Attack on Gaza’s Rafah inevitable, says Israeli PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send ground forces into Gaza's southern Rafah city. The right-wing premier, whose security...
Geostrategy
Israeli forces kill Jordanian in West Bank, says Palestinian ministry
A Jordanian citizen has died after being shot by Israeli forces in the West Bank, Palestinian authorities said, with the...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
52 nations facing debt payment issues need urgent help: UNDP
Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Development Programme, said that 25 of the 52 were spending more than a...
- Steiner did not name the countries involved but the UNDP last week released a report which called for a 30 percent write-off of external debt for 52 countries at 2021 values.
- Poor nations' debt has multiplied over the past decade because of the coronavirus pandemic, high food and fuel bills and financial crises.
Science
Ocean conference participants pledge US$19bn
Panama City, Panama - Delegates to a global conference on saving the world's oceans pledged US$19 billion, the host country Panama...
- European Union announced it would dedicate $865 million to ocean-related projects this year
- The total included a $6 billion from the United States, announced by White House climate envoy John Kerry
Geostrategy
Six EU countries urge Israel to stop settlement expansion in West Bank
LONDON, UK- Six European countries on Saturday called on Israel to stop expanding its settlements in Palestine's West Bank.Britain, France,...
- The EUs envoy to the Palestinians has called for accountability and action after Israeli settlers went on a rampage.
- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland have condemned the recent attack on Israeli citizens by Palestinian groups
Business
VW 2022 net profit at $16.7bn
Firm booked profit despite supply chain disruptions.
- German automaker Volkswagen on Friday said it booked a higher profit in 2022 despite supply chain disruptions and increased costs.
- The group expects vehicle deliveries to rise to around 9.5 million this year, from 8.3 million in 2022.
Geostrategy
UN nuclear chief heads to Iran after near weapons-grade uranium find
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is expected in Tehran for discussions with officials after International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors...
- The IAEA chief's visit comes amid deadlock in negotiations on reviving the 2015 deal
- Iran last week said it had not made any attempt to enrich uranium beyond 60 percent purity
Business
UAE best country globally for expat lifestyle, says HSBC survey
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The United Arab Emirates is the best country for expat lifestyle, according to a survey by...
- A total of 36 percent of the people surveyed said chances of having a better lifestyle is the main reason for relocating to the UAE.
- Another reason for the survey was to find about the changes in people’s lives post pandemic which includes the changes in their financial lives.
Geostrategy
Renewables help offset rise in coal emissions in 2022, IEA says
"The impacts of the energy crisis didn't result in the major increase in global emissions that was initially feared –-...
- "Without clean energy, the growth in CO2 emissions would have been nearly three times as high," he added.
- The IEA noted that CO2 emissions grew the fastest from oil, at 2.5 percent, but still remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Geostrategy
UAE’s FNC highlights role of parliaments in addressing climate change
RABAT, MOROCCO - UAE's Federal National Council (FNC) highlighted the critical role of parliaments in addressing the repercussions of climate...
- The FNC stressed on the need to strengthen the economic, social and environmental cooperation between countries.
- The UAE’s clean energy production capacity is expected to reach 14 gigawatts by 2030.
Market Report
US, European stocks dip as traders mull US rates outlook
US and European stocks dipped as dealers fretted that the Federal Reserve would push interest rates higher than expected and...
- Oil prices rebounded, while the pound extended gains won on Brexit deal alterations.
- Eurozone bond yields surged higher, with the yield on the benchmark German 10-year government bond rising to a 12 year high.
Geostrategy
US federal agencies given 30-day deadline to enforce TikTok ban
Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young in a memorandum called on government agencies within 30 days to "remove...
- The ban does not apply to businesses in the United States not associated with the federal government, or to the millions of private citizens who use the hugely popular app.
- However, a recently introduced bill in Congress would "effectively ban TikTok" in this country, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Attack on Gaza’s Rafah inevitable, says Israeli PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send ground forces into Gaza's southern Rafah city. The right-wing premier, whose security...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
US bans import of Apple Watch due to patent clash
A US import ban on certain Apple smartwatch models came into effect, after the Biden administration opted not to veto...
Business
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
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Geostrategy
UN resolution urges more aid for Gaza as death toll rises
Fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raged as the UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution to boost aid...
- The resolution also urged the creation of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" but did not call for an immediate end to fighting.
- It came after the UN's World Food Program warned that Gaza's population is at a "high risk of famine".
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..