The Israeli government has managed to achieve something many thought to be impossible: diminishing the already slight expectations for the peace talks with the Palestinians due to begin today.
Three years after the last substantive talks collapsed primarily because Israel continued to build settlements on Palestinian territory, Israeli housing minister Uri Ariel used the lead-up to the resumption of negotiations to announce plans to build nearly 1,200 new homes on occupied land. Most of them will be in East Jerusalem, the intended Palestinian capital.
Then a day later, an Israeli television station broke the news that another 942 homes, also in East Jerusalem, had been approved in secret.
The US has considerable power to affect Israel but, as usual, lacks the political will to do so. Secretary of State John Kerry's ineffectual response demonstrated that, restating the administration's view that all settlements are illegitimate but urging the Palestinians to resume negotiations rather than reacting adversely.
The latest developments mark a change in approach for the Israeli government, which despite actively working to destroy the prospect of a viable Palestinian state by building settlements has usually been adept at portraying itself as seeking peace.
No such pretence is visible now.
When Mr Ariel announced the new homes by vowing that residential construction would continue "in the entire country", it was a moment when the government's words were finally aligned with its actions.
In the hotbed of Israeli-Palestinian politics, few such revelations happen entirely randomly. The timing of more than 2,000 new homes will have been designed to send a message to Israel's pro-settlement constituencies that releasing 26 Palestinian prisoners was not a softening of the government's approach.
So here we are again. As the parties sit down around the table today, how can even the most optimistic Palestinian harbour any hopes that Israel is truly a partner in peace with the intention to end the occupation?
And how can they take on merit the US's claim to be an honest broker rather than Israel's staunchest supporter?
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Boston%20Strangler
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Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
DAY%20ONE%20RESULT
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
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Company%20Profile
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
HOW TO WATCH
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