Iraqi authorities have closed several border crossings with Iran, suspending passenger and commercial freight transit via the Al Sheeb crossing. An adviser to Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi cited security breaches, smuggling, and unauthorized entries. The sudden closures prompted protests by lorry drivers in Maysan province.
The UAE permits eligible visitors to extend tourist and visit visas without leaving the country, subject to specific regulatory caps. Tourist visa holders can extend their stay up to a cumulative 120 days, while visas for family visits, job hunting, or business exploration are capped at 180 days. Extensions must be submitted through sponsors, and visitors who overstay without an extension incur a Dh50 daily penalty with no automatic grace period.
China's flagship port project at Gwadar in Pakistan is facing severe operational and commercial hurdles under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Major international shipping lines continue to bypass the deep-sea port in favor of established regional hubs like Dubai and Salalah due to insufficient cargo volume. Mounting security concerns, extreme terrain along transport links, and local infrastructure deficits have further restricted commercial activity.
At Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, energy leaders discussed how supply diversification, high prices, and security risks are transforming the global LNG sector. The conference highlighted rising Asian demand, Middle Eastern supply capacities, and diverging views on Middle East geopolitical disruptions. Substantial new liquefaction capacity is anticipated from Qatar and the United States in the coming years.
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