Building futuristic sustainable urban cities starts from the underground up
Underground innovation, digitization, and AI are vital for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future cities, says Sam Wiffen, director and founder...
Interview
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
Geostrategy
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...
- "These updated standards will help create more useful, accurate and up-to-date federal data on race and ethnicity," US Chief Statistician Karin Orvis said.
- These revisions will enhance the ability to compare data across federal agencies, and to understand how federal programs serve a diverse America.
Economy
US Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge ticks up as fuel costs rise
WASHINGTON, US – The US central bank's favored measure of inflation edged higher last month on the back of rising fuel...
- The personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in February.
- Much of the February increase in the cost of goods came from energy prices, which rose 2.3 percent from January.
Geostrategy
Russia says ‘evidence’ links Ukraine to Moscow attack
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russia said on Thursday it had evidence the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside...
- Russian officials alleged the suspects had received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine".
- The officials said that said another man "involved in financing the terrorists" had been identified and detained.
Economy
Rise in remittances hikes demand for Jordanian dinar, says chamber of commerce
AMMAN, JORDAN – Rising remittances from the Kingdom’s citizens working abroad has contributed to increasing demand for Jordanian dinar.Exchange companies...
- There are positive indicators suggesting a stabilization in Jordan’s economy.
- Presently the currency exchange sector comprises 250 firms across Jordan.
Geostrategy
US defense chief tells Israeli counterpart that Gaza toll is ‘too high’
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant that civilian casualties in Gaza are "too high". A...
- A senior Pentagon official said that US Defense Secretary had discussed his hopes that negotiations would "soon produce the release of all hostages."
- The United States has backed Israel with both military and diplomatic support.
Geostrategy
Trump tells Israel media ‘you’re losing support’ over Gaza war
Former US president Donald Trump warned Israel in an interview that it was losing support over the war in Gaza....
- Trump frequently touts himself as a devoted ally of Israel, pointing to his decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
- The former US President said he would have responded to Hamas's attack "very much the same way" Israel did.
Arts & Culture
World’s only Dragon Ball theme park launched in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) revealed on Sunday the launch of...
- Nestled within Qiddiya City, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this never-seen-before anime theme park is set to become a spectacle.
- Inspired by the seven legendary Dragon Balls, visitors can navigate seven distinctively themed zones within the park.
Business
EU imports US$120.5bn worth of energy products in Q4 2023
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In the fourth quarter of 2023, the EU imported US$120.5 billion (€111.3 billion) worth of energy products...
- Compared with the same period in 2022, imports decreased both in value (-34.2 percent) and in net mass (-11.7 percent).
- Comparing 2023 with 2022, the value of energy products dropped by 35 percent, while the volume dropped by 9.4 percent.
Geostrategy
Putin vows retribution on Moscow concert hall attacks, as toll rises
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish those behind a "barbaric terrorist attack" on a Moscow concert hall that killed...
- It is the deadliest attack on Russia in almost two decades and the deadliest in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State.
- Russian officials expect the death toll to rise further, with more than 100 injured in hospital.
Business
Passenger air traffic has reached pre-pandemic levels, says ICAO
MONTREAL, CANADA – In the first quarter of 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projected that passenger air traffic...
- ICAO’s latest analysis also reveals new insights into aviation industry for the year 2023.
- It said that air traffic on most routes had reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels by end of 2023.
Building futuristic sustainable urban cities starts from the underground up
Underground innovation, digitization, and AI are vital for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future cities, says Sam Wiffen, director and founder...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
Abu Dhabi’s private sector grows by over 35 percent in 2023
ABU DHABI, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) organized, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Investment Office...
Economy
Sweden Quran burner arrested in Norway, faces deportation
OSLO, NORWAY – An Iraqi refugee in Sweden who stoked international outrage by repeatedly desecrating the Quran last year has been...
Geostrategy
Electric cars credited with lower CO2 emissions in US neighborhoods
LOS ANGELES, US – The booming use of electric vehicles in parts of California is reducing CO2 emissions in those areas,...
Business
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Business
Russia becomes world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer, says PM
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country became the world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer last year.The Russian Prime...
- Mikhail Mishustin said that the volume of LNG exports rose almost three-fold in six years.
- In January - February 2024, natural gas production in Russia increased by 11.3 percent year-on-year.
Business
New shipping service in Saudi Arabia launched
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the new shipping service 'NRS' by...
- The NRS shipping service will link Jeddah Islamic Port to Yanbu Commercial Port, Neom Port, Aqaba Port in Jordan, and Sokhna Port in Egypt.
- This will further establish the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub that bridges three continents,
Business
Liberty Media buy MotoGP
Formula One owners paid US$4.5 billion for the deal.
- The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 subject to clearances and approvals.
- MotoGP said Liberty Media would acquire "approximately 86 percent" stake from Spain-based owners Dorna.