Cancellations are effective on August 30 and August 31, airlines are “monitoring the situation closely”
Iraq
Baghdad
Saudi Arabia, Iran resume talks to repair ties and cut tensions in the Middle East region: report
The “positive atmosphere” of the talks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad could pave the way for a session with the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in the “near future”, Iran’s state-run news agency reported
banking business
First Abu Dhabi Bank opens office in Iraq to facilitate regional trade flow
The First Abu Dhabi Bank’s international network spans five continents, providing the global relationships, expertise, and financial strength to support local, regional, and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad
Colombia
Dubai Ruler launches Digital School to benefit 20,000 children in Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Mauritania, and Colombia
Presented initially in three languages – Arabic, French, and Spanish – The Digital School will have materials matching the nationally approved curricula in the beneficiary countries, and will aim to benefit 1 million students in 5 years
Careem
Dubai’s Careem expands operations to Mosul
Careem says it plans to roll out its full suite of services in Iraqi city in line with its vision of becoming the region’s everyday super app
First Gulf War
Kuwait receives $270m in war reparations
UN says it aims to wrap up reparations more than a decade after Saddam Hussein’s death
Background
Three French ISIL members sentenced to death in Iraq: judiciary
Captured in Syria by a US-backed force fighting the jihadists, they are the first French ISIL members to receive death sentences in Iraq
#Syria
Trump defends Syria withdrawal in surprise Iraq visit
President Donald Trump said the United States can no longer be “policeman of the world”
Iraq
Heavy rains unearth Iraqi mines in Kuwait desert
Land mines planted by Iraqi troops during their 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait are discovered, forcing desert camps to close
Barham Saleh
Saudi’s King Salman welcomes Iraqi president on first visit to kingdom
Barham Saleh’s first official visit to the kingdom comes amid a warming of ties after years of strain
Adel Al Ali
UAE’s Air Arabia plans to launch fourth Iraqi route
Air Arabia has announced plans to launch a non-stop service to the city of Sulaymaniyah in the north of Iraq
Dana Gas
Dana Gas ends sukuk dispute, issues resized instrument
The bond instrument is now sized at $530 million
Global oil demand
Saudi oil output said to top 10 million barrels a day
Source says Saudi Arabia boosted daily oil output in May to the highest level since October
Aviation
flydubai says to resume Sulaimaniyah flights in May
Low-cost carrier makes announcement after Iraqi authorities reopened local airport
Iraq
Iraq pays first war reparations to Kuwait since 2014
Saddam Hussein has been dead for more than a decade but Kuwait is still receiving reparations for his 1990 invasion
Aviation
flydubai resumes flights to Erbil following suspension
Low-cost carrier says it will operate a daily service to the Iraqi city from March 25
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince to open embassy in Baghdad
Saudi crown prince will sign a number of strategic agreements between Baghdad and Riyadh during his visit