Paris, France -- Eating some common food preservatives is linked to a slightly higher risk of eventually developing cancer and diabetes, according to two large French studies published Thursday. However, outside experts called for more research and emphasized that these kinds of observational studies cannot demonstrate a direct cause-and-effect relationship....
NEOM launches ‘Topian’ to ensure climate-proof agriculture in Saudi
NEOM, Saudi Arabia: NEOM, a mega-city project in Saudi Arabia characterized by futuristic urban planning and advanced technologies, Sunday announced the launch of Topian, the NEOM Food Company. Neom said in a statement that Topian seeks to redefine food production, distribution, and consumption through the creation of sustainable and innovative food...
Palestinians in Gaza living in utter, deepening horror: UN rights chief
"Civilians in Gaza continue to be relentlessly bombarded by Israel and collectively punished -- suffering death, siege, destruction and deprivation of the most essential human needs such as food, water, lifesaving medical supplies and other essentials on a massive scale," UN human rights chief Volker Turk told a press conference....
Gaza situation approaching humanity’s ‘darkest hour’, says WHO
Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, said that since the start of the war, there had been 120,000 acute respiratory infections; close to 26,000 people with scabies and lice; 86,000 cases of diarrhea, including 44,000 among children aged under five, which he said was 20 to...Climate chaos impact on millions frames discussions at COP28
With the countless repercussions of extreme weather conditions, the planet is witnessing increasing political unrest, deaths and diseases.134 nations to put food, agriculture in national climate plans
"This declaration is the moment when food truly comes of age in the climate process, sending a powerful signal to the nations of the world that we can only keep the 1.5 degree goal in sight if we act fast," said the group's CEO Ani Dasgupta.Fed’s inflation gauge slows in October as energy, goods prices drop
Washington, United States - A key inflation measure used by the US Federal Reserve to set interest rates eased further last month amid declining energy and goods prices, according to government data published Thursday. The annual personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.0 percent in October, down 0.4 percentage points...Climate crises drove 27 million children into hunger in 2022, says charity
Out of the 12, countries in the Horn of Africa were most affected, with Ethiopia and Somalia accounting for about half of the 27 million children facing hunger, Save said.
Meals to woof down at Italy’s first dog restaurant
Thirsty pups can opt for a green apple and watermelon juice, or go wild and have a pear, strawberry or banana one instead.
UAE unveils ‘roadmap’ to reduce food waste by 50 percent
Dubai, UAE--In order to reduce food loss and waste by 50 percent, the UAE has launched Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap, looking to achieve the target by 2030. The project was unveiled by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment The roadmap was announced...UN warns fuel shortage to halt Gaza aid work in ’48 hours’
JERUSALEM - The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned Monday its operations in war-torn Gaza would shut down within two days due to fuel shortages as fighting rages between Israel and Hamas. "The humanitarian operation in Gaza will grind to a halt in the next 48 hours as no fuel...
UAE a key market for our businesses due to its location: French official
Dubai, UAE-- The UAE is a key market for French businesses due to its strategic location as a hub and gateway to the entire region, said Axel Baroux, the French Trade Invest Commissioner to the UAE and the Regional Director of Business France in the Middle East. Speaking to the...
Agthia Group revenue soars
It posted an 11% jump in net revenue to US$890 million.Iran urges Muslim nations to suspend trade with Israel
The bombing campaign by Israel in Gaza has killed more than 8,500 people, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Hamas asks Egypt to take ‘decisive’ action to hasten aid delivery in Gaza
Dubai, UAE--A top Hamas official called on Egypt Sunday to take "decisive" action to expedite aid to Gaza amid criticism over the pace of vital supplies reaching the war-torn Palestinian territory. "Egypt should not remain a spectator," Hamas politburo member Musa Abu Marzouk said in a statement. "We expect a...7,000 Palestinians killed in 20 days of Israeli bombardments: Ministry
Hamas released a list of around 7,000 names of people in Gaza it said had been killed in Israeli strikes. The list was produced a day after US President Joe Biden said he had "no confidence" in the militant group's death toll figures. Israel says 1,400 people were killed in...
Putin calls for ‘unhindered access’ for humanitarian aid into Gaza
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Monday for "unhindered access" for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, in a telephone call with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Kremlin said. According to a readout of the call from the Kremlin, the two leaders "expressed serious concern...Over 5,000 Palestinians killed in relentless Israeli bombardments
There have also been increasing cross-border exchanges of fire along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, between Israeli troops and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas.EU to debate Gaza truce call as top diplomat urges more aid
Describing the entry of a few dozens trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt as "not enough", EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that it was important to send in the basic things that make water and electricity supply being restored. He made the comments ahead of a...Aid trucks for residents enter Gaza from Egypt
The first aid trucks arrived in the war-torn Gaza Strip from Egypt, AFP journalists said, bringing desperately needed humanitarian relief to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave under Israeli siege. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the group carried out the deadliest attack in the country's history on October 7.UN says aid to reach Gaza ‘in the next day or so’ via Rafah border
"We are in deep and advanced negotiations with all relevant sides to ensure that an aid operation in Gaza starts as quickly as possible... a first delivery is due to start in the next day or so," the UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said, quoted by his spokesman Jens Laerke...
GCC keen to address economic problems: Albudaiwi
Marrakesh, Morocco-- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attaches great importance to finding solutions to economic problems such as the eradication of poverty and enhancing food security, according to the GCC Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi. He made the remarks in connection with the participation of the council member states in...Israel will not supply water, fuel to Gaza until hostages freed: minister
Jerusalem--Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed Thursday his country would not allow basic resources or humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas released the people it abducted during its surprise weekend onslaught. "Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no...
US wholesale prices rise more than expected in September
Washington, United States - US wholesale prices rose more than expected in September, government data showed Thursday, as energy prices continued to climb. The producer price index (PPI) rose by 0.5 percent last month, building on August's 0.7 percent increase, according to data from the Labor Department. This was above the...
Silal acquires stake in SAFCO
SAFCO Group is a food and beverage distributor in the UAE.UN voices concern over impact of Israel-Hamas war on food supply
The UN's World Food Programme expressed concern over the mounting challenges civilians, including vulnerable children and families, face in accessing essential food supplies, with food distribution networks disrupted by hostilities. The WFP is concerned about stocks in food shops and the impact of power cuts in the Gaza Strip.
FAO raises its forecast for global cereal production in 2023
ROME, ITALY - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) raised its forecast for global cereal production in 2023 to 2,819 million tonnes, now 0.9 percent higher than the previous year. The higher forecast is almost entirely based on recent and more positive yield estimates for the...Circular economy is a critical pathway to build sustainable future: Almheiri
Dubai, UAE-- Terming the circular economy as a critical pathway that builds a sustainable future by preserving natural resources, reducing waste, and promoting the conservation of resources at source, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change & Environment, emphasized that it not only promotes environmental sustainability but also presents...UAE and Brazil discuss boosting trade, energy, strategic ties
Brasilia, Brazil-- The UAE and Brazil have explored opportunities to develop cooperation in trade, energy and climate issues in a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, and Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, in the capital, Brasilia. The meeting,...Jordan takes measures to cut effect of global crises on food security
Amman, Jordan-- Jordan has taken measures to hedge against the impact of international crises on food security and lower its impact on families, local communities and the national economy of the kingdom. This was revealed by the kingdom's Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat while speaking the 6th General Assembly meetings...Yemen economy tanks as peace talks make no headway, say NGOs
"While economic challenges are rife across the country, rising inflation and the deterioration of public services are making life unbearable," said a statement signed by 35 Yemeni groups and 13 international aid organizations including the Danish Refugee Council and Save the Children.1bn tons of food wasted every year while 783m people face hunger: FAO
Rome, Italy - The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Program (UNEP) said one billion tons of food are wasted every year, while up to 783 million people around the world are facing hunger. Ahead of the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste...Devastating Libya floods displace more than 43,000 people
"An estimated 43,059 individuals have been displaced by the floods in northeastern Libya," the IOM said, adding that a "lack of water supply is reportedly driving many displaced out of Derna" to other areas.Oman annual inflation inches up 0.82 percent in August
Muscat, Oman--Annual inflation of Oman has shot up 0.82 percent in August as against 2.4 percent in the same month of last year, according to the country’s National Center for Statistics and Information. But compared with the previous month, Oman’s inflation rate sunk to its lowest level in 28 months...Agthia okays H1’23 interim dividend
The interim dividend reflects the firm’s robust balance sheet.WFP warns fund cuts could push 24m people to brink of starvation
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Food Program said Tuesday that shrinking funding was forcing it to drastically slash rations in many operations, warning that 24 million more people risked being pushed to the brink of starvation. The United Nations agency said it had been struggling to meet growing global needs for...
Global food prices drop in August: FAO
Led by staples other than rice and sugar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that its Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 121.4 points in August, down 2.1% from July and as much as 24% below...Putin says Russia will deliver free grain to six African nations
Since pulling out of the deal, which aimed to ensure safe grain exports via the Black Sea, Russia has been keen to ally African concerns about the impact of the deal's collapse on food security. Putin said Russia was ready to return to the deal "as soon" as restrictions on...
Eurozone inflation unchanged at 5.3% in Aug as energy prices drop
Brussels, Belgium - The annual rate of inflation in the eurozone remained unchanged in August as there was a smaller drop in energy prices, the EU's official statistics agency said Thursday. Consumer prices reached 5.3 percent in August, although there was also a slowdown in the rise of food and drinks...4 children rescued from cable car in Pakistan
Military helicopters and zipline experts rescued four children from a group of eight people trapped for hours in a stricken cable car high above a remote Pakistan valley. The daring rescue began with a helicopter plucking two children to safety as daylight faded, but the chopper was forced back to...ADQ ties up with Dutch firm to set up greenhouse at AgTech Park in KEZAD
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- In a boost to the UAE's effort to secure self-sufficiency in the food sector, ADQ has partnered with Safe Haven Solutions, a Netherlands-based climate-smart agriculture solution provider, to construct a high-tech greenhouse at ADQ’s AgTech Park in KEZAD. The automated 10-hectare facility will leverage advanced agricultural technology...Oman annual inflation inches up to 0.69 percent in June
Muscat, Oman--Oman annual inflation rate reached 0.69 percent by the end of June 2023, according to the monthly consumer price survey data issued by the Oman's National Center for Statistics and Information. The inflation rate was driven by the increase in most of the main groups that make up the...
Brazilian-Saudi Investment Forum witnesses inking of 25 MoUs
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - The Ministry of Investment organized here the Brazilian-Saudi Investment Forum, which saw the signing of many memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in various fields. The 25 MoUs covered petrochemicals, healthcare, defense, food, real estate, tourism, water desalination and treatment, and agriculture. Attending the Forum on Monday were...Egypt calls for renewal of Black Sea grain export deal
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Egypt's president on Friday called on Russia and Ukraine to find "urgent solutions" to allow the resumption of Ukraine grain exports to Africa, after Moscow's withdrawal led to the collapse of a Black Sea pact. The Ukraine grain deal was agreed last year and allowed around 33 million...COP28 urges governments to make ‘food systems’ central to climate change
Dubai, UAE-- Calling on governments around the world to demonstrate leadership by signing the "Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action", the COP 28 Presidency launched its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda during the Food Systems Summit in Rome. It forms part of its continued work to define...Fund shortage forces UN body to slash aid for Syrian refugees
AMMAN, JORDAN - The United Nations' World Food Program has announced it would reduce cash assistance to nearly 120,000 Syrian refugees in Jordanian camps, saying the move was "unavoidable as funds run precariously low". The UN logs about 650,000 Syrians in Jordan who fled their native country since war broke out...
Almarai to offer trust certificates
The issuance will be made under a $200m program.
EU clears biodiversity bill seeking natural habitat protection
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.Global food prices fall to lowest level in two years in June
Dubai, UAE -- The World Price Index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) fell last June to its lowest level in more than two years, driven by the lower cost of sugar, vegetable oils, cereals and dairy products.The organization's index that tracks the prices of...RAKEZ inks MoU with ICFA to foster trade in food, agriculture
RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE - Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering mutual growth and development within the food and agriculture sectors of the UAE and India. The MoU was signed by Group...
Global body to fund 26 FAO projects worth $174.7m
ROME, ITALY - Building on growing momentum to tackle environmental problems by addressing the ways in which our food and fiber are produced, the Global Environment Facility has approved 26 projects led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). "To achieve the 2030 Agenda we need...
