
UAE Names ADNOC Chief Jaber As COP28 Climate Conference President
PARIS, France – The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that Sultan al – Jaber, the head of state oil giant ADNOC, would act as president of the COP28 climate conference it is hosting this year. Jaber, also UAE’s minister of industry and technology and its climate envoy, will help develop the COP28 agenda and…

Saudi Arabia To Host Pre-Pandemic Numbers For 2023 Haj Pilgrimage Season
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia will remove COVID-19 restriction for the 2023 haj season and host pre-pandemic numbers of pilgrims, the kingdom’s ministry of haj and umrah said on Monday. In 2019, the last yeast before the pandemic struck, some 2.6 million people performed the haj. The kingdom allowed only limited numbers from its residents…

UAE President Congratulates Netanyahu On Inauguration
PARIS, France – United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al – Nahyan called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his inauguration, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Saturday. Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister on Thursday in a comeback at the head of a hard-right cabinet…

Former Pope Benedict Dies Aged 95
PARIS, France – Former Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, died on Saturday aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation, a spokesman for the Holy See said. ”With sorrow I inform you that Pope Emeritus, Benedict…

Ronaldo Joins Saudi Arabian Club Al Nassr Until 2025
PARIS, France – Portugal capital Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a 2-1/2 year contract, the club announced on Friday, after leaving Manchester United to become a free agent. Ronaldo departed Old Trafford last month following an explosive television interview in which the 37-year-old forward said he felt betrayed by the…

Pele, Who Died At 82, Was A Sports Star And Cultural Icon
PARIS, France – The Brazilian soccer star said Andy Warhol told him that. It was a twist on something else the American artist is widely credited with saying, that ”in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”. Warhol made the soccer star’s portrait in 1977, and Pele took great pride in turning his…

Unemployment Among Saudi Citizens Increase To 9.9 In Q3/22
PARIS, France – Unemployment in Saudi Arabia among citizens increased to 9.9% in the third quarter, up 0.2. percentage points from the previous quarter but the overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.9 percent, data released on Thursday showed. The rate of joblessness among citizens fell from 11.3% in the same period last year, however,…

Messi To Return To PSG In Early January, Says Galtier
PARIS, France – Lionel Messi will return to Paris St Germain at the beginning of January, the Ligue 1 club’s manager Christophe Galtier said on Tuesday. The Argentine forward, seven – times Ballon D’Or winner, scored two goals to lead his country to victory over France on penalties in the World Cup final nine days…

Iranian Woman Competes At Chess Tournament Without Hijab – Media Reports
PARIS, France – An Iranian chess player has taken part in an international tournament without a hijab, according to media reports, the latest several Iranian sportswomen to appear at competitions without one since anti-government protests began. Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Masha…

Qatar Reiterates Denial That Its Government Involved In EU Corruption Case
PARIS, France – Qatar reiterated on Sunday that the country denies any involvement in a corruption case being investigated by Belgian authorities involving people linked to the European Parliament. Belgian authorities have charged four people linked to the European Parliament over allegations World Cup host Qatar lavished them with cash and gifts to influence decision-making.…

Success Of Joint Emirati-Saudi Mediation Regarding Release And Exchange Of Prisoners Between United States And Russian Federation
PARIS, France – – In a joint statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the success of the mediation led by His Highness President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman…

China’s Xi At Saudi Palace To Meet Royals On Mideast Trip
PARIS, France – Chinese leader Xi Jinping met on Thursday with Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince while on a visit to the kingdom, solidifying ties with a region crucial to his country’s energy supplies as sanctions intensify on Russian over its war on Ukraine. Xi arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh and was…

Qatar Hosts An Official Visit By UAE President Sheikh Mohamed
PARIS, France – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) president arrived in Qatar on Monday in the first such visit since Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies ended a boycott of Doha nearly two years ago. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al – Nahyan, the UAE’s de facto ruler for years before becoming president in May, was…

Biden Warns China On North Korea, Clashes With Xi Over Taiwan In Bali Meeting
PARIS, France – U.S. President Joe Biden warned President Xi Jinping on Monday that the United States would enhance its security position in Asia if Beijing cannot rein in North Korea’s weapons programmes, and during a three-hour meeting, the two leaders also had strong words about Taiwan. Bident told a news conference after his first…

France’s Macron: Children Of Iran’s Revolution Carrying Out Their Own Revolution
PARIS, France – The children of Iran’s revolution are carrying out their own revolution, said French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with French radio broadcast on Monday, as Iran holds seven French citizens in the country amid deteriorating ties between the two countries. France lashed out at Iran on Oct.6, accusing it of ”dictatorial…

Rocket Attack Near Iraq’s Ebrill Kills One, Wounds 10 – Mayor
PARIS, France – At least one person was killed and 10 others were wounded on Monday after rockets hit the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish party in the city of Koye, near the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region Erbil, the mayor of Koye Tariq Haidari said. Iran’s semi-official Fars news said the country’s Revolutionary…

Iranian Actress Taraneh Alidoosti Expresses Support For Protests
PARIS, France – Leading Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti has posted a picture of herself on Instagram without a headscarf to express support for nationwide anti-government protests. Best-known for her role in ”The Salesman”, which won an Academy Award in 2017, the pro-reform artist held up a sign in the Instagram post that read ”Woman, Life,…

Pope Francis Arrives In Bahrain
PARIS, France – Pope Francis arrived in Bahrain on Thursday to start a four – day trip, the second by the pontiff to the Arabian Peninsula. The plane carrying the pope arrived in Sakir where he is due to meet King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Sakhir Palace.

Former Pakistan PM Khan Shot In Foot In Attack On Party Convoy – Aide
PARIS, France – Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was wounded in the shin on Thursday when his convoy was shot at in the country’s east on Thursday, an aide said. A member of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said several colleagues were also wounded amid reports one had been killed. ”A man opened fire…

Saudia To Buy Up To 100 Lilium Electric Aircraft For Domestic Network
PARIS, France – – Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has signed an agreement with German air taxi developer Lilium to buy up to 100 of its aircraft for use on Saudia’s domestic network, the state carrier’s chief executive said on Wednesday. Saudia CEO Ibrahim Koshy said the planes would be ”a premium service” that carry four…

Qatar Faced Unprecedented Criticism Over Hosting World Cup, Emir Says
PARIS, France – Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, some of which amounted to slander, its ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, said on Tuesday. ”We initially dealt with the matter in good faith”, Sheikh Tamim said in a televised policy speech, adding that…

Saudia In Talks With Airbus And Boeing Over Plane Orders
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is in talks with plane makers Airbus SE and Boeing Co on orders for itself and a new carrier the kingdom plans to launch, the state-owned airline’s chief executive said on Tuesday. The talks are for aircraft for both airlines as they have the ”same shareholder”, Ibrahim Koshy…

France’s Macron Says He Will Work With UK PM Sunak On Common Challenges Such As Ukraine
PARIS, France – French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Rishi Sunak on Tuesday on becoming the new UK Prime Minister, and added in a Twitter message that he would look to work with him on common challenges such as the war in Ukraine.

Riyadh And Washington Will Overcome Spat, Saudi Minister Says
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia and the United States will get over their ”unwarranted” spat over oil supplies, the kingdom’s investment minister told a business forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, highlighting long-standing corporate and institutional ties. This month’s decision by the OPEC+ alliance led by Saudi Arabia to cut oil output targets unleashed a war…

Saudi Crown Prince Not Attending Arab Summit On Doctors’ Advice, Algerian Presidency Says
PARIS, France – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the Arab summit to be held on Nov.1 in Algeria, in compliance with a doctors’ recommendation to avoid travel, the Algerian presidency said in a statement late on Saturday. Prince Mohammed, the kingdom’s de-facto ruler, ”expressed his regret for non-attending the Arab Summit”,…

Saudi Arabia’s SALIC, Brazil’s Minerva Buy Australia Lamb Company For About $260 Mln
PARIS, France – The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and Brazilian meatpacker Minerva has acquired the Australian Lamb Company (ALC) for 970 million riyals ($258 million), SALIC said in a statement on Friday. The acquisition was done through Minerva Food Australia, a joint venture established last…

Finland Remains In Close Dialogue With Turkey Over NATO bid
MILAN, Italy – Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Havvisto said on Friday his country remains in regular contact with Turkey amid the Nordic nation’s NATO membership bid and that he has been in dialogue with his Turkish counterpart during the past week.

Saudi Energy Minister Says OPEC+ Doing The Right Job To Ensure Stable Market
MILAN, Italy – Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Friday said OPEC+ is doing the right job to ensure stable and sustainable oil markets. He was responding to questions on a recent decision by OPEC+ to cut oil output by 2 million barrels per day.

Saudi, China Agree To Strengthen Energy Cooperation – SPA
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the director of China’s National Energy Administration Zhang Jinhua on Friday said they would strengthen their ties in the energy sector, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported. The officials spoke in a teleconference call and stressed the importance of stable long-term supplies…

Saudi Crown Prince Welcomes Biden At Al – Salam Palace In Jeddah
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister of Defense, welcomed on Friday U.S. President Joe Biden at the Al – Salam Palace in Jeddah. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz is set to meet with Biden at the Al – Salam Palace. Biden had arrived…

Tunisia’s Jabeur Downs Maria To Become First Arab In Major Final
LONDON – Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur lifted the spirits of an entire continent as she became the first Arab and first African woman to reach the Wimbledon final with a rousing 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory over her barbecue buddy Tatjana Maria on Thursday. Before she stepped on court, American great Billie Jean King said Jabeur was…

Saudi Arabia Calls On Muslims To Sight Dhu Al – Hijjah Crescent Moon
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the Dhu al – Hijjah crescent moon on Wednesday evening, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The sighting of the moon marks the beginning of the Dhu Al – Hijjah Islamic month in which the Hajj…

Saudi Arabia To Invest $3.4 Bln In Vaccine,Biomedical Drugs Sector
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s industry and Mineral Resources said on Friday the country would invest $3.4 billion in the vaccine and biomedical drugs sector, according to state news agency SPA. The Minister Bandar Alkhorayef, who heads the newly – established vaccines and biopharmaceutical industry committee, said the move is part of the kingdom’s push…

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Arrives In Egypt, Will Visit Jordan And Turkey Next
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt on Monday and was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel – Fattah el Sisi, state news agency SPA reported. The Crown Prince’s visit to Egypt is part of a tour that will include visiting Jordan and Turkey next. The visits were based on…

Saudi Crown Prince To Visit Egypt June 20 On Regional Tour
PARIS, France – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Egypt on June 20 as part of a regional tour that includes stops in Jordan and Turkey, two diplomatic sources said on Saturday. Prince Mohammed will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al – Sisi to discuss issues including the impact of the war in…

Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Establishes National Media Office in UAE
PARIS, France – Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs, on Wednesday launched the National Media Office. The unit is tasked with developing the media sector, legislation, regulations, and decisions on media development while also monitoring the implementation of legislation in coordination with the relevant authorities and administrative…

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala And EQT Fund To Buy Sweden’s Envirotainer
PARIS, France – Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala and a fund managed by European buyout firm EQT have agreed to buy Envirotainer, a Swedish company which leases out cold containers for shipping temperature – sensitive healthcare products. Mubadala and the EQT X fund are buying the company from European buyout firm Cinven and Denmark life…

White House Praises Saudi Crown Prince Ahead Of Expected Biden Trip
WASHINGTON – The White House took the rare step of recognizing the role played by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in extending a ceasefire in Yemen on Thursday ahead of what is expected to be a trip to Riyadh by President Joe Biden. White House press secretary Karine Jean – Pierre told reporters…

Soccer Serie A Seeks Abu Dhabi Deals On TV Rights, Italian Super Cup – Sources
MILAN – Italy’s top soccer league Serie A is in talks over a broadcast deal with state – backed Abu Dhabi Media and on a separate agreement to host its Super Cup in the emirate, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. Home to AC Milan, Juventus and other top clubs, Serie A is…

Russia’s Lavrov To Meet With GCC Ministers In Riyadh On Wednesday – Officials
PARIS, France – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday where he will meet with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC), two Gulf officials said on Tuesday. Lavrov is expected to meet with ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in…

Dubai Cooling Firm Empower Invited Banks To Pitch For IPO – Sources
DUBAI – Dubai’s Emirates Central Cooling System Cooperation (Empower) has invited investment banks to pitch for roles in its planned initial public offering, which is slated for later this years, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Empower, which is part owned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has asked banks to…

Saudi Finance Minister Says No Immediate Plans To Transfer More Funds To PIF
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Monday there were no immediate plans to transfer more funds to the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund at the centre of the kingdom’s plans to diversify its economy away from oil. The PIF manages over $600 billion in assets, a figure that has…

Security Guard Killed In Qatar Embassy In Paris
PARIS, France – A security guard was killed in the early hours of Monday Inside the Qatar Embassy in Paris in an incident that does not appear to have any links to terrorism, a source close to the investigation said. The incident took place at around 0630 (0430GMT), the source said, adding that the suspect…

Guardiola Becomes England’s Most Successful Foreign Manager
PARIS, France – Spaniard Pep Guardiola became the most successful foreign manager in English football, in terms of league titles won, when he clinched his fourth Premier League crown on Sunday. With his latest success, the Manchester City manager moved above Frenchman Arsene Wenger and Portuguese Jose Mourinho who both have three Premier League titles…

Qatari Foreign Minister: Iran Says It Has Matters ‘Under Review’ Over Nuclear Pact
PARIS, France – Qatar’s foreign minister said in remarks cited on Saturday by Al Jazeera TV that Qatar had been informed by Iran that matters were ‘under review’ regarding a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. The Qatari – based TV broadcaster quoted Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulraham Al – Thani as saying…

Greece Lifts COVID Curbs For Travellers Ahead Of Key Summer Season
ATHENS, Greece – Greece lifted COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday for foreign and domestic flights, its civil aviation authority said, ahead of the summer tourism season that officials hope will see revenues bouncing back from the pandemic slump. To fly in or out of the country, travellers were previously required to show either a vaccination certificate,…

Saudi, Pakistan To Discuss Possible Support For Kingdom’s $3 Billion Deposit
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will discuss the possibility of supporting the kingdom’s $3 billion deposit in Pakistan’s central bank bank by extending its term ‘or through other options’, a joint statement carried by Saudi State News Agency SPA said on Sunday. Last year, Saudi Arabia deposited $3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank…

King Abdullah Returns To Jordan After Surgery In Germany – State Media
PARIS, France – Jordan’s King Abdullah returned home on Tuesday from Germany after a successful operation for a slipped disc, the royal palace said. The king flown 10 days ago to a specialist hospital in Frankfurt after suffering severe back pain that required urgent surgery, doctors said.

Yemen President Cedes Powers To Council As Saudi Arabia Pushes To End War
PARIS, France – Yemen’s president delegated power to a presidential council and dismissed his deputy on Thursday in moves aimed at supporting U.N. – led efforts to revive negotiations to end a bitter seven – year war. Riyadh announced $3 billion in financial aid to the Saudi – backed government after the announcement by President…

Saudi Authorities Warn Against Donating To Strangers Due To Terrorism Financing
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of State Security warned citizens and residents in the Kingdom against donating to strangers, nothing that such practices increase the probability of financing terrorism. ‘[Random strangers] may be more dangerous than you think’, the Presidency of State Security said in a statement on Twitter, urging people to only make…

Jordan’s Prince Hamzah Relinquishes Royal Title
PARIS, France – Jordan’s Prince Hamzah Bin Al – Hussein is relinquishing his title of prince, he said in a statement. Prince Hamza, a former heir to the throne, was accused last year of conspiring to destabilize the monarchy in a foreign – inspired plot. Prince Hamzah posted the statement on his official Twitter account,…

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix To Go Ahead As Planned, Say Organizers
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Formula One’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned, organizers said on Friday following attacks on a facility owned by oil giant Aramco near the racetrack in Jeddah. Yemen’s Iran – backed Houthis said they launched attacks on Saudi energy facilities on Friday and the Arab coalition said Aramco’s…

Saudi Arabia Resumes Visa On Arrival For US, UK, Schengen Valid Visa Holders
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia has resumed issuing visas on arrival for holders of valid U.S., U.K. and Schengen visas if they qualify for an e – visa, state news agency (SPA) reported on Friday. The decision which allows any of these visa holders to ger a 12 – month tourist visa upon arrival to…

Saudi Aramco Storage Facility Targeted By Houthi Attack, Causing Fire
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Yemen’s Houthis said they launched attacks on Saudi energy facilities on Friday and the Saudi – led coalition said oil giant Aramco’s petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was hit, causing a fire in two storage tanks but no causalities. A huge plume of black smoke could be seen rising over…

U.S. Approves Potential Sale Of Rocket Launchers To Bahrain – Pentagon
WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale to Bahrain of M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Upgrade and related equipment for an estimated cost of $176 million, the Pentagon said on Thursday. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release.

France Promises Funding To International Criminal Court To Investigate Crimes In Ukraine
PARIS, France – The French Foreign Ministry has promised 500,000 euros ($548,715) of financing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to support the investigation into cimes committed in Ukraine, it said in a statement on Wednesday. France will also be providing magistrates, investigators and experts, ‘to make sure the prosecutor can lead his investigation in…

Zelensky Tells Russians: ‘Save Your Sons From The War’
PARIS, France – In a video message posted to Facebook Wednesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Russians and told them, ‘save your sons from the war’. Zelensky said Ukraine had never threatened the security of Russia, adding that Russian propagandists ‘lie about the war, which is paid for by your taxes’. Ukrainians, he said,…

Putin Says Russia Will Switch Gas Sales To Roubles For ‘Unfriendly’ Countries
PARIS, France – Russia plans to switch its gas sales to ‘unfriendly’ countries to roubles, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, responding to a freeze on Russia’s assets by foreign nations over events in Ukraine that he said had destroyed Moscow’s trust. European countries’ dependence on Russia gas and other exports has been thrown into…
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