MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF
In the financial sector, Fitch Ratings has projected a notable uptick in mergers and acquisitions within Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry....
Geostrategy
The most eye-catching products at Vivatech fair
For humans, spotting the difference between a Lacoste polo shirt and a fake sporting the brand's crocodile logo can be...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iran to get $300m Japanese loan to upgrade oil refinery
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said this assistance would be in the form of low-interest loans.
- The pledge was made during Motegi’s trip to Baghdad, the first by a Japanese foreign minister since 2006
- The financial aid will be used to expand one of Iraq’s major refineries in Basra
Iraq seeks role as mediator with regional summit
The meeting in Baghdad on Saturday seeks to give Iraq a "unifying role" to tackle the crises shaking the region
- The meeting in Baghdad on Saturday seeks to give Iraq a "unifying role" to tackle the crises shaking the region
- Leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have also been invited
UAE, Philippines explore space sector collaboration
To this end, the UAE Space Agency hosted the Philippines Ambassador to the country along with a virtual delegation from...
- To this end, the UAE Space Agency hosted the Philippines Ambassador to the country along with a virtual delegation from the Philippines Space Agency
- Meeting comes as UAE and Philippines recognise 47-years of bilateral relations
Geostrategy
Taliban inherit $1 trn trove of minerals
China could take lead to tap the untapped minerals including some that could power the world’s transition to renewable energies.
- Endless wars and poor infrastructure have prevented the country from getting its hands on the metals that could brighten its economic fortunes.
- The resources include bauxite, copper, iron ore, lithium and rare earths, according to a January report by the US Geological Survey.
Geostrategy
Tunisian president takeover sparks fears for freedoms
Several politicians, businessmen and judges, as well as members of parliament have said they were banned from travelling abroad or...
- President Kais Saied sacked the government on July 25 and suspended parliament for one month.
- An anti-graft NGO said at least 14 members of parliament face legal proceedings or have been sentenced over a range of crimes.
Economy
Morocco to keep Algeria-Spain gas pipeline open
The operating contract for the Moroccan section of the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, which links fields in Algeria with Spain, runs...
- The operating contract for the Moroccan section of the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, which links fields in Algeria with Spain, runs out in October
- There was concern its renewal might fall foul of the latest spat between the two countries
Geostrategy
Bahrain allows use of airport for Afghan evacuees
Bahrain has announced that it is “allowing flights to make use of Bahrain’s transit facilities” amid the evacuations of Afghanistan.
- Kingdom made the announcement in a statement released early Saturda
- Bahrain, in the Arabian Gulf off Saudi Arabia, is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet
Business
Russia may supply 120kt wheat to Algeria soon
Russia, the largest exporter of wheat in the world, has been looking to enter the market for quite some time.
- This is expected to mark the first entry of Russian wheat in the Algerian market
- Algeria has so far imported wheat mostly from France
Geostrategy
UAE agrees to temporarily host 5,000 Afghans
The move comes following a request from the United States to help out Afghan evacuees.
- The evacuees will travel to the UAE from Kabul on US aircraft in the coming days
- These are people who are on their way to a different country
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to send oxygen tanks to Tunisia
King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has reportedly directed health authorities to provide medical oxygen and accompanying supplies to Tunisia.
- Tunisia has so far received medical aid from several Gulf and North African states
- The UAE sent vaccine doses in July, while Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt sent other aid last month
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MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF
In the financial sector, Fitch Ratings has projected a notable uptick in mergers and acquisitions within Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry....
Geostrategy
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New Kuwaiti emir rebukes parliament and cabinet in inaugural speech
Officially taking over from his half-brother Sheikh Nawaf, who passed away on Saturday, Sheikh Meshal is faced with the task...
Geostrategy
World Food Program transfers Gaza aid from Jordan via Israeli border
"Delivering food from Jordan, to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing, will increase the volume and speed of food reaching the...
Geostrategy
Israeli strikes kill 12 in Rafah amid truce, hostage deal efforts
"Twelve martyrs and dozens of wounded, including women and children, were recovered from under the rubble when a house and...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Malaysia bans Israeli-flagged ships over Gaza war
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a statement said that ships bound for Israel will also be barred from loading cargo...
- The Prime Minister said Malaysia was confident its trade would not be affected by the decision
- Pressure is mounting on Israel to agree to a new truce that could ramp up aid to the Gaza Strip
Geostrategy
Strong Russia ties a strategic choice, says Xi Jinping
The Chinese president called for deeper bilateral cooperation during a meeting with Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing. The...
- Xi said developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides
- Russian PM said that ties between Moscow and Beijing had reached an "all-time high"
UN Security Council due to vote on delayed Gaza resolution
This week's back and forth comes after an impasse earlier this month, when the United States, despite unprecedented pressure from...
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza was rapidly deteriorating, with a senior UN official saying Israel's steps to allow in aid were "far short" of mounting need
- Members of the council had grappled for days to find common ground on the resolution, a vote on which was pushed back throughout Tuesday, after being postponed Monday