Russia not in danger of trading oil at a loss, says Lavrov
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russia does not see the risk of trading oil at a loss due to the redistribution of...
Business
Iran signs big contracts to increase oil production
Iran sealed contracts worth billions of dollars with domestic companies to boost its oil production in the face of Western...
Geostrategy
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.
World can’t ‘unplug’ existing energy system: COP28 head
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The president of the upcoming COP28 climate talks in Dubai called on Sunday for governments to abandon...
- Climate activists have criticized the appointment of Jaber to lead the COP28 talks which kick off in Dubai next month, given that he is also head of the oil firm ADNOC.
- But Jaber has garnered the support of COP parties including US climate envoy John Kerry, partly by emphasising his belief that "the phase-down of fossil fuels is inevitable."
Geostrategy
Putin launches Russian gas shipments to Uzbekistan
Moscow, Russia - Russian Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced the start of gas supplies to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan, a boost for...
- Despite being home to a wealth of natural resources including gas, the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan has faced energy shortages.
- Russian gas exports decreased by 21.5 percent in 2022 - as its largest buyer the European Union drastically reduced imports.
Business
Dubai’s weeklong real estate transactions exceed US$2.5bn
DUBAI, UAE - A total of 1,445 real estate transactions worth over US$2.5 billion (AED 9.5 billion) were conducted during...
- The Dubai Land Department report showed that 248 plots were sold for US$476 million.
- The DLS report said 1,197 apartments and villas were purchased for US$865 million.
Science
Drought caused major global hydropower drop in early 2023
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Dry conditions, particularly in China, caused a "historic" global drop in hydropower in the first half of 2023,...
- Wind and solar generation grew more slowly in the first half of this year than in the same period last year.
- The chief of this year's COP climate meeting has called for a global tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Business
Aramco’s Luberef resumes bitumen exports after 20 years
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - King Fahad Industrial Port has successfully shipped 5,500 tons of bitumen to South Africa onboard bulk...
- King Fahad Industrial Port has successfully shipped 5,500 tons of bitumen to South Africa making it the first cargo of oil byproduct from Yanbu-based hub.
- This reflects Mawani’s step to position the ports sector as a vehicle to fulfil Vision 2030’s ambition of transforming the Kingdom into a logistics hub.
Economy
Middle East economic growth to fall in 2023, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The growth of the economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to fall...
- The region’s gross domestic product is expected to fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 from 6 percent in 2022, due to oil production cuts.
- The decline in growth this year is expected to be more pronounced in the oil exporting countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Business
ADNOC awards two contracts for Hail and Ghasha Offshore Development project
ABU DHABI, UAE – ADNOC on Thursday announced the final investment decision (FID) and award of contracts for the Hail...
- The first contract for the offshore facilities has been awarded to a joint venture between National Petroleum Construction Company and Saipem.
- The second contract will deliver the onshore scope, including carbon dioxide and sulphur recovery and handling and has been awarded to Tecnimont.
Business
Farmers turn to solar power in Syria’s former breadbasket
Al-Haddadiya, Syria - At his farm in Syria's northeast, Abdullah al-Mohammed adjusts a large solar panel, one of hundreds that have...
- Solar energy has offered a lifeline for the farmers amid drought and power shortages, but some warn the boom also has environmental costs in the once-fertile region
- "We are trying to revive our land," despite dwindling groundwater reserves, said Mohammed, 38, as he oriented the panel towards the sun near his cotton fields.
Business
Geopolitical changes derailed shift towards green energy, says IMF
Washington, US - Growing geopolitical fragmentation since the invasion of Ukraine has hit commodity markets, threatening to slow the transition to...
- IMF economists said trade disruptions could lower investment in renewable energy and electric vehicles by almost 30 percent till 2030
- It said further geopolitical fragmentation could lead to "turmoil" in the commodity markets, causing long-term economic losses
Russia not in danger of trading oil at a loss, says Lavrov
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russia does not see the risk of trading oil at a loss due to the redistribution of...
Business
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Geostrategy
Shell halts Red Sea shipments over attack fears, say report
WASHINGTON, US - British oil giant Shell has paused transit through the key Red Sea shipping route indefinitely, over fears of...
Geostrategy
Turkish strikes leaves hundreds of Syrian villages without electricity
Qamishli, Syria - Hundreds of northeast Syrian villages and towns have lost power after Turkish strikes pounded electricity stations and infrastructure,...
Geostrategy
EU worried Red Sea attacks could spark inflation
European Union economy commissioner Paolo Gentiloni warned that violence in the Red Sea sparked by Houthi attacks on shipping could...
Geostrategy
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Business
Biggest fuel refinery plant of Africa begins production
Lagos, Nigeria - Africa's biggest diesel and aviation fuel refinery built by the continent's richest man has started production, the company...
- The 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery could be a game changer when fully operational by helping end Nigeria's reliance on fuel imports.
- The facility sits on 2,635 hectares (6,500 acres) of land at the Lekki Free Zone on the edge of Lagos city and cost an estimated $19 billion.
Business
DEWA records 12.5 million digital transactions in 2023
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that its customers conducted around 12.5 million digital transactions in...
- DEWA offers digital services for electricity and water management, as well as innovative sustainability services.
- These include smart living initiative, features like consumption monitoring, comparison with high-efficiency homes.
Oil prices rise on Red Sea escalation, corporate earnings season
Crude prices spiked more than four percent before ebbing somewhat after the allies launched deadly strikes following weeks of disruptive...
- In Friday trade, the Dow dipped while the S&P 500 edged higher as investors digested corporate earnings and a surprise drop in wholesale inflation
- Leading banks were mostly lower following a deluge of quarterly results, while airlines were hammered after Delta's forecast disappointed investors