UAE passport most powerful in MENA region, 11th in global index
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE passport has climbed two positions to secure the 11th spot in the 2024 Passport...Economy
Saudi Arabia raises mineral resources estimates to $2.5 trillion
The Kingdom raised its mineral resources estimates from $1.3 trillion in 2016 on the exploration of nearly 30 percent of...Business Economy
More than 4m could lose water in Lebanon, warns Unicef
Unicef is calling for the urgent restoration of power supply, which is the only solution to keep water services running.Lebanon is currently suffering from one of the world’s worst economic crises since the mid-1800s
Matters have only been made worse by the withdrawal of fuel subsidies by the country’s central bank
Egypt to earmark $2.5bn for 17 desalination plants
Fresh water resources are becoming scarce due to drought in Egypt, which is more than 90% dependent on the Nile...The plants will supply drinking water to people in a country where potable water is often not very readily available
This move is the latest in Egypt’s list of initiatives to improve the supply of drinking water to its people
Saudi Arabia looks to boost exports
Saudi Arabia will resume negotiations with 11 countries for free trade agreements meant to increase non-oil exports share in GDP.Saudi Arabia is looking for more trading partners under free trade agreements as the country aims at increasing non-oil exports share in GDP
The kingdom is resuming negotiations for free trade agreements with 11 countries, Okaz paper reported
Qatar to give $10m per month to Gaza families in aid
Each of about 100,000 needy families in the governorates of the Gaza Strip would receive $100 per month in cash.Qatar will transfer the aid funds before the end of August
The distribution of these funds will start in the month of September
US to help Lebanon procure electricity
Lebanon has been struggling with fuel shortages for a couple of months, which has led to protracted power outages.The economic crisis in Lebanon is so dire that the World Bank has said it is among the 10 worst of its kind since the mid-1800s.
The global body also said the crisis could be among the top three in the world if it was not addressed immediately
Oman to ease Covid-19 measures from Aug 21
The relaxation will see the reopening of public buildings, malls, and restaurants, as well as resumption of public events.Covid-19 infections are decreasing in Oman, with 187 reported per day on average over the past week
There have been 300,728 cases in all since the beginning of the pandemic, and 4,013 deaths till date
Death toll crosses 2,000 in quake-stricken Haiti
The quake also injured at least 12,268 people and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the Caribbean...The quake also injured at least 12,268 people and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the Caribbean nation
The government has declared a month-long state of emergency in the four provinces impacted by the latest quake
Hezbollah says Iran fuel tanker to sail to Lebanon
The move, prohibited by US sanctions on Iran's oil industry, could drag Lebanon into the covert naval war between Tehran...Neither the Iranian nor the Lebanese governments have confirmed the paramilitary organisation's claim
The move, prohibited by US sanctions on Iran's oil industry, could drag Lebanon into the covert naval war between Tehran and Israel
Charity, humanitarian aid workers to get UAE’s Golden Visas
The visa allows residence for five to 10 years, which is automatically renewed for people in certain categories such as...Dubai ruler Rashid Al Maktoum said Golden Visa will provide charity workers in the UAE a safe haven to pursue their work.
He cites establishment of the Dubai International Humanitarian City as an example of the emirate's commitment to humanitarian causes.
Turbulent economy under Taliban
Ahmady explained that the Taliban would have access to only 0.1-0.2 percent of the country’s foreign reserves of $9 billion,...Ahmady explained that the currency may depreciate, something that already happened over the weekend the Taliban took Kabul
He also predicted that food prices would rise, hurting the poorest the most
