The Spanish islands have long been a draw for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, with many boats setting off from the coastline of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal. But the Atlantic route to the Canaries is particularly dangerous due to the strong currents, with migrants travelling in...

Manama, Bahrain--Bahrain has recorded a two percent rise in gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2023, driven by a 3.5 percent jump in the non-oil sector. The average quarterly increase, according to the Bahraini Ministry of Finance and National Economy, of the annual non-oil GDP has touched about...

The G20 talks come after Russia on Monday refused to extend a deal allowing critical Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, sparking outrage from the United Nations, which has warned millions of the world's poorest would "pay the price". World Bank president Ajay Banga said he feared a lack...

Doha, Qatar--Small and medium-sized companies in Qatar have signed deals worth $201 million during the first half of 2023, benefiting from the various services of the Qatar's Export Development & Promotion Agency (Tasdeer). In a report, Tasdeer highlighted the momentum witnessed by the participation of small and medium-sized companies in...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia and Japan issued a joint statement on Lighthouse Initiative for Clean Energy Cooperation. The statement is as follows: On July 16, in Jeddah, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Kishida Fumio,...

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, chair and host of the summit in Gandhinagar, began by telling finance leaders of "the responsibility we have... to steer the global economy towards strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth". Talks will also focus on "critical global issues such as strengthening the multilateral development banks...

As Egypt said more than 250,000 people crossed in from Sudan -- fleeing ceaseless air strikes, street battles, rampant looting and sexual violence -- property owners in Cairo saw an opportunity. Inflation in Egypt hit a record high of 36.8 percent in June, and the pound has lost half its...

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--Looking to consolidate trade and investment ties, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Japan announced their resumption of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. In this regard the two sides signed a joint statement on the sidelines of the meeting held here today between Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister...

NEW YORK, US – In the last three years, poverty rates in low-and lower-middle-income countries have surged, with the number of additional individuals living on less than $3.65-a-day reaching 165 million by 2023, said a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in a new policy brief. According to the policy brief...

DUBAI, UAE - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) joined the UAE delegation to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which runs from July 10-19 at the UN headquarters in New York. Established in 2012, the High-Level Political Forum is the UN’s central platform...

AMMAN, JORDAN - Plastic and rubber products cover 59.7 percent of the Kingdom's domestic consumption, a report by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) showed. The report indicated that plastic and rubber products are well-established industries in the Kingdom, featuring a variety of types and uses, and contribute indirectly to...

ABU DHABI, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)’s Financial Stability Report for 2022 said the FTSE ADX General Index (FADGI.FGI) gained more than 20 percent in 2022. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) trading value increased by 21.9 percent to AED 451 billion ($122.78bn). In its overview...

ABU DHABI, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) on Friday issued its Financial Stability Report for 2022. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the stability of the UAE financial system, which remained resilient throughout 2022 despite global headwinds and the banking sector being well capitalized with...

Dubai, UAE-- Officials from Dubai Customs and Japan's consulate have discussed ways to boost trade cooperation between the two countries in a meeting in Dubai. The officials from the consulate expressed appreciation for Dubai Customs and its role in collaborating with international customs authorities and organizations to combat drug smuggling...

Microsoft did not identify the targets but a US State Department spokesperson said the department had "detected anomalous activity" and had taken "immediate steps to secure our systems."

Customs spokesman Lyu Daliang also pointed to outside forces having a "direct impact" on Chinese trade, with Beijing engaged in a long-running stand-off with the United States on a number of issues including trade and technology.

Dubai, UAE -- Trade volume between Qatar and India increased by about 33 percent during 2021 and 2022, reaching $17.2 billion, Qatar's undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Saleh bin Majed Al Khulaifi said. He said India is Qatar's second-largest trade partner. Al Khulaifi chaired...

ABU DHABI, UAE – The Louvre Abu Dhabi has displayed new acquisitions including three artworks by Pablo Picasso alongside loans from partner museums and international institutions. This further strengthens Abu Dhabi as a global hub for culture. The newly exhibited artworks reinforce the museum's pivotal role as a trusted partner...

DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received the net-zero statement of verification and assurance certificate in recognition of its relentless efforts in climate action. This followed a comprehensive assessment conducted by W3 Solutionz - USA through CanaGulf International Standardization, based on the International Workshop Agreement Guidelines...

The Israeli army said in a statement that "a number of suspects approached the northern security fence with Lebanon and attempted to sabotage the security fence in the area". The Israeli military released footage it said was of the incident showing several people approaching the fence before an apparent blast...

Paris, France--From subtly shifting the position of Ramses II's sceptre, to touch-ups on a necklace or headdress, ancient Egyptian artists were more creative than previously thought, according to a study published Wednesday. Using new portable imaging and chemical analysis techniques, an international team of scientists took a fresh look at paintings...

The parliament's biggest political grouping, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), had sought to shoot down the text, arguing that it would reduce EU food security and limit possibilities to build wind and hydroelectric energy facilities.

Guangdong, China - A DEWA delegation led by Al Tayer, MD and CEO DEWA, discussed enhancing cooperation and exchanging experiences in energy storage, smart grids, digital transformation, cloud computing, and electric vehicle charging station with Huawei in China. Digital DEWA and Huawei signed an MoU which focuses on accelerating digital...

DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Chambers is taking a big initiative for ensuring that businesses in the emirate provide excellent customer service. The Service Excellence Program (SEP) will evaluate the quality of customer experience delivered by private sector companies through mystery shopper reports. The initiative will ensure the implementation of global...

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani has described the three-day trip as "a new turning point" which could bolster economic and trade ties with African nations. He also said on Monday that Tehran and the three African countries share "common political views".

Tehran, Iran-- After years of frosty relations between the two countries, Egypt and Iran are set to restore ties with the visit of Iranian tourists to the North African country. According to the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, Iranian tourists will soon travel to the country through...

Opponents have accused Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charge he denies, of trying to use the reforms to quash possible judgements against him. The prime minister has rejected the accusation.

Paris, France - The world's wealthiest nations must urgently prepare for the impact of an imminent "AI revolution" that will change jobs, create new ones and make others disappear, the OECD said Tuesday. The rapid development of artificial intelligence -- with tools that can generate essays, create images and even pass...

New York, United States - Wall Street stocks mostly rose early Tuesday amid signs of greater broadening in the equity market beyond technology. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare pointed to greater momentum for industrials and other "cyclical" sectors tied to economic growth "suggesting that there was a rotation of money within the...

Racial tensions flared into violence against migrants from sub-Saharan African countries in Tunisia's port city of Sfax last week, with hundreds fleeing or being pushed to inhospitable southern desert border areas. "All of the 500 to 700 migrants who were at the Libyan border have been transferred elsewhere," Salsabil Chellali...

Thames Water, which supplies 15 million homes and businesses in London and elsewhere in southern England, has debts of almost £14 billion.

The health ministry reported "22 dead and a large number of wounded among the civilians" from what it described as an air strike Saturday on Khartoum's sister city Omdurman, in the district of Dar al-Salam, which means "House of Peace" in Arabic. After nearly three months of war between Sudan's...

Tehran, Iran-- Hectic efforts are underway for the restoration of ties between Syria and Turkey and also to pave way for a meeting between the Syrian and Turkish presidents. According to the Special envoy of the Russian president in Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, intense work is underway to normalize relations between...

DUBAI, UAE- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) aims to grow the city’s network of public charging stations by 170 percent in less than three years, local media reports said. This is in accordance with Dubai's plan to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. By 2025, EV Green Charging...

DUBAI, UAE -  Around 79,000 UAE nationals are working in the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) revealed on Sunday as the deadline for companies with 50 employees or more to achieve a one percent Emiratization growth in skilled jobs has ended. These numbers reflect the...

ABU DHABI, UAE -  UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Chad Rashid Saeed Al Shamsi on Sunday opened a field hospital in Amdjarass city. The UAE built the hospital in Chad to support Sudanese refugees. The initiative is the result of joint cooperation between three humanitarian entities in the UAE...

Hunt, whose official title is chancellor of the exchequer, will lay out plans for an "entirely new kind of stock market" that will allow private companies to access capital markets without floating. He is also expected to detail plans to simplify the rules for buying and selling shares.

"The return of Azov commanders from Turkey to Ukraine is nothing but a direct violation of the terms of existing agreements," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Peskov said the return was linked to the "failure of the counter-offensive" launched by Ukraine, and Ankara's...

Paris, France--Global trade in agricultural commodities is projected to expand by 1.3 percent annually - half the pace recorded in the past decade - due mostly to slower growth in demand by middle-income countries, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)...

The kingdom of Jordan prides itself on its 19 different types of honey, including citrus, eucalyptus and maple varieties, depending on which plants the bees pollinate. Jordanian honey sells for 15 to 30 dinars ($21 to $42) per kilogram, depending on the type.

DUBAI, UAE- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) said the MENA Solar Conference (MENA-SC) which it organizes from November 15-18 2023, will discuss six innovative research areas. Prominent experts, specialists and researchers worldwide will highlight the latest developments, technologies and scientific research in solar power, local media reports said. The...

PARIS, FRANCE - Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are expected to increase by 7.5 percent in the next decade, said a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The projected greenhouse gas emissions are just less than half the projected...

Tehran, Iran--Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has claimed that health tourism in the country has attracted patients from neighboring countries and even Central Asian states who prefer to get medical care in Iran rather than in Europe. Raisi made the remarks on Friday as he inaugurated Ghadir Major Hospital in the...

Dubai, UAE--Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has exhorted community members to ensure that safety standards are always in place in their homes, especially before traveling or being away for long periods. DEWA urged its customers to follow its tips and guidelines to improve the efficiency of electricity and water...

BAGHDAD, IRAQ -  Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Mohammed Hamel on Friday stressed the importance of Iraq in the oil and gas sector. Iraqi Ministry of oil said in a statement, “Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani, met GECF Secretary...

BAGHDAD, IRAQ -   Iraq joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, the Supreme Judicial Council announced. "The efforts made by the competent courts and the Office of Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing resulted in Iraq winning the membership of the Egmont group," said a statement by the Judicial...

Taipei, Taiwan -- Taiwan's chip giant TSMC said Thursday it did not expect any direct effect on production from China's latest export controls on two rare metals essential for making semiconductors. China's Ministry of Commerce and Customs announced Monday that exports of gallium and germanium will require a license from Aug....

Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin were killed during Israel's 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip, and their remains are in the hands of Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas -- although the militant group has never confirmed their deaths. Hamas are also thought to be holding two Israeli civilians who...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran has signed oil contracts worth $40 billion with domestic and foreign companies during the last 20 months. Speaking at the second ministerial session of the 8th OPEC International Seminar entitled “Investments, finance and inclusive petroleum growth strategies” at the Austrian capital, Iran’s oil minister Javad Owji said...

Vienna, Austria - Mohamed Aoun, Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas, has said that Libya is continuing its gas export operations to Europe through the Greenstream pipeline, local media reports said. He noted that an increase in gas exports is currently unfeasible, but could be considered in the future, after...