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☆ Dubai’s bar scene is being redefined by artisanal champagnes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

While the city has over 13,000 restaurants, its bar scene has largely been confined to Michelin fine dining, nightclubs, and boozy brunches. Look through the gallery and see the region's other top restaurants, as selected by 50 Best list group. The 50 Best has unveiled its 2024 list of the best restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Al Muntaha, which was recognized by Star Wine List as having the best sparkling wine list in the UAE earlier this year, has 166 labels on its champagne list, including around 60 recently added grower champagnes, says Lacroix. Tina HillierAnd the culture around drinking is largely focused on dining or special occasions, with little in between, says Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List.

Persons: Lana —, Nicolas Caupain, ”, boozy, Caupain, Raz Rahav, Tala Bashmi, Em Sherif, Yasmina Hayek, Fawzi Al Mulki, 3Fils, Khufu's, Solemann Haddad, Moonrise, Gregoire Berger, Berger, Himanshu Saini, Pol Roger, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, champagnes, Larmandier Bernier, Ulysse Collin, Samuel Lacroix, Al Muntaha, Lacroix, “, Josette, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Millau, Lana, Tina Hillier, Krister Bengtsson, it’s, Bengtsson, ” Bengtsson, Jean Imbert, — Organizations: CNN, High Society, United Arab, Michelin, Middle, Gulf, Jordanian, Trèsind, Burj, Star Wine, Arabian, BOCA, Michelin Star, Wine, UAE Locations: Dorchester, Dubai, Emirate, Islam, United Arab Emirates, UAE, East, North Africa, Tel Aviv, Tala, Manama's, Bahrain, Beirut, Giza, Cairo, Ossiano, Atlantis, BOBY, Africa, Emirates, Swedish, Dubai’s, Paris, London , New York, French

☆ Most Gulf markets in the red on falling oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A trader looks on near electronic boards showing stock market data at Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 26 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday in response to Friday's fall in oil prices, although the Saudi index bucked the trend to trade higher. Oil - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - fell on Friday as the release of some hostages in Gaza reduced the geopolitical risk premium. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) declined 0.8%, with top lender Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) losing 2%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) edged 0.1% higher, ending two sessions of losses, helped by a 1.2% rise in Elm Company (7203.SE).

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Ateeq, Louise Heavens Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Stock, Qatar Islamic Bank, Industries Qatar, Commercial International Bank, Elm Company, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Saudi, Gaza, Qatar, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ S&P revises Bahrain's outlook to 'stable' on fiscal deficit worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

General view of Bahrain World Trade Center is seen during early evening hours in Manama, Bahrain, May 2, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 24 (Reuters) - S&P Global Ratings on Friday revised Bahrain's outlook to "stable" from "positive", citing spending pressures that could push the country's fiscal deficit wider than the credit ratings agency previously expected. "We expect the government will reinvigorate reforms to consolidate its fiscal position, largely via increasing non-oil revenue through 2026," it said in a statement. The agency now projects fiscal deficits of 3% to 4% of Bahrain's GDP over 2023-26, compared with 2% to 3% in its previous review. S&P peer Fitch affirmed Bahrain at 'B+' with stable outlook in July, while Moody's changed Bahrain's outlook to stable from negative and affirmed B2 ratings in April last year.

Persons: Hamad I Mohammed, Fitch, Moody's, Vedant Vinayak Vichare, Devika Syamnath, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Bahrain World Trade, REUTERS, Navy's, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Bengaluru

☆ Bahrain seeks to balance anger over Gaza with ties to Israel, US
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The deal to normalise ties with Israel, signed in 2020 by Bahrain when Donald Trump was president, brought few business benefits to Bahrain, unlike those it offered United Arab Emirates, a regional commercial hub which signed at the same time. Six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters Bahrain would not abandon its ties with Israel, even though parliament - a body that remains subservient to the monarchy - has made a strident statement suggesting Israel relations were in the freezer. Bahrain is trying to preserve the relationship with Israel while also managing public opinion, one of the sources said. "They can't abandon normalisation with Israel without endangering this whole strategic framework," said Kristin Smith Diwan, a researcher at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. The sources said the public confusion over relations with Israel appeared to have eased pressure on the government in its efforts to balance domestic outrage and ties with Israel.

Persons: Hamad I Mohammed, Donald Trump, Kristin Smith Diwan, Abraham, Israel, Mamdooh Al Saleh, Smith, Tobias Lindner, Alexander Cornwell, Maha El, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Michael Georgy, William Maclean Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rare, U.S . Navy Fifth Fleet, United, Reuters, Gulf States Institute, Bahraini, Abraham, Islamic, Abraham Accords, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Muharraq, Bahrain, MANAMA, Gaza, Gulf, United States, Iran, Manama, United Arab Emirates, Reuters Bahrain, Washington, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahraini, Jerusalem, Bahrainis, Tehran, Islamic Republic, East, U.S, Kingdom of Bahrain, Maha El Dahan, Dubai

☆ Jordan minister doubts Israel can wipe out Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attends a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (not pictured), in Amman, Jordan November 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni/FIle Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANAMA, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Jordan's foreign minister said on Saturday that he did not understand how Israel's goal of obliterating the Palestinian militant group Hamas it is fighting in Gaza could be achieved. "Israel says it wants to wipe out Hamas. We'll do whatever it takes to stop it" said Safadi at the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain. The Israel-Hamas war has reawakened long-standing fears in Jordan, home to a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

Persons: Ayman Safadi, Antony Blinken, Sameh Shoukry, Al Sukhni, Jordan, Alexander Cornwell, Andrew Gray, Kim Coghill, Michael Georgy, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Jordanian, U.S, Foreign, REUTERS, Rights, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Amman, Jordan, Rights MANAMA, Gaza, Israel, Manama, Bahrain, The Israel

☆ Jordan Minister Doubts Israel Can Wipe Out Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Alexander CornwellMANAMA (Reuters) - Jordan's foreign minister said on Saturday that he did not understand how Israel's goal of obliterating the Palestinian militant group Hamas it is fighting in Gaza could be achieved. "Israel says it wants to wipe out Hamas. There's a lot of military people here, I just don't understand how this objective can be realized," said Ayman Safadi. We'll do whatever it takes to stop it" said Safadi at the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain. The Israel-Hamas war has reawakened long-standing fears in Jordan, home to a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

Persons: Alexander Cornwell MANAMA, Ayman Safadi, Jordan, Alexander Cornwell, Andrew Gray, Kim Coghill, Michael Georgy, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: West Bank Locations: Gaza, Israel, Manama, Bahrain, The Israel, Jordan

There's a lot of military people here, I just don't understand how this objective can be realised," Ayman Safadi said at the annual IISS Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas since its deadly Oct. 7 cross-border rampage into nearby Israeli communities. And we need to end that today, not tomorrow," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. "Hamas cannot be in control of Gaza any longer," Borrell told the Manama Dialogue, an annual conference on foreign and security policy. The PA is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, perceived largely as a corrupt security subcontractor for Israel, and Israel is now under a hardline religious-nationalist government.

Persons: Ayman Safadi, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Brett McGurk, Joe Biden's, Prince Turki al, Faisal, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Mahmoud Abbas, Abbas, Fatah, Anwar Gargash, Enas Alashray, Michael Georgy, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: UAE, Hamas, Saudi Foreign, Israel, WHO, United Nations, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, European Union, West Bank ., United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza Gaza, Bahrain, Gaza, MANAMA, Palestinian, Manama, Gaza City, Regional, Saudi Arabia, GAZA, Saudi, U.S, UAE, Cairo

Jordan's foreign minister offered blistering criticism Saturday of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “blatant aggression” against Palestinian civilians that threatens to engulf the wider Middle East. Political Cartoons View All 1256 ImagesThe war began with Hamas’ unprecedented Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted some 240 men, women and children, taking them back into the Gaza Strip. More than 11,400 Palestinians have been killed in the war, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities. After the war, Safadi said Arab countries also would not “come and clean the mess after Israel.”“Let me be very clear.

Persons: Ayman Safadi's, Israel, Jordan —, ” Safadi, ” Israel, Safadi, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Jordan, there’ll, We’re, We’ve Organizations: Gaza, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Manama, Bahrain, Gaza City, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia

☆ Gulf bourses mixed as China pessimism offsets higher oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 12 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets put in a mixed performance on Sunday as higher oil prices were offset by worries of faltering demand from China, the world's top crude importer. Oil prices - a major driver of Gulf financial markets - rose about 2% on Friday as Iraq voiced support for OPEC+ oil cuts ahead of a meeting of the group on Nov. 26. The retailer reported a third-quarter net loss of 202.9 million riyals ($54.1 million) compared to a net profit of 21.1 million riyals a year earlier. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 1.7%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) down 2.5% and Misr Fertilizer (MFPC.CA) losing 4.6%. However, Credit Agricole Egypt (CIEB.CA) gained 3.7% as the lender reported a 121% jump in third quarter consolidated net profit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Brent, Masraf Al Rayan, Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co, Md Manzer Hussain, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, OPEC, Qatar, Saudi Telecom, Human Resources, Commercial International Bank, Misr, Agricole Egypt, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, China, Iraq, Saudi

☆ Most Gulf markets end higher after US job market softens
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A trader looks on near electronic boards showing stock market data at Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. Most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, peg their currencies to the U.S. dollar and follow the Fed's policy moves closely. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.8%, with oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) rising 0.5% and Lumi Rental Co (4262.SE) finishing 1.7% higher. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) closed 2% higher, led by a 2.1% rise in Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA). On Friday, the lender reported third-quarter net income of 8.35 billion Egyptian pounds ($270.66 million), up 89% year-on-year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Detroit's, Jerome Powell, Ateeq, David Goodman, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Federal, United Auto Workers, UAW, Gulf Cooperation, U.S ., Saudi Aramco, Lumi, Reuters, Industries Qatar, Commercial International Bank, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, U.S, Gulf, UAE, Saudi, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Israel-Hamas war live updates:
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bahrain said on Thursday that the Gulf state's ambassador to Israel had returned home and the Israeli ambassador in Manama had left the kingdom "a while ago," confirming an earlier statement by parliament linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The statement did not clarify whether that meant the Israeli ambassador had been expelled. Israel had earlier said it received no word of any such actions, saying its relations with Bahrain were "stable." "The cessation of economic relations was also decided," it said, without making clear who had made the decision. Relations between Israel and Bahrain are stable."

Persons: Israel, — Organizations: Gulf, Hamas, Representatives Locations: Bahrain, Israel, Manama, Gaza

☆ UAE warns against risk of regional spillover from Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Israeli soldiers drive in military vehicles by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, October 10, 2023. "The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence." The UAE supported Egypt's current leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, when he toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. The UAE has said it planned to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, but did not clarify how they would leave the besieged enclave. The latest war in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict began when Hamas militants broke through the border on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage.

Persons: Ronen, Abraham, ABU, Al Kaabi, Abdel Fattah al, Mohamed Mursi, Kaabi, Alexander Cornwell, Maha El, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, UAE, Abraham Accords, United, Emirates, Brotherhood, Hamas, U.S . Fifth, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, UAE, ABU DHABI, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Manama, Gulf

☆ Gulf bourses drop amid hawkish Fed tone, Mideast conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 22 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf fell on Sunday amid warnings of possible further interest rate hikes from the U.S Federal Reserve, and worries of escalation in the Middle East conflict. Monetary policy in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is usually guided by Fed policy decisions because most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) was down for a third consecutive session, ending 1.5% lower, with all sectors in the red. Elm Company (7203.SE) dropped 2.3%, while Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), the world's largest Islamic bank by assets, slipped 2.1%. The Qatari index (.QSI) fell for a fifth straight session, ending 0.9% lower, with Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) dropping 2.2% and Qatar Navigation (QNNC.QA) sliding 3%.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Jerome Powell, Talaat Mostafa, Md Manzer Hussain, David Holmes Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Stock, U.S Federal Reserve, Gulf Cooperation Council, U.S ., Elm Company, Al Rajhi Bank, Industries Qatar, Qatar Navigation, Qatar National Bank, Eastern Co, Gaza, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Saudi, Israel, Lebanon, Syria

☆ Most Gulf markets extend losses on profit-taking; Egypt gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 17 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday as profit-taking continued, but the Egyptian index bucked the trend to trade at a record high. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.5%, weighed down by a 1.1% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) and a 1.7% decrease in Alinma Bank (1150.SE). In Qatar, the index (.QSI) extended losses for a third session. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) gained 0.6%, hitting its record high, led by a 5.5% rise in Beltone Financial Holding (BTFH.CA). Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, ADES, Ateeq, Christina Fincher Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Saudi, Al Rajhi Bank, Alinma Bank, Beltone Financial, UAE's Global Investment Holding, Eastern Co, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Al Rajhi, Qatar, Eastern, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Bahrain activist al-Khawaja says airline denied her boarding to Manama
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Aziz El Yaakoubi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Human rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja flashes a "V" sign after being released outside the Airport Police Station, in Muharraq, north of Manama September 18, 2014. Maryam al-Khawaja said she was told at a British Airways' counter at Heathrow Airport that she was not allowed to board her flight and should contact Bahraini immigration authorities. "Effectively we are being denied boarding by British Airways on behalf of the Bahraini government," she said in a video taken in British Airways' check-in area, and posted on X, formerly called Twitter. British Airways did not immediately respond to request for comment. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, also a Danish citizen, is a former president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and is serving a life sentence for his role in Bahrain's pro-democracy protests in 2011.

Persons: Maryam al, Khawaja, Hamad, Mohammed, Abdulhadi al, Maryam, General Agnes Callamard, Olive Moore, Maryam Al, Zainab, Mary Lawlor, Abduljalil, Naji Fateel, " Lawlor, Abdulhadi, Al Khalifa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Muvija M, Emma Farge, William Maclean, Mark Potter Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Rights, British Airways, Heathrow Airport, Bahraini, Reuters, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Muharraq, Manama, Rights RIYADH, London, Gulf, Bahrain, Danish, Riyadh, Shi'ite Iran, Teheran

☆ Major Gulf bourses fall amid China gloom
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Traders wait at the Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. The Qatari index (.QSI) fell for a third consecutive session, ending 0.1% lower, with most sectors in the red. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) was down 0.3%, with a 1.3% slump in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). The world's biggest oil company is considering selling a stake worth as much as $50 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) dropped 0.8%, snapping its winning streak from the six previous sessions, with most sectors in the red.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Md Manzer Hussain, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank, Saudi Aramco, Wall Street, Saudi Basic Industries, Saudi Iron and Steel Company, Public Investment Fund, International Bank, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, China, Saudi, El

☆ Dubai rises on higher oil prices; FAB drags on Abu Dhabi
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Shamsuddin Mohd | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File PhotoAug 11 (Reuters) - Stock markets in Dubai rose on Friday as upbeat demand growth forecasts from OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) lifted oil prices, while lender FAB weighed on Abu Dhabi's index. In Dubai, the main share index (.DFMGI) added 0.4% after falling for four consecutive sessions. Emirates NBD Bank (ENBD.DU), Dubai's largest lender, rose more than 3% while toll operator Salik Company (SALIK.DU) was up 2% after reporting second quarter earnings. Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), Dubai's largest listed real estate firm, was also up more than 0.7% the day after reporting second-quarter earnings. In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark index (.FTFADGI) dropped 0.3%, for a third negative session in a row, pressured by a 1.1% fall for the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) and a 1.6% drop in Alpha Dhabi Holding (ALPHADHABI.AD).

Persons: Hamad I Mohammed, Brent, Shamsuddin, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, REUTERS, Stock, International Energy Agency, FAB, IEA, Organization of Petroleum, Emirates NBD Bank, Salik, Abu Dhabi Bank, Alpha, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Alpha Dhabi, Bengaluru

☆ Factbox: In Middle East, once improbable ententes set new tone
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Some U.S. allies had concluded their interests are not best served by a highly polarised Middle East, he added. The agreement between leading Sunni Arab power Saudi Arabia and the Shi'ite Islamist government in Tehran could defuse tensions and conflicts such as the Yemen war. Saudi Arabia has turned to China at a time of strain in its historic alliance with the United States. Saudi Arabia took the lead in rebuilding ties in 2021, declaring an end to the boycott of Qatar. Sources say Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reopen embassies.

☆ Iran proposes locations to Saudi Arabia for foreign minister meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian speaks during a news conference in Tehran, Iran March 19, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSDUBAI, March 19 (Reuters) - The Iranian government has proposed to Saudi Arabia three locations for a meeting at foreign minister level, Iran's foreign minister said on Sunday, citing the latest messages with Riyadh since the countries agreed to re-establish ties. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a news conference in Tehran his country had agreed to such a meeting, although he did not list the three locations or say when such a meeting might take place. Iran and Saudi Arabia, the region's Shi'ite Muslim and Sunni powers, agreed on March 10 to re-establish relations and re-open embassies within two months after years of hostility. Amirabdollahian signalled Iran was also hoping for steps towards normalising ties with Bahrain, a close Saudi ally.

☆ UAE withdraws bid for 2026 World Bank-IMF meetings in favour of Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A general view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2021. The decision came during a phone call between UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, statements from state news agency WAM and the Amiri Diwan said. In Sunday's phone call, Sheikh Mohammed pledged the UAE's support for Qatar's bid to host the meetings and "wished the Emir and the people of Qatar every success in hosting this global gathering," WAM's statement said. But relations between Abu Dhabi and Doha have warmed in recent months with Sheikh Mohammed visiting Qatar during the soccer World Cup last December. Abu Dhabi, like Manama, has not appointed an envoy to Doha, but restored travel and trade links with Qatar.

☆ Alonso says his Aston Martin is 'too good to be true'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANAMA, March 4 (Reuters) - Fernando Alonso hailed the performance of his Aston Martin as "too good to be true" after qualifying fifth for his first race with the team at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. The Spaniard, now 41, joined Aston Martin from Renault-owned Alpine at the end of last season when five-times champion Sebastian Vettel retired. "It was like too good to be true every session and every performance of the car. Alonso has not won a race for a decade, when he was at Ferrari, and his two titles came with Renault in 2005 and 2006. "Going for a podium in race one, it feels too good to be true."

☆ Stroll reveals he broke toe as well as both wrists
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANAMA, March 4 (Reuters) - Aston Martin's Lance Stroll qualified eighth for Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and then revealed he had broken a big toe as well as both wrists in a cycling accident two weeks ago. I had a broken big toe on the right foot as well. "I came out of surgery 12 days ago, got out of the hospital 10 days ago kind of thing. I'm not as worried now as I was a week ago," added the son of billionaire team owner Lawrence. He said the broken toe was painful "but not anything that's limiting me to drive" and he was taking over-the-counter painkillers.

☆ McLaren a potential customer for Red Bull, says Horner
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANAMA, March 3 (Reuters) - McLaren boss Zak Brown visited Red Bull's factory to discuss a potential Formula One power unit supply when the engine rules change in 2026, Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner said on Friday. They have also been linked to a return to their former suppliers Honda, who have a partnership deal with Red Bull until 2026. Horner told reporters at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix that Brown had been a visitor to Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes. News of Brown's visit raised some eyebrows given apparently strained relations between the American and Horner last year when Red Bull were found to have breached a budget cap. Without naming Red Bull directly, Brown spoke at the time of excessive spending being effectively cheating.

☆ Mercedes are on the wrong track, says Hamilton
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANAMA, March 3 (Reuters) - Mercedes are on the wrong track with their car and may not be even third fastest, seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said after a difficult first Friday of practice in Bahrain. With Aston Martin setting the fastest lap of all with Fernando Alonso, Hamilton suggested Mercedes may have dropped as far as fourth in the pecking order. "It is not where anyone in the team wants to be or deserves to be because everyone works so hard, but we are just on the wrong track. We have to graft away and get ourselves on the right track, but right now we are long way off the guys in front." Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott told reporters that changes would be made, particularly to the stand-out slimline sidepods.

☆ F1 stewards exempt Hamilton after 'disfigurement' fear
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANAMA, March 3 (Reuters) - Formula One stewards exempted Lewis Hamilton from a jewellery ban at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday after accepting he risked disfigurement if a nose piercing was removed. Hamilton, 38, has worn a permanent nose stud in his left nostril for years and photographs in Bahrain have shown him also with one on the right. He explained at last October's Singapore Grand Prix, when he was also given an exemption, that taking the left one out had caused the piercing to become infected. The stewards in Bahrain said in a statement they had consulted the FIA medical delegate who examined Hamilton and agreed with the request for a continued exemption. "We have determined to take no further action as there are concerns about disfigurement with frequent attempts at removal of the device," the stewards explained.

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