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...
Geostrategy
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...
Business
Business
Saudi Arabia at 16 position in Lloyd’s List 2023 rankings
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was ranked 16 in annual container throughput by the 2023 edition...
- As per the industry report, container volumes across the Kingdom’s ports during 2022 were estimated at 10,439,620 TEUs.
- The Kingdom’s groundbreaking strides in the global logistics landscape boils down to a host of critical catalysts,
Business
Proton says will analyze VPN sign-ups to identify attacks on democracy
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Internet privacy company Proton announced Wednesday a new VPN Observatory, tracking demand for its services to detect attacks...
- Switzerland-based Proton said its new observatory would document spikes in sign-ups to its virtual private networks.
- VPNs provide a secure, encrypted connection over the internet between a user and a server, giving users greater anonymity.
Business
Nissan Q1 net profit $750m
Results due to better sales in Japan, North America.
- Sales rose 37 percent to US$20.6 billion, even as tougher competition and a sluggish post-Covid recovery hurt its performance in China.
- The auto giant raised its annual net profit forecast to US$2.4 billion from its previous estimate of US$2.2 billion, boosted in part by cost-cutting.
Rights groups urge Jordan to scrap ‘draconian’ cybercrime bill
The Jordanian government recently referred the draft bill to parliament for discussion with a view to amending a 2015 cybercrime...
- The bill would "pave the way for an alarming surge in online censorship", said a joint statement by 14 non-governmental organisations
- Statement described the bill as "draconian" and warned that it would "jeopardise digital rights, including freedom of expression"
Geostrategy
UAE plays an active role in shaping better future for societies, says minister
NEW DELHI, INDIA – The UAE is committed to playing an active role in global efforts to shape a better...
- The UAE is also committed to enhancing human resources’ contribution to sustainable development.
- The minister applauded all G20 members for “their dedication and commitment to the objectives and vision of the forum.”
Science
UAE emissions plan ‘insufficient’, say climate groups
PARIS, FRANCE - New carbon-cutting plans by this year's UN climate talks host the UAE were branded "insufficient" by an analysis...
- The UAE, which will host the COP28 United Nations talks in November and December, has released its updated climate plans.
- The plans laying out a tougher target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
Science
Severe heat a cause of worry for healthcare system, says WHO
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The extreme heat in the northern hemisphere is putting an increasing strain on healthcare systems, hitting those least...
- The WHO said the heat often worsens pre-existing conditions, saying it was particularly concerned about those with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and asthma.
- Millions of people across three continents are enduring a sustained spell of dangerous heat as temperature records tumble.
Business
Dubai posts 44 percent growth in business event bid wins in H1 2023
DUBAI, UAE – The city has registered a strong year-on-year growth of 44 percent in business event bid wins in...
- Dubai Business Events worked with partners and stakeholders to win 143 conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in H1 2023.
- These events are expected to bring over 94,000 additional visitors to the city, including global experts and leaders in their respective fields.
Economy
UNDP says over US$14bn needed to mitigate global surge in poverty
NEW YORK, US – In the last three years, poverty rates in low-and lower-middle-income countries have surged, with the number...
- UNDP has called for adaptive social protection and a debt-poverty pause to redirect debt repayments toward critical social expenditures.
- Almost all of these financially hit people live in low - and lower-middle-income economies, with the poorest 20 percent in low-income countries
Geostrategy
Ukraine grain deal failed to achieve objective, says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the main objective of the deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports to resume was not...
- A memorandum on unhindered Russian food and fertilizer exports had been signed in parallel to the grain deal.
- "The main goal of the deal, namely the supply of grain to countries in need, including on the African continent, has not been implemented," Putin said.
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...
Geostrategy
Company News
WTO hopes to finalize fishing agreement
Geostrategy
Latest News
Scientists in UK create new fusion record
LONDON, UK - Scientists in Britain announced on Thursday they had smashed a record for generating fusion energy in the final...
Science
World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level, says climate monitor
PARIS, FRANCE - Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time...
Science
Gaza solidarity boycott hits global food chains
As customers in the Middle East shun international restaurants, local businesses report they have benefited from the boycott.
Business
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Geostrategy
WW3 may begin before US President Biden’s term ends, Trump says
NEW YORK, US - World War III may break out before US President Joe Biden leaves office, former US president...
- Trump alleged that that Biden's policy had turned the world into hell and was leading the United States to a bloodbath.
- The US presidential election will be held in November and incumbent Joe Biden said that he would seek re-election.
Geostrategy
Russian foreign minister to speak at Valdai Middle East Conference
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the 13th Middle East Conference of the Valdai...
- The 13th conference is taking place at a time when the region is under the microscope amid the escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
- Experts are likely to discuss ways to come to a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, the legacy of colonial policy.
Geostrategy
Spain to increase UNRWA funding after donors suspend aid
MADRID, SPAIN - Spain said on Monday that it would give an additional US$$3.8 million (3.5 million euros) in aid to...
- Over a dozen countries, including the US, Germany, Britain and Sweden, have suspended their funding to UNRWA.
- There are accusations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas.