UN climate chief warns ‘lot more to do’ before COP30
UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries on Thursday to accelerate negotiations ahead of the COP30 in Brazil as there...
Science
Iran strikes damage hard to assess under Israeli military censorship
Such regulations are nothing new in Israel, where any written or visual publication deemed potentially harmful to the loosely defined...
Geostrategy
Business
As EU eyes stopping Russian gas imports, Israel sees an opening
As Europe aims to wean itself off Russian fossil fuel because of the Ukraine invasion, Israel hopes to help fill...
- EU states remain divided on the time scale, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc hopes to phase out its dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal.
- Israel could build one or more pipelines, potentially via Greece or Turkey, or increase the quantity of gas piped to Egypt to be liquified and shipped off, say experts.
Geostrategy
Maritime traffic between Morocco and Spain resumes
Maritime traffic between Spain and Morocco is set to resume Tuesday following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two...
- Embroiled in a dispute with Spain over the territory of Western Sahara, Morocco upheld the blockade between some of the largest ports on the Mediterranean for over two years.
- The maritime borders reopened last summer -- but connections between Tangiers and Spain's Algeciras and Tarifa ports have remained cut.
Geostrategy
‘Pain’ of Algerians banished to the Pacific
Between 1864 and 1897, as French colonial troops advanced through Algeria, 2,100 people were tried by special or military courts...
- They were sent in chains around 18,500 kilometers (11,500 miles) to the other side of the world, to a penal colony on the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia.
- Those who survived the tough journey became known as the "straw hats" -- a nod to the convicts' headgear as they worked in the blazing sun.
Business
Honda plans $40bn EV investment
The automaker is switching all sales away from traditional fuel cars.
- Global auto giants are increasingly prioritizing the production of electric and hybrid vehicles
- After all, demand is growing for less polluting models as concern about climate change grows
Business
Meta tests sale of virtual goods in metaverse
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will give content creators the opportunity to sell virtual items to users...
- The metaverse consists of a set of parallel "universes" accessed primarily through augmented and virtual reality platforms
- It already exists in a basic way in the form of video games such as Minecraft, Fortnite and Roblox and social platforms such as Horizon Worlds, and VRChat
Arts & Culture
Syria’s Ramadan drummers defiant as tradition wanes
Around one hour before the call to prayer rings out at dawn, Ramadan drummers, known as Musaharati, walk through narrow...
- Around one hour before the call to prayer rings out at dawn, Ramadan drummers, known as Musaharati, walk through narrow streets to wake the faithful
- Although they do receive gifts, the Musaharati don't usually expect financial rewards. They sometimes carry bags or straw baskets to store food and other gifts
Economy
WTO: War in Ukraine could halve 2022 global trade growth
Russia's invasion created a crisis of 'immense proportions' and a 'severe blow' to the global economy. Russia's war in Ukraine...
- Shares of Russia and Ukraine in overall world trade and output are relatively small but they are important suppliers of essential products, notably food, and energy
- Europe is the main destination for both Russian and Ukrainian exports and therefore is likely to experience the heaviest economic impact
Geostrategy
Iran questions US will to reach nuclear talks deal
Tehran on Monday questioned Washington's will in reaching an agreement to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement, with key sticking points...
- Iran has been engaged for a year in negotiations with France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China directly, and the United States indirectly to revive the deal.
- Negotiations in Vienna aim to return the US to the nuclear deal, including through the lifting of sanctions on Iran, and to ensure Tehran's full compliance with its commitments.
Business
Italy PM in Algeria seeking gas to reduce Russia reliance
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in gas powerhouse Algeria on Monday as Rome steps up efforts to reduce its...
- Italy buys the vast majority of its natural gas from overseas, with over 40 percent of those imports coming from Russia.
- Rome is hoping its second-biggest supplier Algeria can boost output via an undersea pipeline in order to provide alternatives.
Business
Ericsson pulls out of Russia
Swedish firm said it was suspending its operations.
- The telecom giant already announced in late February that it would stop all deliveries to Russia following Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine
- The company added that it was "engaging with customers and partners regarding the indefinite suspension of the affected business"
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UN climate chief warns ‘lot more to do’ before COP30
UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries on Thursday to accelerate negotiations ahead of the COP30 in Brazil as there...
Science
Company News
Russian oil price cap partially successful
Geostrategy
Latest News
Israel plans to allow local Palestinians administer post-war Gaza
"The plan states that Israel will move forward with its already-in-motion project to establish a security buffer zone on the...
Geostrategy
Expelled from France, imam vows to challenge decision in court
Soliman, Tunisia - A Tunisian imam expelled from France for alleged hate speech said on Friday he would take legal action...
Geostrategy
American spaceship lands on moon, images expected soon
The first American spaceship on the Moon since Apollo is "alive and well" following a drama-packed touchdown, the firm that...
Science
Most Read
Geostrategy
UAE removed from international money laundering grey list
Countries on the grey list have "strategic deficiencies" in their efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing but are...
- More than 200 countries and jurisdictions have pledged to implement the recommendations of the FATF.
- The FATF also repeated its condemnation of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
Business
UAE to invest $35 billion to help solve currency crisis: Egypt PM
Madbouly said the investment would "contribute to resolving" a hard currency crunch which has threatened Egypt's ability to service its...
- According to UAE's WAM agency, ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, has unveiled plans to invest US$35 billion in Egypt.
- ADQ will acquire the development rights for Ras El-Hekma for $24 billion to develop the region into one of the largest new city developments by a private consortium.
Business
Price of natural gas in Europe falls to a 3-year low
LONDON, UK – The price of natural gas in Europe fell again on Friday, taking it to its lowest in almost...
- Gas reserves, which are usually drawn down during winter for heating, are at 64.7 percent of storage capacity on average in the European Union.
- Gas prices soared in 2022 and into 2023 as Russia's invasion of Ukraine made EU countries limit consumption and diversify their sources of supply.