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
S.Africa says Israel war undermining top UN court
South Africa's top diplomat accused Israel of setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court, as she...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
WHO unveils network to minimize spread of infectious diseases
The World Health Organization launched a global network to help swiftly detect the threat from infectious diseases, like COVID-19, and...
- The network will rely on pathogen genomics to analyze the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.
- The data gathered will feed into a broader disease surveillance system used to identify and track diseases, in a bid to contain outbreaks.
Economy
US debt ceiling issue keeps Biden, aides busy at G7
President Joe Biden may be on the other side of the world but his political fight back home over the...
- The Group of 7 meeting in Japan is an important stage for Biden's goal of restoring US leadership among the world's democracies.
- "It is definitely a subject of interest here at the G7," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.
Geostrategy
G7 to focus on ‘responsible’ use of artificial intelligence
The world must assess the impact of generative artificial intelligence, G7 leaders said, announcing they will launch discussions this year...
- Text generation tools such as ChatGPT, image creators and music composed using AI have sparked delight, alarm and legal battles.
- European Parliament lawmakers this month also took a first step towards EU-wide regulation of ChatGPT and other AI systems.
Geostrategy
UAE discusses global economic challenges in EBRD meeting
SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN - The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), participated in the 2023 Annual Meeting of the...
- Representatives of member states, private sector, the Board of Directors and the bank's management attended the meeting.
- The UAE said focus should be on enhancing regional, global integration, to facilitate trade, investment and closer economic cooperation.
Business
Masdar on way to become one of world’s largest renewable energy firms
ABU DHABI, UAE - Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has announced that it has nearly doubled its clean energy...
- Masdar announced that it has nearly doubled its clean energy capacity and CO2 displacement in just two years.
- Masdar has invested, or has committed to invest, in projects globally with a combined value of more than US$30 billion.
Geostrategy
Conflict zones in Middle East are not getting climate funds, say aid groups
DUBAI, UAE - Conflict-plagued countries in the Middle East are among the most vulnerable to climate change but are almost entirely...
- The UN ranks Iraq, recovering from decades of conflict, as one of five countries most impacted by effects of climate change including drought.
- Syria and Yemen are also at heightened risk following years of war that has battered both the country's infrastructure.
Business
Alcoa, EGA ink supply pact
Alcoa is now EGA's largest third-party supplier of alumina.
- The agreement, spanning eight years starting in 2024, includes options that enable EGA to procure up to 15.6 million metric tonnes of alumina.
- The pact is the largest alumina supply contract ever signed between the two firms and is one of the largest in the industry, said Alcoa CEO Roy Harvey.
Business
Russian oil exports hit post-invasion high, says IEA
PARIS, FRANCE - Russia's oil exports rose in April to the highest level since its invasion of Ukraine, boosting revenues by...
- The Paris-based organization said Russian exports increased by 50,000 barrels per day to 8.3 million bpd in April.
- Russia's tax receipts from its oil and gas sector were down by 64 percent year-on-year, the agency added.
Geostrategy
UAE invites Syrian President to COP28 summit in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates has invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the UN climate summit in Dubai later this...
- Bashar al-Assad has received an invitation to an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia scheduled for Friday.
- Since Syria's war broke out, President Assad has held onto power and clawed back lost territory.
Market Report
Stock markets advance on US debt, elections
Major stock markets advanced after President Joe Biden said he was "optimistic" about finding an agreement on averting a first-ever...
- The European Commission boosted its 2023 economic growth outlook for the eurozone but raised the inflation forecast for the area.
- European gas prices reached the lowest levels in almost two years as concerns about tight supplies ease heading into the summer.
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
Company News
Latest News
In Davos, AI excitement persists but fears over managing risks
A recent IMF report said AI would affect nearly 40 percent of jobs around the world, and some 60 percent...
World Economic Forum
Complaint against Israeli President received: Swiss prosecutors
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been targeted with a criminal complaint during a visit to Switzerland, Swiss prosecutors said, amid...
Geostrategy
Strange calls may precede Israeli attacks in Lebanon
BEIRUT, LEBANON - "Good morning, madame. This is the bank calling. Are you at home?" Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Shell halts Red Sea shipments over attack fears, say report
WASHINGTON, US - British oil giant Shell has paused transit through the key Red Sea shipping route indefinitely, over fears of...
- The worries of escalation grew after United States and United Kingdom strikes on scores of sites in rebel-held Yemen.
- The Houthis have been targeting what they deemed Israeli-linked vessels, but after the strikes, they declared US and British interests "legitimate targets."
Business
Emirates to recruit 5,000 crew members in 2024
DUBAI, UAE – Emirates will hire 5,000 people as it awaits the arrival of its fleet of Airbus A350s.The airline is...
- The airline is inviting fresh graduates with internships or part-time jobs on their résumés.
- It is inviting individuals keen to embark on an exciting career travelling the globe. .
Geostrategy
Turkish strikes leaves hundreds of Syrian villages without electricity
Qamishli, Syria - Hundreds of northeast Syrian villages and towns have lost power after Turkish strikes pounded electricity stations and infrastructure,...
- The Kurdish administration said Turkey launched a slew of strikes since Friday, mostly concentrated on infrastructure including power stations and oil refineries
- The semi-autonomous Kurdish administration listed hundreds of villages and towns facing blackouts due to the Turkish strikes in a statement Monday