Beirut / AFP Russian-backed Syrian regime forces inched closerto a key stop on a vital IS group supply line, as a twin offensive bore down on the extremists’ northern stronghold. The advance comes as 17 civilians were killed in air raids on a popular market in eastern Syria on the first day of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. …

  Niamey / AFP Niger vowed to avenge the deaths of 26 of its soldiers who were killed by Boko Haram insurgents in one of the extremist group’s deadliest attacks in the country. “We must continue to fight, this insult must be expunged, there is nothing to be done, it must be avenged,” Defence Minister HassoumiMassoudou said. The minister was …

  Iraq / AP As Iraqi security forces tighten their grip on the outskirts of militant-held Fallujah allegations of human rights violations are surfacing on both sides of the operation. Hundreds of civilians, many bearing marks of torture were released north of Fallujah after being detained by a group of government sanctioned mostly Shiite militias. Five of those detained died while …

  ABU DHABI / WAM His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, exchanged greetings over the phone with His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco and His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, on the occasion of the Holy …

  ABU DHABI / WAM FGB partnered with Zayed University, ZU, to enhance the skills, work experience and career opportunities for UAE nationals in the banking and financial services sector. The bank’s CEO, Andre Sayegh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University recently, during a ceremony held at Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi …

  KUWAIT / WAM The oil maritime transport sector needs to be further developed through increased international collaboration and a unified legislative system, the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) said on Tuesday. In its monthly report obtained by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), OAPEC noted that further cooperation between Arab nations is needed to stave off challenges and …

  DUBAI / WAM The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in partnership with global e-commerce platform for SMEs, Alibaba, recently conducted two workshops to emphasise the importance of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and to elaborate on Chamber’s role in facilitating e-commerce activities in the MENA region.

  DUBAI / WAM Dubai Customs and the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, UAE SARF, sealed a partnership deal setting Dubai Customs as Host Sponsor of the much-anticipated Silver Anniversary Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race, 2016. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Khaled Zayed Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Federation, and Ahmed Obaid Al Falasi, Executive Director of HR, …

  ABU DHABI / Reuters IBM on Tuesday signed a $300 million, ten-year technology services agreement with Dubai’s Emirates Airline. IBM will provide information technology services, allowing the airline to improve efficiency on its passenger support systems and functions, a statement from IBM said. Under the managed services agreement, this will include assistance in encrypting the airline’s data in near …

DUBAI / Reuters Dubai’s DP World won a 50-year concession to develop Posorja port project in Ecuador that will require initial investment of $500 million, the ports operator said in a bourse statement on Tuesday. The initial investment “will include the purchase of land, dredging of a new access channel, a 20 km access road and a 400 metre berth …