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
Geostrategy
Normalization of Israeli-Saudi ties hit Palestine, security barriers
Despite Israel's strong determination and increasing US mediation efforts, the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tel Aviv-Riyadh still face serious...
- The Chinese-mediated restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran served as a catalyst for US efforts to advance Tel Aviv-Riyadh ties.
- For Israel, the normalization of relations with Arab countries has remained an important strategic goal for years.
Geostrategy
WFP warns fund cuts could push 24m people to brink of starvation
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Food Program said Tuesday that shrinking funding was forcing it to drastically slash rations in many...
- WFP said it had been struggling to meet growing global needs for food assistance while facing a funding shortfall of over 60 percent this year.
- WFP estimates that 345 million people worldwide are facing acute food insecurity, at level three or higher on the UN's five-scale food insecurity classification.
Geostrategy
Building less, repurposing more key to low construction sector emissions
The industry is responsible for 37 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and growing urbanization is spurring the construction of...
- Mushrooming urban environments -- which add new buildings in an area equivalent in size to Paris every five days -- damage life-sustaining ecosystems.
- Building less and repurposing existing structures generates 50-75 percent fewer emissions than new constructions, a report said.
Business
ENEC inks MoU with OSGE
Aim is to help in decarbonization of the Polish power sector.
- One of the aims of the agreement is exploring opportunities to invest in Small Modular Reactors.
- Nuclear energy is recognised by both the UAE and Poland as an essential clean energy resource.
Geostrategy
IsDB to finance projects worth US$800m in member states
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Executive Directors (BED) of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approved to finance projects...
- The aid will contribute to ameliorate the socio-economic challenges faced by the people and will help in achieving significant SDG targets.
- IsDB had made an emergency intervention to support the communities affected by the conflict in Sudan.
Geostrategy
Countries must cooperate to battle sandstorm threat, say UN, Iran
Countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia must work together to combat sand and dust storms made increasingly severe...
- According to meteorologists, sand and dust storms are expected to increase in countries most vulnerable to climate change.
- Iran, co-organizer of the two-day gathering, is one country where such storms are increasingly numerous.
Geostrategy
G20 adopts Leader’s Summit declaration, says Indian PM Modi
NEW DELHI, INDIA- Indian prime minister and G20 host Narendra Modi said on Saturday the body had reached consensus on...
- "Because of our team's hard work, and with your support, there is a consensus on the New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit declaration," the Indian Prime Minister said.
- Finding consensus among members has been increasingly difficult in recent years, with key G20 members deeply divided over Russia's war in Ukraine.
Geostrategy
UAE President, Indian Prime Minister discuss strengthening bilateral, trade ties
NEW DELHI, INDIA - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to...
- The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 18th Group of 20 (G20) Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi.
- The two sides also exchanged views on various regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Business
Jordan-ASEAN Economic Forum to be held in March 2024, says ACC
AMMAN, JORDAN - Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Khalil Haj Tawfiq said the Jordanian Economic Forum with...
- ACC will host the forum, in cooperation with Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Sultanate of Brunei.
- Trade exchanges between Jordan and ASEAN grew by 42 percent during 2022, compared to 2021, ACC's statistical data said.
Geostrategy
West blocked Russian assets worth $280bn, says US treasury
Washington, US - The REPO (Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs) task force, set up to search and freeze Russia-related assets, estimates the...
- “The total value of assets is estimated at around $280 billion, the majority of which is held in the European Union,” the US Department of the Treasury said.
- Reportedly, the task force has completed its “initial effort to map and account for Russian sovereign assets that are immobilized and held in REPO member jurisdictions".
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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
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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...
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.