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Pakistan Signs Preliminary Free Trade Agreement with GCC
The South Asian nation has been facing a severe economic crisis, and has been left at the mercy of strict IMF measures
Pakistan and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded their talks on a free trade agreement between Islamabad and the Arab states, resulting in the signing of a preliminary deal on 28 September.
The final round of these talks was held from 26 to 28 September at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh, according to a statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce.
On 28 September, the GCC said via social media that the “initials” of the free trade agreement had been signed by GCC Secretary-General Mohammed al-Budaiwi and Pakistani Trade Minister Jawhar Ijaz.
The agreement “comes in recognition of the importance of strengthening trade relations and economic cooperation with countries and international blocs,” the GCC statement added.
Pakistan “looks forward to … the rapid implementation of the agreement, which will represent a new chapter in the economic relations between the two parties,” Islamabad’s Ministry of Commerce said.
...The South Asian country has also stepped up energy cooperation with Russia in search of economic alternatives.
On 27 September, Pakistan received its first shipment of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia, which it said was purchased in Chinese currency.
Related Reading: Related Reading: 6/16/23 —BRICS: 10 Asian Countries Agree to Ditch The U.S. Dollar
"In conclusion, apart from BRICS countries, now ASEAN nations will move away from the U.S. dollar. It is reported that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is also planning to move in the same direction."
7/26/23 — The End of the Petrodollar, the Rise of BRICS is Here
At the China-GCC conference in December, as reported by VOA:
" 'China will continue to import large quantities of crude oil from GCC countries on an ongoing basis,' he said, also vowing to expand other areas of energy cooperation including liquefied natural gas imports.
Xi said China would make full use of a Shanghai-based platform 'to carry out RMB [yuan] settlement of oil and gas trade’-- a move that, if Gulf countries participate, could weaken the global dominance of the U.S. dollar."
Regarding Saudi Arabia, the Gulf kingdoms would be “repeatedly stressing” their desire to remain neutral despite the US’s pressure to get involved in the middle of the geopolitical showdown between US/NATO and the BRICS axis.
VOA would report: "Saudi officials have repeatedly stressed that they value deep ties with Washington but will not hesitate to explore relationships elsewhere.
'We are very much focused on cooperation with all parties and I think competition is a good thing,' Prince Faisal said Friday, adding that Riyadh will also continue to have strong relations with the U.S. 'across the board.'
'We will continue to work with all of our partners, and we don't see it as a zero-sum game by any means,' he added.
'We don't believe in polarity.'
“We don’t believe in polarity”…. well that’s neat Prince Faisal.. but as we know, the problem is the US does.
🔗Source: The Cradle
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Ukrainian forces have begun training and testing exoskeletons for battlefield use. Soldiers from the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade are using them in the Pokrovsk sector for both logistics and frontline operations. The goal is to reduce physical strain, especially when loading heavy artillery shells into howitzers without automatic loaders. Artillery crews can handle up to 1200 kg of ammunition per day, and early tests show that exoskeletons help them work faster and with less fatigue Above all, by improving the conditions for those soldiers on the front lines who handle such heavy loads, plus the stress of work. Seeking to reduce overall fatigue in the troops
🌆 Market News Digest
April 6, 2026 EST
🔥 Top Stories
• Trump warns Iran of imminent destruction of bridges & power plants by Tuesday midnight — escalating tensions with potential for severe infrastructure strikes.
• Oil prices rise as Trump deadline nears; US crude settles at $112.41/bbl — geopolitical uncertainty boosts energy markets.
• US stocks gain amid optimism over Iran ceasefire; S&P up 0.41% — markets react to diplomatic signals and oil price stability.
• IMF warns prolonged Middle East war will slow global growth & boost inflation — economic outlook darkens with conflict escalation.
• Trump claims Iran is at its weakest; threatens to decimate Iranian infrastructure — aggressive stance amid ongoing negotiations.
⛽ Oil & Energy
• US crude at $112.41/bbl, Brent at $109.77/bbl — energy markets volatile on Iran conflict fears.
• US considers charging tolls in Strait of Hormuz; free passage part of Iran deal — strategic move to control shipping lanes.
• ...
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱 - WAR IN IRAN | APRIL 5th, DAY 37 RECAP:
🇺🇸🇮🇷 - The NYT reports that during the operation in Iran, two U.S. transport aircraft intended to carry the airmen were disabled and abandoned, then blown up. Two MC-130J Combat King II rescue aircraft and four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters were deliberately destroyed by U.S. forces during the search and rescue mission in Iran, according to ABC News, citing U.S. officials.
🇮🇷🇦🇪 - Several fires have broken out at Abu Dhabi’s Borouge petrochemicals factory, with damage currently being assessed following an Iranian missile and drone attack. This comes less than 24 hours after Israel struck Iran’s largest petrochemical facility.
🇮🇷🇮🇱 - An Iranian ballistic missile impacted the Neot Hovav industrial zone near Beersheba in the first wave, the third time this industrial zone has been hit during the war.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 - "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. ...
F15E SHOOTDOWN AND CSAR OPERATION — FULL VERIFIED BREAKDOWN
APRIL 3 — THE SHOOTDOWN
F15E from the 494th Fighter Squadron out of RAF Lakenheath is hit over southwestern Iran.
Crash site confirmed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province near Dehdasht.
Wreckage includes ACES II ejection seat and tail section matching the squadron.
Cause
Iran claims it used a new IRGC air defense system.
Exact weapon system remains unconfirmed.
HOUR 0
Both crew eject.
Pilot activates survival radio and PRD immediately.
Contact established with U.S. aircraft overhead.
Pilot recovered within hours.
WSO lands separately in mountainous terrain.
WSO beacon briefly detected by satellites, then goes silent.
Reason unknown.
HOURS 1 TO 12
WSO begins evasion using SERE training.
Maintains intermittent encrypted communication with U.S. forces.
IRGC launches large scale search operation.
Iranian state TV urges civilians to report or capture the pilot.
Rewards up to $60,000 reported.
Public messaging includes calls to shoot on sight.
HOURS 12 TO 24
WSO moves into high ...
