Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
July 2017
U.S. Embassy in Moscow Reports Access Denial to Its Property
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has accused Russian officials of denying access to a recreational property, escalating diplomatic tensions amid new sanctions. Russian President Putin…
Australia: We Have Thwarted a Terrorist Plot to Down an Airplane
Australian security forces have thwarted a terrorist plot aimed at downing an airplane, arresting four individuals in Sydney. The plot was reportedly inspired by extremist…
Trump Appoints National Security Secretary as His Chief of Staff; John Kelly Replaces Reince Priebus
Donald Trump appointed John Kelly as his new Chief of Staff, replacing Reince Priebus, who resigned. This change reflects Trump's ongoing reshuffling of his administration…
Review of Passport Reform Proposal for Women's Exit from the Country in Parliament
The Iranian Parliament is reviewing a proposal to amend passport laws to facilitate women's exit from the country, particularly in light of recent controversies involving…
11 Percent of Iran's Population is 'Completely Illiterate'
Ali Baqerzadeh, head of Iran's Literacy Movement Organization, reports that 11% of the population is completely illiterate, with nearly 9 million individuals affected. Despite a…
Netanyahu Calls for Death Penalty for Palestinians Responsible for Killing Israelis
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for the death penalty for Palestinians involved in the murder of Israeli citizens, following a brutal attack on the…
Government Proposal to Parliament for a 10% Increase in Water and Electricity Prices
The Iranian Minister of Energy has proposed a 10% increase in water and electricity prices to align them with actual costs, citing previous price stagnation…
International Red Cross Calls on the West and Regional Powers to Resolve the Yemen Crisis
The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged Western and regional powers to leverage their influence to resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen,…
Donald Trump Bans Transgender Individuals from Joining the U.S. Military
Donald Trump has announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military, citing medical costs and disruptions. This decision raises concerns about the…
Libyan Leaders Reach Agreement on Ceasefire and Elections
Libyan leaders Faiz al-Sarraj and General Khalifa Haftar have agreed on a ceasefire and plans for upcoming elections, facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron. This…
Tehran City Council Member: Astronomical Properties Have Become Martian Properties
Members of the Tehran City Council are in disagreement over the municipality's debt, with one member claiming it is 60 trillion tomans while officials assert…
Over 700 Drug Dealers Arrested in Tehran in 24 Hours
Tehran police arrested over 700 drug dealers and thugs in a 24-hour crackdown, revealing ongoing issues with drug abuse and insufficient rehabilitation facilities in the…
Jared Kushner: I Did Not Collude with Any Foreign Power
Jared Kushner, in a written statement to Congress, denied any collusion with foreign powers during the Trump campaign and transition. He is set to testify…
Mehdi Karroubi Hospitalized Due to Heart Condition
Mehdi Karroubi has been hospitalized due to a heart condition, as reported by his son. Karroubi has been under house arrest since 2011 and has…
Trial of 17 Journalists from Turkey's Cumhuriyet Begins
The trial of 17 journalists from Turkey's Cumhuriyet newspaper has begun, with accusations of terrorism-related collaboration. This trial highlights ongoing threats to press freedom in…
Bahram Qasemi: Iran's Ambassador Will Remain in Kuwait
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qasemi announced that the Iranian ambassador will remain in Kuwait despite Kuwait's request to reduce Iranian diplomats. The tensions stem…
17% of Iranians Have a Desire to Use Drugs
The Iranian government has approved a state drug distribution plan aimed at reducing addiction and severing ties between addicts and traffickers. Statistics show that 17%…
Unveiling of Phase Three of the 'National Information Network' in Iran
Iran has unveiled phase three of its National Information Network, aimed at separating domestic internet traffic from foreign traffic and enhancing control over online content.…
Over 2300 Children Live in Iranian Prisons
Over 2,300 children are currently living in Iranian prisons with their mothers, prompting calls for the establishment of kindergartens within these facilities. Lawmakers are urging…
The Nazarian Family Donates $17 Million to California State University
The Nazarian family has donated $17 million to the California State University’s Center for the Performing Arts, potentially leading to a name change in their…
White House Rejects Zarif's Statements Regarding 'Baqer Namazi's Situation'
The White House has dismissed Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif's claims about Baqer Namazi's imprisonment, asserting that he is either misleading or uninformed about the situation…
Trump Criticizes Attorney General: Sessions Should Not Have Recused Himself from Russia Investigations
President Trump criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigations, expressing that he would not have appointed him had he known…
Humans Arrived in Australia 18,000 Years Earlier Than Previously Thought
New archaeological findings suggest that humans arrived in Australia 65,000 years ago, 18,000 years earlier than previously thought. This discovery alters the timeline of human…
Member of Hope Faction Presidency: Rouhani Announced Changes to Half of the Cabinet
Hassan Rouhani announced plans to change half of his cabinet during a meeting with the Hope Faction of Parliament. This comes amid pressures for reform…
French Armed Forces Commander Resigns Due to Disagreement with Macron on Defense Budget
General Pierre de Villiers resigned as the commander of the French armed forces due to disagreements with President Emmanuel Macron over defense budget cuts. This…
Composer Residing in Czech Republic Celebrates Simin Behbahani's 90th Birthday
Shahab Tolouei celebrates Simin Behbahani's 90th birthday with a new single inspired by her ghazal. His innovative fusion of her romantic poetry with modern music…
12 Million Iranian Workers Employed on Temporary Contracts
Fathollah Bayat, head of the Union of Contractual and Temporary Workers, revealed that 12 million Iranian workers are employed under temporary contracts, which are often…
A Senior Security Official from Iraqi Kurdistan: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is Alive
A senior Kurdish official claims to be 99% certain that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is still alive, despite conflicting reports about his death. This…
Mir-Salim and Nategh-Nouri Can No Longer Become Presidents of Federations
New regulations limit the presidency of sports federations in Iran to individuals under 70 years old, impacting several long-serving leaders including Mir-Salim, Mashhoon, and Nategh-Nouri.…
Iranian Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani Passes Away
Maryam Mirzakhani, a celebrated Iranian mathematician and the first woman to win the Fields Medal, passed away at 40 due to breast cancer. Her death…
Pentagon: ISIS Leader in Afghanistan Killed in U.S. Forces Attack
The Pentagon confirmed the death of Abu Saeed, the ISIS leader in Afghanistan, during a U.S. military operation in Kunar province. This marks another significant…
Killers of Boris Nemtsov, Russian government opposition activist, sentenced to long prison terms
Five Chechen men were sentenced for the murder of Boris Nemtsov, a prominent critic of the Russian government, but the masterminds behind the assassination remain…
Donald Trump Arrives in Paris for a 36-Hour Visit
Donald Trump arrived in Paris for a brief visit to participate in Bastille Day celebrations and discuss key issues with French President Emmanuel Macron. The…
Aref Calls for Rouhani to Consult Reformists for Cabinet Formation
Mohammad Reza Aref, head of the Reformist Policy Council, urged President Rouhani to consult with reformists for his new cabinet, emphasizing the reformists' role in…
UK Government Opposes Release of Report on Funding Sources of Extremist Islamists
The UK government has decided not to release a report on the funding sources of extremist Islamists, which critics claim is an attempt to shield…
Iranian Researcher Deported from Boston Airport in the U.S.
An Iranian researcher, Mohsen Dehnavy, was deported from Logan Airport in Boston along with his family despite holding a valid visa. The incident has raised…
Russia Threatens to Respond to Actions Approved at the End of Obama's Term
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has threatened to respond to U.S. sanctions and actions taken at the end of Obama's presidency, which included the expulsion…
Ali Motahari's Conditional Approval for Women's Presence in Stadiums
Ali Motahari, the Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, conditionally approved women's attendance at stadiums, emphasizing adherence to Sharia guidelines. This comes amid warnings from…
Iraqi Prime Minister Declares 'Complete Victory' Over ISIS in Mosul
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared a 'complete victory' over ISIS in Mosul after nearly nine months of fighting. While this marks a significant milestone,…
Possibility of Russia and Kazakhstan Exiting Oil Production Cut Agreement
Russia and Kazakhstan are considering exiting the OPEC oil production cut agreement, with discussions expected to take place at a ministerial level. This potential exit…
Iraqi Army Clashes to Capture Last Stronghold of Islamic State in Mosul
The Iraqi Army is engaged in fierce battles to capture the last stronghold of ISIS in Mosul, where hundreds of militants are reportedly using civilians…
Ministry of Energy Proposes Tiered Water Price Increase
The Iranian Ministry of Energy has proposed a tiered pricing system for water to address the critical water crisis in the country. This initiative aims…
Judicial Official: Visible Parts of Vehicles Are Not Private
Iranian judicial officials have declared that the visible parts of vehicles do not constitute private space, while only hidden parts like the trunk are considered…
European Parliament Calls for Suspension of Turkey's EU Membership Negotiations
The European Parliament has voted to suspend Turkey's EU membership negotiations if constitutional changes expanding presidential powers are implemented. The Turkish government has rejected this…
Trump: Russia Should Cease Destabilizing Activities in Ukraine and Support for Syria and Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Russia to stop its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and support for Syria and Iran during a speech in Warsaw.…
Iraqi Commander: 300 Islamic State Fighters Still Resist in Mosul
An Iraqi commander reported that approximately 300 Islamic State fighters are still resisting in a small area of Mosul, while Iraqi forces continue their advance.…
Medical University Faces 'Body Crisis'
Iran's Medical University is experiencing a severe shortage of bodies for educational purposes, prompting officials to propose importing them from abroad. Ahmad Shojaei, head of…
Volkswagen Returns to the Iranian Car Market After 17 Years
Volkswagen is set to return to the Iranian car market after a 17-year absence, signing a contract with Mammut Khodro to import models like the…
Forensic Official: Medical Malpractice in Iran is Increasing
The head of Iran's forensic organization reported a significant increase in medical malpractice cases and convictions among doctors, highlighting a troubling trend in healthcare accountability.…
Abbas Urges African Nations to Condition Relations with Israel on Ending Occupation
Mahmoud Abbas called on African nations to make their relations with Israel contingent on ending its military occupation of Palestinian territories during a summit in…
Benjamin Netanyahu: A Clash of Civilizations Between Forces of Good and Evil is Underway
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared a 'clash of civilizations' is ongoing, emphasizing U.S. leadership in this struggle during a visit to the USS George Bush…
Bus Accident in Southern Germany Leaves 18 Dead and 30 Injured
A tragic bus accident in Bavaria, Germany, has resulted in 18 fatalities and 30 injuries among elderly passengers. The incident occurred during a traffic jam…
Syrian Democratic Forces Enter Southern Raqqa
Syrian Democratic Forces have entered southern Raqqa, marking a significant advance against ISIS, which has controlled the city since 2014. This operation is part of…
300 Cities in Iran Facing Water Stress
Iran's Deputy Minister of Energy announced that 300 cities are facing water stress, with Isfahan province in a particularly serious situation. The water crisis has…
Iraqi Armed Forces: Victory in Mosul Will Be Officially Announced Soon
The Iraqi Armed Forces are on the verge of officially declaring victory in Mosul, where they have opened safe routes for civilians to escape remaining…
UN: Half a Million Syrian Refugees Have Returned Home
The UN reports that around half a million Syrian refugees have returned home due to a decrease in violence, although this is a small fraction…