PARIS: Global trade tensions and political uncertainty are weighing on the world’s economy, the OECD warned Wednesday, cutting its global growth forecast for this year to 3.3 percent, down from the 3.5 percent it predicted in November.The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which groups the world’s top developed economies, also warned of potential risks…
BRUSSELS: Air traffic control (ATC) strikes and staff shortages cost the EU economy $19.88 billion (€17.6 billion) in 2018 in the worst year of delays for air passengers in nearly a decade, industry association Airlines for Europe (A4E) said on WednesdayATC industrial action, a lack of controllers or other structural issues were responsible for over…
SRINAGAR: Indian and Pakistani soldiers shelled military outposts and villages along their highly militarized frontier in disputed Kashmir on Wednesday, in an outbreak of new violence despite stepped-up diplomatic efforts by the rival countries to ease tensions.The two armies accused each other of initiating the artillery and mortar fire and small-arms gunfire. No casualties were…
DUBAI: The family of a Lebanese student, who was killed in the UK’s northern city of Manchester, said they were expecting him home for tea when they got the knock at the door from police to tell them their son had been stabbed to death. Youssef Makki, 17, who was a student at Manchester Grammar…
DUBAI: The family of a Lebanese student, who was killed in the UK’s northern city of Manchester, said they were expecting him home for tea when they got the knock at the door from police to tell them their son had been stabbed to death. Youssef Makki, 17, who was a student at Manchester Grammar…
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: A prominent human rights lawyer in Iran who defended protesters against the Islamic Republic’s mandatory headscarves for women has been convicted and faces years in prison, an activist group said Wednesday.The conviction of Nasrin Sotoudeh, who previously served three years in prison for her work, underlines the limits of challenging Iran’s…
IRBIL, Iraq: Iraq and the Kurdish regional government have charged hundreds of children with terrorism for alleged affiliation with the Daesh group, often using torture to coerce confessions, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.In a report, the New York-based group estimated that Iraqi and Kurdish authorities were holding approximately 1,500 children for alleged Daesh affiliation in…
IRBIL, Iraq: Iraq and the Kurdish regional government have charged hundreds of children with terrorism for alleged affiliation with the Daesh group, often using torture to coerce confessions, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.In a report, the New York-based group estimated that Iraqi and Kurdish authorities were holding approximately 1,500 children for alleged Daesh affiliation in…
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: A prominent human rights lawyer in Iran who defended protesters against the Islamic Republic’s mandatory headscarves for women has been convicted and faces years in prison, an activist group said Wednesday.The conviction of Nasrin Sotoudeh, who previously served three years in prison for her work, underlines the limits of challenging Iran’s…
Saudi Arabia pledges $500 million in support for UN humanitarian plan for Yemen JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has pledged $500 million to finance the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen, it was announced on Tuesday. The announcement was made during a Saudi cabinet meeting headed by King Salman. Following the meeting, Information Minister Turki Abdullah Al-Shabana said in…
US Congresswoman Jackie Speier confirms to Arab News Google will not remove Absher app from its store RIYADH: The office of California Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Tuesday confirmed to Arab News that Google has informed it that Absher, the Saudi government e-services app, does not violate any of its policies and will remain in the…
MEXICO CITY: Leaders of Mexico’s agricultural sector are urging “mirror measures” on US farm imports in politically sensitive products such as yellow corn and poultry, in an effort they argue would counter decades of subsidized imports from the United States.The three-month-old government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is currently working on an updated list…
DUBAI: The family of a Lebanese student, who was killed in the UK’s northern city of Manchester, said they were expecting him home for tea when they got the knock at the door from police to tell them their son had been stabbed to death. Youssef Makki, 17, who was a student at Manchester Grammar…
DUBAI: The family of a Lebanese student, who was killed in the UK’s northern city of Manchester, said they were expecting him home for tea when they got the knock at the door from police to tell them their son had been stabbed to death. Youssef Makki, 17, who was a student at Manchester Grammar…
DUBAI: The family of a Lebanese student, who was killed in the UK’s northern city of Manchester, said they were expecting him home for tea when they got the knock at the door from police to tell them their son had been stabbed to death. Youssef Makki, 17, who was a student at Manchester Grammar…
DUBAI: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused the United States on Wednesday of plotting to use economic pressure to overthrow the Islamic republic’s clerical establishment, and ruled out the possibility of talks with Washington. “Iran is in economic and psychological war with America and its allies. Their aim is to change the regime but their wish…
DUBAI: Russia aims to strengthen relations with Gulf countries, the country’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Kuwait on Wednesday. “Russia and Saudi Arabia seek to fight terrorism in Syria,” Lavrov said during a joint press conference with Kuwaiti FM Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, adding that, “Saudi Arabia sees need in creating a constitutional committee in…
RIYADH: Saudi missions overseas are gearing up for a deluge of online applications for tourist visas as a new system goes into full operation. Already, 9,000 one-off e-visas have been issued for visitors to attend four recent events in the Kingdom — Formula E motor racing, the Italian Super Cup football match in Jeddah, the…
SHANGHAI: Chinese online retailers have started discounting iPhones for the second time this year as Apple wrestles with a prolonged sales slowdown in the world’s largest smartphone market.Several electronics vendors announced discounts on iPhone devices this week, following mass discounts in January just before Apple reported sinking sales in China.Gadget retailer Suning.Com Co. Ltd. said…
DUBAI: Rating agency Moody’s downgraded Oman’s credit rating to junk, joining other rating agencies, and said its outlook for the rating is negative, citing fiscal challenges in an environment of moderate oil prices.Moody’s downgraded the long-term issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings of Oman to Ba1 from Baa3, it said in a statement late on…
