As Trump heads to the region for peace summit, Hamas, Israel set for hostage and prisoner exchanges
Trump's lightning visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release...
Geostrategy
Morocco’s GenZ 212 says suspending protests temporarily
The weekend pause was "a strategic step to strengthen organisation and coordination, so the next phase of the movement is...
Geostrategy
Business
Sharjah group to discuss trade boost with India in five-day trip
SHARJAH, UAE- The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) will embark on a trade mission to India on Monday...
- The delegation will visit Mumbai and New Delhi, setting up business forums and arranging meetings with Indian business communities.
- The delegation will highlight the benefits and opportunities of investing in Sharjah, detailing the incentives and facilities available.
Geostrategy
Energy minister leads UAE delegation to development road conference in Iraq
ABU DHABI, UAE - Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei headed the UAE delegation to the...
- The one-day conference brought together transport ministers and officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan.
- The huge infrastructure project will link southern Iraq to the border with Turkey from where it will connect to rail and road networks in Europe.
Geostrategy
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Iran-West mediator Oman visits Tehran
His trip comes just two days after Tehran freed Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele from almost 15 months in custody...
- The Omani leader's visit comes a year after Raisi visited Muscat, and follows a China-brokered rapprochement deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in March.
- Oman has close ties with Iran, and played a mediating role between Tehran and the United States in the build-up to a nuclear deal Iran and world powers reached in 2015.
Economy
Iraq budget vote delayed as Kurds oppose amendments on oil
In a country where political agreements are concluded after endless negotiations between political parties, the objection of the Kurds is...
- Iraqi Kurdistan's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said Saturday the budget amendments amounted to "treason" and an affront to Iraqi Kurdish rights
- Iraq's oil dependent economy has traditionally been plagued by budget delays, which the government's three-year proposal aimed to avoid
Geostrategy
Israelis rally in protest at judicial reform after budget approved
Protesters gathered in other major cities, Haifa and Beersheba, as well as at dozens of junctions and locales throughout the...
- Israeli media put the number of participants in the Tel Aviv demonstration at "tens of thousands," as has occurred on previous occasions
- The government's reform proposals would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges
Geostrategy
UN chief ‘shocked’ at Sudan army chief’s demand to dismiss envoy
The UN chief was "shocked" by Burhan's letter, which requested "the nomination of a replacement" to Perthes and accused him...
- In the letter, Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused Perthes of bias and of not respecting "national sovereignty"
- The US State Department voiced its "strong support" for Perthes and its "concern" over Burhan's letter calling for his resignation
Geostrategy
Several Western states seeking division between OPEC members: Raisi
Tehran, Iran-- Urging OPEC member countries to preserve cohesion and unity among them, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said that several...
- Raisi, citing the history of good relations with OPEC, expressed his country's desire to continue strengthening the cooperation with it
- Haitham al-Ghais applauded the Islamic Republic's effort, both at ministerial and technical level, to strengthen the cohesion and unity of OPEC members
Geostrategy
Clashes between Iran, Afghanistan forces at border
Clashes broke out between Iranian and Taliban forces at the border between the two countries, Iranian police said without reporting...
- Even though Tehran and Kabul are bound by diplomatic relations, Iran does not recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government.
- Iran demanded that Afghanistan respect its "water rights", charging that an upstream river dam there is restricting the flow into a lake.
Geostrategy
Iraq plans ambitious Europe-Middle East road, rail project
Iraq presented an ambitious plan to turn itself into a regional transportation hub by developing its road and rail infrastructure,...
- War-ravaged and beset by rampant corruption, oil-rich Iraq suffers from dilapidated infrastructure.
- Developing the road and rail corridor would allow Iraq to capitalize on its geographical position.
Geostrategy
UN backs Sudan envoy as army seeks his replacement
NEW YORK, US - United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by a letter from Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah...
- The army and paramilitary RSF are currently in the fifth day of a one-week ceasefire brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia.
- It is the latest in a series of moves by the army chief, who last week officially sacked RSF chief as his deputy in the ruling sovereign council.
As Trump heads to the region for peace summit, Hamas, Israel set for hostage and prisoner exchanges
Trump's lightning visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release...
Geostrategy
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UNRWA: Reconstructing Gaza Strip exceeds agency’s capabilities due to severe damage
Gaza, Palestine - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), confirmed today that the reconstruction process...
Geostrategy
Trump’s second term begins: Highlights Middle East hostage return, promises diplomacy over conflict among top priorities
Trump vowed to be a “peacemaker and unifier,” citing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release as key steps toward peace,...
Geostrategy
Ceasefire begins: Israel, Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners amid fragile hopes for lasting peace
The 42-day truce's first phase involves prisoner exchanges and hostage releases, but the future remains uncertain as both sides navigate...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Joint Operations Room set up in Cairo to oversee Gaza ceasefire implementation
Cairo, Egypt - A joint operations room has been established in Cairo to oversee the implementation of the Gaza Strip...
- The room, comprising representatives from Egypt, Palestine, Qatar, the US, and Israel, aims to ensure collaborative efforts and consistent adherence to the agreement's provisions
- This agreement, the source noted, represents a significant step towards preventing further escalation and fostering long-term stability in the Gaza Strip
Geostrategy
Israel, Hamas ceasefire begins Sunday, includes hostage deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, more aid for Gaza
The deal, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, includes Hamas releasing 33 hostages and Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian...
- The deal includes release of 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, and, in return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian captives
- The deal also allows for a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with over 500 trucks of food, water, and medical supplies expected to enter the region daily
Geostrategy
Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine test Washington’s strategy under Trump leadership
The Trump administration faces a Middle East shaped by shifting alliances, unresolved conflicts, and evolving regional priorities, demanding a measured...
- Iran’s diminished influence in the region presents a potential opening for U.S. diplomacy, but Gause warns against the pitfalls of an aggressive regime-change agenda
- Saudi Arabia’s regional strategy has undergone a significant transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, driven by the economic ambitions of Vision 2030