Trade between the United Arab Emirates and Iran has reached $24 billion over a twelve-month period as of last March, marking a significant recovery to levels not seen since 2012. This resurgence in trade follows a more relaxed geopolitical climate in the region, with the UAE sending its ambassador back to Tehran in August 2022 after a hiatus since 2016. Economic ties have historically been strong, with a substantial Iranian community in the UAE. Both countries are aiming to increase trade to $30 billion in the next two years, and high-level official visits are anticipated to further strengthen relations. This development coincides with Saudi Arabia's normalization of relations with Iran, facilitated by China.

Pope Francis's first visit to Bahrain, an island in the heart of the Persian Gulf, includes participation in a global interfaith forum aimed at promoting human coexistence. The event, under the patronage of Bahraini King Hamed Ben Issa Al Khalifa and attended by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and other religious dignitaries, highlights Bahrain's use of religious tolerance as a diplomatic tool. Despite being a state with Islam as its official religion and Sharia law in effect, Bahrain's constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and worship. The country has a diverse religious landscape, including a synagogue, Buddhist and Hindu temples, and several Christian churches. Bahrain's strategy of interfaith dialogue, which began in earnest in 2017, has led to the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. However, human rights organizations have criticized Bahrain for religious discrimination, particularly against the Shiite majority, which is seen by authorities as aligned with Iran. Bahrain distinguishes between the freedom to practice religion and the politicization of religious identity, the latter of which it opposes.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's tour in the Gulf yielded mixed results, securing only one new energy agreement with the United Arab Emirates to export a shipment of liquefied natural gas to Germany by the end of 2022 and additional quantities in 2023. The UAE's oil company ADNOC will also supply Germany with up to 250,000 tonnes of diesel per month in 2023. However, no gas export agreement was reached with Qatar, despite ongoing discussions for several months, as Germany appears hesitant to commit to the long-term contracts desired by the emirate.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting Qatar, the last country on his Gulf tour, to discuss energy as Germany seeks to diversify its gas supply sources away from Russia. Qatar, a leading producer of liquefied natural gas, has primarily exported to Asian countries, but a partnership signed in May could change this dynamic. No public announcement on a gas agreement has been made, and European countries have historically opposed the long-term contracts favored by Qatar.

The normalization agreement between the UAE and Israel, known as the Abraham Accords, is facing a test due to recent violence between Israel and Palestine. Despite this, the UAE sees direct economic benefits from the agreement, with trade reaching nearly 300 million euros. The UAE has potential new leverage over Israel due to their official relations, but their diplomatic influence on the Palestinian side is limited, with distrust towards Hamas and cold relations with the Palestinian Authority. Public opinion in the UAE is generally discreet, with citizens expressing support for Palestinians but no public protests like in Bahrain. The UAE's political decisions are widely trusted by its citizens, who make up only 10% of the population, and dissent can lead to imprisonment.

Issad Rebrab, Algeria's wealthiest individual, positions himself as a significant victim of the Bouteflika era and is one of the few industrialists supporting the ongoing popular uprising. He is often nicknamed the 'Algerian Berlusconi'.

A new government was formed in Algeria on Sunday evening, with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is still officially in office until April 28, appointing a government led by Noureddine Bedoui, designated as Prime Minister on March 11. The new government includes only eight members from the previous team, with significant figures such as the army chief of staff, General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, retaining his position, while others like Ramtane Lamamra were dismissed. Despite the government reshuffle, the public's demand for a complete political transition remains strong, with a million protesters in Algiers calling for the fall of the regime. The protesters also criticize foreign powers for interference and are skeptical about the proposed use of constitutional mechanisms to remove Bouteflika, seeing it as a way for the current power to maintain control. The article also mentions the arrest of Ali Haddad, the president of the FCE and a supporter of Bouteflika, at the Algeria-Tunisia border.

The article discusses the Yangtze River, known for its various names and significant role in China's agriculture and commerce. The river, stretching from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea, has been tamed by the Chinese through projects like the Three Gorges Dam, which was completed in 2006 to control flooding and provide sustainable energy. However, the dam's construction led to ecological disruptions and the displacement of thousands of farmers. The river's pollution has worsened due to industrial development, with thousands of petrochemical factories along its banks contributing to toxic waste. In 2012, the river even turned red near Chongqing, with no explanation provided. Despite the river's importance for irrigation and supporting over 400 million Chinese, it is a significant source of plastic pollution in the oceans. The Chinese government has prioritized the river's conservation since 2015, with reports of decreasing pollution and factories moving away from the riverbanks. The latest five-year plans aim to integrate the river basin's development with the nation's unity through infrastructure like canals and the Silk Road.

Outgoing Liberian President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is accused of interfering in the ongoing electoral process, a claim made by her own party, including key power figure and Vice President Joseph Boakai, the Unity Party's candidate. Boakai, set to face George Weah in the presidential runoff, is supported by third-place finisher Charles Brumskine and two other parties in contesting the election results before the Supreme Court. Sirleaf is also accused of nepotism and favoring her sons, with one suspected of corruption. Amidst these tensions, Sirleaf appears to be discreetly supporting Weah, with speculation that she is preparing for Amara Konneh's candidacy in 2023. Weah, a football legend turned politician, is seen as the likely winner of the election.