Bahrain's crown prince and Qatar's emir spoke by telephone late on Wednesday, the state news agencies of each country reported, in a sign that the two Gulf countries are making efforts to improve ties after restoring relations following years of discord.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt ended more than three years of disagreement with Qatar when they signed the AlUla declaration in January 2021.
In June 2017, the four countries severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting militant groups, which it denied.
Bahrain News Agency said the country's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa had a call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that "emphasised the importance of joint efforts to resolve all outstanding differences".
"It was also agreed that officials from both countries will continue to communicate to achieve common goals," BNA said.
The call came a week after Sheikh Tamim and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attended a small Arab summit hosted by the UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi that was also attended by the rulers of Oman, Jordan and Egypt.
The call on Wednesday came six months after Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani was working on invitations to hold talks with Qatar to “settle the remaining issues”.
“These pending matters should not be left unsettled and we continue to stress the importance of engaging with Qatar and being open for dialogue and mutual understanding in line with AlUla Summit declaration to solve pending issues between the two countries such as those related to aviation, and maritime co-ordination,” Mr Al Zayani said in August.
Last June, Bahrain said it had invited Qatar for a second time to send a delegation for bilateral talks after its first invitation in January went unanswered.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Afro%20salons
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Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
Company%20Profile
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
