Iraqi PM to visit Washington for troop talks
Washington, US – President Joe Biden will welcome Iraq's prime minister on April 15 for talks on the US troop presence,...
Geostrategy
Russia not in danger of trading oil at a loss, says Lavrov
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russia does not see the risk of trading oil at a loss due to the redistribution of...
Business
Geostrategy
French foreign minister has rare meeting with Iranian counterpart in China
France's foreign minister has held a rare face-to-face meeting with her Iranian counterpart in China, urging Tehran to release French...
- Foreign minister Amir-Abdollohian was leading the Iranian delegation in separate reconciliation talks in Beijing between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
- Contacts between Iran and European powers have reduced over Tehran's deadly crackdown on the protest movement that erupted in September.
Economy
‘Global growth to fall below 3 percent in 2023’
A continued slowdown in almost all the world's advanced economies is expected to drag global growth below three percent this...
- Global growth almost halved last year to 3.4 percent as the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine rippled through the world economy.
- Asia's emerging markets are expected to see substantial increases in economic output with India and China to account for half of all growth.
Economy
WTO sees 2023 global trade growth at 1.7 percent
The World Trade Organization said 2023 global trade growth would be slightly better than feared, but would remain "subpar", weighed...
- The forecast was slightly better than feared last October, when the WTO projected 2023 trade growth would be as low as one percent.
- The organization's economists also estimated that real global GDP growth at market exchange rates would be 2.4 percent this year.
Business
Red Cross to cut 1,500 jobs over funding crunch
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The Red Cross announced Tuesday that it would cut 1,500 jobs over the next 12 months in a...
- The Red Cross said an expected drop in humanitarian assistance budgets over the next two years was forcing it to make significant cuts.
- The Geneva-based organization said its governing board on March 30 had approved US$474 million in global cost reduction through early 2024.
Science
WMO urges more investment in integrated weather, climate services
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The global transition to renewable energy will require greater investment in integrated weather and climate services, the...
- This investment is critical to ensure that energy infrastructure is resilient to climate-related shocks.
- WMO is stepping up its activities to promote tailored weather and climate information, and forecasts.
Geostrategy
Oil cuts in interest of energy markets, says Russia
The Kremlin said oil output cuts by Russia, Saudi Arabia and other major producers that have caused prices to soar...
- Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers announced Sunday a production cut of more than one million barrels per day.
- Russia said it would extend until the end of the year its own voluntary production cut of 500,000 barrels per day.
Economy
EU bloc records highest ever trade deficit in 2022
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - The EU trade in goods registered a large deficit of US$469 billion (€432 billion) in 2022, reaching...
- The deficit was due, in particular, to a steep rise in the value of energy imports, which started towards the end of 2021 and continued through most of 2022.
- Also in 2022, non-EU imports (+41 percent) and exports (+18 percent) reached their highest year-on-year growth rates recorded over the last 10 years.
Science
WTO 2023 to put spotlight on trade role in sustainable future
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The WTO’s annual Public Forum 2023 will focus this year on how trade can contribute to a...
- The Forum will examine in particular how the services sector, digitalization and inclusive trade policies can support global environmental goals.
- Sessions at the Public Forum are organized by representatives from civil society, academia, business, government and international organizations.
Geostrategy
Norway contributes US$23.7m of flexible funding to FAO
ROME, ITALY - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a US$23.7 million contribution from...
- The funds will be channeled through FAO’s Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities - a funding mechanism with streamlined procedures.
- With this, FAO aims to reach around 600,000 food insecure people with farming inputs, livestock supplies, fishing inputs and cash assistance where needed.
Business
Dubai International Boat Show highlights local marine industry’s global appeal
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai International Boat Show 2023 attracted over 30,000 visitors and industry players from across the globe for...
- Owners and clients are increasingly interested in innovative technologies that can create a greener yacht.
- With brands from 60 countries featured at the show, local manufacturers reported increased business.
Iraqi PM to visit Washington for troop talks
Washington, US – President Joe Biden will welcome Iraq's prime minister on April 15 for talks on the US troop presence,...
Geostrategy
Company News
Mumtalakat, Investcorp ink pact
Business
Latest News
UAE economy likely to grow by 3.8 percent in 2025, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The World Bank expected the UAE's real GDP to grow by 3.4 percent in 2023, rising to...
Economy
2023 hottest recorded year as Earth nears critical threshold
PARIS, FRANCE - The year of 2023 was the hottest on record, with the increase in Earth's surface temperature nearly crossing...
Geostrategy
Energy companies to test CO2 capture in Brazil undersea oil field
PARIS, FRANCE - A consortium of Brazilian, British, French and Chinese energy firms will test new technology aimed at capturing CO2...
Business

Most Read
Business
Utilizing AI is only possible if skill gap is bridged, says expert
DUBAI, UAE - The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution is upon us, with AI becoming a pervasive force in our daily...
- As the rate of AI adoption increases, humans are essential to guiding the technology’s implementation and usage of these technologies.
- Executives estimate that up to 40 percent of their workforce may need to reskill as a result of implementing AI or automation over the next three years.
Geostrategy
Turkish Airlines grounds Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets amid inspection orders
Turkish Airlines said that it would stop flying five Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets in its fleet even as the...
- The Alaska Airlines scare prompted the US Federal Aviation Administration to order immediate inspections of around 171 of the jets operated worldwide.
- Boeing has so far delivered about 218 of the 737 MAX planes worldwide, the company said.
Science
India’s solar mission Aditya-L1 enters Sun’s orbit
New Delhi, India - India's solar observation mission on Saturday entered the Sun's orbit after a four-month journey, the latest success...
- The Aditya-L1 mission was launched in September and is carrying an array of instruments to measure and observe the Sun's outermost layers.
- The latest mission by the Indian Space Research Organization is the first by any Asian nation to be placed in orbit around the Sun.

