Friday 15 May 2015

PressTV-[P]GCC states back Iran N-deal: Qatar

PressTV-[P]GCC states back Iran N-deal: Qatar:



"The Qatari emir says the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) backs a possible final deal between Iran and the P5+1 group over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.



“The [US] president spoke about the … agreement with Iran and I am here to say that the [P]GCC welcomes this agreement,” said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama on Thursday, the Guardian reported.



"We hope at the same time that this will be a key factor for stability in the region," the Qatari emir added."



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Yatseniuk asking creditors to agree to restructuring of Ukrainian debts : UNIAN news

Yatseniuk asking creditors to agree to restructuring of Ukrainian debts : UNIAN news:



""The government is committed to its position on the need to complete talks on the restructuring of foreign debts of the country," Yatseniuk said.



"The country is at war, we have lost 20% of the economy. We turned to our creditors to restructure our debts. And we are asking and insisting that the external creditors understand the current situation and accept the offer of Ukraine. It's time for lenders to help Ukraine," Yatseniuk said.



Yatseniuk also said that during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych the country's public debt increased by $42 billion, up from $30 billion to $72 billion."



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The future of oil supplies - YouTube

The future of oil supplies - YouTube: ""



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Etihad says big three US airlines received $70bn in subsidies | The National

Etihad says big three US airlines received $70bn in subsidies | The National:



"Etihad Airways has hit back at US rivals with a report saying North America’s big three carriers netted more than US$70 billion in government and court-sanctioned benefits over the past 15 years.



The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has released the findings of a new report that claims Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group have received benefits valued at $71.48bn, more than $70bn of which has been received since 2000.



Such benefits have had the effect of “enabling the country’s three largest carriers to transition from the verge of bankruptcy to today’s industry leaders, each achieving a multibillion dollar profit”, said Etihad."



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Some Dubai hotels lay off staff, freeze hiring | GulfNews.com

Some Dubai hotels lay off staff, freeze hiring | GulfNews.com:



"Some hotels in Dubai have either laid off some staff or stopped hiring, as low occupancy rates continue to threaten the hospitality business, Gulf News has learned.



One of the leading luxury resorts, Atlantis, The Palm, has let go of at least 27 employees, although none of the company’s waiters, bellhops, bartenders and the rest of the front-office personnel were affected.



Another hotel, the Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa, told Gulf News that they have frozen new hiring due to the downtrend and that they are currently evaluating the situation."



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Missile shield for Gulf to take years, and heavy U.S. commitment | Reuters

Missile shield for Gulf to take years, and heavy U.S. commitment | Reuters:



"A U.S.-supplied missile shield to protect Gulf nations against Iranian attacks will take years to complete, requiring a step-up in regional trust, more U.S. sales of sensitive weapons, and intensive U.S. training to avoid mishaps in the volatile region.



A renewed joint commitment to build the regional defense system was one of the few firm outcomes of Thursday's Camp David summit between President Barack Obama and Gulf allies, which were seeking fresh U.S. defense pledges ahead of a possible nuclear deal they fear will empower arch-rival Iran.



Past efforts have stalled due to tension and mistrust within the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) but U.S. and Gulf officials say the time is now ripe to push ahead as Arab nations mount more joint military missions."



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U.S. Airlines Say Gulf Rivals Grab Traffic Without Adding More - Bloomberg Business

U.S. Airlines Say Gulf Rivals Grab Traffic Without Adding More - Bloomberg Business:



"Persian Gulf carriers expanding rapidly in the U.S. are diverting passengers from Delta, American and United instead of attracting new travelers as they have said, according to a study by a group representing the U.S. airlines.



The loss of those customers is a key argument of the U.S. carriers in their claims that Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways Ltd., and Etihad Airways PJSC are using $42 billion in government subsidies to compete unfairly. All three gulf carriers have repeatedly denied the accusations.



Chief Executive Officers from Delta, American, and United are appearing Friday in Washington to press their view that their Gulf rivals are using discount connections through their hubs in the Middle East to win international traffic. The U.S. airlines want the Obama administration to block those carriers from adding new flights pending the outcome of talks on modifying Open Skies agreements with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates."



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