Russia, Syria to hold further talks on Russian military bases in Syria, TASS reports

The Assad regime was overthrown in early December. (AFP)
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Updated 29 January 2025
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Russia, Syria to hold further talks on Russian military bases in Syria, TASS reports

DAMASCUS: Russia and Syria will hold further talks regarding Russian military bases in Syria, Russia’s news agencies reported late on Tuesday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as telling journalists after his talks with Syrian officials.
“This issue requires additional negotiations,” TASS news agency cited Bogdanov as saying. Bogdanov is heading Russia’s delegation to Damascus for the first time since Moscow’s ally President Bashar Assad was toppled.
He added that so far there have been no changes to the presence of Russian military bases in the country.

 

 


Niemann enjoying riding shotgun at International Series India presented by DLF

Updated 2 min 8 sec ago
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Niemann enjoying riding shotgun at International Series India presented by DLF

  • Thick fog each day has caused numerous delays which resulted in organizers moving to a shotgun start for rounds 3, 4

GURUGRAM, INDIA: The first ever shotgun start on The International Series saw the advantage lie with Joaquin Niemann during the third round of the International Series India presented by DLF.

The Chilean reached seven under for the tournament at DLF Golf and Country Club after eight holes before darkness brought day three to an end.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Ollie Schniederjans from the US, playing in the same group as Niemann, are one and three shots back, respectively.

Niemann led after the second round, which was completed earlier in the day, by two shots from Higa and Schniederjans, and looks to be well in control of his game heading into tomorrow. They are all due to putt out on nine when they return in the morning. He made a birdie, on the third, and parred all the other holes in the third round.

Thick fog each day has caused numerous delays which resulted in the organizers moving to a shotgun start for rounds three and four in order for the tournament to reach completion on Sunday.

Play will commence at 7.30 a.m. local time on Sunday, weather permitting, with the final round starting at 11.10 a.m.

Niemann is attempting to win back-to-back titles on The International Series having claimed the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in December.

Australian Travis Smyth and Eugenio Chacarra from Spain are in joint fourth, four behind the frontrunner.

American Bryson DeChambeau, the star attraction this week and current US Open champion, is six back from the top.

It is the first time there has been a shotgun start on The International Series but not on the Asian Tour. Last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters saw two shotgun starts at the weekend because of delays caused by Typhoon Krathon.

This week’s inaugural $2 million event is the first event of the season on The International Series and the second stop on the Asian Tour, after last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open.


Pakistan, Azerbaijan aim to strengthen partnership in infrastructure, energy and trade

Updated 20 min 39 sec ago
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Pakistan, Azerbaijan aim to strengthen partnership in infrastructure, energy and trade

  • The development comes as Islamabad seeks closer ties, especially in trade and investment, with Central Asian states to overcome an economic crisis
  • In July last year, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited Pakistan and announced the two nations were working to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan have resolved to strengthen their partnership in infrastructure, energy and trade sectors, the Pakistani government said on Saturday, following high-level meetings between officials of the two countries in Baku.
Pakistan’s Minister of Investment, Privatization and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan met with Azerbaijan Prime Minister Ali Asadov and discussed with him avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation, according to the Press Information Department (PID) of the Pakistani government.
The discussions focused on expanding economic collaboration, with Khan highlighting vast investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He also invited Azerbaijan to invest in Pakistan’s motorway and other key sectors.
During the visit, the Pakistani delegation engaged in discussions with Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev, Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashiri and President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovshan Najaf.
“The meetings explored opportunities for mutual investment in various sectors, including infrastructure development, energy, and trade,” the PID said in a statement. “Additionally, discussions covered the privatization of government-run enterprises and other key investment initiatives.”
The meetings were also attended by Lt. Gen. Sarfaraz Ahmed, coordinator of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Federal Secretary Petroleum Momin Ali Agha and other senior officials.
Welcoming the Pakistani delegation, PM Asadov praised Pakistan’s recent economic advancements and assured Azerbaijan’s support in increasing bilateral trade and investment.
The development comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to forge closer ties, especially in trade and investment, with Central Asian states as Pakistan treads a tricky path to economic recovery. There have been a series of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan in recent months, with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visiting Pakistan in July 2024 and announcing the two nations were working to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion.
“The visit also included a review of progress on various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Special discussions were held on developing trade corridors, rail networks, and other communication links between Pakistan and Central Asian states to enhance regional connectivity,” the PID said.
“This visit marks another step toward deepening economic and strategic ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, paving the way for expanded cooperation in trade, investment, and infrastructure development.”
Last month, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad and Baku were in the process of finalizing an agreement to enhance security ties through cooperation in arms trade, defense infrastructure and intelligence sharing.
In Dec. 2024, Pakistan waived customs and regulatory duties on imports from Azerbaijan under the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement. The agreement aimed to boost economic cooperation by reducing tariffs on goods like Pakistan’s sports equipment, leather, and pharmaceuticals and Azerbaijan’s oil and gas products.


Jordan eyes increased exports to Iraq amid strengthening economic ties

Updated 23 min 13 sec ago
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Jordan eyes increased exports to Iraq amid strengthening economic ties

  • Delegation arrives in Baghdad to take part in Jordanian-Iraqi business forum
  • 70 Jordanian firms to take part in forum as business leaders seek growth in bilateral trade

BAGHDAD: A Jordanian delegation arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to bolster economic cooperation and explore new opportunities in the Iraqi market, with a focus on expanding Jordanian exports, the Jordan News Agency reported.

The visit, organized by the Jordan Chamber of Industry in partnership with Jordan Export House, coincided with the Baghdad International Fair, where Jordanian industrial firms are set to showcase their products in a dedicated pavilion.

The delegation will also participate in a Jordanian-Iraqi business forum, facilitating discussions between key industrial and commercial figures from both nations.

JCI Chairman Fathi Jaghbir said the initiative aimed to restore Jordanian exports to Iraq to previous levels, when the Iraqi market accounted for roughly 20 percent of Jordan’s total exports.

He described Iraq as a “strategic depth” for Jordanian industries, and highlighted the chamber’s commitment to increasing trade between the two countries.

The forum will be attended by Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yarub Qudah, alongside Iraq’s Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Batal, and will feature a dialogue session on Jordan-Iraq trade, titled “Visions and a Bright Future,” to highlight the growing collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Jaghbir said that ongoing efforts between Jordanian and Iraqi business leaders have begun to show “tangible” results, with Jordanian exports to Iraq rising by 45 percent over the past year.

He also pointed to past initiatives, such as a specialized Jordanian industries exhibition in Baghdad and multiple bilateral forums, which have led to new agreements and the establishment of joint business chambers.

Ihab Qadiri, head of the JCI’s Iraq focus, underscored the country’s strategic importance for Jordanian exports, noting that 70 Jordanian companies are taking part in the business forum.

Official data shows Jordan’s exports to Iraq reached 830 million dinars ($1.17 billion) in the first 11 months of last year, a 45.6 percent increase over the same period in 2023. Iraq also accounted for 25.4 percent of Jordan’s total exports to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, valued at 3.25 billion dinars.


Makkah hosts 10th international military Qur’an contest

Updated 28 min 31 sec ago
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Makkah hosts 10th international military Qur’an contest

  • 179 participants from 32 Islamic countries to compete, promote moderate Islamic values

MAKKAH: The 10th International Military Qur’an Memorization Competition launched on Saturday in Makkah, attracting 179 participants from 32 countries.

Organized by the General Administration of Religious Affairs of the Armed Forces under the patronage of Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the event promotes the significance of the Qur’an, encourages its memorization, and highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in serving Islam’s holy book and as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites.

The competition features six categories: full Qur’an memorization; 20-part, 10-part, five-part, and three-part memorization; and a special category for recitation and tajweed (proper pronunciation).

Parallel activities include a Qur’anic forum for religious affairs directors and imams, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s efforts in Qur’an printing, translation, and distribution.

The forum also discusses the Qur’an’s moral values, the Kingdom’s contributions through its ministries, and the impact of tajweed on understanding the Qur’an.

Additionally, the General Administration of Religious Affairs offers training programs for religious affairs personnel across the armed forces, focusing on Qur’anic teaching methods and enhancing the skills of instructors and competition judges.

Maj. Gen. Mesfer Al-Issa, director of the General Administration of Religious Affairs and competition supervisor, described the event as a significant initiative to honor the Qur’an.

Al-Issa emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to hosting this event, reflecting the leadership’s dedication to serving the Qur’an.

In an interview with Arab News, he highlighted the event’s profound impact on participants, especially as it takes place in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Issa said that the Qur’an guides soldiers, shaping their character and values, and encouraging psychological, behavioral, and spiritual stability.

Soldiers grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah are more balanced and resilient, contributing to the development of morally and spiritually strong armed forces, he said.

The 14-day event will include 10 days in Makkah before moving to Madinah for four days, where participants will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other Islamic landmarks.

Judges, including imams from the Two Holy Mosques and Qur’anic scholars, use an advanced electronic evaluation system called “Insaf” (Fairness) for transparent scoring.

Contestants receive immediate feedback on memorization, pronunciation, tajweed, and error rates.

Al-Issa said that soldiers are selected through year-long national competitions to identify top military memorizers.

The competition also serves as a platform for military personnel from Islamic nations to promote moderate Islamic values and a proper understanding of the Qur’an through scientific forums.

Al-Issa said that the competition strengthens the Qur’an’s role in Islamic armed forces, supporting efforts to memorize, recite, and reflect on its teachings.

This helps build a generation of soldiers rooted in Islamic knowledge and guided by noble values, he added.


Tears and cheers for freed West Bank Palestinian prisoners

Updated 01 February 2025
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Tears and cheers for freed West Bank Palestinian prisoners

  • During Saturday’s fourth prisoner release since the January 19 Gaza ceasefire began, an eager crowd gathered to see 25 Palestinian prisoners released in the Israeli-occupied West Bank
  • A total of 183 prisoners, almost all Palestinians except for one Egyptian, were released on Saturday

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Stepping off a bus with two dozen other released Palestinian prisoners on Saturday after 23 years imprisonment in Israel, Ata Abdelghani had more than his freedom to look forward to.
The 55-year-old was also to meet his twin sons, Zain and Zaid, for the first time.
The encounter was made possible by his release in an ongoing hostage-prisoner exchange as part of a January ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip agreed by Israel and Hamas.
The twins, now 10 years old, were conceived while Abdelghani was incarcerated after his sperm was smuggled out of his prison.
He had been serving a life sentence on a number of counts including murder, according to a list released by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club in Ramallah.
“These children are the ambassadors of freedom, the future generation,” Abdelghani said as he hugged the boys tightly.
During Saturday’s fourth prisoner release since the January 19 Gaza ceasefire began, an eager crowd gathered to see 25 Palestinian prisoners released in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Wearing grey prison tracksuits and with their heads shaved, the prisoners looked weary as they arrived, but many were hoisted onto people’s shoulders by the crowd and carried along in a heroes’ welcome.
“It’s hard to describe in words,” Abdelghani said.
“My thoughts are scattered. I need a great deal of composure to control myself, to steady my nerves, to absorb this overwhelming moment.”
He added that the situation in prison had been “difficult, tragic.”
A total of 183 prisoners, almost all Palestinians except for one Egyptian, were released on Saturday.
Seven serving life sentences and an Egyptian were deported to Egypt, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club. Of the remainder, 150 were sent to Gaza.
The prisoners were released in exchange for three Israelis taken hostage during Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Riad Marshoud, another freed prisoner, cried when he hugged his two sons, who were boys when he was jailed 22 years ago.
After hugging them tightly, he sat on a chair while relatives made video calls to cousins and uncles who had not been able to come to see him released.
One relative was in Jordan and another in the United Arab Emirates.
All tried to catch a glimpse of the dazed and tired but elated Marshoud as he received congratulations.
“The first moment when the bus doors opened and I stepped out was very difficult — it’s hard to describe it in mere words,” he told the crowd.
The dense throng that had come to see Marshoud parted when his father arrived wearing a traditional keffiyeh around his head.
The father greeted his son with tearful kisses.
Marshoud had been jailed on charges of membership of an illegal organization, shooting and conspiracy to commit murder, according to Israel’s justice ministry.
Shortly after the families in Ramallah took their released relatives home, three busloads of prisoners arrived in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, an AFP journalist reported.
The 150 prisoners were greeted as they got off the bus by chants from the crowd — “In blood and spirit, we shall redeem you, prisoner!“