The storm that brought Dubai to a standstill
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Reuters A storm hit the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week bringing record rainfall that flooded highways, inundated houses, grid-locked traffic and trapped people in their homes. At least 20 people were reported to have died in the deluge in Oman while another person was said to have died in […]
US eyeing 18th April for possible resumption of Sudan peace talks
Washington DC, US/Cairo, Egypt Reuters The United States is eyeing 18th April for a possible resumption of peace talks on Sudan in Saudi Arabia, US Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello said on Tuesday, as Washington seeks a resolution to the conflict that has displaced millions and caused the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Washington has […]
Russia and Ukraine stage major POW exchange after UAE mediation
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday announced their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months, with more than 200 freed by each side after what both said was a complex negotiation involving mediation by the United Arab Emirates. Russia’s Defence Ministry said 248 military personnel had been handed over by Ukraine. […]
India probes suspected human trafficking after 276 nationals return home
Ahmedabad, India Reuters India has launched an investigation into how 303 Indians ended up on a chartered flight that was grounded in France last week because of suspected human trafficking, authorities in the western Indian state of Gujarat said on Wednesday. Tipped off by an anonymous informant, French authorities on Friday prevented the plane from […]
COP28 forced into overtime as fossil fuel phase-out divides countries
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters The COP28 climate talks went into overtime on Tuesday as countries engaged in shuttle diplomacy to bridge deep international divisions over how to deal with fossil fuels in the summit’s final text. Where the conference lands on the issue will send a powerful message to global investors and markets about the […]
New COP28 draft deal stops short of fossil fuel ‘phase out’
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters A draft of a potential climate deal at the COP28 summit on Monday suggested a range of measures countries could take to slash greenhouse gas emissions, but omitted the “phase out” of fossil fuels many nations have demanded – drawing criticism from the US, EU and climate-vulnerable countries. The draft has […]
COP28 clashes over fossil fuel phase-out after OPEC pushback
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Countries clashed on Saturday over a possible agreement to phase-out fossil fuels at the COP28 summit in Dubai, jeopardising attempts to deliver a first-ever commitment to eventually end the use of oil and gas in 30 years of global warming talks. Saudi Arabia and Russia were among several countries insisting that […]
Essay: Faith leaders can influence the world on climate change
US Catholic Cardinal JOSEPH W TOBIN, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says we must align our spiritual values with our actions toward the planet and each other…
COP28 kicks off with climate disaster fund victory
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters The UN climate summit clinched an early victory Thursday, with delegates adopting a new fund to help poor nations cope with costly climate disasters. COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber said the decision sent a “positive signal of momentum to the world and to our work here in Dubai”. Attendees arrive for […]
Sudanese general accuses UAE of supplying paramilitary RSF
Cairo, EgyptReuters A top Sudanese general has said the United Arab Emirates is sending supplies to the Rapid Support Forces, publicly accusing the UAE of involvement in its war with its powerful paramilitary rival for the first time. Army leaders had previously only hinted at interference from unnamed neighbouring countries in the seven-month-old war, which […]