Author: Gulf News Week
US President Donald Trump says he has instructed negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran, after earlier suggesting an agreement was close. The deal under discussion reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a plan for further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.In a social media post, Trump said “constructive” talks were proceeding but “both sides must take their time and get it right”.Trump said on Saturday an agreement had been “largely negotiated”, prompting speculation an announcement could be imminent. According to US media, the mooted deal is not a final settlement and instead…
Oil prices have fallen sharply and Asian stock markets have risen on hopes of a deal that could bring an end to the US-Israel war with Iran.On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Tehran had been “largely negotiated” and details would be announced soon but the following day urged his negotiating team not to rush an agreement.On Monday morning in Asia, global oil benchmark Brent was down by 5.5% at $97.90 (£72.64), while US-traded crude was 5.8% lower at $90.99.Trump had previously said the deal would include the reopening of the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route,…
Initial findings reportedly point the death to financial distress, although investigators have not officially confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding their demiseAn elderly Indian expatriate couple were reportedly found dead at their residence in Kerala’s Kollam district on Saturday, just hours before they were scheduled to board a return flight to the UAE, according to Indian media reports.As reported by The Times of India and Onmanorama, the couple — aged 67 and 60 — were discovered inside their home in Anchumukku in Kadakkal around 11.15am after relatives living nearby became concerned when repeated knocks on the door went unanswered.Police officials were…
Investors are dealing very cautiously with political developments in the Middle East, which represent one of the most influential drivers of global risk sentimentGold prices jumped Dh6.5 per gram in Dubai on Monday morning as precious metal prices rallied on expectations of a US-Iran peace deal.The 24K gold price in Dubai was trading at Dh549.75 per gram at the market opening on Monday, up from Dh543.25 per gram at the close of the markets last week.The 22K gold price rose Dh6 per gram to Dh609.25 per gram, while 22K, 18K and 14K opened higher at Dh488.25, Dh418.5 and Dh326.5 per…
An RAF jet with the UK defence secretary on board had its signal jammed as it flew near the Russian border earlier this week.John Healey was travelling back to the UK on Thursday after visiting British soldiers in Estonia when the incident happened, the Times first reported. Russia is believed to be behind the attack, which meant pilots had to use a different navigation system as the plane’s GPS was disabled during the three-hour flight.The incident took place a day after it emerged that two Russian warplanes had “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea…
More than a million people in the UK now have second jobs as rising costs, insecure work and industry changes push workers into a growing gig economy.Billy-Jo Pierce says she is “living in survival mode”, juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in Bristol, the UK’s second most expensive city.She is is one of a growing number of people who have taken on an extra paid role to combat the cost of living crisis and build financial security and flexibility.Pierce, 29 and originally from Birmingham, says she loves her work but admits that the “burn out is real.” ‘Part of a…
Autocratic monarchs once left an echo of their glory in the ruins of the megaprojects they commanded at the peak of their unchallenged power. Those monumental physical traces are to be found in the fertile plains, mountainsides and deserts of the Middle East. But one of their most prominent modern counterparts may only have a digital footprint to leave behind for some of his most ambitious concepts.A decade ago, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman – or MBS as he is widely known – decreed a revisioning of his country that leapt from the realm of science…
media reviews three narratives circulated during the regional escalation and checks them against official statements, briefings and economic indicatorsThree claims about the UAE have gained space on some digital and traditional media, including Iranian platforms: that the country took part in the American-Israeli war against Iran, that its federation is fragile, and that its economy is vulnerable.But official UAE statements show a different picture. The UAE has repeatedly said it was not party to the war, did not allow its airspace, territory or waters to be used for attacks against Iran, and has continued to demonstrate political, institutional and economic…
Get prayer timings for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other emirates on the first day of Eid Al Adha, Wednesday, May 27As residents across the UAE prepare to celebrate Eid Al Adha, this year’s festival comes after weeks of regional tension linked to the Iran war.There is, however, a stronger sense of hope ahead of Eid, with Reuters and AP reporting progress towards a possible US-Iran deal aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said a deal had been “largely negotiated”, though final agreement has not yet been reached.Against that backdrop, mosques in…
Petrol prices have been hiked for the past three consecutive months due to a rally in global oil rates, rising nearly 50 per cent between February and MayThe UAE’s fuel prices committee is set to announce petrol prices for the month of June later this week to align them with global rates.Petrol prices could rise for the fourth consecutive month as crude oil stayed above $100 a barrel in May due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel-Iran war.Brent’s average closing price was around $106 a barrel in May, compared to around $99 a barrel in…