Abu Dhabi, Jan 17: President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, held discussions on bilateral relations and pressing regional issues.

The talks, which took place during Sisi’s working visit to the UAE on Thursday, focused on expanding bilateral cooperation across development, economic, and investment sectors, aiming to align with the two nations’ shared aspirations for progress and prosperity.

On regional issues, the two leaders welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

They emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate humanitarian aid reaches the enclave.

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President El-Sisi also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, exchanging views on key developments, particularly in the Middle East.

Both leaders reaffirmed the need for continued efforts to implement the two-state solution, recognising it as the pathway to achieving lasting and comprehensive peace and stability in the region.

During the talks, Mohamed commended Egypt’s role in supporting the Palestinian people and brokering the Gaza ceasefire agreement.The ceasefire agreement was brokered through weeks of negotiations in Doha by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.The initial release prioritises women, children, elderly individuals, and those who are ill or injured.

The two leaders also lauded the election of Joseph Aoun as the president of Lebanon, expressing optimism that Aoun would lead Lebanon to stability.

On the developments in Syria, both presidents reaffirmed their shared commitment to the country’s unity, stability, and sovereignty, calling for an inclusive political process that engages all sectors of Syrian society.

Jerusalem, Jan 17: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that a deal has been reached to release hostages held in Gaza and to implement a ceasefire, following intense negotiations between Israeli and Hamas teams in Qatar, Israeli media reported.

Israeli media quoted a statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as saying the Israeli prime minister had convened a security cabinet meeting for Friday to hold a vote on the deal, with a full cabinet session to follow for official approval. Netanyahu was informed by the Israeli negotiating team that the deal had been successfully concluded, and he thanked them for their efforts.

The deal, which marks a significant step toward ending the 15-month-long conflict, will see the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the families of the remaining 98 hostages had been updated and preparations are underway for their return.

“The (full cabinet) will later convene to approve the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said in its statement, adding that Netanyahu had expressed his gratitude to the negotiating team, who had informed him about the deal’s completion.

Netanyahu’s office added: “The state of Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages, both the living and the dead.”

The agreement, announced by mediators on Wednesday — Qatar, the US, and Egypt — will lead to the phased release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and also see a pause in fighting in Gaza.

Despite the breakthrough, the approval process has faced some delays. Initially, Netanyahu’s office had signalled concerns over last-minute snags in the negotiations, accusing Hamas of reneging on parts of the deal.

Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages until Hamas backs down, accusing the group of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to gain further concessions. These issues had delayed the approval of the ceasefire and hostage exchange, but the deal was eventually finalised.

The release of the first group of hostages, initially scheduled for Sunday, is now expected to occur on Monday, following the delay in cabinet approval. The vote within the Israeli government is expected to be contentious, with reports suggesting that some members of Netanyahu’s coalition government may oppose the deal, potentially threatening to resign.

Los Angeles, Jan 16: It has been over a week since the massive wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, fueled by hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds, causing some of the most catastrophic fire scenes California has ever witnessed.

The fires, centered around the Palisades and nearby Eaton areas, remain largely uncontained. With the return of Santa Ana winds, the risk of further spread or new ignitions grows.

To date, these fierce wildfires have claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed over 12,300 structures, and scorched more than 40,600 acres (about 164 square km).

So, when will these fires end, and what do firefighters need to stop them?

It is difficult to determine when the fires will be contained. The main variables are wind and rain or the lack thereof.

“The weather plays a driving factor in all this because they’ve been in critical fire behavior for so long,” said Joe Ten Eyck, the wildfire/urban-interface fire programmes coordinator for the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Currently, the outlook is not encouraging. Dry conditions and strong winds are expected to persist, making the next few days critical. The US National Weather Service (NWS) predicts cooler temperatures towards the end of the week, with a slight chance of rain early next week, but no significant precipitation in the near term.

While the Santa Ana winds briefly eased over the weekend, they are expected to intensify again, possibly fueling rapid fire spread and erratic behaviour.

If the winds shift toward the coast, they could help contain the Palisades Fire by pushing it back onto already burned areas. However, strong winds also risk reigniting the fires before conditions improve later in the week.

“We need Mother Nature to give us a break,” Deputy Chief Brice Bennett of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) told CNN. “We have the firefighters, we have the water, we need the time.”

Even when the flames are put out, recovery will be a lengthy and complex process. In just the first two weeks of 2025, more than 100 wildfires have scorched nearly 40,000 acres in California, far exceeding the five-year average of 46 fires and 13 acres.

Cal Fire noted the massive increases and emphasised the importance of being prepared. “Now more than ever, it’s critical to harden your home against wildfires and create defensible space around your property.”

Homeowners are urged to clear dry vegetation, create defensible space and use fire-resistant materials to protect their properties.

Up to 200,000 people have been displaced by the fires. As of Wednesday, some 82,400 residents were under evacuation orders and another 90,400 faced evacuation warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the recovery effort as a “herculean task.” Debris removal from affected homes is expected to take six to nine months, with challenges like toxic waste cleanup and coordinating rebuilding efforts.

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires are part of a larger trend tied to human-caused climate change. Extreme weather events like wildfires are becoming more common, destructive and deadly.

Los Angeles County, ranked as the most disaster-prone region in the United States, has taken steps to create climate-resilient communities and infrastructure. However, as wildfires grow more severe, firefighters face mounting challenges in preventing new fires and mitigating damage.

Experts acknowledge that climate change is making such disasters harder to control. The NWS has warned about the dangerous combination of dry winds and drought conditions, noting that any new fire could spread rapidly.

As wildfires become a more persistent threat, questions about the region’s ability to recover and prepare for a warming world loom large. The dual challenge of adapting to climate change while addressing immediate recovery efforts underscores the urgency of long-term solutions.