Brussels, Belgium - The EU demanded on Thursday that Apple and Google provide more details on how they identified risks concerning their respective software hubs, the App Store and Google Play. The request for information is the first step in a process begun under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), but...

Tzipi Hotovely told Sky News that she did not believe in the long-standing position of the UK government and the United Nations that an independent Palestinian state should be established.

Shenzhen, China - Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture discussed ways to enhance investments between the Kingdom and China in the aquaculture sector with representatives of more than 60 specialized Chinese companies. The National Fisheries Development Program, a delegation of Saudi ministry, participated in the Global Investment Promotion Conference,...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) attained its highest improvement in the UNCTAD's Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) for Q4 2023, securing a remarkable score of 79.01 points. This aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS). This achievement adds to the recent...

According to the military's official list of casualties, nine of those killed on Tuesday belonged to units that a military spokesman said were involved in a fierce battle in Shejaiya. Two of those killed in the battle were senior officers. The official noted that around 350 Hamas fighters had been...

Sharjah, UAE--The board of directors of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions Conferences (AUIEC), operating under the Council of Arab Economic Unity of the League of Arab States, has approved its budget and the Union's action plan for 2024. The plan, endorsed during the second periodic meeting for 2023 held...

Tehran, Iran-- Saudi Arabia and Iran's foreign ministers have stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and sending humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the latest developments...

Ouled Omar, Tunisia - Tunisian villager Ounissa Mazhoud ties two empty jerry cans to a donkey and cautiously descends a stony hill towards the last local source of water. The North African country, in its fourth year of drought, is grappling with its worst water scarcity in years. Mazhoud -- like...

Brhane said the World Bank integrated climate into all its work across the MENA region and is on track to align 100 percent of new operations with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Beirut, Lebanon - Lebanon's compounding crises are having a "devastating" impact on children and their education, a United Nations agency said Wednesday, warning of additional pressure as the Israel-Hamas war spills over into the country. UN children's agency UNICEF said more than a quarter of households surveyed last month reported children...

Berlin, Germany -- Axel Springer said Wednesday it was partnering up with the maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI, which will pay the German media group to include its journalism in responses generated by the chatbot. "ChatGPT users around the world will receive summaries of selected global news content from Axel Springer’s media...

Doha, Qatar -- Qatar reported a total of 321 real estate transactions worth QR 1.46 billion ($400 million) in November 2023, with the index of sold real estate increasing by 10 percent and the index of traded areas by 7 percent. Top-performing municipalities in financial value included Doha, Al Rayyan,...

Dubai, UAE--Nasdaq Dubai has welcomed the first Sukuk listing by the Republic of the Philippines, "ROP Sukuk Trust", underscoring the exchange's reputation as the preferred choice for sovereign issuances. The Republic of the Philippines has chosen Nasdaq Dubai to list its maiden sukuk worth US$1 billion of Trust Certificates due...

Dubai, UAE--Expo City Dubai and Universal Materials Incubator (UMI), a Japanese venture capital firm, have teamed up to identify and support groundbreaking startups, particularly those in the technology and sustainability sectors, establishing an incubation and accelerator programme that will nurture innovators and provide mentorship, resources and workspace. The two parties...

Washington, United States -- The United States unveiled sanctions Tuesday on individuals and companies based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and others, aiming to disrupt Moscow's military procurement networks amid its war in Ukraine. The latest actions take aim at people and entities accused of supplying Russia’s industry and...

DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate action and its environmental costs. Data-driven technologies like the Internet of Things, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance climate change monitoring, optimize energy use and production processes, and promote...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority signed a service level agreement to enhance cooperation between the two organizations across different areas, including digital connectivity and data exchange. The primary objective of this collaboration is to elevate service excellence and improve the overall...

According to local media Halil Umut Meler was the transferred to a hospital due to his injuries. the TFF said that responsible club, the Club President, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.

Dubai, UAE-- Protecting nature could avert global economic losses by 2030 of US$2.7 trillion per year, or 2.3 percent annually, according to Valerie Hickey, Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy at the World Bank. Speaking to media at COP28, she said that low-income countries could lose around...

DUBAI, UAE – Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No. (25) of 2023 establishing the Dubai Investment Fund as an independent public entity operating on a commercial basis. The law also endows the Fund with the financial and administrative...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday the establishment of Dan Company, specializing in agritourism and ecotourism, according to a PIF press release. The company plans to develop unique tourism projects around cities across Saudi Arabia with attractive natural and farmed landscapes, the release said....

Dubai, UAE-- The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is looking to ramp up its sustainable and green financing to nearly 30% of its total financing portfolio. This was stated by Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the ITFC, affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank Group. Speaking to the Emirates News...

Dubai, UAE-- The COP28 Presidency is focused on achieving a balanced package in the negotiations, according to Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director-General and Special Representative, noting that they hosted a stocktaking plenary to outline progress made at the technical level and hear feedback on building areas of convergence. During...

Colombia, whose left-leaning government has aggressively promoted environmentalism, warned that COP28 was also failing on raising financing for countries to adapt to the effects of climate change. If countries block "goals on adaptation but at the same time oppose the phase out fossil fuel, they need to be held accountable....

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- In order to speed up the energy transition there must be a fast increase in the production of green hydrogen, according to a joint report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and World Trade Organisation (WTO). The report published on December 9 provides insights into global...

The latest warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters following a series of maritime attacks by Houthi rebels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. In a statement posted on social media, the Houthis said they "will prevent the passage of ships...

Washington, US – A committee of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit under the chairmanship of Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia have held official discussions with the Secretary of State of the US Antony Blinken, here. The committee stressed their call on the...

ABU DHABI, UAE - International Monetary Fund (IMF), in collaboration with the UAE Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (EO AMLCTF), held a "Fintech Roundtable" with Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) supervisors from across the globe. The event was attended by participants from 15 countries...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Margrethe Vestager is preparing to return to her day job as the European Union's competition chief after a hard-fought and ultimately unsuccessful bid to lead the bloc's lender. She stepped down temporarily in September after entering the race to become the next head of the European Investment Bank...

Manama, Bahrain-- Bahrain and Germany have held discussions to boost ties in the health field as the two countries seek to deepen overall ties. In this connection, Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), met, in the presence of Dr. Jaleela...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Brazil and Switzerland to strengthen cooperation in the field of air transportation with Brazil and Switzerland. The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the UAE delegation's participation in the fifteenth ICAO...

Brussels, Belgium - EU finance ministers failed to seal a deal on an overhaul of the bloc's spending rules on Friday, but still hope to reach an agreement before the end of the year. The lack of approval comes despite the ministers meeting for a dinner on Thursday to discuss the...

DUBAI, UAE — The supply of under construction warehouse stock in Dubai’s industrial market stands at 1.56 million square feet according to Knight Frank's latest report: Dubai & Abu Dhabi Industrial Markets Review, Q3, 2023. According to Knight Frank, demand is outstripping supply and occupiers are faced with the prospect of...

Bac Giang, Vietnam - Vi Thi Anh spent half a decade doing monotonous low-paid work in industrial hubs near Vietnam's capital Hanoi, assembling mobile phones for global electronics companies including Samsung. Then she discovered she could earn vastly more hawking food products to thousands of followers as one of the country's...

Beijing, China - President Xi Jinping said that China's economic recovery is at a "critical stage", state broadcaster CCTV reported Friday, as sluggish domestic activity and property sector woes drag on a post-pandemic rebound. "At present, the country's economic recovery is still at a critical stage," Xi said at a meeting...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The chief of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, or SVR, believes the Arab world will take center stage in the struggle for a new world order next year. Sergey Naryshkin believes that in the Arab countries "the globalist elites’ ambitions to play the role of an international hegemon,...

DOHA, QATAR – Sidra Medicine and GlobeMed Qatar have signed an agreement to offer eligible insured members of payers contracted with GlobeMed Qatar access to Sidra Medicine’s women’s and pediatric medical services. Sidra Medicine is a Qatar Foundation entity and GlobeMed Qatar is a leading healthcare benefits management company in...

DUBAI, UAE -  Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) have signed an agreement on the sides of the UN Climate Conference (COP 28) to cooperate in a project to generate electricity from biogases extracted from the landfill in Muhaisnah 5. The signing supports Dubai’s leading sustainability practices...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -  Awaed Alosool Capital announces the launch of the Awaed platform, revolutionizing investment opportunities in public listed companies. Awaed Alosool unveils an innovative platform dedicated to empowering individuals in Saudi Arabia with seamless access to Sharia compliant investment in various financial instruments, including investment funds and stock markets.Awaed...

Paris, France - Ukraine's allies have dramatically scaled back their pledges of new aid to the country, which have fallen to their lowest level since the start of the war, the Kiel Institute's Ukraine aid tracker showed Thursday. "The dynamics of support to Ukraine have slowed," the German-based institute said, adding...

DUBAI, UAE - According to World Health Organization data, 99 percent of the world’s population lives in places where air pollution levels exceed WHO guideline limits. Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of respiratory diseases, stroke, heart attacks, diabetes and links to dementia. Children are also highly susceptible to...

Tehran, Iran--Trade between Iran and Russia has climbed 18 percent to US$1.7 billion in the first eight months of 2023. This was stated by the chairman of the Iranian Customs Administration Mohammad Rezvani, noting that the Iran Iran-Russia trade recorded $1.7 billion in the first eight months of this year...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--Egyptian Petroleum Minister Tarek el Molla announced an agreement on laying down a detailed road map for cutting methane emissions of the petroleum and gas sector in Egypt via the offered technical support. According to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), the agreement is scheduled to be signed...

Geneva, Switzerland - Global air cargo demand increased by 3.8% compared to October 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for the month revealed indicating the third consecutive month of stronger year-on-year demand. For international operations, the demand lagged slightly at 3.5%. Capacity was up 13.1% compared to October...

"Some 4.7 billion people are expected to travel in 2024, an historic high that exceeds the pre-pandemic level of 4.5 billion recorded in 2019," IATA said in its traditional review of industry trends as the year draws to a close.

Dubai, UAE--The Arab Coordination Group (ACG), a strategic alliance comprising regional and international development institutions, announced at COP28 an allocation of US$10 billion until 2030. This funding is meant to drive a comprehensive and affordable transition to renewable energy in developing countries. The commitment is an integral part of a...

Brussels, Belgium - The European Parliament and EU member states announced on Tuesday new rules to crack down on fast fashion and reduce waste, including a ban on destroying unsold clothes. The new rules, first proposed by the European Commission last year, impose tougher rules on products to ensure they last...

Paris, France - Asian countries dominated the top spots in a keenly watched survey of education capabilities published Tuesday, while levels in Europe slipped at a record pace -- and not just because of Covid. However, the report also showed that students in top performing countries were not necessarily happier. The...

DUBAI, UAE – Institutional traders (INS) in the crypto markets maintain a conservative approach, with 50 percent of their portfolio in stablecoins and another 50 percent strategically invested in Bitcoin and Ether, according to a recent study conducted by Bybit Blog. “This risk-averse strategy is particularly notable in bear markets,...

DUBAI, UAE -Mashreq bank has been announced as one of the top contributors to the UAE Banks Federation’s (UBF) pledge, to mobilize US$272 billion (AED 1 trillion) in sustainable finance by 2030 at COP 28. The event was hosted by the Central bank of the UAE in Global Climate Action...