World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level, says climate monitor
PARIS, FRANCE - Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time...
Science
Saudi Arabia to highlight role in dealing with global challenges at WEF meet
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef said that the Kingdom’s participation in the...
Economy
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
Economy
Financial institutions exposed to high risk by global water crisis: Report
Financial institutions are exposed to significant risks posed by depleted and contaminated water supplies, a report released by non-profit Carbon...
- A first-of-its-kind report by CDP and Planet Tracker shows how global companies in key industries are already losing billions as a result of the global water crisis.
- By focusing on oil & gas, electric utilities, coal and metals & mining sectors, the report found that $13.5 bn in assets are already stranded and $2 bn at risk due to water issues.
Science
Can pee help feed the world?
In the past, urban excrement was transported to agricultural fields to be used as fertilizer along with animal manure, before...
- Chemical fertilizers create emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, contributing to climate change.
- Urine is not normally a major carrier of disease, so the World Health Organization recommends leaving it for a period of time, although it is also possible to pasteurize it.
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World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level, says climate monitor
PARIS, FRANCE - Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time...
Science
Company News
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Yellen urges more IMF, World Bank reforms for climate, poverty fight
Benguerir, Morocco - US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday she backed efforts to boost the lending firepower of the...
Business
First wind turbines reach Saudi green hydrogen plant, says CEO
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The first wind turbines have arrived at what Saudi officials bill as the world's biggest green hydrogen...
Business
Saudi Arabia unveils roadmap to achieve 10-billion tree target
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to achieve its monumental goal of planting 10 billion...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
OPEC sees no peak in global oil demand on the horizon
In its 2023 annual report, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries forecasts demand for crude to reach 116 million...
- According to OPEC, whose 13 member states include Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and Venezuela, oil demand will be driven by emerging and developing nations.
- OPEC also backed developing technological solutions to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture and storage.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, India ink MoU on electrical interconnectivity, green hydrogen
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here in electrical interconnection, green/clean hydrogen,...
- The signing took place during the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The MoU was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy and India’s Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy.
Geostrategy
MOCCAE and Tadweer sign MoU to launch ‘Waste to Zero’ initiative
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) have...
- The initiative is part of the Year of Sustainability and UAE's preparations for hosting the Conference of the Parties COP28.
- The initiative aims to strengthen the UAE's role in leading global action and contribute to international efforts to achieve the 43% emission reduction target by 2030.