European Union and UAE agree to launch trade deal negotiations
Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "and I just decided to launch negotiations on an EU-UAE free trade agreement,"...Business Economy Geostrategy
Iraq signs deal with US firm to produce 24,000 MW of electricity
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani oversaw "the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as part of a strategic cooperation framework...Economy Energy Geostrategy
Iraq awaits Turkey’s response to resume Kurdish oil exports
The Kurdish regional government had for years earned billions of dollars in revenues exporting crude oil to Turkey without the...Iraq's Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani had on Thursday said that crude exports from the Kurdish region through the Turkish port of Ceyhan would resume Saturday.
But on Friday the Kurdish natural resources minister, Kamal Mohamed, told a Kurdish television channel that the resumption of exports was still awaiting approval from Ankara.
US to bolster presence in Gulf after Iran threat, says White House
The United States said it was sending reinforcements to the Gulf after what it called increasing harassment by Iran of...US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Iran has "harassed, attacked or interfered" with 15 internationally flagged merchant vessels over the past 15 years.
"The United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation through the Middle East waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, he said.
Iran releases two French citizens from prison, says Paris
Iran released two French citizens jailed in separate cases, France said, urging Tehran to release several others still detained in...The pair were among some two dozen foreigners jailed in Iran who campaigners see as hostages held in a deliberate strategy by Tehran.
Four more French citizens, described previously as "hostages" by the French foreign ministry, are still being held in prison by Iran.
UAE President, Macron hold talks to strengthen strategic partnership
Dubai, UAE -- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has discussed the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE...They also explored opportunities to further expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors, WAM reported.
Their talks also covered other fields central to both countries’ sustainable development ambitions, including investment, the economy, food security, and advanced technology.
Turkey says Ukraine grain deal nearing agreement
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, in place since July after diplomacy by the United Nations and Turkey, allows Ukraine grain...NATO member Turkey, which has good ties with Russia and Ukraine, has pushed both countries to resume peace talks after negotiations broke down last year
Ankara helped the United Nations broker the grain deal last July, helping ease a spike in global food prices caused by Russia's invasion
Saudi Arabia, US leading diplomatic drive for Sudan truce, end to fighting
fighting and looting raged most of Thursday in the capital Khartoum and US diplomats were frank about the obstacles in...Sudan's warring military factions signed a commitment to respect humanitarian principles in their spiralling conflict late Thursday but they did not reach a ceasefire
The agreement commits both sides in general terms to let in badly needed humanitarian assistance after looting and attacks targeting aid in the impoverished country
GCC-China economic relations move beyond oil trade
China aims to play a more central role in the Gulf region, focusing on investment opportunities beyond the oil and...China aims to play a more central role in the Gulf region, focusing on investment opportunities beyond the oil and energy relationship
Brokering talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran highlights China's ambition to challenge the US dollar's hegemony in the Gulf region
Global leaders urge ceasefire between Israel, Palestinian groups
The foreign ministers of Egypt, France, Germany and Jordan called for an end to the violence between Israel and Gaza..."The bloodletting must end now," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also said the "negative developments must end.
Iraqi museum damaged by IS works toward reopening
IS militants used sledgehammers and power tools to deface ancient statues and pre-Islamic treasures housed in the museum.A gaping hole remains in the floor of the museum's famed Assyrian gallery, caused by a bomb explosion.
The artefacts are being revived with financing from the International Alliance for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH).
Yemen peace push ‘serious’ but next steps unclear: Saudi envoy
"Everybody is serious. Serious means everybody is looking for peace," Mohammed al-Jaber said in his first extensive comments after meeting...Jaber, Riyadh's ambassador to Yemen, travelled to Sanaa in April as part of a plan to "stabilize" the truce, which officially expired in October.
The Houthis see Saudi Arabia as a party to the conflict, whereas Jaber indicated that Riyadh sees itself as more of a mediator trying to facilitate a truce.
