Iraq Airways to start direct flights to Abu Dhabi in May

Iraq Airways plans to start direct flights to Abu Dhabi next month, the company said as Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi headed to the UAE.

Mr Al Kadhimi has been trying to boost ties between Iraq and Gulf neighbours.

Baghdad needs the support of Gulf states to revive its economy that has been battered by years of conflict and war.

“Direct flights between Baghdad and Abu Dhabi will begin early May,” the company said, according to Iraqi state media.

Flights between Baghdad and Dubai have been operating for over a decade through Emirates Airline and Fly Dubai.

The airlines fly to Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Najaf.

Flights to Iraq were halted last year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic but were resumed in July.

Mr Al Kadhimi arrived in Abu Dhabi on his first official trip to the UAE after assuming office last May.

Iraq and the UAE maintain strong relations, especially as Baghdad finds itself caught in the crossfire between Washington and Tehran.

Since his appointment last May, the UAE has shown support for Mr Al Kadhimi.

On his appointment, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry said it hoped to see Mr Al Kadhimi “succeed in his duties and for political and popular forces to unite in ensuring a better future for Iraq and the Iraqi people”.

Last week Mr Al Kadhimi visited Saudi Arabia where Riyadh announced a joint $3 billion fund with Iraq to spur development in the private sector.

Saudi Arabia's investments in Iraq are expected to increase to 10 billion riyals ($2.67bn) from about two billion riyals at present.

The two countries also agreed to grow co-operation in renewable energy and maintaining stability in the global oil markets, a joint statement said.

Officials signed three new agreements – one to avoid double taxation, another for co-operation in planning for economic diversification and private sector development, and the third on financing Saudi exports.

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?

Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.

They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.

“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.

He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.

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Director: Joseph Kosinski

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Scores

Day 2

New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227

New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining

While you're here

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Rashmee Roshan Lall: Who are the women behind Biden's success?

Gavin Esler: Uncle Sam, here is the world really needs you

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RESULTS

Women:

55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2

Men:

62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke