Almost half of Europe and Mediterranean basin hit by drought
Paris, France - Europe and the Mediterranean basin has been hit by a long-lasting drought covering over 45 percent of the region since mid-March, according to AFP analysis of European Drought Observatory (EDO) data made available on Tuesday. It is the first time since data collection began in 2012 that...
Wheat prices hit record high after Indian export ban
Wheat prices surged to a new record high on Monday after India decided to ban exports of the commodity as a heatwave hit production. The price jumped to 435 euros ($453) per tonne as the European market opened. Global wheat prices have soared on supply fears since Russia's February invasion...Sanctions-hit Iran considering gas exports to Europe: official
Iran is considering the possibility of exporting gas to Europe, an oil ministry official said Sunday against the backdrop of soaring energy prices due to Russia's war in Ukraine. "Iran is studying this subject but we have not reached a conclusion yet," deputy oil minister Majid Chegeni was quoted as...EU hikes military aid for Ukraine as NATO expansion faces roadblocks
Europe pledged another half billion dollars in military support for Kyiv on Friday as Sweden and Finland's moves toward joining NATO hit multiple hurdles. Moscow said it would cut off electricity to Helsinki, and the president of Turkey expressed opposition to the Scandinavian countries becoming part of NATO.Finland poised for NATO membership as Ukraine war crimps Russian gas
Finland took a step Thursday towards fast-track NATO membership, triggering a blunt warning from the Kremlin, as the war in Ukraine throttled supplies of Russian gas to Europe and the number of people who fled the country passed six million. In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council decided to probe...Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine down by almost a third
Ukraine is a major supply route for Russian gas to Europe and the two sides have kept flows going even after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24France says EU deal on Russia oil embargo possible this week
The embargo on Russian oil, which is part of a sixth package of EU sanctions under discussion, is being resisted by some member states that rely on Russian oil to keep their economies running and are seeking guarantees of alternative sources.France’s Macron wins new term
Macron is the first French president to win a second term for two decades, but Le Pen's result also marks the closest the far-right has ever come to taking power in France and has revealed a deeply divided nation.Losing Russian energy would weigh on Europe’s economy: IMF official
Europe can get by without Russian gas for six months, but beyond that, the economic impact would be severe, a senior IMF official told AFP. The region relies on Russia for the vast majority of its energy needs, especially natural gas, and IMF economists looked at the economic cost of...Hopes down for Easter truce in Ukraine as Russia presses on
Russian forces, which withdrew from around Kyiv and the north of Ukraine earlier this month after being frustrated in their attempts to take over the capital, already occupy much of the eastern Donbas region and the south.DP World gross volume up 1.9 percent
Qingdao (China) and Sokhna (Egypt) among strong performers.Europe energy market: Will Qatar replace Russia?
The United States has asked Qatar to supply gas to Europe if Russian supplies were disrupted due to Moscow's military operation in Ukraine and the consequent Western sanctions.France urges cooperation with Algeria after Russia-Ukraine crisis
France and Algeria have been attempting to improve their ties after a diplomatic crisis.From Denmark to Portugal, Europe ups effort to quit Russian gas
In Denmark, large black pipes are about to be buried in a muddy trench, as construction of a gas pipeline from Norway to Poland resumes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. From plans for liquefied natural gas terminals in northern Germany, Finland and France to potential new routes through Spain and...Italy PM in Algeria seeking gas to reduce Russia reliance
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in gas powerhouse Algeria on Monday as Rome steps up efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian energy imports. Italy buys the vast majority of its natural gas from overseas, with over 40 percent of those imports coming from Russia. But the war...Abu Dhabi launches drive to keep infected Kinder products away
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has said that the Abu Dhabi's markets are completely free of Kinder products suspected of being linked to food poisoning in a number of European countries due to salmonella infections. In a statement, ADAFSA explained that as soon as they receive...EU passengers can claim compensation for delays even outside Europe
EU travelers who book flights through a European airline can claim compensation in the event of a major delay of the connecting flight -- even outside Europe, a court ruled on Thursday. In its judgement, the European Court of Justice said that the entirety of a journey that was subject...Moscow gas threat as NATO warns Russians ‘regrouping’ in Ukraine
Russia threatened Thursday to turn off its gas taps to Europe if the continent fails to pay in rubles, opening up a new front amid its war in Ukraine, where NATO and Kyiv warned that Russian troops were regrouping for new attacks. Over a month into Russia's invasion of its...Riyadh, Dubai lead IPO surge in GCC
For the second time since the global financial crisis, the Middle East has surpassed Europe in terms of IPOs as regional investors seek liquidity from increased oil prices.Oil prices, stocks higher after EU snubs Russia ban
European stocks, which had been firmly higher earlier in the session, ended the day with only modest gainsShip rescues 128 migrants, finds two dead In Mediterranean
Migrants from African countries ravaged by war and poverty, make desperate bids to reach Europe through Mediterranean sea which is the world's deadliest migration route.The scientists helping farmers kick the chemical habit
Researchers are considering a mutual fund to compensate farmers in the event of losses linked to the reduction of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.Biden heads to Europe to bolster West’s unity, toughen Russia sanctions
President Joe Biden leaves Wednesday for Europe on a mission to bolster Western unity, ramp up unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and attempt to upset the post-Cold War balance of power. The conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin is redefining Biden's 14-month old presidency as he...Tesla to open Berlin factory
Elon Musk to hand over first 'made in Germany' Model Y car.Russia warns embargo on its oil imports will impact everyone
An embargo on Russian oil imports, pushed for by some European countries over Moscow's military action in Ukraine, would have a direct impact on everyone, the Kremlin said Monday.GCC members lead Arab nations in happiness report
Four of the six GCC members feature within the top 50 of the World Happiness Report, and are atop the rankings among the Arab countries.Cloud plaint hits Microsoft
The tech giant is being accused in Europe of stifling competition.Turkish president Erdogan inaugurates world’s longest suspension bridge
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday opened the world's longest suspension bridge over the Dardanelles strait in northwestern Turkey -- which cuts travel time between Asia and Europe to six minutes. The 2.5-billion-euro ($2.8-billion) "1915 Canakkale Bridge" built by a consortium of Turkish and South Korean companies has a...India bypasses Western attempt to choke off Russian oil supply
Indian government officials on Friday defended the continued buying of Russian oil, saying European countries were still purchasing hydrocarbons from Moscow and that high crude prices left New Delhi with little choice.Ukraine war to ‘deeply destabilise’ food supply in Europe, Africa: Macron
“Europe and also Africa will be very deeply destabilised as regards food because of what can’t be planted right now in Ukraine,“ Macron told reporters.Airlines want end to Covid restrictions for EU flights
Most countries in the EU are beginning to relax requirements to present proof of vaccination and wear masks.Remittances: Ukraine flows may rise by 8 percent, Central Asian countries hit
Remittances to Ukraine, which were around 12 percent of its GDP and nearly three times the size of foreign direct investment in 2021, will increase by 8 percent in 2022 despite the ongoing conflict, according to a report by Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD). The remittance flows...Ukraine is Europe’s ‘fastest growing refugee’ crisis since World War II
UN officials said they expected the wave of refugees to intensify further as the Russian army pressed its offensive, particularly toward the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Since Russia invaded on February 24, a total of 922,400 people have fled Ukraine to Poland. Hungary, Moldova, Romanian and Slovakia have also seen Ukrainian...Moody’s says Ukraine war endangers global economic recovery
The Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions have increased risks to the global economic outlook, with effects that will depend on the length and severity of the crisis, Moody's Investors Service said in a report.UN food agency warns of global hunger due to Ukraine war
The United Nations’ World Food Programme warned Friday about a looming food crisis in Ukraine in conflict areas, while disruptions in production and exports could lead to food insecurity globally. “In a year when the world is already facing an unprecedented level of hunger, it’s just tragic to see hunger...Gas prices soar to record highs as Ukraine crisis stokes supply fears
Europe and UK gas prices hit record highs Friday and crude oil rallied, as Ukraine's invasion by key producer Russia continued to stoke supply fears. Europe reference Dutch TTF gas price struck 213.895 euros per megawatt hour in afternoon deals and UK gas hit 508.80 pence per therm. "There is...Fire at Ukrainian nuclear plant after Russian forces attack
Russian troops attacked Europe's largest nuclear plant on Friday, starting a fire at the Ukrainian facility, with the country's leader accusing Moscow of "nuclear terror". Local authorities reported no immediate radiation rise was detected and "essential" equipment was unaffected by the fire, but it remained unclear what the invading forces...Bangladesh to partner with UAE to boost trade in Middle East
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, or FBCCI, will launch a UAE-Bangladesh Business Council next month to boost trade in the Middle East region.Algeria offers to supply Europe with gas amid Ukraine crisis
Algeria's state energy firm is ready to supply Europe with more gas in view of a possible decline due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its CEO said Sunday.DP World acquires 100% stake in Imperial
The acquisition is expected to also add significant strategic value to DP World given Imperial’s footprint and strong market access and logistics solutions capability.Sanctions bore in on Russia over Ukraine invasion
On Friday, US President Joe Biden extended his country's measures against Russia to include sanctions on President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including a travel ban for the two statesmen. Biden was the first world leader to announce sanctions, hours after Putin declared a "military operation" into...Saudi National Bank looks to make acquisitions in Europe
Saudi National Bank, with backing from its largest shareholder, the Public Investment Fund, is looking to make big acquisitions in Europe and Asia.North Africa-Europe migrant deaths at sea up 155%: UN
The surge in deaths came alongside evidence of both increased arrivals in at least one key destination and rising interceptions.Aluminum price hits record high on Ukraine Attack
Aluminum has beaten the previous peak in price hike of $3,380.15, reached in July 2008.Gas prices ‘in God’s hands’, producers warn as Ukraine crisis sparks surge
Major gas exporting nations said Tuesday they could not guarantee prices or supplies at a summit overshadowed by the worsening Ukraine crisis which has pushed costs to record highs in Europe. Qatar's emir, who hosted the talks, said gas producers were working to ensure "credible and reliable" supplies as Europe's...Europe’s Investment in Palestinian economy touches $1.61bn
Around 60% of $1.61 billion were committed only in the last two years showing remarkable growth in mobilization of finance for Palestine.Air travel momentum up as countries lift Covid restrictions: IATA
Air travel recovery was gaining momentum as countries were lifting restrictions, with a sharp 11-percentage-point increase for international tickets sold in recent weeks, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Data released by IATA said that in the period around 8 February (seven-day moving average) the number of tickets...Markets rally on hopes for easing Russia-Ukraine tensions
While not verified, the claims by Russia provided some much-needed relief for investors, who had grown increasingly fearful of a conflict in Eastern Europe.Intel to acquire Tower Semiconductor
The acquisition for around $5.4bn part of Intel's IDM 2.0 strategy.Global diesel supplies fall as demand rises in post-pandemic recovery
Global supplies of diesel are dwindling as refiners struggle to keep pace with rapid post-pandemic demand recovery, exacerbating an acute global energy shortage that has already sent the prices of gas, coal and crude oil soaring. At a time when global central banks are fretting over inflation rates not seen...Qatar to host gas exporters summit as Ukraine crisis simmers
The US has sought the help of its close ally Qatar in providing emergency supplies if pipelines to Western Europe are cut. Organizers did not immediately confirm whether Russia's President Vladimir Putin would attend the biannual Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit on Feb 22.