Coal use at record high in 2024, the world’s hottest year: IEA
Paris, France -- World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday,...
Geostrategy
Nations step up outreach to Syria’s post-Assad rulers
Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels...
Economy
World merchandise trade to rise by 2.7% in 2024: Global Trade Outlook
There was a 2.3% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2024 and WTO economists anticipate the volume will increase...
- Global GDP growth at market exchange rates is expected to remain at 2.7 percent in both years.
- Declining inflationary pressure has allowed central banks in advanced economies to begin cutting interest rates, which should stimulate consumption.
Geostrategy
Japanese group wins peace Nobel, says Gaza like Japan 80 years ago
Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha, received the honor...
- The situation for children in Gaza is similar to the situation in Japan at the end of World War II, the co-head of Nihon Hidankyo said.
- "In Gaza, children in blood are being held. It's like in Japan 80 years ago," Toshiyuki Mimaki told a news conference in Tokyo.
Geostrategy
UN probe accuses Israel of seeking to ‘destroy’ Gaza healthcare
"Israel has perpetrated a concerted policy to destroy Gaza's healthcare system as part of a broader assault on Gaza," the...
- The country is "committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities", it added.
- The report found that Israeli security forces had "deliberately killed, detained and tortured medical personnel and targeted medical vehicles" in Gaza.
Geostrategy
WTO predicts modest trade growth for 2024-25 amid geopolitical risks
In 2024 and 2025, inflation is expected to gradually abate, allowing real incomes to grow again in advanced economies, boosting...
- Risks to the forecast are on the downside “due to current geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty. Middle East troubles have diverted sea shipments between Europe and Asia.
- It added that import demand in real terms was weak in 2023 in most regions, especially in Europe but also in North America and Asia.
Business
AviLease acquires 9 aircraft from Avolon
AviLease had purchased 13 aircraft from Avolon in 2023.
- AviLease aircraft portfolio now comprises 167 owned aircraft, including purchase commitments, and 23 managed aircraft on lease to 48 airlines globally.
- AviLease said the acquired portfolio offers attractive yields and further contributes to the diversification of its portfolio.
Business
ADNOC L&S to pay $136.5m dividend
This is equivalent to 6.78 fils per share, the company said.
- The Company intends to distribute a total dividend amount of $273 million (AED1,002.6 million) for the full year.
- The H1 2024 dividend will be paid to shareholders who own ADNOC L&S shares on the record date of 17th October 2024.
Geostrategy
October 7 anniversary: Hamas praises ‘glorious’ moment in its resistance, Netanyahu says ‘we will win’
Hamas called the Palestinian resistance a testament of resilience against Israeli aggression, while Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to crush Hamas...
- Last year's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity
- At least 41,870 Palestinians, a majority of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip since the war began
Geostrategy
Dubai’s night beaches a cool solution to summer heat
With temperatures regularly topping 40 degrees Celsius, outdoor activities are severely limited. More than one million people have visited the...
- For residents of Dubai, a coast-hugging, desert metropolis of about 3.7 million people, the hot season from June to October is an annual trial.
- The city now has more than 800 meters (yards) of designated night beaches fitted with shark nets and illuminated by giant, bright floodlights.
Business
Casino operator Wynn wins UAE’s first commercial gaming license
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- US casino operator Wynn has received the first commercial gaming operator's license to be issued in...
- The license was issued by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, which was set up last year to allow for commercial gaming licenses to be issued in the Gulf Arab state
- Wynn operates casinos in Las Vegas and Boston as well as in Macau, a Chinese territory close to Hong Kong.
Business
‘TAQA’ prices $1.75bn dual tranche
The 12-year senior unsecured notes are sized $850m.
- The 7-year notes, sized at US$900 million and maturing on 9th October 2031, are conventional bonds bearing a coupon rate of 4.375 percent.
- Proceeds from these bonds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Coal use at record high in 2024, the world’s hottest year: IEA
Paris, France -- World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday,...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
QatarEnergy inks gas supply deal for China with Shell
Doha, Qatar - Qatar has agreed to supply three million tonnes of gas a year to China in a deal...
Aramco-Horse Powertrain deal completed
An agreement for the purchase of 10% equity stake was signed in June 2024.
Business
Macron to hold talks with Crown Prince Salman on Saudi visit
Macron is beginning the first state visit by a French president to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac in 2006, cementing...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Gulf summit in Kuwait urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah called on the international community to implement "an immediate ceasefire, providing international protection for...
- Sheikh Meshal hit out at what he characterized as the "double standards in the application of relevant international laws, charters and resolutions."
- The Kuwaiti ruler spoke in support of Saudi Arabia's work to form a global body pushing for an independent Palestinian state.
Geostrategy
Trump threatens 100% tariff on BRICS countries over currency plans
Washington, United States -- President-elect Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on the BRICS group nations...
- The statement comes after a BRICS summit held last month in Kazan, Russia, where the countries discussed boosting non-dollar transactions and strengthening local currencies.
- The BRICS group has expanded significantly since its inception in 2009, and now includes countries such as Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
Business
Elon Musk asks US court to block OpenAi’s for-profit conversion
Washington, United States -- Elon Musk has again asked a US court to stop ChatGPT-maker OpenAI from converting into a for-profit...
- The move is the latest development in a business feud between OpenAI and Musk, who co-founded the group in 2015 but has since left.
- OpenAI has seen its profile skyrocket over recent years as it has become a star player in the growing field of artificial intelligence.