COP28 initiatives to narrow climate finance disparity
Antoine Samaha of BCG applauds the launch of a Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries, emphasizing the need for...
COP28 UAE
World Bank to expand climate funding in MENA by $10 billion
Brhane said the World Bank integrated climate into all its work across the MENA region and is on track to...
COP28 UAE
Geostrategy
Australia’s incumbent government loses elections after decade
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded election defeat Saturday, hours after voters issued a stinging rebuke of his party's inaction...
- Australia's PM acknowledged a 'difficult' and 'humbling' day for his party, which governed Australia for the last decade
- With almost half the votes counted, Albanese's center-left Labor was assured of forming the largest party in parliament
Economy
Key Iraq irrigation reservoir close to drying out
Iraq's Lake Hamrin, a once-vast reservoir northeast of Baghdad that is the sole source of water for irrigation across Diyala...
- "There are no other sources of water in the province -- the volume arriving in Lake Hamrin is the volume used in the province," an Iraqi official said
- The problem is not exclusive to Diyala province. The World Bank predicts that without major changes, Iraq will have lost 20 percent of its water resources by 2020
Geostrategy
Trawling Iraq’s threatened marshes to collect waste
The swamps, nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, are one of the world's largest inland deltas and were declared...
- The UN classifies Iraq "as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world" to climate change, having already witnessed record low rainfall and high temperatures in recent years.
- An official said that tourists have returned, but one of the main visible sources of pollution in the area are visitors who throw away their "plastic waste".
Economy
‘Lifeline’ of renewable energy can steer world out of climate crisis: UN chief
"We must end fossil fuel pollution and accelerate the renewable energy transition before we incinerate our only home," Secretary-General António...
- "We must end fossil fuel pollution and accelerate the renewable energy transition before we incinerate our only home," Secretary-General António Guterres said
- Guterres called for a new global coalition led by governments and bringing together tech companies, manufacturers and financiers to fast-track innovation and deployment
Geostrategy
World’s tallest building engulfed as Mideast sandstorms hit UAE
The world's tallest building disappeared behind a grey layer of dust on Wednesday as sandstorms that have swept the Middle...
- The 828-metre Burj Khalifa, which is usually visible across the busy financial hub, retreated behind a curtain of airborne dirt that shrouded much of the country.
- The Middle East's sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams.
Geostrategy
Sandstorm disrupts life in Riyadh, likely to affect Makkah and Medina
A sandstorm engulfed Saudi Arabia's capital and other regions of the desert kingdom Tuesday, hampering visibility and slowing road traffic....
- A thick grey haze made Riyadh buildings such as Kingdom Centre nearly impossible to see from more than a few hundred meters.
- Saudi Arabia's meteorology center forecast "surface dusty winds" in the country's east and in Riyadh, "reducing horizontal sight".
Geostrategy
Eighth sandstorm since mid-April brings Iraq to a halt
On Monday a thick cloud of dust enveloped the capital Baghdad in an orange glow and blanketed many other cities.
- Authorities in seven of Iraq's 18 provinces, including Baghdad, ordered government offices to shut.
- The last one earlier this month led to the death of one person while 5,000 others had to be hospitalized for respiratory problems
Business
Scarce French rainfall adds new cloud to global food market
World food prices hit an all-time high in March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which accounted for 20 percent of...
- France is Europe's agricultural powerhouse, the biggest grain producer in the 27-country bloc
- The national weather service said France was in the grip of a hot spell with 20% less rainfall reported
Economy
Between searing drought and the Ukraine war, Iraq watchful over wheat
Iraq will have to import wheat this year as it may only grow 2.5-3 million tons of wheat, "not enough...
- Searing heat and a lack of rain were already threatening harvest in Iraq and now soaring oil and high-yield seed prices has become another financial burden for farmers
- Hamid al-Nayef said that the government was helping farmers by raising the purchase price in order to pay producers around $500 per ton of wheat
Sandstorm leaves more than 1,000 Iraqis in hospital
More than 1,000 Iraqis were rushed to hospital with respiratory ailments on Thursday due to a sandstorm, the seventh to...
- Authorities in Al-Anbar and Kirkuk provinces, north of the capital, urged people to stay indoors
- Hospitals in Al-Anbar province had received more than 700 patients with breathing difficulties
COP28 initiatives to narrow climate finance disparity
Antoine Samaha of BCG applauds the launch of a Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries, emphasizing the need for...
COP28 UAE
Company News
Latest News
Politicians fail to understand scientific facts of climate, says expert
PARIS, FRANCE - Wavering ambition by governments and a growing belief that science is politically subjective are great causes for concern...
Science
‘Mainstream sustainability for a net-zero future’
“As the UAE gears up to host COP28, it's crucial to involve all partners in hastening climate action, both locally...
Business
Antarctic sea ice hits lowest winter maximum on record, says data
WASHINGTON, US - The sea ice around Antarctica likely had a record low surface area when it was at its maximum...
Science
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Business
ADNOC, TAQA complete financial closing on sustainable water supply project
ABU DHABI, UAE - ADNOC and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) have completed the financial closing of their $2.2...
- A consortium comprising Orascom Construction and Metito (the Consortium) will construct a centralized world-class seawater treatment facility.
- ADNOC and TAQA own a joint 51 percent majority stake (25.5 percent each), the Consortium owning the remaining 49 percent stake in the project company.
Geostrategy
UAE minister calls for climate action by promoting nature-based solutions
NEW YORK, US – UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri called upon the global...
- The minister made the comments during high-level meetings on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Mariam Almheiri, who is also the COP28 Food Systems Lead, highlighted the prominence placed by the UAE on food and agriculture in COP28 agenda.
Geostrategy
King Charles urges joint French-English effort on climate change
"Just as we stand together against military aggression, so must we strive together to protect the world from our most...
- He suggested that France and Britain should team up to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies with a new version of the 1904 Entente Cordiale pact
- Charles' latest call on the environment came a day after Britain's PM Rishi Sunak softened green policies aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by mid century