US and Iran to hold talks and Israeli troops killed in Gaza
A new militant group claims responsibility for a Damascus church attack. US President Donald Trump says Iran and the US will talk next week. Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in recent fighting in Gaza. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: How Iran views a return to nuclear talks Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza as Palestinian death toll mounts Newly-emerged militants claim responsibility for Damascus church attack This episode features Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter. Editor's note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.
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Khaleej Times
15 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE fishermen call for clear seasonal bans aligned with neighbouring Gulf states
Emirati fishermen have been voicing frustration over unclear seasonal fishing bans and called for UAE fishing timelines to be brought in line with neighbouring Gulf states to support livelihoods and ensure local fish supply – the Federal National Council heard on Wednesday. FNC member Mohammed Al Kashf questioned the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment over the prolonged fishing ban on certain species, particularly using wire traps known locally as hiyal. Al Kashf said fishermen received text messages informing them of the ban without a clear timeframe, creating uncertainty and affecting their ability to plan around optimal fishing periods. 'This lack of clarity prevents fishermen from benefitting during the most suitable times of the year,' he said, urging the ministry to consider adjustments that support both fish stock sustainability and the economic wellbeing of Emirati fishermen. Responding to the concerns, Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna Al Dahak said the fishing ban period has remained unchanged since 2021 and currently runs from November 1 to May 13 each year, based on ministerial decisions informed by scientific studies. Furthermore, the ministry sends regular notifications to fishermen, including reminders at the start and end of each season. 'These periods are based on studies that aim to ensure the regeneration of fish stocks and protect marine life,' said the minister, adding that awareness workshops are held in coordination with the Fishermen's Cooperative Union to keep fishermen informed. Four such workshops were conducted this year alone. Minister Al Dahak stressed that preserving the fishing profession and ensuring its sustainability remains a key priority. 'We work closely with fishermen and regularly hold stakeholder meetings to address their challenges and align on goals," he said. Coordination is also ongoing with local authorities and through joint technical committees at the GCC level, she added. Al Kashf welcomed the ministry's engagement but pointed out that fishermen still face operational difficulties when bans are imposed late or without fixed reopening dates. He said preparations for the fishing season, such as recruiting crew and acquiring supplies, require significant time and investment. 'Veteran fishermen and sea-goers know the right times for the season to start, and the ministry is pushing efforts in the right direction,' he said. 'But there is a clear call from fishermen to begin the season in early October instead, to match neighbouring countries.'
Zawya
29 minutes ago
- Zawya
EU leaders meet to decide on whether to back quick US trade deal or seek better terms
BRUSSELS - European Union leaders are to tell the European Commission on Thursday whether they want to reach a quick trade agreement with the United States on terms that favour Washington or keep fighting for a better deal. A quick deal seems to be the preferred option for most, officials and diplomats said, as the EU can then seek to address the unfavourable bias with some rebalancing measures of its own. "I support the Commission, I support the President of the European Commission in her endeavours to make progress on competitiveness. I also support the European Commission in all its endeavours to reach a trade agreement with the USA quickly," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. "I want us to get Mercosur off the ground and conclude further trade agreements. Europe is facing decisive weeks and months," he said. The Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU, will ask leaders of the EU's 27 members meeting in Brussels how they want to respond to President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline for a deal, now less than two weeks away. The bloc has said it is striving for a mutually beneficial agreement, but as Washington looks set to stick to its 10% across-the board tariffs on most EU goods and threatening higher rates with prolonged talks, EU diplomats said a growing number of EU countries were now favouring a quick resolution. "A trade war makes both sides of the Atlantic poorer and is just stupid. So I support the approach of the Commission president, who always kept calm and has negotiated for a result," said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. "If that were to end in one-sided and unfair tariffs then we have to take proportionate and very targeted countermeasures." The bloc is already facing U.S. import tariffs of 50% on its steel and aluminium, 25% for cars and car parts, along with a 10% tariff on most other EU goods, which Trump has threatened could rise to 50% without an agreement. The United States' only completed trade deal to date is with Britain, with the broad 10% tariff still in place. U.S. officials say it will not go lower for any trading partner. Some 23 of the leaders will come to Brussels straight from the NATO summit in the Hague. Few will want to follow accord there with an economic war. "There is a group of EU countries that want to protect companies by seemingly accepting something they have gotten used to – a 10% baseline," one EU diplomat said. REBALANCING MEASURES One question EU leaders face is whether it should respond with its own measures to such a baseline tariff. The European Union has agreed, but not imposed, tariffs on 21 billion euros of U.S. goods and is debating a further package of tariffs on up to 95 billion euros of U.S. imports. Some EU countries favour watering it down. Among the EU rebalancing options is a tax on digital advertising, which would hit U.S. giants like Alphabet Inc's Google, Meta, Apple, X or Microsoft and eat into the trade surplus in services the U.S. has with the EU. The bloc has a trade surplus with the U.S. in goods. The Commission has proposed an EU-U.S. deal to cut respective tariffs on industrial goods to zero, along with potential further EU purchases of liquefied natural gas and soybeans. Washington has shown little obvious interest, preferring to highlight items it considers as barriers, such as EU value-added tax, environmental standards and rules on online platforms, on which the EU does not want to move. On the sidelines of the summit, EU leaders will also seek to allay the concerns of Slovakia and Hungary over ending their access to Russian gas as foreseen by the EU's plan to phase out all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. EU diplomats said EU leaders' assurances over gas should allow the two countries to back the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which they are now blocking. Before the start of the summit however, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would demand a delay in voting for the sanctions until Slovak concerns were addressed. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, Jan Strupczewski, Bart H. Meijer, Friederike Heine,Jan Lopatka, Milan Strahm, Andreas Rinke; Writing by Philip Blenkinsop and Matthias Williams; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Hugh Lawson)
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Sharjah hosts high-level meeting with UK Embassy
Sharjah DGR and British Embassy meeting advances collaboration in arts, design, media & education, strengthening institutional ties and the emirate's creative economy. Fahim Al Qasimi: Sharjah views cultural and academic cooperation as a sustainable path for building bridges of understanding between nations. Discussions explored collaboration between British and Sharjah-based universities to develop joint educational programs Cooperation to include arts, design, digital media, and content creation A focus was on organising cultural events, exchanging expertise, and empowering cultural entrepreneurs Sharjah, Hosted by the Department of Government Relations (DGR) at Sharjah's House of Wisdom, a high-level meeting with a British Embassy delegation recently explored opportunities for strengthened collaboration. Key sectors discussed included culture, education, and creative industries; aligning with Sharjah's 2025 development goals and with the aim to foster deeper partnerships with UK institutions. The meeting was led by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, and H.E. Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE. They were joined by H.E. Sarah Mooney, British Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan, and British Consul General in Dubai; Sheikh Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of DGR; Stacy Keating, Second Secretary (Political Affairs) at the British embassy in the UAE; Amanda Buckley, Cultural Affairs Officer at the British embassy in the UAE; and Martin Daltry, Country Director for the British Council in the UAE. During discussions, Sharjah outlined its planned government, community, and cultural initiatives for the next year, and dialogue also centered on identifying collaboration opportunities in shared priority areas, as well as facilitating information exchange regarding the UK's 2025 programmes. Strategic partnerships in intellectual and cultural exchange In his comments on the meeting, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi emphasised that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is founded on the belief that culture and knowledge are among the most vital pillars for shaping strong international relations that can truly impact the course of human development. He stated that Sharjah views cultural and academic cooperation as a sustainable path for building bridges of understanding between nations. He added: 'Our meeting with the British Embassy delegation is an extension of this vision and a reflection of a deep-rooted belief that knowledge-based partnerships are the foundation of such engagement. These partnerships have already fostered a thriving cultural and intellectual movement within the emirate, enriching Sharjah's society and strengthening its position as an international hub for research and education. The unique integration of Sharjah's creative economy with its broader economic infrastructure enhances its capacity to host impactful collaborations with leading global institutions; an approach that is clearly reflected in the outcomes of this meeting.' Supporting higher education and academic exchange The delegates also explored collaboration prospects in higher education through the development of joint academic programmes between British universities and their counterparts in Sharjah. These programmes would focus on fields such as media, engineering, and the humanities, reinforcing Sharjah's position as a regional hub for knowledge and higher education. Development of creative industries and cultural events Additionally, the dialogue addressed support for the creative industries through partnerships encompassing arts, design, digital media, and content creation, and potential collaboration with the Sharjah Creative Quarter (SCQ) was also a key focus. Established in January 2025, the SCQ aims to enhance the emirate's creative economy by organizing joint cultural initiatives, facilitating expertise exchange, and empowering cultural entrepreneurs. This high-level meeting exemplifies a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation through strategic projects and initiatives designed to achieve shared developmental and cultural goals, thereby creating new pathways for institutional integration and knowledge exchange.
