Israel agreed on Sunday to curb its settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory after a meeting with Palestinian security officials in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, partly acquiescing to a major Arab demand as violence rose in the West Bank.
Although neither side signalled that the violence would end soon, a statement after the meeting said they "reaffirmed the necessity of committing to de-escalation on the ground and to prevent further violence".
They agreed to continue meeting under this formula, maintain positive momentum and expand this agreement towards wider political process leading to a just and lasting peace
Joint statement at Aqaba
"The Government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority confirmed their joint readiness and commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for a period of 3-6 months," the statement said.
"This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units for 4 months and to stop authorisation of any outposts for 6 months."
It said the United States, which was represented by senior National Security Council official Brett McGurk, considers these understandings "as major progress towards re-establishing and deepening relations between the two sides, and commit to assisting and facilitating as appropriate their implementation."
Representatives from Jordan and Egypt also attended the meeting in Aqaba.
It was the first high-level meeting between Israel and the Palestinians since an acceleration of West Bank violence this year, following the ascendancy of a far right government to power in Israel.
The statement, circulated by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, said the two delegations "affirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them, and to work towards a just and lasting peace."
"They reaffirmed the necessity of committing to de-escalation on the ground and to prevent further violence," the statement said.
The declaration however, did not specifically refer to deadly Israeli incursions into the West Bank, which increased in the past few months, or the issue of Palestinian militancy, which Israel cites as behind the incursions.
It said the two sides agreed to "pursue confidence-building measures," adding that there will be another meeting in Sharm El Sheikh in March to "achieve the goals" agreed upon in Aqaba.
"They agreed to continue meeting under this formula, maintain positive momentum and expand this agreement towards wider political process leading to a just and lasting peace," the statement said.
In a nod to Jordan, the declaration said the five parties emphasise "the Hashemite Custodianship/ special role of Jordan" in Jerusalem, where the kingdom claims custodianship over the ancient Muslim and Christian holy places in the city.
Surge in violence
Jordanian officials regard Israeli actions against the Palestinians a as potentially affecting Jordanian interests if pressure on the Palestinians results in another wave of refugees to the kingdom.
Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank over the last year, in which more than 200 people have been killed, have also undermined the Palestinian Authority, which is nominally in charge of the area, and fuelled Palestinian revenge attacks.
The Israeli military said that two Israeli settlers were killed on Sunday when a Palestinian gunman opened fire on their car near the northern town of Huwara in the West Bank.
The attack came days after an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Nablus this week killed 11 Palestinians.
Israeli media said attendees at the Aqaba meeting would include Palestinian intelligence chief Majed Faraj, and Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
A Jordanian official said on condition of anonymity that it was crucial to halt the escalation before the advent of Ramadan and Passover.
He said "a period of calm" could "allow for confidence-building measures and lead to more political engagement".
The Palestinian presidency said the Palestinian delegation would demand the halting of "all Israeli unilateral actions" to allow for "a political horizon" to solve the conflict.
It was not immediately known who represented Egypt, which has traditionally acted as a link to Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip.
Earlier this month, King Abdullah II and US President Joe Biden discussed ways to reduce tension in the West Bank during a meeting in Washington, a week after the king met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Amman.
Israel says the raids on the West Bank are aimed at curbing militant threats.
The raid in Nablus was the second high-casualty Israeli operation in the West Bank since Mr Netanyahu's hardline government was installed in December.
Ten people were killed during a military raid in the northern city of Jenin in late January, followed days later by a shooting outside a synagogue on the outskirts of Jerusalem in which seven died.
At least three of the dead in Wednesday's raid on the Old City in Nablus were civilians. More than 80 people were wounded.
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
RIDE%20ON
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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
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The fake news generation
288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year
11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general
31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate
63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Results
3pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m, Winner: Lancienegaboulevard, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Fawzi Nass (trainer).
3.35pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m, Winner: Al Mukhtar Star, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
4.10pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Speedy Move, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar.
5.20pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Moqarrar, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy.
5.55pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Dolman, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THREE
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The%20specs
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
Hot%20Seat
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HOW TO WATCH
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