Trump said he won’t ‘give a penny’ to Ukraine, claims Hungary Prime Minister
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting...
Geostrategy
Thousands rally in London seeking a truce in Gaza
London, UK - Thousands of protesters marched in central London on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing...
Geostrategy
Economy
OECD raises global growth forecast as inflation eases, recovery ‘fragile’
The OECD raised its global economic growth forecast as inflation eases and China emerges from Covid restrictions, but warned of...
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says rate increases are still needed to fight inflation.
- OECD cited uncertainty over the course of the war in Ukraine, the risk of renewed pressure on energy markets.
Geostrategy
UNSC unanimously adopts UAE, Japan resolutions on Afghanistan
NEW YORK, US - The United Nations Security Council Friday unanimously adopted two resolutions tabled by the UAE and Japan...
- The first resolution will extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for an additional 12 months.
- The second resolution requests that an independent assessment be carried out regarding the international approach to Afghanistan.
Research
Global cocaine supply reaches record levels, says UN drug agency
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - Coca cultivation hit a record high by soaring 35 percent from 2020 to 2021, a UN report showed...
- Bolivia, Colombia and Peru altogether cultivated coca leaves in an area of more than 300,000 hectares in 2021.
- Demand for the drug, which is sold for about US$74 per gram, is concentrated in Americas and parts of Europe.
Business
Deliveroo 2022 loss at $355m
The firm's revenue rose 14 percent to nearly US$2.4 billion.
- Deliveroo exited Australia and the Netherlands in 2022, after departing from Spain in 2021.
- The company expanded into Qatar last year as it pursues a growth plan of action in Middle East.
Geostrategy
Grain deal talks ongoing after Russian proposal, says UN
Consultations to prolong Ukrainian grain exports deal are continuing, the UN said, after a Russian proposal for just a 60-day...
- Russia had agreed to extend the deal which is due to expire on Saturday, for 60 days.
- Ukraine said that "contradicts" the original agreement but did not reject the proposal.
Interview
‘Morocco economy robust, 80% of exports manufactured products’
The country managed to restrict inflation to 6 percent and sustain jobs despite challenges, the North African nation's Industry and...
- The country managed to restrict inflation to 6 percent and sustain jobs despite challenges, the North African nation's Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour tells TRENDS.
- Moroccan automotive industry produced 700,00 cars in 2022 and we expect the production to hit 1 million in the next three years, adds Mezzour during the interview
Infographics
UAE, Qatar least corrupt Arab nations
The 2022 Corruption Perception Index says corruption is undermining democratic processes and fueling violence in the Middle East and North...
- The CPI ranks180 countries and territories around the world by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
- With a score of 90 and 87 respectively, Denmark and Finland top the CPI, while Somalia and Syria hit rock bottom with a score of 13 and 12 respectively.
Geostrategy
Russia agrees to grain export deal extension for 60 days
Russia has agreed to extend the Ukraine grain export deal following talks with the United Nations - but only for...
- The grain export deal has helped ease the global food crisis triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- The invasion saw Ukraine's Black Sea ports blocked by warships until a deal signed in July allowed for the safe passage of exports of critical grain supplies.
Geostrategy
UN investigators hit out at lackluster help for Syria quake victims
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The world failed to act quickly enough to rush life-saving aid to Syrians in desperate need following the...
- Almost 6,000 people were killed in Syria by the 7.8-magnitude tremor that struck the country and neighboring Turkey.
- The UN estimates that five million people need basic shelter and non-food assistance in the quake-hit part of Syria.
Geostrategy
UAE minister meets UN Secretary-General on global climate action
NEW YORK, US - Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber met...
- The minister outlined the UAE’s key COP28 priorities across mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance and process innovation.
- The UAE and UN discussed the urgent need to close the financing gap and to keep alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC.
Trump said he won’t ‘give a penny’ to Ukraine, claims Hungary Prime Minister
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Russia extends ban on entry of trucks from EU, UK, Norway, Ukraine
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The Russian government has extended the ban on the entry of trucks from the European Union, the...
Geostrategy
UN General Assembly approves US$3.59bn budget for 2024
NEW YORK, US - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a US$3.59 billion budget for 2024, including establishing a...
Geostrategy
Iran slams UN for its failure to stop Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi slammed the "inefficacy" of international bodies to halt fighting between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas which...
Geostrategy
Most Read
EU reaches agreement on reforming bloc’s migration laws
Spain, which chaired the lengthy negotiations in its role holding the EU presidency, said on X, formerly Twitter: "A political...
- The reform includes speedier vetting of irregular arrivals, creating border detention centres, and accelerated deportation for rejected asylum applicants
- The accord still needs to be formally approved by the European Council, representing the 27 EU member countries, and the European Parliament before it enters the bloc's lawbooks
Market Report
Oil prices rise following Red Sea attacks
Oil prices shot up three percent as more companies suspended shipping through the Red Sea following attacks on vessels by...
- Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said on Monday that they had attacked two "Israeli-linked" vessels in the Red Sea..
- Ships must travel through the Red Sea to use the Suez Canal, a key transit route for cargo and oil..
Geostrategy
Maritime agencies report explosion off Yemen coast
Dubai, UAE - A "possible explosion" struck a key shipping lane off Yemen on Monday, two maritime agencies said, the latest...
- The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning of a potential explosion striking near a vessel passing through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
- "The captain reported... the 'explosion' occurring two nautical miles off one of the vessel's quarters while it was transiting," said maritime security firm Ambrey.