Politics

ABU DHABI/(WAM Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Technology at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke with CNN’s Becky Anderson today about how the decades-long US–UAE partnership is now increasingly focused on emerging technologies, as President Trump visits the UAE and the two nations mark a landmark US$1.4 trillion UAE investment commitment into the US economy. ‏“It’s a ...

RIYADH / WAM United States President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, marking his first official foreign visit since taking office on 20th January. The Gulf visit begins in Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Trump’s plane landed at King Khalid International Airport, where he was received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman ...

NEW YORK/WAM US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs on all countries except China for a period of 90 days. In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “I have authorised a 90-day pause, and a significant reduction in reciprocal tariffs by 10 percent during that period, effective immediately,” adding that tariffs ...

GENEVA/WAM The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed regret on the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organisation. The organisation hopes that the US government will reconsider this. “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for ...

GAZA, DOHA, CAIRO/WAM A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect today, marking the start of its first phase, which will last for 42 days. This follows 15 months of Israeli aggression on the region. The United Nations has also announced that the first aid convoys have entered Gaza. “A ceasefire finally came into effect in Gaza at 11:15 ...

NEW YORK/WAM The UN Secretary General António Guterres has welcomed the announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. “I commend the mediators — Egypt, Qatar, and the United States of America — for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal. Their unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution has been critical in achieving this ...

CAIRO/WAM Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has welcomed reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip after more than a year of arduous efforts under the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The Egyptian President emphasised the urgency of facilitating the swift delivery of critical humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to address the current catastrophic humanitarian ...

WASHINGTON/WAM US President Joe Biden has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Gaza and Israel. In a statement issued by the White House last night, the US President officially announced that, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. “This deal will halt the ...

BEIRUT/WAM The Lebanese Parliament on Thursday elected General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, as Lebanon’s 14th President. His election marks the end of a presidential vacancy that lasted for more than two years, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. Aoun secured 99 votes in the parliamentary session, while 9 MPs cast blank ballots.

CAIRO/WAM Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call today to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and Syria. During the call, Badr Abdel Aaty emphasised the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Abdel ...