Page 40 - Middle East
Pompeo, Kushner to visit West Asia as US presses for Arab-Israeli peace
Pompeo is expected to depart on Sunday for Israel, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Sudan, according to reports
 "Pompeo, Kushner to visit West Asia as US presses for Arab-Israeli peace")
West Asia's new deal
Israel-UAE agreement hardens political fault lines
Marriage of convenience: What Israel-UAE deal means for Middle East peace
Normalisation of relations between Israel and an important Gulf state is a highly significant development whose fallout is unpredictable
 "Marriage of convenience: What Israel-UAE deal means for Middle East peace")
Iran is No. 1 sponsor of terrorism, says US ahead of UN arms embargo talks
Diplomat says the United States hopes Russia and China will not be co-sponsors of the number one state that sponsors terrorism and will see the importance of peace in the Middle East
 "Iran is No. 1 sponsor of terrorism, says US ahead of UN arms embargo talks")
Vande Bharat Mission: 5 Air India flights to arrive from Singapore, Gulf
The repatriation operation is being conducted under India's ambitious 'Vande Bharat' mission to bring back around 15,000 stranded citizens from overseas.
 "Vande Bharat Mission: 5 Air India flights to arrive from Singapore, Gulf")
With coronavirus outbreak, cherished Mideast traditions come to abrupt halt
Once inside, however, thick white plumes of fragrant smoke choked the air as over a dozen young men whiled away the hours in defiance of the directives.
 "With coronavirus outbreak, cherished Mideast traditions come to abrupt halt")
UAE suspends flights for two weeks as coronavirus reaches Gaza, Syria
The UAE also announced that malls, shopping centers and restaurants will be closed for at least two weeks
 "UAE suspends flights for two weeks as coronavirus reaches Gaza, Syria")
Mike Pompeo lands in Saudi Arabia to discuss security, threat from Iran
Pompeo said the United States was "prepared to talk anytime" to Iran but emphasised that the Iranian regime has "got to fundamentally change their behaviour"
 "Mike Pompeo lands in Saudi Arabia to discuss security, threat from Iran")
Gulf Arab states may lose their financial wealth in the next 15 years: IMF
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - whose net financial wealth the IMF estimates at $2 trillion - accounts for over one fifth of global oil supply
 "Gulf Arab states may lose their financial wealth in the next 15 years: IMF")
No tax on bonafide workers in Middle East, global income of NRIs in India
Indians working in the Middle East, as well as those in Merchant Navy, will not be taxed using the new provision
 "No tax on bonafide workers in Middle East, global income of NRIs in India")
Trump unveils Mideast peace plan, Palestinians reject it as 'çonspiracy'
Trump praised Israel for taking "a giant step toward peace" with the plan, which lays out a vision for future Palestinian statehood if a series of strict conditions are met.
 "Trump unveils Mideast peace plan, Palestinians reject it as 'çonspiracy'")
Russia to UN, here's how the world is reacting to Trump's Middle East plans
The plan had already been resoundingly rejected by Palestinian leaders before Trump launched it on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
 "Russia to UN, here's how the world is reacting to Trump's Middle East plans")
3 rockets hit US embassy in Baghdad as protests against Iraq govt continue
Attack marks dangerous escalation in spree of rocket attacks that have targeted the embassy or Iraqi military bases where American troops are deployed.
 "3 rockets hit US embassy in Baghdad as protests against Iraq govt continue")
Donald Trump's peace plan may polarise West Asia it seeks to calm
Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival centrist former general Benny Gantz to the White House next week
US targeted another Iranian official in Yemen day it killed Soleimani
Secret operation against a senior officer of Iran's elite Quds force failed.
US justifies killing Soleimani to UN, says will protect interests in region
In a letter to the UN Security Council, US Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United States also stands ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran
 "US justifies killing Soleimani to UN, says will protect interests in region")
Wall Street slips from record highs as Middle East tensions weigh
Demand for safe-haven assets soared as Iran vowed revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, head of its elite Quds Force, in an air strike authorized by US President Donald Trump
 "Wall Street slips from record highs as Middle East tensions weigh")
Gold zooms to Rs 40,652 per 10 gm on strong global trends, weak rupee
Similarly, silver prices also jumped Rs 960 to Rs 48,870 per kg from Rs 47,910 per kg in the previous trade
 "Gold zooms to Rs 40,652 per 10 gm on strong global trends, weak rupee")
Unemployment, sluggish growth fuelling unrest in Arab states: IMF
The IMF slashed its outlook for the region's three largest economies -- Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates
Middle East SWFs to lead the investment drive into India's energy sector
These funds make up a third of the total wealth of such funds globally, of about $8 trillion, and have a large exposure to energy assets globally
 "Middle East SWFs to lead the investment drive into India's energy sector")