Russia-Ukraine: A tragic comedy of errors
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict grinds on, the West's financial commitment grows, while neither Zelenskyy nor Putin shows interest in peace talks. Zelenskyy, backed by Western support, has postponed elections, and the war allows him to stay in power as well as avoid focusing on Ukraine’s struggling economy.
Iran to buy Russian Sukhoi jets to replace old fleet
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran has finalized a deal to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, state media reported, as defense cooperation between the two countries deepens.The air force of sanctions-hit Iran has an ageing fleet of aircraft and has struggled to acquire spare parts to keep its warplanes in...Grain deal not being implemented properly, says Russia
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that extending a deal that allowed grain exports from Ukraine to resume was becoming "complicated" as he claimed it was not being properly implemented.Russia's military intervention last February saw Ukraine's Black Sea ports blocked by warships until a deal last summer...Iran threat, China-Russia influence prime focus of Pentagon chief’s Middle East visit
US Defense Secretary Austin also visits Baghdad to assure US support for Iraqi security, stability, and sovereignty ahead of the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion.Poor countries call for debt resolution at UN summit
Western nations gave out more than $185 billion in grants and cheap loans in 2021, according to the OECD. Official development assistance is one of the pillars of the international financial system. But the 46 Least Developed Nations holding their own UN-organized summit in Doha this week feel short-changed.Turkey’s opposition scrambles to select consensus candidate
Analysts view the opposition's failure to put aside their differences just two months before the vote as one of the main factors working in Erdogan's favour. Erdogan's public approval plunged after he unleashed an unusual economic experiment in late 2021 that tried to fight inflation by drastically cutting interest rates.ADNOC Gas announces final IPO pricing, to raise $2.5 billion
The ADNOC Gas offering was set at 2.37 dirhams ($0.65) per share, towards the top of its range, implying a market capitalization of about $50 billion. Total demand topped $124 billion, making it more than 50 times oversubscribed, ADNOC said, calling it the biggest demand yet seen for an IPO...Egypt raises fuel prices amid spiraling economic crisis
The Egyptian pound has lost half of its value, propelling annual inflation in the import-dependent country to 26.5 percent in January, figures in February showed. Of the $34.2 billion in Cairo's foreign reserves -– a 20-percent drop from February 2022 –- some $28 billion are deposits from wealthy Gulf allies....More interest rate hikes may be needed, says ECB’s Lagarde
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - More interest rate increases may be needed beyond the one coming later this month, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said Thursday, as inflation in the eurozone remains stubbornly high."At this point in time, it's possible that we continue on that path," Lagarde told Spain's Antena 3 television...High vegetable prices, inflation hit Moroccans ahead of Ramadan
The situation has been made worse by a crisis facing the agricultural sector, which makes up 14 percent of gross domestic product. The worst drought in four decades has been compounded in recent weeks by a snap of unusually cold weather. The government has boosted subsidies on some basic products...Algeria and Russia aim to boost military ties
The head of Algeria's army hosted Russia's top security official on Monday to discuss boosting their military ties, the defence ministry in Algiers said. General Said Chengriha said the visit of National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev reflected both countries' "firm desire to strengthen their historic and strategic partnership... in...Commodities hurt by a crisis of confidence
Inflationary pressures, meanwhile, have eased by less than expected. Continued strength in the numbers has forced the Fed to turn up the hawkish rhetoric, and the market has responded by raising the expected terminal Fed funds rate while at the same time sending bond yields and the dollar higher, he...Kremlin, on China plan, says no conditions for peace ‘at the moment’ in Ukraine
The Russian foreign ministry on Friday thanked Chinese efforts but said that any settlement of the conflict needed to recognise Russia's control over four Ukrainian regions. Russia claims to have annexed the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson but never fully controlled them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his...SpaceX Dragon to carry two NASA astronauts to ISS, one of them Emirati
The SpaceX Dragon Crew-6 mission is set to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:45 am (0645 GMT). Weather conditions are expected to be near perfect. The Crew Dragon capsule, dubbed Endeavour, is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 2:38 am (0738 GMT) on Tuesday....NATO taking part in war by arming Ukraine, says Putin
Putin was speaking on the sidelines of a patriotic concert in Moscow on Thursday on the eve of the first anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale offensive in Ukraine.Poor and war-weary Yemenis cut trees for fuel, cash
A more than eight-year-long war between Saudi-backed government forces and pro-Iran Houthi rebels has devastated Yemen, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula. The war has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths both directly and indirectly, and pushed the nation to the brink of famine.Germany’s Scholz arrives in India to expand business ties
New Delhi, India--German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in India on Saturday seeking to deepen business ties between the world's number four and five economies and push for progress on an EU trade deal despite differences over Ukraine."We want to further strengthen our bilateral relationship with India and our cooperation on global...UAE mulls ‘options’ on Russian bank hit by new US sanctions
MTS Bank, approved for its licence last year, was one of more than 200 entities and individuals targeted by the fresh sanctions on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Central Bank of UAE said MTS earned its license because it "fulfilled the criteria for licensing branches of...Russia to deploy Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile in 2023: Putin
Moscow, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will be deployed this year following US reports that the weapon failed a recent test.The Sarmat -- dubbed Satan 2 by Western analysts -- is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads and is among Russia's next-generation...G7 mulls more sanctions on Russia ahead of invasion anniversary
A senior US official said last week that the United States and its G7 allies planned to unveil "a big new package of sanctions" around the February 24 anniversary, including measures to crack down on the evasion of existing sanctions.Putin signals XI to visit Moscow, Washington voices concernÂ
Russian president said that he realized China has its own domestic political agenda and that the two countries were working to sort out all related issues.Dubai housing boom buoys buyers, burdens tenants
Dubai, renowned for its towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to the influx of wealthy investors - especially from Russia. That helped to rake in more than $140 billion last year, marking a 76 percent annual rise in property market transactions for...Dubai airport arrivals double in 2022 as more Russians pour in
The UAE has maintained a neutral stance towards Russia's war in Ukraine, which is nearing its one-year anniversary. The Gulf nation has emerged as a top destination for rich Russian emigres fleeing the impact of Western sanctions.Blinken reaches Turkey to support quake-hit country
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey to show support to the earthquake-hit country and NATO ally which has had tumultuous ties with Washington. His visit comes after a 7.8-magnitude tremor hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria killing nearly 45,000 people but his trip had been planned before...Ukraine and IMF reach deal paving way for ‘full-fledged’ loan
Washington, United States--The IMF said Friday it has reached a staff-level agreement with Ukrainian authorities that opens doors to a full-fledged loan, which would also support the country's bid to join the European Union.Ukraine was seen to have "strong" performance under a four-month program with the International Monetary Fund, meeting its...Centrica 2022 profit US$4bn Â
Firm's profit rose due to gas and crude oil prices spike.Renault boosts profitability
The company's sales rose by 11.4% to $49.7 billionOil demand to hit record as China reopens, air travel recovers: IEA
Demand is expected to reach 101.9 million barrels per day on average in 2023, an increase of two million barrels per day from last year, the IEA said. It would be up 1.4 million barrels a day from the pre-pandemic level in 2019 as consumption of fossil fuels behind global...Private sector has potential to support govts, global organisations, says UNICEF Director
“Large numbers of boys and girls being out of school since the pandemic, failing to resuming their education as quickly as we want is a huge issue for UNICEF. We want them in a journey from learning to earning as soon as possible so that they can have their bright...UAE leads as ease in doing business makes prospects bright for small startups, self-employed across GCC
The market for small startups and self-employed entrepreneurs will boom due to lower startup cost amidst policy reforms and more incubators and shared offices, says an expert.IEA calls special meeting as gas crisis ‘not over’
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the measures taken following Russia's invasion of Ukraine helped European nations whether Russia cutting off most of its gas supplies. The IEA said the meeting is expected to identify and endorse measures to improve the balance between gas supply and demand.Oil rises as Russia cuts output after Western price cap
Brent, the international benchmark, and its US counterpart WTI, which had been down earlier in the day, jumped more than two percent after Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said production would be cut by 500,000 barrels per day, or five percent of output, in March. "Crude prices reacted positively...Saab 2022 net profit at $211m
Revenue rose as countries boost military spending.Russia to slash oil output by 5% over Western price cap
Russia is part of an alliance with OPEC that meets regularly to decide on oil output levels. As a result of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, the West has capped the price at which Russia can sell its crude. News of Russia's cut to output gave strength to world oil...Equinor posts record profit
Output slipped by 2% to 2.04 million barrels per day of oil equivalent.BP posts loss on Russia exit
The company posted annual loss of $2.5 billion.Russia’ Foreign Minister in Iraq for energy talks
Iraq, a close ally of Iran, also has strategic relations with the United States, which still has soldiers in the country as part of the international coalition facing the Islamic State group. On Thursday, Iraqi foreign minister Fuad Hussein hosted Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. No mention was...After Netanyahu talks, Macron warns of Iran nuclear ‘consequences’
France agrees that "firmness" is needed in dealings with Iran, a diplomatic source told earlier, saying the nuclear program had reached "a dangerous point" and highlighting Tehran's role in the Ukraine war. Siding with Ukraine is not without risk for Netanyahu, as Russian air defences deployed in neighbouring Syria could...Israel PM in France, hopes to gain support on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron hoping to gain support against Iran's nuclear program. Israel's Paris embassy said the pair would discuss "the international effort to stop the Iranian nuclear program". The prime minister has also said Israel is considering sending military aid...No objection to Russia joining Asian football body: Saudi Arabia
Speaking at the AFC Congress in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia's Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said he didn't see a problem with Russia shifting allegiances to Asia.OPEC+ committee recommends to stay course on oil ouput cuts
Vienna, Austria--A committee of major oil producers recommended Wednesday to maintain the cartel's current reduced output strategy, as the global economic outlook remains uncertain and the war in Ukraine drags on.The 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) led by Riyadh and their 10 allies led by...Israel considers sending military aid to Ukraine
Israeli PM's remarks come after a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called for calm following a flare-up of violence between Israel and the Palestinians and also nudged Israel to boost support to Ukraine.ExxonMobil posts bumper profits
The oil company's profits during Q4 stood at $12.8bn.Iran, Russia link banking systems amid western sanctions
Linking of banking system with Russia is seen as an attempt by both the countries to get around the US economic sanctions.Canadian Prime Minister holds talks with Jordanian king
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering international security and stability and to continue to work together to overcome regional and global challenges.Russia exit, soaring costs hit H&M
The company reported a big drop in profits in 2022.EU mission to Armenia will fuel confrontation, says Russia
The mission has been launched during what Armenia describes as a "humanitarian crisis" ravaging the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Since mid-December, a group of Azerbaijanis have been blocking the only road into Karabakh from Armenia to protest what they claim is illegal mining causing environmental damage, leading the mountainous region...Libya signs US$8bn deal with Italy to develop offshore sites
Looking to develop offshore hydrocarbon sites, Libya's National Oil Corporation has signed an $8-billion deal with Italian energy company ENI. The deal is expected to be inked on Saturday at an official ceremony. The development of the offshore sites is hoped to produce 850 million cubic feet of gas per...Iran vows to address high inflation, currency devaluation
Iran's economy has been subject to increasing pressure with fresh sanctions imposed by Western countries over the authorities response to protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.Fearing a decline in demand amidst global slowdown, Kuwait may raise exports of oil derivatives to Europe
The Gulf country expects the average amount of oil production to increase to 2,701,000 barrels this year, the latest Institute of International Finance report points out.Iran denounces EU parliament for urging sanctions on Guards
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian "strongly criticized the emotional approach of the European parliament and labelled the move inappropriate and incorrect" in a telephone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the ministry said.

















































