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...
Business
US, Israel hold talks as Gaza truce plan fails at UN
Israel plans to send troops into Gaza's Rafah even without US support, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Antony Blinken, as...
Geostrategy
Business
China to restrict export of semiconductor making materials
BEIJING, CHINA - China said on Monday it would slap export controls on two rare metals essential for the manufacture of...
- Exports of gallium and germanium, of which China is a major producer, will require a license from August 1, said a Chinese guideline
- China accounted for 80 percent of global gallium production, according to a 2020 report by the European Commission
Science
Google to add seven new features for Google Chat
WASHINGTON, US- Google revealed seven new features to be added to Google Chat, a communication and collaboration tool, to enhance...
- One of the standout features coming to Google Chat is "Smart Compose," a familiar function from Gmail.
- Smart Compose offers auto-complete suggestions while typing, allowing users to swiftly complete sentences by swiping or pressing the tab key.
Geostrategy
Climate change spells ‘truly terrifying’ future of hunger, suffering: UN
On current policy trends, the planet will be 2.8C warmer by the end of the century, according to the UN's...
- UN human rights chief Volker Turk told a debate on the right to food that extreme weather events were wiping out crops, herds and ecosystems.
- "Our environment is burning. It's melting. It's flooding. It's depleting. It's drying. It's dying," he said, evoking a "dystopian future".
Research
Drug use disorders surge 45% to 39.5m individuals: World Drug Report
New York, US - The number of people suffering from drug use disorders has surged by 45 percent over the...
- The report highlights a substantial increase in global drug usage, with over 296 million people having used drugs in 2021, marking a 23 percent rise compared to the previous decade
- One concerning finding is that the global estimate of people who injected drugs in 2021 stands at 13.2 million, an 18 percent increase compared to previous estimates
Geostrategy
Dubai Customs, Japan seize drugs worth $310m from Tokyo port
DUBAI, UAE- Dubai Customs has assisted Japanese customs authorities in intercepting a significant quantity of illicit drugs. Up to 700...
- Up to 700 kilograms of "methamphetamine" powder, worth $310 million, were concealed within a cargo ship.
- The successful operation led to the apprehension of both the cargo ship and the illegal drugs at Tokyo Port.
Geostrategy
OIC calls for measures to prevent Quran burning incidents
The Saudi Arabia-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation called for collective measures to avoid future Quran burnings, days after a copy...
- The OIC urged member states to "take unified and collective measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of desecration of copies of the" Quran.
- The burning of the holy book coincided with the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday and the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia discusses tennis tournaments in Kingdom
LONDON, UK - Novak Djokovic warned on Saturday that the "integrity and tradition" of tennis must be preserved should the sport...
- Saudi Arabia has been signing up veteran football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to play in their domestic league.
- Saudi Arabia is also financing golf's rebel LIV series and already hosts a Formula One Grand Prix.
Science
Universe’s mysteries in focus as Europe launches Euclid space telescope
WASHINGTON, US - Europe's Euclid space telescope is scheduled to blast off Saturday on the first-ever mission aiming to shed...
- The launch of Euclid telescope is planned from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 11:12 am local time (1512 GMT) on a Falcon 9 rocket of the US company SpaceX.
- A major difference between Euclid and other space telescopes is its wide field of view, which takes in an area equivalent to two full moons.
Geostrategy
UAE urges world to address root causes of intolerance, extremism
NEW YORK, US- Advisor to the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Salem Al Zaabi called on the international community to...
- Terrorism is a complex, multi-faceted, and global phenomenon that transcends borders, cultures, and religions, said the UAE official.
- The UAE hosted a discussion on terrorist groups’ acquisition, weaponization, and deployment of Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems (AROS).
Geostrategy
France, UAE share vision to shift towards clean energy
PARIS, FRANCE - French Minister of Foreign Trade Olivier Becht said his country and the UAE share a common vision...
- The UAE and his country are working together on low-carbon energy solutions, the French minister said.
- The minister highlighted the rising number of natural disasters globally caused by climate change.
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...
Business
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Jordan defeats Tajikistan to reach first Asian Cup semi-final
DOHA, QATAR - Jordan set up a semi-final against South Korea or Australia after ending Tajikistan's fairytale Asian Cup run with...
Arts & Culture
China economic slowdown to continue for the next four years, says IMF
BEIJING, CHINA - China's economic slowdown is likely to persist in the coming years as the Asian giant struggles with sagging...
Economy
Spain urges WTO meet in UAE to address de-globalization
ABU DHABI, UAE - Madrid wants the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) here next...
Business
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Business
UPS says will cut 12,000 jobs
The move comes as UPS seeks to "align" its resources.
- Three-quarters of the reductions are set to come in the first half, UPS CEO said.
- The decision comes after UPS reported Q4 2023 revenues of US$24.9 billion.
Geostrategy
Residents of Gaza lament suspension of UN agency funding
Gazans lamented the suspension of funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees by several donor countries after Israel charged...
- Several countries, including the United States, France, Britain, Germany and Japan, have announced the suspension of further funding to the agency.
- In Rafah, where 1.5 million displaced people have taken refuge, Gazans said that the support they received from the agency amounted to a lifeline.
Geostrategy
UN chief calls for continuity in aid as battle rages in Gaza
Heavy fighting raged in Gaza amid a row over the UN agency for Palestinian refugees that has called its future...
- The Israeli army said special forces were continuing to engage in "intensive battles" in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis.
- UNRWA said it had fired several employees over Israel's accusations of its staff