UAE-BRICS Trade Jumps 28.5% to $312 Billion as Al Zeyoudi Urges Hormuz Reopening
UAE non-oil trade with BRICS nations has surged by 28.5% to exceed $312 billion in 2025, accounting for 31% of the country’s total non-oil foreign trade. This significant increase was highlighted during the 2026 BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in Jaipur, where UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi also raised concerns over Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping and called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The growth in trade with BRICS nations reflects the strengthening economic cooperation between the UAE and these emerging markets. BRICS nations supplied 34% of UAE imports in 2025, received 23% of its non-oil exports, and accounted for 28% of re-exports during the year. The UAE’s trade with India, in particular, has seen significant growth, with non-oil trade reaching $76.2 billion in 2025, up 17.3% from the previous year.
Dr Al Zeyoudi’s call for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is crucial for safeguarding international shipping and protecting global commerce. The UAE views BRICS as an important platform for strengthening economic cooperation and supporting an open and predictable trading environment. The country is committed to translating these discussions into tangible outcomes for businesses and communities.
The UAE is also pursuing a wider trade program through its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, with a target of increasing non-oil foreign trade to $1.1 trillion by 2031. Since the CEPA program was launched in September 2021, the UAE has concluded 38 agreements with economies across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with 18 currently in force, including agreements with BRICS members India and Indonesia.
As the UAE continues to strengthen its economic ties with BRICS nations, businesses and investors can expect increased opportunities for trade and investment. The country’s strategic location and world-class infrastructure make it an ideal hub for international trade, and its commitment to supporting an open and predictable trading environment is expected to drive further growth in the region.
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Bezos Nears Liverpool FC Stake Deal
Bezos Eyes £4.4B Liverpool FC Stake
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close to agreeing a deal to acquire a stake of about one-third in Premier League club Liverpool, multiple media outlets reported on Monday. The investor group also includes Eduardo Saverin, the Facebook co-founder. The investment would reportedly value the club at approximately £4.4 billion ($5.9 billion), making it one of the biggest valuations ever achieved in a football club deal.
This development comes at a time of significant change on and off the pitch at Anfield. Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League last season despite spending about £446 million on new players. The club subsequently parted ways with Dutch manager Arne Slot and appointed former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola in a bid to revive their fortunes, while their talismanic Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has also departed.
The genuine upside of this deal is the potential for Liverpool to benefit from the strategic investment, which could lead to improved performance on the pitch and increased financial stability. However, the downside is that the club's ownership structure may become more complex, which could lead to potential conflicts of interest.
The deal is being led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and a former shareholder in English Championship club Queens Park Rangers. Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group could announce a deal as early as this week. "An investment consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club," an FSG spokesperson said last month.
Liverpool, one of world football's most successful clubs, are also among the sport's most valuable and widely supported teams, with their iconic Anfield stadium at the heart of a global fan base. They won a joint-record 20th English league title in the 2024-25 season. Their honours also include six European Cups, eight FA Cups, a record 10 League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Gianni Infantino Scraps $20B FIFA Plan
FIFA's $20B Plan Scrapped Amid Global Backlash
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a controversial $20-billion commercial proposal, known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the World Cup and its other events. The decision comes after intense global opposition and key executive resignations, including that of Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who called the plan "a bad deal for football." FIFA's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour also criticized the proposal, stating that staff had been "deceived" by Infantino.
European soccer's governing body, UEFA, had threatened a boycott of events and accused FIFA of putting the sport's "soul" up for sale. In response to the opposition, Infantino announced that he would not proceed with the proposal, citing the need to unite and improve the sport. FIFA had argued that selling a minority stake in its commercial operations would raise billions of dollars to fund global sports development.
The United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka have welcomed the decision to scrap the investment plan, while reaffirming their support for Infantino. Other nations, such as Morocco and Egypt, have also expressed their continued backing for the FIFA president. Meanwhile, opposition to Infantino's leadership continues to grow, with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stating that Infantino is "the wrong man to lead the organisation." North American football chief Victor Montagliani is reportedly looking to challenge Infantino in next year's election.
Infantino's decision to withdraw the proposal has been seen as a significant setback for his presidency, which is up for reelection next year. However, with no clear candidate emerging to challenge him, Infantino may still have an advantage in the upcoming election. The proposal's withdrawal has also sparked reactions from various football associations, with some welcoming the decision and others expressing their continued support for Infantino.
Mojtaba Khamenei military reshuffle: 6 commanders appointed
Iran's Military Overhaul: 6 New Commanders Appointed Amid US Tensions
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed six senior military commanders to key positions across the country's Armed Forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Basij Resistance Force. The reshuffle, which marks Khamenei's first major military overhaul since taking power, includes the appointment of Ali Abdollahi as chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Kioumars Heydari as deputy chief of staff, and Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief of the IRGC. The IRGC's new deputy commander-in-chief is Mostafa Izadi, while Ali Azmaei has been appointed commander of the IRGC Navy, and Hossein Taeb has been named head of the Basij Resistance Force.
These appointments come amid ongoing conflict with the United States and speculation over Khamenei's health, following his absence from public view since taking office. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Khamenei is "completely healthy" after a nearly seven-hour meeting with the supreme leader, during which they discussed Iran's economy and the impact of US sanctions.
The reshuffle also follows the appointment of former IRGC chief Mohsen Rezaee as Khamenei's representative to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Baqir Zolghadr. Rezaee's experience as one of the early commanders during Iran's eight-year war with Iraq was cited as the reason for his appointment.
In the context of recent events, this military reshuffle is significant, as it comes after the death of Khamenei's father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike in February. The move is seen as an effort to strengthen Iran's military command structure amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
US Visa Revoked: 175,000 Lose Travel Privileges
175,000 US Visas Revoked in Immigration Crackdown
The US State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals as part of its sweeping immigration crackdown, with most of the revocations stemming from law-enforcement encounters involving criminal activity, alongside visa violations, fraud, calls for violence, and other threats to national security. Foreign nationals, including those with prior convictions for assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug offenses, are among those affected by the visa revocations.
Most visa revocations linked to crimes, such as reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes, have been identified by the State Department. The department has also cited cases involving serious criminal charges, including the celebration of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Trump administration has initiated a broad immigration crackdown, deporting an unprecedented number of migrants, including some who held valid visas, and has adopted a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.
The US State Department pointed to several cases involving serious criminal charges, stating that it will continue to identify, investigate, and revoke the visas of foreign nationals who threaten the safety of the American people. The department emphasized that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and that it will continue using available authorities to revoke visas from people who abuse that privilege.
This move is part of the Trump administration's expanded immigration crackdown, which has included the revocation of over 100,000 visas in January, a record at the time. The administration has also unveiled visa curbs on 'far-left terror' networks and has expanded visa curbs to 50 countries.
The revocations reflect the broad immigration crackdown initiated when Trump returned to the White House last year, with the administration also forcing US green card seekers to apply from abroad and introducing a $20,000 US visa bond.
In a related development, UAE residents have been granted visa-free access to Montenegro.
Shakira Colombia Earthquake: 111 Dead
Colombia Earthquake Kills 111, Shakira Urges Unity
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella. The earthquake, which had its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, caused widespread damage across western Colombia, with buildings collapsing in cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, and Manizales. Colombian pop star Shakira has offered her support to those affected, saying her heart is with everyone who felt the tremor and urging people to remain alert and follow instructions from authorities.
Shakira's message comes as emergency teams and communities across Colombia work to respond to the disaster and support families affected by the earthquake. The singer also expressed sympathy for families facing moments of anguish after the quake. In a message on X, Shakira said Colombians have a strong tradition of coming together during difficult times and urged people to embrace and stay tuned to the instructions so they can help as soon as possible.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 107 kilometres, and tremors were also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, although little damage was reported there. The Colombian Geological Service described the earthquake as the strongest recorded in the country in more than a decade. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency following the earthquake, saying the measure would help speed up the government's response and recovery efforts.
The earthquake struck in Colombia's Pacific region, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for frequent seismic activity. Rescue teams continued searching damaged areas as authorities assessed the extent of the destruction and monitored for aftershocks. The remote and mountainous terrain in parts of Chocó could complicate relief efforts, with some communities difficult to reach by road.
This disaster follows other significant seismic events in the region, such as the Venezuela quakes that have resulted in thousands of deaths. The international community, including the UAE, has expressed solidarity with Colombia in the wake of this disaster.
