Sudan has signed the Abraham Accord to normalise relations with Israel.
The African nation is the fourth country in the Mena region to sign the accord with Israel in the past year, following the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco.
The US embassy in Sudan said the move would "build mutual trust and increase co-operation in the region".
Sudan’s Justice Minister Nasreldin Abdelbari, who signed the agreement on Wednesday with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, said: “The Abraham Accord signed today is based on an initiative by the US and other regional states to reinforce peace, tolerance and respect among the different nations in the region.
“Through this we express our willingness to reinforce our joint and mutual respect among Abrahamic faiths,” he told the media in Khartoum.
Sudan will also be granted access to $1 billion under another agreement inked with Mr Mnuchin, settling its long-standing World Bank debt.
“The United States of America will pay Sudan’s arrears to the World Bank Group which finally enables the country access sources of financing amounting to $1.5bn annually to drive the country’s economy forward and help the government implement infrastructure and development projects,” Sudan’s state news agency reported.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially delisted Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism – a vital step in making Wednesday’s agreements possible.
“After months of negotiations, I signed the order to remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and ensure compensation for America victims of terrorism and their families,” Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
“Once in a generation opportunity for freedom – huge benefits,” he said.
Sudan paid more than $330 million as a settlement to the victims of the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa in exchange for its delisting.
This puts the African nation, which was under three decades of dictatorship until 2019, on a path towards economic recovery after decades of state failure.
Still, a legislative council is yet to be formed, which has prevented the process of legal reform from picking up full speed under its transitional government.
Sudan's economy is still reeling from decades of corruption and untapped potential under regime of ousted dictator Omar Al Bashir.
In the meantime, talks with Ethiopia and Egypt of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have stalled.
Sudan's southern region of Darfur is also under a watchful eye as the UN's mission there comes to an end, resulting in a complete pull-out of its 'Blue Helmets' peacekeepers.
This could reignite tensions in Darfur between rebel groups and the transitional government even after they signed a peace agreement in October last year.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The%20specs
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Match info
Manchester United 1
Fred (18')
Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')
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Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
