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Iraqis descend on Riyadh, Washington nuclear summit: Funeral; Death of mother; Equestrian exploits; New Adia head; Funeral; Comings and goings

Outgoing Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is doing whatever he can to retain power after his State of Law coalition was narrowly defeated in the 7 March elections.

A three-day military exercise by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) ground, air and naval units, which began on 22 April, was intended to test a range of Iranian-built missiles and other equipment.

Bahrain’s legally registered political groups are working to shore up their vote and persuade their constituencies they remain worthy of support ahead of National Assembly and municipal elections scheduled for this year, probably November. Much attention has been paid to parties supported by the Shia majority, led by Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, which holds 17 of the 40 Majlis Al-Nawab (Chamber of Deputies) seats.

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) are said to be interested in acquiring Scorpène-class submarines, jointly built by France’s DCNS and Spain’s Navantia

The US Department of Defence has awarded Lockheed Martin Corporation a $46.2m contract to produce advanced helicopter weapons-targeting systems for the Apache helicopter fleets of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Netherlands.

Entekhab Industrial Group in mid-April was named as the buyer for Daewoo Electronics in a deal thought to be worth some $540m. Entekhab and Swedish firm Electrolux AB on 24 March were named top bidders for Daewoo Electronics,

Public tensions have died down following reports of a skirmish between Emirati and Saudi vessels that was blamed on a dispute over the route of the Dolphin pipeline which brings Qatari gas to the UAE

Oman Investment Fund (OIF) has become a foreign strategic partner of PetroVietnam Insurance (PVI). OIF’s Funderburk Lighthouse has acquired shares worth some $42.5m, representing 12.6%

Sheikh Hassan Al-Saffar, de facto leader of Saudi Arabia’s Shias, has in recent months made a special effort to position himself as a patriotic national loyalist, despite the Kingdom’s recent military intervention against Zaidi Shia Al-Houthi rebels in northern Yemen.

The World Bank has approved a $5m grant to expand access to water for poor households in peri-urban areas.

Doha has backtracked on proposals to scrap its visa-on-arrival scheme– which would have meant visitors from 33 countries having to apply in advance for a tourism or short-stay visa.

GSN has long profiled leading players in the Gulf, focusing on the personal, political and business relations that are rarely covered in the region. In line with this tradition, GSN is running an occasional series of profiles of major families and business entities, starting with the Al-Zawawis

Canadian court to decide on Bombardier jets; Rockwell Collins simulator; Russia to supply Murena landing ships; Russia, neighbours make splash at Dimdex; ITT wins US Army contract; EADS opens Tetra competence centre; FMS contract; $30m contract for Cubic; Gama plans executive facility

Both parties have yet to deny or confirm the incident, but a reported clash between Saudi and Emirati patrol boats has attracted much media attention and highlighted the potential for friction among GCC allies that has provoked renewed fears for Gulf security