Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
January 2019
Facebook Blocks 783 Pages Linked to Iran
Facebook has blocked 783 pages and accounts linked to Iran for coordinated deceptive behavior across multiple countries. Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's cybersecurity policy head, confirmed that…
Pelosi: No Funding for Trump's Wall in Border Security Negotiations
Nancy Pelosi announced that there will be no funding for Trump's border wall in ongoing bipartisan negotiations on border security. The discussions aim to resolve…
Russian Hackers Have 'Stolen and Manipulated' Documents Related to the 2016 US Election
Russian hackers are accused of stealing and manipulating documents related to the 2016 US election to undermine investigations into Russian interference. The Special Counsel's Office…
Mike Pence to Represent the U.S. at the Warsaw Summit
The U.S. announced that Vice President Mike Pence will attend the Warsaw Summit focused on Middle East peace, which Iran perceives as an anti-Iran meeting.…
European Leaders Unanimously Reject Changes to Brexit Agreement
European leaders have rejected Britain's request to renegotiate the Brexit agreement, emphasizing that no changes will be accepted. This decision comes as the March 29…
Trump Describes U.S. Intelligence Agencies' Assessment of Iran as Naive
President Trump publicly criticized U.S. intelligence agencies for their assessment of Iran, calling them naive and wrong about the threat posed by Tehran. This marks…
British Parliament Calls for Renegotiation with the European Union on Brexit
The British Parliament has mandated Prime Minister Theresa May to renegotiate the Brexit agreement concerning the Irish border, following a previous rejection of her deal.…
Two Explosions in Zahedan Injure Several Police Officers
Two explosions in Zahedan, Iran, resulted in injuries to police officers, with the Jaish al-Adl group claiming responsibility. The incidents highlight ongoing security challenges in…
The Economic Life Culture After Four Decades of the Islamic Republic's Establishment
The article discusses the complex and fragmented economic culture of Iran four decades after the establishment of the Islamic Republic, highlighting the coexistence of various…
Khalilzad: The U.S. and Taliban Have Reached an Agreement on the Peace Framework
U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad announced that the U.S. and Taliban have reached an initial agreement framework for peace, requiring the Taliban to adhere to…
U.S. Officials Report 'Significant Progress' in Talks with Taliban
U.S. officials report significant progress in negotiations with the Taliban regarding peace in Afghanistan, including potential agreements for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Zalmay Khalilzad,…
Member of the Assembly of Experts: No Individual is Absolutely Proposed for Future Leadership
Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts, stated that no individuals are currently being considered for future leadership in Iran, emphasizing the current…
Trump Announces Federal Government Reopening for Three Weeks
President Trump announced a temporary reopening of the federal government for three weeks following a Congressional agreement, while emphasizing the need for negotiations on the…
Taliban: Peace Talks with the U.S. Enter Fourth Day
The Taliban and U.S. officials are engaged in ongoing peace talks in Qatar, now in their fourth day, aimed at ending the long-standing conflict in…
Trump: The 'State of the Union' Address Will Be Delivered After the Government Reopens
President Trump announced that the 'State of the Union' address will occur after the government reopens, ending speculation about alternative venues. The ongoing government shutdown,…
Erdogan Says Cooperation with Moscow in Syria Will Increase
Turkish President Erdogan and Russian President Putin have agreed to enhance cooperation in Syria, particularly regarding the situation in Idlib and the establishment of a…
UN Representative: Peacekeepers Denied Access to Secret Tunnels in Lebanon
The UN representative reported that peacekeepers have been denied access to secret tunnels from Lebanon to Israel, which Israel claims violate a ceasefire. The situation…
British Student: UAE Forced Me to Confess to Espionage
Matthew Hedges, a British student, claims he was coerced into confessing to espionage in the UAE after months of detention under pressure. The British government…
Amnesty International: Ghalean and Bakhshi at Risk of Torture and Further Mistreatment
Amnesty International has raised alarms over the renewed arrests of activists Sepideh Ghalean and Ismail Bakhshi, who are at risk of torture following their detention…
Dozens of Afghan Security Forces Killed in Taliban Attack
The Taliban launched a deadly attack on an Afghan military base, resulting in the deaths of over 100 Afghan security personnel. This incident highlights the…
Infringement on the Sphinx's Territory in Egypt
Construction violations near the Sphinx in Egypt have raised concerns about the preservation of historical sites. An American archaeological team is set to begin operations…
What Happened Between Aref and Mehdi Taj at the VIP of the Asian Cup?
Aref, a well-known singer, was photographed with Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, at the Asian Cup, leading to social media backlash.…
Press TV Journalist Appears in Washington Court
Marzieh Hashemi, a journalist for Iran's Press TV, was detained by the FBI and appeared in court in Washington D.C. She has not been charged…
Conflicting Claims About the Reasons for the Explosion of a Residential Building in Southern Russia
A residential building in Magnitogorsk, Russia, exploded, killing 39 people, with conflicting reports on the cause. While authorities suggest a gas leak, ISIS claims responsibility…
Shooting at UN Convoy; Head of Ceasefire Monitoring Team in Hodeidah Safe
A UN convoy in Hodeidah, Yemen, was shot at, but the head of the monitoring team, Patrick Cammaert, is safe. Both Houthi militants and Yemeni…
Trump Delays Nancy Pelosi's Foreign Trips
Donald Trump has postponed Nancy Pelosi's planned overseas trip due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its twenty-seventh day. The cancellation is seen…
German Diplomat: Iran Damages Itself by Spying in Europe
Wolfgang Ischinger, a German diplomat, criticized Iran for its espionage activities in Europe, which he claims undermine the JCPOA. He emphasized that Europe should not…
Response of the Palestinian Authority to Unverified Report on Trump's 'Deal of the Century'
An Israeli television report claims that Trump's peace plan offers a limited Palestinian state and divides Jerusalem, leading to strong opposition from the Palestinian Authority,…
End of Al-Shabaab Attack on Hotel in Kenya; Death Toll Reaches 21
An Al-Shabaab attack on a luxury hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, resulted in at least 21 deaths, with ongoing concerns about 50 missing individuals. The Kenyan…
Reactions to the Defeat of Brexit Plan in the British Parliament
Theresa May's Brexit plan was overwhelmingly rejected in the UK Parliament, prompting strong reactions from European leaders who warn of the consequences of a no-deal…
U.S. Attorney General nominee says he will not obstruct Robert Mueller's investigations
William Barr, Trump's nominee for Attorney General, defended his memo criticizing Robert Mueller's investigation but assured he would not obstruct it. He believes Mueller is…
Minister of Communications: The Government is Not Consulted on Filtering
The Iranian Minister of Communications stated that the government is not consulted on internet filtering decisions, amidst calls for increased activity in cyberspace from President…
The World's Largest Pilgrimage Begins
The Kumbh Mela, the world's largest pilgrimage, has begun in Allahabad, attracting millions of Hindu pilgrims seeking to wash away their sins in the sacred…
Trump: I discussed fighting ISIS and a safe zone with Erdogan
Donald Trump spoke with Turkish President Erdogan about combating ISIS and establishing a 20-mile safe zone in northern Syria. Trump warned that Turkey would face…
Turkey's Reaction to Trump's Warning About Attacking Kurds: We Are Not Afraid of Threats
Turkey's Foreign Minister responded defiantly to Trump's warning about economic consequences if Turkey attacks Kurdish militants, asserting Turkey's lack of fear towards such threats. The…
Two Financial Backers of Brexit: Britain Will Not Leave the European Union
Two prominent financial backers of Brexit express doubt about its implementation, suggesting that the UK government may abandon the exit from the EU. Peter Hargreaves…
U.S.-Led Coalition: Withdrawal of Forces from Syria Has Begun
The U.S. has begun withdrawing troops from Syria, a move that has sparked confusion among officials and led to the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim…
Trump Warns Congress About Declaring a National Emergency for Border Wall Construction
President Trump warned Congress that he may declare a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall if an agreement isn't reached, leading to…
Opposition Leader Wins Election in Congo; Rival Candidate Calls it a 'Coup'
Felix Tshisekedi has been declared the winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election, but rival Martin Fayulu has denounced the results as a…
Repeating Radio Waves in Deep Space Have Astonished Scientists
Astronomers in Canada have discovered two mysterious clusters of repeating radio waves from a distant point in space, with their origin still unknown. This discovery…
Rouhani: Hashemi Issued the Command for Operation Karbala-4 and Designed Karbala-5
Hassan Rouhani highlighted Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's pivotal role in issuing the command for Operation Karbala-4 and designing Karbala-5 during the Iran-Iraq War. Rouhani's comments come…
Trump Walks Out of Meeting with Democrats Over Government Shutdown in Protest
President Trump walked out of a meeting with Democratic leaders over the government shutdown and border wall funding, stating it was a waste of time.…
Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General of the U.S., to Resign
Rod Rosenstein, the U.S. Deputy Attorney General overseeing the Russia investigation, is set to resign as a new attorney general is appointed by Donald Trump.…
Vaezi: The Ministry of Intelligence and the system have the right to sue Ismail Bakhtiari
Mahmoud Vaezi announced that the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has the right to sue Ismail Bakhtiari, a workers' representative, over his claims of torture. The…
Iran's Prosecutor: If Cyber Space is Not Managed, Our Situation Will Worsen
Iran's Attorney General has warned that without proper management of cyber space, the country's situation will deteriorate, following calls for filtering Instagram due to its…
Thai Police: We Will Not Deport Saudi Asylum Seeker
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, an 18-year-old Saudi woman, is seeking asylum in Australia after claiming her life is in danger from her family and the Saudi…
Netanyahu Asks the U.S. to Recognize Israeli Sovereignty Over the Golan Heights
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his call for the U.S. and other nations to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory annexed…
Why Mahdi Yarahy Attacked Mohsen Chavoshi?
Mahdi Yarahy criticized Mohsen Chavoshi for allegedly insulting Arabs in one of his songs while defending his own protest song against war. This controversy highlights…
Approval of Health Minister's Resignation; Budget and Planning Deputy Becomes Acting Minister
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani accepted the resignation of Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi due to budget cuts in the health sector and appointed Saeed Namaki…
National Security Commission Adds 20 Trillion Tomans to Defense Budget
The Iranian National Security Commission has added 20 trillion tomans to the defense budget amid concerns over previous reductions and conditional funding. This decision reflects…
Judicial Official: A Court Order Has Been Issued for the Filtering of Instagram
A judicial official announced that a court order has been issued to filter Instagram in Iran, citing the failure of previous smart filtering efforts. This…
China Reserves the Right to Use Force Against Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted that China reserves the right to use force against Taiwan while advocating for peaceful reunification. This statement comes amid heightened…
Trump Expresses Willingness to Meet Again with North Korean Leader
Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un following Kim's New Year message. Kim warned that if the…
Pompeo Emphasizes Continued US-Israel Cooperation to Counter Iran
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed the ongoing cooperation between the US and Israel to counter Iranian aggression during a visit to Brazil. This…
Falahatpisheh: Iran's Economic Performance in Iraq is Negative Compared to Turkey and Saudi Arabia
Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh criticized Iran's economic performance in Iraq, warning that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are gaining influence in the market. Despite Iraq's reliance on Iranian…
North Korean Leader Says He May Take a 'New Path' If Pressures Continue
Kim Jong-un has expressed willingness to meet with the U.S. President but warns of taking a 'new path' if pressures and sanctions continue. This statement…