EPA
  • A makeshift camp set up amid the rubble in Antakya, south of Hatay. AFP
    A makeshift camp set up amid the rubble in Antakya, south of Hatay. AFP
  • A woman holds her baby inside a tent in a camp in Antakya, Hatay. AFP
    A woman holds her baby inside a tent in a camp in Antakya, Hatay. AFP
  • Greek and Turkish rescuers are at work to extract bodies of victims from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
    Greek and Turkish rescuers are at work to extract bodies of victims from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
  • Samar Hamouda, 44, recalls her experience of the earthquake destroying her home, at Tishreen Hospital in Latakia, Syria. Reuters
    Samar Hamouda, 44, recalls her experience of the earthquake destroying her home, at Tishreen Hospital in Latakia, Syria. Reuters
  • A damaged house in Jableh, Syria. Reuters
    A damaged house in Jableh, Syria. Reuters
  • Photos of missing children left in hope in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    Photos of missing children left in hope in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • People collect copies of holy books from the rubble in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
    People collect copies of holy books from the rubble in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
  • Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
    Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
  • People carry a bodybag as residents wait for their relatives to be pulled out from the rubble in Hatay. AFP
    People carry a bodybag as residents wait for their relatives to be pulled out from the rubble in Hatay. AFP
  • Dust covers a family photo album found in the debris of a building in Antakya. AP
    Dust covers a family photo album found in the debris of a building in Antakya. AP
  • Portuguese rescue team members try to free the dog named Tarcin from the rubble in Antakya in Hatay. EPA
    Portuguese rescue team members try to free the dog named Tarcin from the rubble in Antakya in Hatay. EPA
  • An injured survivor at a makeshift hospital set up at Turkish Bayraktar warship anchored near Iskenderun city, southern Turkey. AP
    An injured survivor at a makeshift hospital set up at Turkish Bayraktar warship anchored near Iskenderun city, southern Turkey. AP
  • A makeshift hospital set up at Turkish Bayraktar warship anchored near Iskenderun city, southern Turkey. AP
    A makeshift hospital set up at Turkish Bayraktar warship anchored near Iskenderun city, southern Turkey. AP
  • Britain's King Charles III (C) meets with members of the Turkish diaspora community who have been collecting, packaging and organising the transportation of food, blankets and warm clothing for people who have recently been affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, during a visit to the West London Turkish Volunteers, in Hounslow, greater London. AFP
    Britain's King Charles III (C) meets with members of the Turkish diaspora community who have been collecting, packaging and organising the transportation of food, blankets and warm clothing for people who have recently been affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, during a visit to the West London Turkish Volunteers, in Hounslow, greater London. AFP
  • People stand by the fire next to the ruins of a collapsed building in Elbistan, Turkey. Reuters
    People stand by the fire next to the ruins of a collapsed building in Elbistan, Turkey. Reuters
  • Destroyed buildings in Syria's rebel-held village of Atarib, in the north-western Aleppo province. AFP
    Destroyed buildings in Syria's rebel-held village of Atarib, in the north-western Aleppo province. AFP
  • Rescuers carry Fatma, 15, who was pulled out from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
    Rescuers carry Fatma, 15, who was pulled out from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
  • A displaced woman receives food inside a stadium in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    A displaced woman receives food inside a stadium in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • People lineup to receive aid supplies at a makeshift camp in Iskenderun city in southern Turkey. AP
    People lineup to receive aid supplies at a makeshift camp in Iskenderun city in southern Turkey. AP
  • Humanitarian aid provided by Saudi Arabia for survivors of the February 6 earthquake are unloaded at Aleppo Airport in northern Syria. AFP
    Humanitarian aid provided by Saudi Arabia for survivors of the February 6 earthquake are unloaded at Aleppo Airport in northern Syria. AFP
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the World Government Summit in Dubai via video link. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the World Government Summit in Dubai via video link. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • A man walks between trains being using as shelters in Iskenderun, southern Turkey. AP Photo
    A man walks between trains being using as shelters in Iskenderun, southern Turkey. AP Photo
  • A woman and children inside a train being used as shelter after the earthquake, in Iskenderun. AP Photo
    A woman and children inside a train being used as shelter after the earthquake, in Iskenderun. AP Photo
  • Tents erected in a school yard for Syrians who have lost their homes after the deadly quake, in the rebel-held town of Harem in Syria. Reuters
    Tents erected in a school yard for Syrians who have lost their homes after the deadly quake, in the rebel-held town of Harem in Syria. Reuters
  • A woman walks by the destroyed Habib-i Neccar mosque in the historic southern city of Antakya in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
    A woman walks by the destroyed Habib-i Neccar mosque in the historic southern city of Antakya in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
  • Rescuers pull out a 12-year-old Syrian girl, Cudi, from the rubble in Hatay. AFP
    Rescuers pull out a 12-year-old Syrian girl, Cudi, from the rubble in Hatay. AFP
  • Amar, a Syrian refugee living in Turkey, looks on as search for survivors continues in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
    Amar, a Syrian refugee living in Turkey, looks on as search for survivors continues in Kahramanmaras. Reuters
  • Displaced people keep warm by a fire in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    Displaced people keep warm by a fire in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • Earthquake survivors receive distributed meals in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
    Earthquake survivors receive distributed meals in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
  • A woman stands amid boxes of donated clothes in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
    A woman stands amid boxes of donated clothes in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
  • A man walks near a damaged building that leans on a neighbouring house in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
    A man walks near a damaged building that leans on a neighbouring house in Golbasi, Turkey. AP
  • UN emergency relief co-ordinator Martin Griffiths stands amid quake-damaged buildings in Aleppo, Syria. Reuters
    UN emergency relief co-ordinator Martin Griffiths stands amid quake-damaged buildings in Aleppo, Syria. Reuters
  • Delegates observe a moment of silence for the Turkey–Syria earthquake before the start of the World Government Summit in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Delegates observe a moment of silence for the Turkey–Syria earthquake before the start of the World Government Summit in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People keep warm by a fire as the search for survivors continues a week after the earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    People keep warm by a fire as the search for survivors continues a week after the earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • A child receives food in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    A child receives food in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • A dog is seen through a glass door in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    A dog is seen through a glass door in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • Children walk in the street with food boxes in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    Children walk in the street with food boxes in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • A minaret stands as the sun rises over the earthquake-hit city of Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    A minaret stands as the sun rises over the earthquake-hit city of Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
While you're here
Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
if you go

Getting there

Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.

Staying there

On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.

More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr

What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

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Updated: February 15, 2023, 3:19 AM