BAGHDAD / AP The Iraqis guarding Baghdad’s many checkpoints, on the lookout for car bombs and convoys, don’t know what to make of Ali Al Moussawi when he pulls up in a truck displaying shelves of glossy books. The mobile bookstore is the latest in a series of efforts by the 25-year-old to share his passion for reading and revive ...

  DUBAI / WAM Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, said the UAE sees a healthy level of demand for crude oil in the future from emerging economies in Africa and Asia, and that UAE would remain commercially-minded in its strategic oil investments. Al Mazrouei’s comments came during a session on the region’s oil policy moderated ...

  FUJAIRAH / WAM The Government of Fujairah is committed to opening new prospects for investment in mineral resources, according to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, during the Fifth Fujairah International Forum for Industrial Rocks & Mining on Tuesday. He stressed the need for introducing flexible legislations that support efforts to conserve ...

  DUBAI / WAM Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and a delegation from Dell technologies headed by Michael Dell, CEO and founder of the US-based tech giant, have met to discuss ways of enhancing mutual cooperation and exchange expertise and international practices seen as the best in smart networks, information ...

  DUBAI / WAM Brazilian exports of textiles and clothing to the Arab region surged during the first two months of 2017, increasing by 87.5 per cent compared to its performance during the same period in 2016, according to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, ABCC. The huge demand for synthetic fabric and sisal rope used in ships and rigs ...

  Bloomberg UK Prime Minister Theresa May called for an early election on June 8, seeking a personal mandate and parliamentary backing to take her through Brexit talks. The pound surged. The Conservatives have a 21-point lead, according to a recent poll and May — who became prime minister without an election — is betting she can extend the slim ...

  TOKYO / AP The US will not relent until it achieves its objective of ensuring the Korean Peninsula is free of nuclear weapons, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday while visiting Japan. After meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other leaders, Pence told reporters that President Donald Trump was confident that economic and diplomatic pressure has a ...

  RIYADH / AP The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen says one of its helicopters has crashed in eastern Yemen, killing 12 Saudi officers. The coalition says the crash took place in the eastern province of Marib on Tuesday and that it’s investigating the circumstances. It happened as US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, ...

  BELGRADE / AP Russian and Serbian officials say Serbia is seeking a Russian air-defense system in addition to fighter jets and battle tanks. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said he negotiated the purchase of the S-300 anti-aircraft rockets during his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although Serbia claims it wants to be part of the European ...

  Dubai / WAM His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday launched the National Strategy for Empowering People with Disabilities, during his visit to Ministry of Community Development. The National Policy for Empowering People with Disabilities revolve around 6 pillars including health and rehabilitation, education, vocational rehabilitation ...