In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back
Leeuwarden, Netherlands - Fighter jets from the United States, France, Finland and Germany roar into the skies from a Dutch base as part of NATO's biggest air exercise this year. The aim: to practice stopping -- and then defeating -- an enemy attack against the alliance as Russia's war in Ukraine...
Covid restrictions hit spending, slowing eurozone growth
Economic growth in the eurozone slowed sharply in January, a key survey showed Monday, as new coronavirus restrictions hit consumer spending, raising a new obstacle for the region's recovery.Qatar and US talk gas supplies as Russia threatens Ukraine
Qatar is in talks with the US and other gas exporters to prepare a contingency plan for a possible disruption in gas supplies should Russia decide to invade Ukraine.Google appeals EU fine
It was fined €2.4-billion for abusing its search engine dominance.Europe showcases work on circular economy at Expo 2020
An event at the Expo 2020 Dubai showcased Europe's work for the transition to the circular economy and how it brings together stakeholders from across the spectrum.Inflation second on external concern list, worry global CEOs
As prices have surged, inflation has soared as a worry for global executives, overtaking concerns about Covid-19 disruptions in some regions, according to a survey released Thursday. In a "seismic shift," inflation now ranks second on the list of top external concerns after labor shortages, up from 22nd last year,...World economy at risk as Omicron engulfs Europe
More than half of people in Europe will likely catch Omicron by March, the WHO has said amid a World Bank warning that it could hamper global economic recovery.World passes 300 million Covid cases as Omicron breaks records
The virus mutant has spurred the world to record 13.5 million cases in the last week alone -- 64 percent higher than the previous seven days -- the global average of deaths dropped three percent. France's public health authority said Friday that the risk of hospitalisation was about 70 percent...Omicron surge may lead to newer, more dangerous variants: WHO
A top WHO official has sounded an ominous note of caution, that the soaring infection rates could have the opposite effect. According to him, the Omicron variant of coronavirus could pose a greater threat because of the sheer number of cases.Emirates declared safest airline globally by Hamburg-based JACDEC
The Hamburg-based Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC) has again named Emirates Airline as the world’s safest airline in a survey carried out for Aero International aviation magazine, media reports said. Emirates Airline is the world's largest operator of double-decker Airbus A380s - the largest passenger jet in history. With...Kuwaitis told to avoid European travel over Omicron surge
Kuwait has called on its citizens to avoid travel to several European countries hit hard by the Omicron coronavirus variant. In a series of statements overnight Sunday, the oil-rich Gulf state also urged Kuwaitis already there to return home because of the surge in cases on the continent. The foreign ministry...Tunisia rescues 48 illegal migrants at sea
Tunisian coastguards have rescued 48 illegal migrants trying to reach Europe from neighboring Libya in a makeshift boat.SBA signs pact with Rimini Meeting for cross-cultural exchange
Prominent world personalities hosted at Rimini Meeting over the years include Pope Francis; Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN Secretary-GeneralForeign shoppers swarm Turkey after lira crash, rush likely to increase
Local traders say that the number of foreign shoppers has risen four to fivefold. Turkey's lira has crashed after Erdogan pushed the central bank to slash interest rates in fervently-held belief that this will finally cure Turkey's chronic inflation problem.Israel to ban travel to US over Omicron spread
Lawmakers from Israel also approved the health ministry recommendation to bar Israelis from travel to France, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Finland, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.Rossi appointed Acer Mideast VP
Michele Montecchio was appointed as Country Manager for the Middle East.Binance may move to Dubai as part of crypto deal
TRENDS broke this news in October. The agreement will regulate the offering, issuance, listing and trading of encrypted assets of the firm that is based in Seychelles.Iran says nuclear deal ‘within reach’ if West shows goodwill
Iran's top diplomat said Thursday that an agreement to revive his country's nuclear deal with world powers was "within reach" but that this depended on the goodwill of the West. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also said on Twitter that negotiations in Vienna were "proceeding with seriousness" and that the removal...World races to contain new Covid variant
Fears mounted Saturday that a highly-infectious new coronavirus strain was pushing its way into Europe as the world brought the shutters down to contain the new Omicron variant.Arab countries ban travel from African nations
The United States and several European countries have taken similar steps, banning travel from at least seven southern African countries. South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla told reporters that he felt some of the reactions to the new Covid-19 variant that was found in South Africa were ‘unjustified.’New Covid-19 variant spooks global markets
Firms linked to travel were among the worst affected as investors fretted over the possibility of more government-mandated restrictions.Syria eyes visitor resurgence, especially from Europe
Syria is an important destination for Shiite pilgrims, and has continued to welcome visitors from Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon during the conflict. However, European tourists —a constant before fighting started in 2011 — have not been visiting for a decade.Turkish women fearful after treaty exit
Turkish women feel more vulnerable and legally unprotected since Turkey withdrew from a convention that activists argued helped deter male violence, according to women's campaign groups.Over 240,000 Lebanon expats register to vote in polls
Lebanon's diaspora -- estimated to number at least three times the country's 6-million population -- will take part in the vote for the 128-seat parliament, making them a powerful electoral force. In some parts of Europe, volunteers set up registration centers to help compatriots sign up.EU, GCC begin new era in relations
However, the recent developments show that Europe has shed this energy-supplier image of the Gulf for a more realistic and pragmatic approach to strengthen the strategic partnership between the 27-member bloc and the GCC. In the new positive climate in EU-Gulf ties, talks on the FTA are likely to resume...Lebanon stops 82 people attempting sea crossing to Europe
Lebanese security forces on Friday said they thwarted an attempt by more than 80 people to illegally cross by sea into Europe from Lebanon. In a statement, the Internal Security Forces said they raided a "tourist resort" in the Qalamoun area of north Lebanon on Thursday after being tipped off....Aleastur, top European metal producer, sets up base in Bahrain
Aleastur, top European metal producer, has set up first plant for aluminum grain refiners and master alloys production in Bahrain.PIF of Saudi Arabia looks to invest in China
Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify investments into Chinese companies after having confined its overseas holdings to the US and Europe.Iran agrees to restart talks to revive nuclear deal
Iran held six rounds of indirect negotiations in Vienna with President Joe Biden's administration on returning to the 2015 deal.Pope urges intervention on Libyan migrant crisis
Governments must stop returning migrants to "non-secure countries" like Libya, the 84-year-old pontiff said, while prioritizing saving lives in the Mediterranean.European nations strive to cushion energy price hikes
Price freezes, tax cuts, energy payments or credits, targeted aid... in the face of soaring energy prices European nations are deploying a variety of steps to cushion the blow for consumers.US Iran envoy to hold nuclear talks with European powers
The agreement between Iran and world powers to find a long-term solution to the now two-decade-old crisis over its controversial nuclear program has been moribund since former US president Donald Trump walked out of the deal in May 2018.Jack Ma’s Europe trip sends Alibaba shares soaring
Jack Ma’s Ma's presence in Spain was reported by the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba. The paper said the 57-year-old, who retired from the role of Alibaba's chairman in 2019, was attending a series of business meetings in Europe.DMCC sells a rough 118-carat diamond for record $5.2 million
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has sold a 100+ carat rough diamond for $5.218 million (US$ 44,004 per carat) in a record tender hosted at the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE). The 118.58-carat type IIa stone was viewed by top diamond trading companies from Asia and Europe at a tender hosted...Egypt and Greece to sign a deal for power interconnection
Egypt and Greece will sign a preliminary deal to build an electricity interconnection between the two countries in Athens on Thursday, Athens-Macedonia news agency (AMNA) reported.Natural gas market soars to record heights
Europe's reference Dutch TTF gas price hit 162.12 euros per megawatt hour and UK prices leapt to 407.82 pence per therm in morning deals.Emirates and Qantas extend partnership
Together, the airlines are making millions of reward seats available for frequent flyers to access more than 100 destinations.Germany: Uncertainty looms as rivals scramble to lead next government
Preliminary results showed that the center-left Social Democrats had won the largest share of the vote at 25.7 percent. Chancellor Merkel's center-right CDU-CSU bloc garnered 24.1 percent, its worst showing in its seven-decade history.Most EMEA banks fret they would cease to exist unless they digitize fast
Nearly 75 percent of banks expect tech giants such as Google and Amazon to dominate the banking industry in five years' time, a report said.Gulf Craft expands footprint in Europe
Growing order book resulted in a 42 per cent uplift in H1 2021TIER takes e-scooter service to Bahrain
This came as part of TIER’s ongoing expansion in the Middle East.Iran eyes Caspian Sea gas reserve for Europe supply
The exploration is being carried out by the Khazar Exploration and Production Company, or KEPCO.Egypt looks to neighbors, and beyond, for power supply
In order to make sure that Egyptians get an uninterrupted supply of electricity, Egypt has taken steps to strengthen power linkage lines with neighboring countries such as Jordan, Sudan and Libya.Morocco to keep Algeria-Spain gas pipeline open
The operating contract for the Moroccan section of the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, which links fields in Algeria with Spain, runs out in OctoberDubai Chamber launches online tool to fill $10b export gaps
The launch of the tool is in line with the emirate’s new target to boost its foreign trade from around $380 billion to around $545 billion over the next five years.Saudis set sights on space, seek partners for their program
Saudi Arabia has decided to put its space program high on the list of its agenda, and in this regard a team of the kingdom’s officials is traveling around Europe seeking partnerships with leading companies.57 Europe-bound migrants drown as boat sinks off Libya
The ship sank off the Libyan port of Khoms, some 120 kilometres east of the capital Tripoli, a key gateway for Europe-bound migrantsUS Covid-19 performance worst: Think Tank
The US has over 34 million confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths, the highest in the world, and the number of days with less than 5,000 daily new cases is only 62, which is the worst in the worldAssad starts new term after re-election described ‘neither free nor fair’
The vote extending Assad's grip on power was the second since the start of a decade-long civil war that has killed more than half a million people, displaced millions and battered the country's infrastructureDP World makes offer to buy all outstanding shares of Imperial Logistics
DP World expects the deal to build supply chains especially in Africa Imperial Logistics has operations in 25 countries Dubai-based port operator DP World said on Thursday it has made an offer of $890 million to acquire all the outstanding shares of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Imperial Logistics, allowing it...Bahrain clinical trials unit beckons pharma manufacturers
Manufacturers can carry out trials at a fraction of cost in Europe, US National Health Regulatory Authority responsive to safe, quality research trials A clinical trials unit in Bahrain has said it can enable pharmaceutical manufacturers across the world to carry out clinical trials faster than in Europe and America...