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...
Business
Masdar acquires Saeta Yield
The deal is estimated to be valued at $1.4 billion.
- Saeta is a leading independent developer, owner and operator of renewable energy assets.
- Masdar recently announced an agreement with Endesa to become a portfolio asset partner for Spain's 2.5 GW renewable energy projects.
Geostrategy
Media gag and manufactured consent: Israel’s campaign against Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon: On Sunday, Israeli troops stormed the Al Jazeera office in the occupied West Bank and issued a 45-day...
- Israel's claim last year that Gaza's largest Al-Shifa Hospital housed Hamas command center was debunked by many.
- Before launching deadly strikes on Lebanon, Israeli military released videos claiming civilian homes housed arms.
Business
ADNOC Distribution H1 dividend $350m
The total dividend for 2024 is expected to be $700 million.
- The second and final portion of 2024 dividend is expected to be paid in April 2025, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors and shareholder approval.
- The company's cash dividend paid since its initial public offering totaled AED 16.2 billion ($4.4 billion), including cash dividends for the first half of 2024.
Geostrategy
DCO launches Digital Economy Navigator to bridge global digital gap
The navigator enables countries to better navigate their digital journeys, find opportunities for growth and benchmark progress,
- DEN was unveiled at SDG Digital, held this year during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York from September 10 to 27.
- DEN is a unifying framework that addresses digital economy maturity across 50 countries, including the DCO member states.
Science
Researchers decode oldest human DNA
The genetic sequences were from a man and a woman whose remains were found at a rock shelter near the...
- They were among 13 sequences reconstructed from people whose remains were found at the Oakhurst shelter and lived 1,300-10,000 years ago.
- Prior to these discoveries, the oldest genomes reconstructed from the region dated back around 2,000 years.
Business
Global tourism nears full recovery, led by Middle East’s 26% growth in 2024
While Europe and Americas have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, the Middle East's growth outpaces all other regions, UN World...
- Globally, international tourism reached 96 percent of pre-pandemic levels during the same period, with around 790 million tourists, an 11 percent increase over 2023.
- In terms of tourism revenue, 47 out of 63 countries with available data reported a return to pre-pandemic earnings.
Geostrategy
Elon Musk’s Starlink internet launches in war-scarred Yemen
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Tech billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink has launched in Yemen, provoking the anger of...
- Starlink's network of low Earth orbit satellites can provide internet to remote locations or areas that have had normal communications infrastructure disabled.
- Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti condemned the Starlink launch, linking it to "the war waged by America on Yemen".
Business
UAE banks’ Q2 investments in Islamic certificates, cash bills surge to $61.81bn
The banking sector in the country maintained strong capital adequacy, exceeding Basel 3 requirements, according to the Central Bank.
- Statistics showed that the foreign assets of the Central Bank increased by 5.3 percent year-on-year to reach AED 770.6 billion.
- The total capital and reserves of banks operating in the UAE increased by 3.9 percent to AED 495.2 billion at the end of the second quarter.
Business
Middle East renewable energy projects investments reach $75bn
London, UK -- The Middle East is moving towards investing $75.63 billion in renewable energy projects until 2030, according to...
- These investments include 116 renewable energy projects, which are expected to be operational between 2025 and 2030.
- Large solar projects, such as the fifth phase of the Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Solar Park, are making significant progress.
Business
Europe’s Electric Vehicle troubles bubble up at Brussels Audi factory
Brussels, Belgium -- Outside an Audi factory in Brussels described by the German carmaker as the "cradle" of its electric drive,...
- The firm is considering closing the plant, a move that analysts say is symptomatic of the troubles afflicting Europe's wider electric car industry, amid low demand and competition.
- With 3,000 jobs on the line, the Brussels workers have launched a prolonged strike, with a large demonstration planned in the capital on Monday and walkouts elsewhere in solidarity
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
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...
Business
Turkish-backed jihadists breach Aleppo, displacing thousands and cutting vital highway to Damascus
By Friday, the jihadists and their allies had taken more than 50 towns and villages in the north and entered...
Okonjo-Iweala’s second term: Trump’s disdain for WTO biggest challenge
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to head the WTO, is the only candidate in the race,...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
How are countries regulating the wild west of social media for minors?
Paris, France -- A handful of nations are trying to clean up social media with measures including robust privacy provisions and...
- Among the countries taking action is Australia, which on Thursday passed a landmark law banning children under 16 from social media.
- In June 2023 France passed a law requiring social media platforms to check the age of users and obtain parental consent for those under 15 years of age.
Geostrategy
OPEC+ postpones meeting amid signs of ‘discord’ on output plans
The 22-member OPEC+ group led by Saudi Arabia and Russia was due to decide on its 2025 output policy at...
- An OPEC spokesman told AFP that the December meeting will be held online.
- In a bid to boost crude prices, eight OPEC+ members announced earlier this month they were extending supply cuts until the end of December.
Interview
EVs just the start, urban mobility needs a holistic approach
Cities must adopt EVs alongside shared transport, robust infrastructure, clean energy, and inclusivity, says Jamie Wylie, an urban mobility expert.
- One of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption is ensuring a network of accessible, reliable charging stations.
- According to the Global EV Outlook 2024, public charging infrastructure is expected to increase sixfold by 2035, with a focus on cities.