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☆ Airlines are feeling the impact of the Israel-Hamas war, with bookings already hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Airlines have seen a drop in bookings in the weeks following the start of Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and some expect it to cut into their future profits. Israel's aerial bombing campaign and subsequent ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 11,000 people, according to health authorities there. In the days following the attack, major airlines suspended or reduced flights to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. In the three week period after Oct. 7, by contrast, ticket issuance from the Middle East was 12% lower than 2019 levels, marking a difference of 9 percentage points. ForwardKeys draws its data from the International Air Transport Association's industry-wide ticketing database which includes major international carriers, but does not include budget airlines like easyJet or Ryanair .

Persons: Israel's, Ben Organizations: Etihad Airways Boeing, United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates — Airlines, Hamas, International Air Transport, Ryanair Locations: UAE, Israel's Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, DUBAI, United Arab, Gaza, Palestinian, Israel, Ben Gurion, East, Americas, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon

☆ Boeing wins orders worth $52 billion from Emirates at the Dubai Air Show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Emirates announced an order worth $52 million that includes 90 Boeing 777s at the Dubai Air Show . The orders marked a significant win for Boeing on the first day of the air show. AdvertisementAdvertisementDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long-haul carrier Emirates opened the Dubai Air Show Monday with a $52 billion purchase of Boeing aircraft, showing how aviation has bounced back after the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, even as Israel's war with Hamas clouds regional security. Emirates, a main economic engine for Dubai amid its booming real estate market, announced record half-year profits of $2.7 billion Thursday. The deal includes 28 Boeing 737-8s and 17 Boeing 737-10s models, as well as the opportunity for another 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Persons: —, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Saeed, Stan Deal, — Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries —, Rafael, Khalifa Hifter Organizations: Emirates, Boeing, Dubai Air, Service, United Arab Emirates, Investment Corporation of Dubai, Al, Dubai World, Dubai International Airport, U.S . Air Force, Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, Meets Technology, Russian Helicopters, U.S, Roscosmos, Russian Knights, Associated Press, Libyan National Army, AP, United, Haqqani, Airbus, International Air Transport Association ., . Emirates, Riyadh Air, Turkish Airlines, Anadolu, Lufthansa, MAX, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Dubai, Sheikh, Emirates, Israel, Ukraine, Iran, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Russian, Afghan, Al, Riyadh, Saudi, Latvia, France

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The biennial Dubai Air Show opened Monday as airlines are poised to make major aircraft purchases after rebounding from the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, even as Israel's war with Hamas clouds regional security. That conflict, as well as Russia's war on Ukraine, likely will influence the five-day show at Al Maktoum Airport at Dubai World Central. It is the city-state's second airfield after Dubai International Airport, which is the world's busiest for international travel and home base for the long-haul carrier Emirates. Air traffic is now at 97% of pre-COVID levels, according to the International Air Transport Association. Emirates, a main economic engine for Dubai amid its booming real estate market, announced record half-year profits of $2.7 billion Thursday.

Persons: — Rafael, ”, Rafael, Tim Clark, “ We've, ” Clark, “ Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Dubai Air, Al, Dubai World, Dubai International Airport, Emirates, Defense Systems Ltd, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, Courage Meets Technology, Russian Helicopters, U.S, ROSCOSMOS, Global, Airbus, International Air Transport Association ., . Emirates, Bloomberg, Boeing, Riyadh Air, Turkish Airlines, Anadolu Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Ukraine, Dubai, UAE, Israel, Abu Dhabi, Russian, Al, Riyadh, Saudi

The discussions at the Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference, held ahead of the biennial Dubai Air Show this week, shows the delicate balancing act the federation of seven sheikhdoms faces. The UAE maintains diplomatic ties with Israel despite widespread and growing anger in the Arab world over the civilian casualties from Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. The Air Chiefs' Conference demonstrates how those ties continue, particularly as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israeli defense manufacturer, was a sponsor of the summit. Sunday's summit drew attendees from across the world, though it did not appear there were any Israeli military officials on hand. While staying away from discussing the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. Air Force Brig.

Persons: Israel, Rafael, David A, we're, ” Mineau, ”, Mineau, “, Luca Goretti, Goretti Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Sunday, United, Dubai International Air Chiefs ’ Conference, Dubai Air, Hamas, The Air Chiefs, Conference, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Dubai Air Show, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, Health Ministry, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Houthi, U.S . Air Force, America, American military's, Command, Italian Air Force Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Israel, Gaza, West, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Stockholm, Qatar, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, Tehran, Sunday's, Western, China, U.S, NATO, Ukraine

☆ Exclusive: UAE plans to maintain ties with Israel despite Gaza outcry, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Abu Dhabi became the most prominent Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in 30 years under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. "The indiscriminate damage visited upon the people of Gaza in pursuit of Israel's security risks extinguishing that hope," she said. Israel and the UAE have developed close economic and security ties in the three years since normalisation, including defence cooperation. None of four sources ruled out that the UAE could downgrade or sever its ties if the crisis escalated. While criticising Israel's conduct of the war, Abu Dhabi has also condemned Hamas for its attack.

Persons: Ronen, Abu Dhabi, Israel ABU, Abraham, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohamed, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Israel, Washington, Anwar Gargash, Lana Nusseibeh, Abu, Jordan, James Dorsey, Netanyahu, Israel's, Abdel Fattah al, Mohammed Mursi, Omar Hassan al, Bashir, Alexander Cornwell, Dan Williams, Steven Scheers, Maha El Dahan, Michael Georgy, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Israel, U.S, Abraham Accords, Israeli, Qatari, UN Security Council, Reuters, West Bank, Gaza, National University of Singapore, European Union, Egypt's, Thomson Locations: Petah Tikva, Israel, UAE, Gaza, Israel ABU DHABI, Abu, Palestinian, Arab, United States, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, reining, East Jerusalem, Israeli, Iran, Yemen, OPEC, Al Aqsa, Islam, Egypt, Jerusalem

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate speaks during an earlier interview with Reuters, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Abdel Hadi Ramahi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The United States and China have reached "understandings and agreements" on climate issues that will help ensure progress is made at the COP28 talks starting late this month in Dubai, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Friday. China envoy Xie told diplomats in September that phasing out fossil fuels was "unrealistic" while key technologies like energy storage remained immature. China now has 360 gigawatts of coal-fired power capacity in its project construction pipeline, he said, but "they're trying very hard to move away." Right now, "it is irresponsible to be funding a coal-fired power plant anywhere in the world," he said.

Persons: John Kerry, Abdel Hadi Ramahi, Kerry, Xie Zhenhua, Xie, David Stanway, Tom Hogue Organizations: Reuters, United, REUTERS, Rights, Bloomberg, Economy, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Rights SINGAPORE, United States, China, Dubai , U.S, Sunnylands , California, Singapore, COP28

☆ ADNOC Drilling, Alpha Dhabi announce investment partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The UAE's ADNOC Drilling and Alpha Dhabi will establish a strategic partnership to invest up to $1.5 billion to acquire technology-enabled companies in energy and oilfield services, they said in a statement on Friday. Reporting by Ahmed Elimam and Jana Choukeir; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ahmed Elimam, Jana Choukeir, Jason Neely Organizations: Alpha Dhabi, Thomson Locations: DUBAI

The Gaza war on the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula comes after the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic exposed long-standing frailties in the Egyptian economy. "Foreign sentiment on Egypt is so weak, and now with this coming along it's last thing that Egypt needed. A foreign currency shortage has led to a $5 billion backlog of imports stuck at ports, and problems for foreign companies repatriating dividends, bankers say. So far, the Gaza war has affected the popular Sinai destinations of Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh but left the rest of the country relatively unscathed. Egypt's tourism minister told Reuters this week that the impact of the war was contained to under 10% of bookings.

Persons: Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Monica Malik, Moataz, Sharm, Karim ElMinabawy, Siamak Adibi, Egypt's, Olumide Ajayi, Malik, Patrick Werr, Sarah El Safty, Aidan Lewis, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Tourism, Countrywide, Emeco, Middle East Gas, FGE, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Giza, Cairo, Egypt, CAIRO, Gaza, Ukraine, Dhabi, Taba, Dahab, Luxor, Aswan, Israel, Europe, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Gulf . Saudi

'Cop28 UAE' logo is displayed on the screen during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) under the theme of 'United on Climate Action Toward COP28', in Abu Dhabi, UAE, January 16, 2023. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - More than 60 countries have said they back a deal spearheaded by the European Union, United States and United Arab Emirates to triple renewable energy this decade and shift away from coal, two officials familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Some major emerging economies like Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam, developed countries like Australia, Japan and Canada, and others including Peru, Chile, Zambia and Barbados have said they will join the pledge, the officials told Reuters. One of the officials told Reuters negotiations with China and India to join the pledge are "quite advanced," although neither has yet agreed to join. Reporting by Valerie Volcovici and Kate Abnett; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rula, Valerie Volcovici, Kate Abnett, Tom Hogue Organizations: Abu Dhabi Sustainability, REUTERS, European Union, United, United Arab Emirates, Reuters, EU, Thomson Locations: UAE, Abu Dhabi, WASHINGTON, BRUSSELS, United States, United Arab, Dubai, Nigeria, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia, Japan, Canada, Peru, Chile, Zambia, Barbados, China, India

☆ Mossad, CIA chiefs meet Qatar PM in Doha on Gaza hostage deal -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsDOHA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The CIA and Mossad chiefs met with the Qatari prime minister in Doha on Thursday to discuss the parameters of a deal for hostage releases and a pause in Hamas-Israel fighting in the Gaza Strip, a source briefed on the meeting told Reuters. Sheikh Tamim was accompanied by the Qatari prime minister. The statement said the purpose of the visit was to discuss the situation in Gaza. Unlike Qatar, the UAE has had diplomatic relations with Israel since a U.S.-brokered normalisation agreement in 2020. Reporting by Andrew Mills; writing by Maha El Dahan; editing by Toby Chopra and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: William Burns, Mary F, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, Thani, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Tamim, Andrew Mills, Maha El, Toby Chopra, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Central Intelligence Agency, Intelligence, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, CIA, Reuters, Qatari, Wednesday, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Doha, Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Qatar's, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, UAE, U.S

☆ Abu Dhabi's ADNOC makes new bid for stake in Brazil's Braskem; shares soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan, April 4, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Acquire Licensing RightsSAO PAULO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem (BRKM5.SA) on Thursday said Abu Dhabi oil company ADNOC (ADNOC.UL) has presented a new non-binding offer to buy conglomerate Novonor's stake in the firm. The petrochemical company cited a letter exchange with Novonor in its filing. The conglomerate would be granted a minority stake of up to 3% in Braskem following the deal, Braskem added. ADNOC had previously presented a joint cash-and-debenture offer alongside U.S. asset manager Apollo (APO.N) for Braskem, with other bidders for the firm including Brazil's Unipar Carbocloro (UNIP6.SA) and J&F.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Braskem, ADNOC, Folha de S.Paulo, BTG, Pedro Soares, we're, Brazil's Unipar, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Tomasz Janowski, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, SAO PAULO, Petrobras, PETR4, Novonor's, Sao Paulo, Novonor, Folha de, ADNOC, U.S, Apollo, Thomson Locations: Gastech, Chiba, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Sao, Braskem

☆ Russell's Brazil retirement no problem for last two races
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - George Russell's engine-related retirement from last Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix will have no knock-on effects for the last two races of the Formula One season, Mercedes said in a team debrief on Wednesday. The Briton was retired at Interlagos as a precaution after rising temperatures in the power unit risked failure and wider damage to the car. Mercedes head of trackside performance Riccardo Musconi said Russell was always scheduled to have a different power unit for Las Vegas and the Abu Dhabi season-ender. "He will be on a different power unit for the final two races so there is no issue from that point of view." Musconi said Hamilton's disqualification from second place in last month's U.S. Grand Prix in Austin for excessive wear of the under-car plank might have contributed to the lack of pace, without being the determining factor.

Persons: George Russell's, Mercedes, Riccardo Musconi, Russell, Abu, ender, Lewis Hamilton, Musconi, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Sao Paulo, Briton, Interlagos, Las Vegas, Red Bull, Ferrari, U.S, Prix, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo Grand, Las, Interlagos, Austin, London

☆ It's never been this easy to build a $1 billion AI company
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

You don't have to be Sam Altman to build a $1 billion AI company. Kai-Fu Lee's new startup and Mistral AI have shown that AI companies can scale by going open source. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe opportunity to build a $1 billion AI business has never seemed this straightforward for entrepreneurs aspiring to be the next Sam Altman. In response, Lee credited Hugging Face as the reason his company was able to take its AI mode public "rapidly, credibly, and impactfully." Developers wanting to build AI businesses at scale will want open source to thrive.

Persons: Sam Altman, Kai, Fu, OpenAI's, —, he's, Fu Lee, It's, Lee, Abu, Yann LeCun Organizations: Mistral, Service, Microsoft, Bloomberg Locations: Paris, OpenAI

☆ A Win and a Warning Ahead of COP28
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( David Gelles | More About David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Last year, the annual United Nations climate talks ended with a landmark agreement to compensate poor countries for destruction from climate disasters that have been made worse by emissions from wealthy nations. Almost none of the details behind the so-called loss and damage fund were finalized, including which countries and financial institutions would contribute, and where the money would go. But last weekend, some of the key provisions were hashed out at a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, the fund would launch next year, initially housed at the World Bank, and developing countries would have a seat on its board. Global leaders will be asked to ratify the plan at the United Nations climate talks known as COP28, which start later this month in Dubai.

Organizations: United Nations, World Bank, Global, United Locations: United, Abu Dhabi, United Nations, Dubai

He brought that question to his brother Ryan, a tech whiz who had invented a type of wireless cellphone charger when he was in college. After Brandon Tseng left the military, he joined with his brother to find ways to apply technology to national security challenges and quickly had what he remembers as his “aha” moment. Even fighter jets could perhaps be turned into A.I.-controlled robot drones. The company the Tseng brothers created in 2015, named Shield AI, is now valued by venture capital investors at $2.7 billion. The firm has 625 employees in Texas, California, Virginia and Abu Dhabi.

Persons: Brandon Tseng, Ryan, Tseng Organizations: Navy SEAL, aha, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Afghanistan, A.I, Texas , California, Virginia, Abu Dhabi

A loss and damage fund would be the first United Nations mechanism dedicated to helping countries that have suffered irreparable climate-driven damage from drought, floods and rising sea levels. "There was a lot at stake at this meeting," Avinash Persaud, special envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados and the country's representative on the U.N. committee, told Reuters. Developing nations argue that rich countries responsible for most of the historical CO2 emissions causing climate change should be obliged to pay - something the United States and other rich nations refused to accept. Mohamed Nasr, Egypt's lead climate negotiator and representative on the committee, told Reuters such pledges would be crucial to the overall COP28 negotiations. If rich nations fail to follow through, he said, it could reopen decades-old fights that have derailed past climate deals - with poorer nations demanding "compensation" from rich nations for causing climate change, or refusing to agree to cut emissions faster without substantially more financial support from rich countries.

Persons: Rula, U.N, Persaud, Jennifer Morgan, Mohamed Nasr, Nasr, Valerie Volcovici, Kate Abnett, Christina Fincher Organizations: Abu Dhabi Sustainability, REUTERS, COP28 Finance, Bank, United, Reuters, U.S . State Department, European Union, Climate, Thomson Locations: UAE, Abu Dhabi, United Nations, Dubai, Barbados, United States, U.S, Egypt, COP28, Germany, Europe's, Berlin

☆ Verstappen now officially the most dominant in a single season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

I mean, it's not something that when I joined Formula One, I need to have a 75% win record over a season you know," he told reporters. He has led 922 laps, another record for a season, and counting. Verstappen has led the championship since the Spanish Grand Prix of May 2022 and is guaranteed to end the season with a record run of 39 races in a row as leader. He has won more times (11) from pole position in a season than any other driver, after last year setting a record for most wins in a season not from pole (nine). Red Bull's 19th win of the campaign equalled Mercedes' 2016 record and broke their rivals' record from that same season of most laps led (1,055).

Persons: Jose Carlos Pace, Amanda Perobelli, Max Verstappen's, Alberto Ascari, Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Sebastian Vettel, Mercedes, McLaren's Lando Norris, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Prix, Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Grand Prix REUTERS, Sunday's Sao Paulo, Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Interlagos, Ferrari, Formula, Bull's, Formula One, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday's, Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand, Italian, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Spanish

☆ World Bank to host climate loss and damage fund despite opposition from developing nations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Countries have moved a step closer to getting a fund off the ground to help poor states damaged by climate disasters, despite reservations from developing nations and the United States. The deal to create a “loss and damage” fund was hailed as a breakthrough for developing country negotiators at United Nations climate talks in Egypt last year, overcoming years of resistance from wealthy nations. The committee, representing a geographically diverse group of countries, on Saturday resolved to recommend the World Bank serve as trustee and host of the fund — a tension point that has fueled divisions between developed and developing nations. Housing a fund at the World Bank, whose presidents are appointed by the US, would give donor countries outsized influence over the fund and result in high fees for recipient countries, developing countries have argued. To get all countries on board, it was agreed the World Bank would serve as interim trustee and host of the fund for a four-year period.

Persons: Jennifer Morgan, — we’re, ”, Harjeet Singh, “ Rich, “, Sultan Ahmed al, Jaber Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Bank, Housing, World Bank, Berlin, Action, US State Department, Reuters Locations: United States, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, COP28

☆ Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix, Perez distances from Hamilton in fight for runner-up place
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Three-time champion Max Verstappen led from the start and won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. Sergio Perez of Red Bull finished in fourth place, distancing himself from Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in one of the few competitions left this season — a position for runner-up. Perez started the race at Interlagos in the ninth position and fan-favorite Hamilton in fifth after a frustrating qualifying for the Red Bull driver on Friday. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who was going to start second, crashed during the formation lap before the start due to an engine issue. In the 18th lap, the Red Bull driver overtook the Mercedes for fifth place, much to the disappointment of Brazilian fans who support the seven-time champion.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez of Red Bull, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Perez, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Spaniard, McLaren's Lando Norris, Alonso, Hamilton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Williams, Alex Albon, Verstappen Organizations: Brazilian, Prix, Red Bull, Alonso, Las Locations: South America, Hamilton, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Interlagos, Sao Paulo

The funds available for deals are growing as investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth and insurance firms look for meaty returns hard to find in today's equity markets, especially in the beaten-down real estate sector. Australian real estate specialist Qualitas (QAL.AX), whose backers include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has nearly doubled funds under management to A$8 billion ($5.07 billion) since mid-2022, with roughly half the increase since this June. U.S.-based PGIM Real Estate expects to deploy a further $1 billion in the country over the next few years, said its head of Australian real estate Steve Bulloch. Lenders are expanding into residential and commercial construction as banks slow lending or exit, a March report from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said. JUICY RETURNSInvestors can expect returns from 9% to 11% with the added security of loans pledged against real assets like condos or warehouses, often with a 30% to 40% equity buffer, said Paul Notaras, executive director at Barings Real Estate Australia.

Persons: Stella Qiu, meaty, Steve Bulloch, JUICY, Paul Notaras, Notaras, Qualitas, Andrew Schwartz, Bonds, We've, Schwartz, Lewis Jackson, Rae Wee, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, International Monetary, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australia, prudential, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Parramatta, Sydney, SYDNEY, Australian, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Qualitas, Singapore

The deal to create a "loss and damage" fund was hailed as a breakthrough for developing country negotiators at United Nations climate talks in Egypt last year, overcoming years of resistance from wealthy nations. The committee, representing a geographically diverse group of countries, resolved to recommend the World Bank serve as trustee and host of the fund - a tension point that has fuelled divisions between developed and developing nations. Housing a fund at the World Bank, whose presidents are appointed by the U.S., would give donor countries outsized influence over the fund and result in high fees for recipient countries, developing countries have argued. To get all countries on board, it was agreed the World Bank would serve as interim trustee and host of the fund for a four-year period. "Rich countries ... have not only coerced developing nations into accepting the World Bank as the host of the Loss and Damage Fund but have also evaded their duty to lead in providing financial assistance to those communities and countries."

Persons: Tarusila, Loren Elliott, Jennifer Morgan, we're, Harjeet Singh, Sultan al, Jaber, Gloria Dickie, Valerie Volcovici, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Local, REUTERS, United Nations, Bank, Housing, World Bank, Action, U.S . State Department, Reuters, The U.S, Washington DC, Thomson Locations: Village, Fiji, United States, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, U.S, Berlin, COP28, London, Washington

☆ The Israel-Hamas war threatens to derail Middle Eastern investment in US media and entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Still, the US presence highlighted the deepening ties between Hollywood and the region , as Western media, entertainment, and sports entities have seen major investment in recent years from Saudi, Qatar, and the UAE. Even before October 7, US entities that were receiving investment from the Middle East were reluctant to speak publicly about those relationships. Insider spoke with investors, producers, and other media and entertainment stakeholders about what's next for Hollywood's relationships with Mideast backers. Qatar hasn't seen any recent major deals but earlier this year, Peter Chernin and Providence Equity's production roll-up The North Road received $150 million from the Qatar Investment Authority. "The political nature gets more complicated," an industry insider observer said, noting how countries like Qatar are grabbing headlines for their role in the situation.

Persons: haven't, Jamal Khashoggi, Israel, it's, Knaebel, They're, Greg Silverman's, Silverman, Harry Potter, Chris Nolan's, Abu Dhabi's, Ari Emanuel, Peter Chernin, Jeff Zucker, LIV Golf Organizations: Film, Washington Post, Hollywood, Global Media, Saudi, Stampede Ventures, Warner Bros, Endeavor, Qatar hasn't, Providence, North, Qatar Investment Authority, IMI, CNN, Investment Fund, PGA Locations: Saudi Arabia, American, Jeddah, Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Gaza, Israel, Germany, Silver

Global fundraising for alternative investments, which include private equity, dropped 21% to $972 billion in the year to Nov. 1 from the same period a year earlier, according to research firm Preqin. As their money becomes more vital, Gulf funds are encouraging private equity firms to invest locally in plans for a post-oil future. "Building a partnership based on reciprocity is nowadays necessary to succeed in the Gulf," said Francois Aissa-Touazi, co-global head of investor relations at private equity fund Ardian. Private equity funds are getting the message. In turn private equity funds can use these pools of capital to fund large private debt or equity transactions, according to Tikehau Capital's Deputy CEO, Frédéric Giovansili.

Persons: Amr Alfiky, Francois Aissa, Ardian, Touazi, Brookfield, Bruce Flatt, thronged, Flatt, Mohammed Al Jadaan, Anthony Diamandakis, Rishi Kapoor, Investcorp, Tikehau, Frédéric Organizations: United, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, Global, Investment Initiative, Public Investment Fund, Brookfield, Tikehau, CVC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Rights RIYADH, LONDON, Davos, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Dubai, Brookfield, Bahrain

☆ UAE warns against risk of regional spillover from Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Israeli soldiers drive in military vehicles by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, October 10, 2023. "The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence." The UAE supported Egypt's current leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, when he toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. The UAE has said it planned to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, but did not clarify how they would leave the besieged enclave. The latest war in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict began when Hamas militants broke through the border on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage.

Persons: Ronen, Abraham, ABU, Al Kaabi, Abdel Fattah al, Mohamed Mursi, Kaabi, Alexander Cornwell, Maha El, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, UAE, Abraham Accords, United, Emirates, Brotherhood, Hamas, U.S . Fifth, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, UAE, ABU DHABI, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Manama, Gulf

☆ Saudi Arabia’s oil production cuts have tipped its economy into reverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —Saudi Arabia’s economy has jolted into reverse, after the world’s largest crude oil exporter slashed output to prop up prices. Saudi oil production to nine million barrels per day in July as the biggest player in the OPEC+ alliance joined forces with Russia to restrict supply amid signs of weakening demand because of a slowing global economy. “We expect [oil] production to remain low until the end of this year, with a slow unwind in early 2024,” Oxford Economics analysts wrote in a note published Friday. Saudi Arabia’s oil cuts were aimed at stabilizing global oil markets, according to Raif Weigert, Economics Director for the Middle East and North Africa at S&P Global Market Intelligence. While other Gulf states have also come under economic pressure from cuts to oil production, the United Arab Emirates economy has continued to grow.

Persons: Raif, Weigert, “ Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN — Saudi, Oxford, Monetary Fund, P Global Market Intelligence, “, Saudi, United Arab Locations: Abu Dhabi, Saudi, OPEC, Russia, East, North Africa, United Arab Emirates, UAE

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