Debt, trade barriers drag Asian economies in 2024, says World Bank report
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast...
Economy
US census to include Middle Eastern or North African category
The next US census and federal government forms will include new options for race and ethnicity including a category for...
Geostrategy
Science
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...
- Several extreme weather events have occurred in 2023, which the European Union's climate monitor says is likely to be the hottest in human history.
- These underscores the urgency of slashing planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions to avert the catastrophic impacts of greater global warming.
Geostrategy
Israel sells Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany for US$3.5bn
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - Israel's US$3.5-billion sale of its Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany, sparked by security fears after...
- Israeli arms exports reached a new record of $12.5 billion dollars last year, double the amount from three years earlier, says its defense ministry.
- Israel, together with its top ally the United States, has developed hi-tech systems designed to knock incoming rockets and missiles out of the sky.
Geostrategy
Top army officials from 30 nations review threats in Asia-Pacific
New Delhi, India - Army chiefs and senior officers from 30 countries including the United States met in India on Tuesday...
- US Army chief Randy George said the region was "critically important", speaking to reporters alongside his Indian counterpart Manoj Pande.
- Generals from Japan and Australia, which make up the "Quad" defense cooperation forum alongside Washington and New Delhi, also took part.
Science
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...
- The ice pack typically reaches its largest size during the colder winter months, so the September 10 reading will likely remain this year's maximum.
- At its high-point this year, the sea ice was 1.03 million square kilometers smaller than the previous record.
Business
Rising demand for critical metals pose dilemmas for investors
PARIS, FRANCE - Soaring demand for the raw materials needed for the transition towards renewable energy is creating dilemmas for investors...
- Demand for lithium, an essential component of car batteries, could increase ninefold between 2022 and 2050, said the International Energy Agency.
- Lithium and other metals that the IEA calls “key to the clean energy transition” will be the topic of a summit hosted by the global energy watchdog in Paris.
Business
IsDBI, BIBF join hands to enhance global Islamic finance expertise
MANAMA, BAHRAIN - The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) have decided...
- The programs cater to professionals from financial institutions, regulatory bodies, supervisory authorities and legal experts.
- This partnership between IsDBI, BIBF focuses on elevating the industry, forging international connections, and nurturing talent on a global scale.
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
Israel congratulates Saudi Arabia on national day
JERUSALEM - Israel offered its congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the kingdom's national day on Saturday as the two countries...
- "We send our sincere congratulations to the king, government and people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 93rd national day," the Israeli foreign ministry said.
- "May Allah bring you goodness and blessings, security and prosperity with our wishes for an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and good neighborliness," it added in the statement.
Geostrategy
Israeli, Lebanese clash with tear gas on Golan border
JERUSALEM - Israeli and Lebanese troops exchanged tear gas fire on Saturday on a disputed and highly militarised section of...
- The Israeli army said its troops used "riot dispersal means" to turn around a Lebanese earthmover that had strayed into Israeli-held territory.
- The Lebanese army said it was the Israeli "enemy" which had violated the demarcation line and fired smoke bombs at its troops escorting the bulldozer.
Arts & Culture
Chinese President Xi Jinping declares biggest-ever Asian Games open
Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the 19th Asian Games in a colourful ceremony in Hangzhou, launching a two-week sporting extravaganza...
- In front of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other visiting leaders, Xi officially opened the Games at the 80,000-capacity Hangzhou Olympic stadium.
- The theme of the ceremony was water and it also celebrated Hangzhou's ancient history and landscape.
Debt, trade barriers drag Asian economies in 2024, says World Bank report
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Zelenskyy in Saudi Arabia to discuss war; meets Mohammed bin Salman
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his accompanying delegation arrived here on Tuesday.The Ukrainian President was...
Geostrategy
Renault Scenic model wins Car of the Year at Geneva auto show
Renault unveiled a new electric vehicle and its Scenic model won the Car of the Year award at the first...
Business
Japan’s Moon craft SLIM revives after lunar night
TOKYO, JAPAN – Japan's Moon lander has produced another surprise by waking up after the two-week lunar night, the country's space...
Science
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Geostrategy
WTO launches US$50m fund for women entrepreneurs in developing countries
ABU DHABI, UAE - The director general of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Sunday launched a $50 million fund...
- The director general of WTO said the "ground-breaking initiative... embodies our collective commitment to empower women".
- The fund will help businesses run by women in developing countries to adopt digital technologies and increase their online presence.
Geostrategy
British lawmaker suspended over ‘Islamophobic’ comments
London, UK - Britain's ruling Conservatives on Saturday suspended their former deputy chairman from the parliamentary party, after he refused to...
- Pressure had been growing on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Tories to act following lawmaker Lee Anderson's contentious remarks.
- On the right-wing GB News channel, Anderson claimed Islamists had "got control" of Khan, who was the first Muslim mayor of London.
Geostrategy
UAE to provide US$10m grant to support WTO initiatives, says foreign minister
ABU DHABI, UAE – Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced that the UAE...
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed expressed pride that the UAE is hosting the WTO’s MC13, the organization’s highest decision-making body, from February 26-29.
- He welcomed all leaders and representatives of the 166 member states to Abu Dhabi for crucial negotiations on key trade issues and discussions.