European, Iranian diplomats to meet as Trump mulls joining Israel campaign
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear programme.
UAE discusses clean energy partnerships with Germany, Netherlands
ABU DHABI, UAE - A senior UAE official of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) visited Germany and the Netherlands to reinforce existing partnerships and discuss common goals, energy transition, technology deployment and potential projects.Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs MoEI visited Germany and the Netherlands....Gulf Air, Emirates sign deal
The two airlines announced the start of a codeshare agreement.TRENDS Poll: 36% believe GCC banks threatened by US, Europe banking crisis
Due to the GCC's strong linkages with the global banking system, concerns have risen that the banks in the region will face the same struggles.Europe, UK edge closer to signing deal on financial services
Once it is signed by Brussels and London, it will create a framework for voluntary regulatory cooperation in the area of financial services between the EU and the UK.France issues arrest warrant for Lebanese central bank chief
A French investigating magistrate issued an international arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank chief Riad Salameh, a source close to the case said. Salameh earlier failed to appear for questioning by French investigators who want to know how he amassed sizeable assets across Europe, his lawyer said.European economy expands less than previous estimates
On Monday, the European Commission boosted its 2023 economic growth outlook for the 20-country euro area by 0.2 points to 1.1 percent.Stock markets advance on US debt, elections
Major stock markets advanced after President Joe Biden said he was "optimistic" about finding an agreement on averting a first-ever US default. Stock markets in Europe and Asia kicked the week off with gains amid growing hopes the Democrats and Republicans will reach a deal to avert a US government...Shoemakers for Nike, Adidas to slash thousands of jobs
One of Vietnam's largest shoe manufacturers for brands such as Nike and Adidas will cut thousands of workers at the end of next month, state media said. The country is among the world's largest exporters of clothing, footwear and furniture, but has been badly affected by the cost-of-living crisis in...Europe charges up car battery drive with new plants in Germany, France
The continent has been racing to produce more electric vehicles as part of its green transition, with the clock ticking down on an EU deadline of 2035 to phase out the sale of cars using fossil fuels. A flurry of new battery plant projects are in the pipeline in Europe,...Global warming raises risk of heat-related deaths among workers
The Occupational Heat Stress conference in Qatar, which focused on climate change and how rising temperatures threaten workers' health, heard that tens of thousands of workers around the world have died from chronic kidney disease and other illnesses linked with extreme heat over recent decades.Global tourism industry is on track to reach pre-pandemic levels
MADRID, SPAIN - The World Tourism Barometer published its second report of the year, which showed that international tourism is making a strong comeback to pre-pandemic levels.During the first quarter of 2023, twice as many people traveled internationally than in the same period of 2022, with a total of 235...British coronation: World leaders congratulate Charles III, Camilla
Leaders in the United States and Europe sent congratulations to Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla on their coronation on Saturday, while China called for "cooperation" and "peace". Charles III was crowned monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms on Saturday at Britain's first coronation for 70...BMW Q1 net profit at $4.1bn
The firm says sales declined in Europe and China.One in five cars sold this year will be an electric vehicle: IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the rapid electrification of road transportation will have big implications for the energy industry as it will eliminate the need for five million barrels of oil per day by the end of the decade. World oil consumption averages just over 100 million barrels per day.Britain blocks $69-billion Activision takeover bid by Microsoft
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority prevented the deal "over concerns... (it) would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers over the years to come", the CMA said in a final decision on its long-running probe.GSK Q1 profit dips
Revenue dropped more than three percent to $8.74 billion.EU agency calls for reduction in pesticide use after sales remain stable
Pesticide pollution is also driving biodiversity loss across the continent, causing significant declines in insect populations and threatening the critical role they play in food production. A German study cited in the report found a 76 percent decline in flying insects in protected zones over a period of 27 years.China rejects envoy’s claims on ex-Soviet countries sovereignty
China insisted it respects the sovereignty of all ex-Soviet countries, after comments by its ambassador to France drew ire in Europe. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, the European Union's three Baltic countries, summoned China's envoys to account for Ambassador Lu Shaye questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet states.Air pollution causes more than 1,200 deaths a year: EU agency
The EU environmental agency said that air pollution is responsible for causing more than 1,200 premature deaths a year in under 18's across Europe and raises the risk of chronic disease later in life. It said that in spite of recent improvements, "the level of key air pollutants remain stubbornly...Stc to buy assets in Europe
It will acquire a portfolio of towers in Europe for US$1.3bn.EU foreign policy chief asks European navies to patrol Taiwan Strait
Paris, France--EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on European navies to patrol the disputed Taiwan Strait, in a opinion piece in a French weekly published Sunday.Borrell's comments in the Journal Du Dimanche, echo comments he made last week when he stressed how crucial Taiwan is to Europe.Taiwan "concerns us economically,...China leads in transition from petrol to EVs
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, electric vehicles made up 25 percent of car sales in the country in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 94 percent.London seeks to keep Europe fintech crown despite Brexit
London, United Kingdom -- From digital bank Revolut to money-transfer group Wise and payments company Checkout, London is Europe's fintech champion and intends on keeping its crown."Before Brexit, the UK was a great place" for the sector developing financial technology, Revolut's global head of government affairs, Adam Gagen, told UK Fintech...Eurozone economy accelerates to 11-month high in April
Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB), said the indices for the eurozone showed "a very friendly overall picture of an economy that continues to recover" but warned "a closer look reveals that growth is very unevenly distributed". Inflation fell to 6.9 percent on an annual...Asian Development Bank sells $3.5bn global benchmark bond
48% of the bond went to central banks and official institutions.15 Tunisian migrants missing after Europe bound boat capsizes
Tunis, Tunisia - Fifteen Tunisian migrants are missing after their boat sank in the Mediterranean during an attempt to reach Europe, authorities said Wednesday.The boat carrying 19 Tunisians sank Monday night, said a statement by Tunisia's National Guard, which oversees the coastguard.Four migrants were rescued by a fisherman after the boat...HSBC calls for vetoing split proposal
HSBC's largest stakeholder Ping An says the split will improve business.Car sales vault in Europe, cross 1 million mark first time since 2021
Paris, France--Sales of new cars jumped last month in Europe, surpassing the level of one million for the first time since June 2021, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association published on Wednesday.New car registrations hit 1,087,939 in March, an increase of 28.8 percent from the same month last...US raid in Syria targets senior IS leader: Centcom
Beirut, Lebanon--A US helicopter raid on Monday targeted a senior Islamic State group leader in Syria suspected of plotting attacks in Europe and the Middle East, US Central Command said."US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning... targeting a senior ISIS Syria leader...Saudi Arabia and Netherlands discuss export of clean hydrogen to Europe
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands have discussed the possibility of exporting clean hydrogen from the kingdom to Europe.In this regard, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra in Jeddah.The meeting also touched on...Europe’s largest nuclear reactor begins operation in Finland
The most powerful nuclear reactor in Europe, with a capacity of generating 1,600 megawatts, Olkiluoto 3 reached full power in late September for the first time since construction began in 2005.Medical tourists spent $270m in Dubai during 2022: DHA
Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the DHA, said Dubai’s ability to provide high-quality patient-centered medical care has accelerated its growth as an Arab, regional and international healthcare destination.Tunisia recovers 14 more migrant bodies after shipwreck
Tunisia has recovered 14 bodies of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in the Mediterranean, bringing to 24 the number of dead after their boat headed for Europe sank, the coastguard said. The spokesman for the National Guard announced that 41 Tunisian migrants, including five women and nine children, had been "rescued"...Dubai sees heavy influx of medical tourists in 2022, spending US$270m
DUBAI, UAEI--Dubai saw remarkable growth in medical tourism in 2022 with 674,000 medical tourists spending $270 million in the year.According to a report issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), 39% percent of the medical tourists who came to Dubai were from Asian countries, 22% from Europe and the Commonwealth...Tunisia intercepts over 14,000 migrants in January to March 2023
TUNIS, TUNISIA - Tunisia's coastguard said Friday it had intercepted over 14,000 migrants trying to reach Europe from January to March, more than five times the number of those who attempted the trip in the first quarter of 2022."Coast guard patrols prevent 501 clandestine attempts to cross the maritime border and...This March sets a temperature record for second-warmest month ever
Paris, France--Earth had its second-warmest March on record with Antarctic sea ice shrinking to its second-lowest extent, the EU's climate monitoring agency said on Thursday."The month was jointly the second warmest March globally," said a report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.The report is based on computer-generated analyses using billions...EU parliament adopts tough rules to tackle gender pay gap
Women earn on average nearly 13 percent less per hour than men for the same work in the 27-nation European Union, according to official data for 2020. Under the new rules, workers can demand to know individual and average pay levels, broken down by gender, in their workplace.SES seeks merger with Intelsat
The tie-up would lead to the creation of a $10 billion plus group.Scotland’s first Muslim leader’s rise underlines ‘new norm’ in UK
The newly-elected head of the Scottish National Party (SNP) joins the growing ranks of leaders from Britain's old imperial possessions who are remaking the face of UK politics. Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is the Hindu son of parents whose familial roots lie in India.Tunisia appeals to Europe for ‘more understanding’
Calling for "constructive discourse" from the European Union after many leaders warned the country is facing a crisis that could impact the 27-member bloc, Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar said that he had invited the European side to "show more understanding of this particular phase through which our country is...Criminals set to use ChatGPT for fraud, other cybercrimes: Europol
Created by US startup OpenAI, ChatGPT appeared in November and was quickly seized upon by users amazed at its ability to answer difficult questions clearly, write sonnets or code, and even pass exams. "The potential exploitation of these types of AI systems by criminals provides a grim outlook," The Hague-based...Algeria dismantles Syria-Europe international trafficking network
In a crackdown on organized crime, Algeria has dismantled an international network specializing in trafficking people through Algeria to Europe, according to local media reports. The agency tasked with fighting crime arrested nine Syrians and six Algerians suspected of belonging to the group which trafficked Syrians and Lebanese.Gas price in Europe slips below US$43 for first time since 2021
LONDON, UK- Europe's natural gas price slid Monday below US$43 for the first time in more than a year and a half, dampened by mild weather and high storage levels.In morning London deals, the price of benchmark Dutch TTF gas hit $42.5 per megawatt hour - last seen in July 2021.Monday's...EU unveils plans to scale up net-zero technology
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM- The European Commission proposed the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU and make sure the Union is well-equipped for the clean-energy transition, local media reports said.This initiative was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen as a part of the Green...Iran-US nuclear talks dead for now, says acclaimed scholar
The degree of anger and sympathy for the protesters, particularly among the American and European public, makes it near impossible to reach a nuclear deal, believes Vali Reza Nasr.Lebanon’s central bank chief snubs European investigators’ team
Salameh had been summoned to appear at Beirut's justice palace on Wednesday morning but objected to the session and instead sent a legal representative, the judicial official told AFP on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media.‘US role in Middle East is stabilizing but diminishing’
The world is facing a new environment where powerful global leaders and corporate leaders are creating uncertainty and risk, Eurasia Group chief Ian Bremmer tells TRENDS.Credit Suisse shares down
The bank has lost 81% of its value since Greensill bankruptcy.Europe warned industry will flee unless energy prices lowered
Brussels, Belgium - The European Union must urgently lower energy prices and ease regulations to stop industry fleeing the continent, European businesses said on Monday, as Brussels prepares plans to stimulate the green economy.The European Union is racing to make Europe more attractive for the companies that could be tempted by...VW to cut e-car prices
The price drop is seen as a direct response to cuts by Tesla.