Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on Saturday called on nine countries attending a regional summit in Baghdad to enhance co-operation to achieve peace in the Middle East.
“We believe that in this historic moment we can say that what brings us together as countries and peoples in our region is bigger than what separates us,” Mr Al Kadhimi said, addressing leaders and senior officials from nine countries.
He appealed for support to his country which is still struggling to maintain stability after decades of war and internal strife.
“We look forward to co-operation and support from all friends and neighbours to modernise Iraqi cities through investment and sustainable development,” he said.
Speaking after Mr Al Kadhimi, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged his country's continuing support to Iraq in the fight against terrorism and training Iraqi security forces.
"Today's meeting shows that the will to co-operate and build partnerships remains the most important thing to achieve peace in this key region," Mr Macron said through an Arabic interpreter.
"We owe the people of Iraq to regain control of its fate and return to stability and development. France remains fully committed to the Iraqi forces on the ground, in both their combat missions and training."
"I would like to say that France will remain committed to be on your side to fight terrorism as long as you [Iraq] sees that as necessary and needed," he added.
The one-day Baghdad Conference for Co-operation and Partnership is being held in co-ordination with France and is planned to ease tensions in the region and boost co-operation between its countries.
In addition to Mr Macron, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah are attending.
On the sidelines of the conference, Sheikh Mohammed met with Sheikh Al Sabah where the two leaders discussed "ways to enhance bilateral relations in the best interests of the two countries," according to a statement on official UAE news service WAM.
Sheikh Mohammed remarked on Twitter that the summit represented Baghdad's revival of its "regional and global position" and a return to "writing a new story in the march of civilisation".
Sheikh Mohammed also held a separate meeting with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. The leaders discussed the conference and "its anticipated outcomes geared towards serving the lasting security and stability of Iraq, wishing the conference great success and progress and prosperity for the Iraqi people."
"The Gulf destiny is one..it was and will remain," Sheikh Mohammed said in a tweet.
Sheikh Mohammed and Kuwaiti Prime Minister separately met Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the summit “comes at a time when the region and the world are witnessing changes and that we all need to increase co-operation in order to face them and achieve the aspirations of our peoples, for security and prosperity.”
Iran’s new Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and their Saudi Arabia counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud are also present.
Ambassadors of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the EU, members of the G20 group, the Gulf Co-operation Council and the Arab League are attending as observers.
Syria has not been invited, following intense political controversy in Baghdad after a pro-Iran politician informally invited President Bashar Al Assad in early August. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that only the ministry could send official invitations.
The region has been rocked by a series of crises in recent years that have strained relations between governments.
Ongoing wars in Syria and Yemen, the economic collapse in Lebanon and instability in Libya have ensured tensions have remained elevated.
Iran’s controversial nuclear programme is also viewed by many countries – mainly the Gulf States – with suspicion. Relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States have only recently improved.
Iraq 's mediating role
Iraq sees a benefit in boosting relations with Arab countries and mending relations between rivals in the region, mainly Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iraq has been in the grip of multiple challenges since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and unleashed insurgency and sectarian warfare.
It had been shunned by Arab countries, who believed its Shiite-led government was too close to Iran.
Since then, the country has been a battleground for settling scores.
Iraq has been caught in the middle as its main allies, the US and Iran, sparred on its soil. The situation came to a head on January 3, 2020, when a series of clashes between Iran-backed militias and US forces led to President Trump authorising a drone strike near Baghdad airport against Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
That nearly brought Iran and the US to the brink of war as Iran fired a volley of ballistic missiles towards US bases in Iraq, injuring 100 US soldiers.
Iraq's oil-dependent economy has also repeatedly stalled as oil prices have seen calamitous drops since 2014, reaching a low point in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The war-torn nation also needs billions of dollars for post-war rebuilding efforts.
Iraqi officials are planning to have representatives of Iran and Saudi Arabia sitting in a parallel meeting to continue discussions Baghdad hosted in recent months.
After backing opposing sides during the Syrian civil war, Iran and Saudi Arabia are now aligned with rival forces fighting a war in Yemen, and severed their relations in 2016.
Relations worsened after a 2019 missile and drone attack on Saudi oil infrastructure at Abqaiq briefly knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's oil production. Riyadh, the US and the UN blamed the attack on Iran, a charge Tehran denied.
But despite these tensions, the conference showed widespread support for Iraq's efforts to mediate regional conflict.
"Our meeting at the conference is evidence of Iraq's central role," said Jordan's King Abdullah. "We must open all doors to achieve economic integration," he added.
Mr El Sisi praised Iraq's famed ancient heritage while highlighting warming relations between Cairo and Baghdad.
"You are an ancient nation that enjoys a special standing, a civilisation, a history and diversity ... protect your country, build, develop and participate. Build you future and the future of your children," he said.
Mr El Sisi has in recent months forged close relations with the Iraqi leader and laid the foundations of a regional alliance that groups Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. He alluded to that alliance in his comments on Saturday, saying that partnership opens the way to broader and cooperation.
Foreign intervention
In a thinly-veiled reference to Iran, Saudi Foreign Minister said his country rejects foreign intervention in Iraq and other Arab and Islamic countries in the region.
“The kingdom stresses on the importance of respecting the sovereignty of Iraq and Arab and Islamic countries in the region and rejecting foreign intervention in some Arab countries,” he said.
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi echoed the same concerns regarding Iran and Turkey.
"Egypt rejects all kinds of foreign intervention in the affairs of Iraq along with the illegitimate aggressions on its territory,” Mr El Sisi said.
“It calls on all powers to respect the sovereignty of this ancient nation and the choices of its people. Everyone benefits from Iraq assuming its Arab and regional role," he added.
For his part, the Iranian foreign minister blamed the US for the instability in the region, calling for dialogue among the regional countries away from “intervention from foreign countries.”
“The Americans do not bring peace and security to the peoples of the region,” Mr Amir-Abdollahian said, delivering his speech in a classical Arabic in what is seen as an attempt present Iran as part of the region and not to be treated as an outsider.
"They were the main reason behind the insecurity in the region."
But the conference's final communique set a very different tone, emphasising regional cooperation to improve security.
The communique vowed to back Iraqi government efforts in post-war reconstruction, to improve public services and infrastructure and to deal with the challenges arising from climate change and global warming.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hailed the meeting as a success for “bringing together leaders from rival countries and creating an atmosphere of dialogue between countries in conflict”.
Today’s event “will have future impact on the situation in Iraq and the region and will reduce tensions and pressures,” Mr Hussein told reporters after the summit.
He added that there will be more follow-up meetings by with foreign ministers and another meeting may be held in Amman next year, with the possibility of inviting more countries.
Hamza Hendawi contributed to this report from Cairo, Egypt.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Results
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA
First Test: October 2-6, at Visakhapatnam
Second Test: October 10-14, at Maharashtra
Third Test: October 19-23, at Ranchi
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
