SYDNEY, Australia: China’s foreign minister on Saturday accused Western powers in the AUKUS security pact of provoking division and risking nuclear proliferation in the South Pacific. On a weekend visit to strengthen Beijing’s ties with Papua New Guinea, Foreign Minister Wang Yi lashed out at AUKUS, which provides for the United States and Britain to … Read more
RIYADH: Buoyed by the millions of Umrah performers and worshippers throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia braces for a surge in travel for Eid Al-Fitr. The spike is expected to result in a significant rise in the number of arriving and departing passengers from key Umrah airports. Air travel between the UAE and … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia continued to record robust business activity in March with the authorities approving 18 requests for economic concentration, official data showed. Last month, as many as 17 concentration requests were submitted to the General Authority for Competition. The authority also oversaw a notable influx of cross-border deals, encompassing 10 acquisitions, five joint ventures, … Read more
Prosecutor seeks 2-1/2-year jail term for Spain’s ex-football chief Rubiales over kiss MADRID: A prosecutor at Spain’s High Court is seeking a prison sentence of 2-1/2 years for former football federation chief Luis Rubiales over his unsolicited kiss on player Jenni Hermoso, a court document seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed. Prosecutor Marta Durantez charged … Read more
TOKYO: Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Monday on concerns over tighter global supply brought about by escalating conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, while a shrinking US rig count added to upward price pressure, according to Reuters. Brent crude futures climbed 52 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $85.95 a … Read more
NEW DELHI: Oil prices ticked up in Asian trade on Monday, extending gains from last week when prices rose nearly 4 percent on the view that supply was tightening, with the risks heightened by further attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, according to Reuters.
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden announced an investigation Thursday into the national security risks posed by Chinese tech in cars, warning they could be used to collect sensitive data. He has ordered the Commerce Department to conduct the probe, focusing on connected vehicles containing technology from “countries of concern” such as China, and to respond … Read more
LONDON: The Labour Party in the UK has started surveying British Muslim voters amid growing concern among senior officials about the damage done to one of its strongest bases of support by the party’s stance on Gaza. Labour sources told The Guardian newspaper that the party had been conducting polls and organizing focus groups across … Read more
RIYADH: Financial risks are increasing for countries neighboring Gaza, given the prolonged conflict and its spillage into nearby areas, says Fitch Ratings. According to the latest “Fitch Wire” newsletter, the involvement of Yemen’s Houthi forces underscores the potential impact on external finances, particularly affecting Egypt and Jordan. Egypt’s current account deficit narrowed in the fiscal … Read more
DAVOS: Global oil markets will cope with Red Sea disruptions in the short run, although prolonged attacks by the Houthis on ships would lead to a shortage of tankers due to longer voyages and a supply delay, the CEO of Saudi oil giant Aramco has told Reuters. Amin Nasser said he expected the oil market to … Read more