Risks are interconnected, need collaborative solutions, says WEF’s Mark Elsner
Davos, Switzerland – Mark Elsner, Head, Global Risks Initiative, World Economic Forum sat with TRENDS during WEF’s summit in Davos...
World Economic Forum
Pulitzer Prizes honor coverage of war in Gaza
New York, United States - The war in Gaza featured prominently in Monday's Pulitzer Prizes, which included a special citation for...
Geostrategy
Moroccan officials questioned in EU graft probe
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Several Moroccan officials have been questioned as part of a high-profile investigation into alleged bribery by the north...
- The interviews in Morocco were conducted by local authorities in the presence of Belgian investigators.
- The questionings were the first in the country since Brussels launched a sprawling graft probe in 2022.
Geostrategy
UK shoots down ‘suspected’ drone attack in Red Sea
London, UK - A UK destroyer has brought down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea, defense minister Grant Shapps...
- Britain announced last month that it was sending HMS Diamond, one of its most advanced naval vessels, to the Gulf to shore up its presence in the region.
- The deployment followed the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas and the seizure of an Israeli-linked cargo vessel by Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels
COP28 UAE
IEA boss says COP28 bid farewell to fossil fuels
PARIS, FRANCE - While the UN's COP28 climate summit marked a pivot moment, when the world pledged to say "goodbye" to...
- It gave an unmistakable signal to investors that if you continue to invest in fossil fuels you may well have serious business risks
- It gives a signal to the investors for clean energy that they may be more profitable than many people now believe they are.
Number of journalists killed on job in 2023 declines despite Gaza: RSF
In the first 11 months of 2023, 45 journalists were killed carrying out their work, down from 61 last year,...
- While some 63 journalists have been killed in Middle East since the October 7, only 17 of those deaths fell under RSF's definition
- The decline is due to efforts by inter-governmental organizations and NGOs to combat impunity, as well as to greater "prudence" by reporters themselves
Geostrategy
Digitalization has high environmental costs, says UNCTAD meet
DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate...
- Data-driven technologies like the Internet of Things, robotics and artificial intelligence can enhance climate change monitoring.
- The digital transformation has left its mark on the planet through raw material depletion, energy and water use, pollution and waste.
Economy
Global trade likely to decline in 2023 due to changing trade patterns, geopolitics
DUBAI, UAE - The outlook for 2024 remains “highly uncertain and generally pessimistic,” UNCTAD says in the Global Trade Update,...
- Other elements affecting trade include lower demand in developed countries, less trade in East Asia and an uptick in trade-restrictive measures.
- The elements also include an uptick in trade-restrictive measures and lengthening supply chains, particularly between China and the US.
Business
PM issues law forming Dubai Investment Fund to oversee government investments
DUBAI, UAE – Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law...
- The law endows the Fund with the financial and administrative independence to pursue its objectives along with the legal mandate to do so.
- Dubai Investment Fund will be responsible for investing Dubai Government funds, surpluses and the general reserve locally and internationally.
Geostrategy
Russia, Saudi say sovereign Palestine state vital for regional peace
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Russia and Saudi Arabia expressed concern on the present situation in Gaza and said that a...
- The two sides discussed the developments in Palestine and expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
- Russia and Saudi Arabia stressed on the need to stop military operations in the Palestinian territories, and the need to protect civilians.
Geostrategy
Russia’s Putin offers assistance in Gaza Strip de-escalation
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered assistance in helping to deescalate the tense situation in the Gaza...
- This offer was made during a telephonic conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The two leaders discussed continued cooperation regarding the evacuation of Russian nationals and family members from the region.
Geostrategy
Joint ministerial committee meets US secretary of state
Washington, US – A committee of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit under the chairmanship of Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin...
- A ministerial committee led by Saudi foreign minister holds discussions with US Secretary of State.
- The committee asked the US to influence Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Risks are interconnected, need collaborative solutions, says WEF’s Mark Elsner
Davos, Switzerland – Mark Elsner, Head, Global Risks Initiative, World Economic Forum sat with TRENDS during WEF’s summit in Davos...
World Economic Forum
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G7 vows ‘significant’ new sanctions if Iran sends missiles to Russia
Washington, US - G7 countries warned Iran on Friday that they will impose "significant" new sanctions if Tehran transfers ballistic missiles...
Geostrategy
Leader of US Senate calls for election in Israel
The leader of the US Senate called for Israel to hold new elections in the most strident criticism yet by...
Geostrategy
Israeli forces kill Jordanian in West Bank, says Palestinian ministry
A Jordanian citizen has died after being shot by Israeli forces in the West Bank, Palestinian authorities said, with the...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Trump said he won’t ‘give a penny’ to Ukraine, claims Hungary Prime Minister
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting...
- Orban is the only EU leader to have maintained ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine.
- He also angered fellow EU leaders by meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in September
Geostrategy
Four space station crew members leave for Earth
WASHINGTON, US – Four astronauts left the International Space Station on Monday and were bound for Earth following a more than...
- Led by American astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, NASA's Crew-7 arrived at the research platform last August.
- NASA and SpaceX are targeting as soon as 5:35 am Tuesday (0935 GMT) for a splashdown off the Florida coast.
Economy
Iran agricultural, food exports hit US$5.5bn in 11 months
TEHRAN, IRAN – The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade said that Iran exported fisheries, livestock, agricultural and food products...
- Iraq was the biggest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth US$1.7 billion.
- The UAE was the second largest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth $675 million