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☆ A new company is shipping Arctic ice from Greenland to chill posh drinks in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The startup company, Arctic Ice, shipped its first container of around 22 tons of Greenland ice to Dubai this year for sale to high-end bars and restaurants. Founded in 2022 by two Greenlanders, Arctic Ice has an interesting — and controversial — business model. Arctic Ice claims it’s offering a novel way to harness a natural resource, carving out new economic opportunities and raising awareness of the Arctic. Various attempts have been made over the past few decades to bring back natural ice commercially, but with little success. But perhaps inevitably for a business model that involves shipping a diminishing natural resource halfway across the world, Arctic Ice has attracted controversy.

Persons: ”, Malik V, Rasmussen, ” Rasmussen, “, Jennifer Francis, Francis, It’s, Jason Box Organizations: CNN, glitzy, Climate Research, Geological Survey Locations: glitzy Dubai, Dubai, Nuuk, Greenland, Europe, people’s freezers, Norway, Denmark

☆ Dubai wants to build the biggest airport in the world. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Miquel Ros | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

To put that in perspective, that’s nearly 63 million more travelers than the world’s current busiest airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, handled in 2022 and nearly 100 million more than Dubai International. philipus/Alamy Stock PhotoThe recent Dubai Air Show, held at a purpose-built venue at Al Maktoum International Airport in 2023, offered some intriguing hints about what’s ahead for DWC – and some insights into Dubai Airports’ long-term strategy. “We have prioritized expansion and investments at DXB to meet our customers’ requirements and plans,” Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO, tells CNN. Changing the business modelNew artist renderings haven't been released in a decade, but Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says the team will soon be working on ambitious new designs. It will have capacity for 185 million passengers per year, or almost seven times the number it handled in 2022.

Persons: Al Maktoum, it‘ll, that’s, Hartsfield –, let’s, DWC, ’ Al Maktoum, DWC –, ” Paul Griffiths, ”, Griffiths, ” Griffiths, “, haven't, Paul Griffiths, “ We’re, Mohammed bin Rashid, Nadine Itani, Abu Dhabi’s, Foster Organizations: CNN, Al, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World, Dubai Airports, Dubai International, Al Maktoum International, Hartsfield, Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International, Emirates Cargo, UAE, ‘, ’ Al Maktoum International, Dubai Air, Dubai, AFP, Traveller, Emirates, University of Surrey, Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International, Partners, Sharjah International Airport, Air, Riyadh Air Locations: Budapest, Al Maktoum, Dubai, Dubai’s, Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Emirates, England, India, Middle, Europe, Qatar, Muscat , Oman, Bahrain, Gulf, Kuwait, British, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi

☆ Exxon Raises Questions About Chevron’s $53 Billion Deal for Hess
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Stanley Reed | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

America’s two largest energy companies, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, are jousting over a prized new source of oil in the waters off Guyana, in Latin America. The conflict is creating doubts over Chevron’s bid to acquire Hess Corp. for $53 billion, announced in October. With just 800,000 people, Guyana, long one of Latin America’s poorest countries, is now being compared to Qatar, the natural gas-rich Persian Gulf emirate. Exxon has raised concerns over Chevron’s effort to gain entry to this petroleum bonanza through a proposed purchase of Hess’s 30 percent stake in Stabroek. Exxon owns 45 percent of Stabroek and is the operator or manager of the area.

Organizations: Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Hess Corp, Exxon Locations: Guyana, Latin America, Qatar, Stabroek

The U.N.-backed International Labor Organization says reforms introduced following the World Cup have improved the situation of migrant workers, while adding that more needs to be done. Meanwhile, human rights group Amnesty International says migrant workers still face abuses. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesLast November, Amnesty urged Qatar and FIFA to do more for migrant workers - particularly in terms of compensation. Migrant workers collect litter, serve coffee, drive taxis and provide security. The number of work-related deaths in the delivery of the World Cup came under intense scrutiny in the lead-up.

Persons: Jordan, Stephen Cockburn, ″, ”, Max Tunon, ” Tunon, it’s, “, ” Cockburn, ” ___ James Robson Organizations: Qatar, International Labor Organization, Amnesty International, “, AP, FIFA, Qatari, Workers, ILO Locations: DOHA, Qatar, Doha, Kenya, Ghana, Saudi Arabia

☆ Dubai is the economic jewel of the Middle East — now its Gulf neighbors are coming for a piece of the pie
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Pete Syme | Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

According to Forbes' 2023 Travel Guide, Dubai has nine 5-star hotels , compared to Abu Dhabi's three and two in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it wants in on international travel, stating it aims to attract 100-150 million visitors by 2030. Saudi Arabia is catching up with a new airlineThe competition is perhaps the most heated in the aviation industry. On its double-decker Airbus A380, Dubai's airline, Emirates, has top amenities like a shower for business-class passengers, plus an on-board bar. AdvertisementAnd even if it succeeds in attracting tourists to Saudi Arabia, it is unlikely to knock Emirates off its perch.

Persons: —, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Abu, Abu Dhabi, Forbes, Abu Dhabi's, Faisal Alibrahim, Alibrahim, Mohammed Bin Salman, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ulrichsen, Skytrax, Pete Syme, Tony Douglas, Douglas, That's, OAG Organizations: Service, United Arab Emirates, Business, Saudi Crown, Etihad, Bloomberg, CNN, Saudi, Economic, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qatari, Etihad Airways, Riyadh Air, Air, Riyadh Air's Boeing, Boeing, Dubai International Airport Locations: Dubai, Gulf, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Abu, UAE, Qatar, Davos, Neom, Emirates, Still, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia

☆ The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Long Shadow of 1948
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Emily Bazelon | A Discussion Moderated Emily Bazelon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +18 min

In 1948, Jews realized their wildly improbable dream of a state, and Palestinians experienced the mass flight and expulsion called the Nakba, or catastrophe. It’s only in 1948 that the Arabs become Palestinians and the Jews become Israelis. Many Jews became lower-level officers during World War II, and they brought their new military expertise to the 1948 war. Zoltan Kluger/GPO, via Getty Images Palestinian bombers destroyed buildings on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem in March 1948. Bettmann/Getty Images A Palestinian refugee cut off from her home by the border established after the 1948 war.

Persons: Matson, —, Khalil Raad, Yaakov Ben Dov Delegates, Haj Amin al, Husseini, ”, It’s, Avraham Avinu, David, Fox, King David Hotel, David Ben, Gurion, “, Hitler, Hans Pinn, Abd al, Qadir al, Chalil, Zoltan Kluger, Ben Yehuda, Hugo H, Mendelsohn, John Phillips, Palestine ”, UNSCOP, Bettmann, Ruth Orkin, David Seymour, Jordan, Israel, Abdullah, Nadim, Leena Dallasheh, Abigail Jacobson, Moshe Naor, ” Derek Penslar, ” Itamar Rabinovich, Salim Tamari, Emily Bazelon, Herzl, Faisal Al, Hashemi, James Russell &, Bain, Jabotinsky, Abraham Pisarek, Weizmann, Heinrich Hoffmann Organizations: Congress, Institute for Palestine, Palestinian, . Institute for Palestine, Matson, Palestine, Getty, of Congress British, Peel, Zionist, Jewish, British Armed Forces, Allied, King, of Congress Women, Hulton, Biltmore, British, Agence France, Getty Images, Refugees, West Bank, Shutterstock, United Nations, League of Nations, United, United Nations Jewish, Madver, The, Palestine Studies, Columbia University, Columbia University , New York University, Rice University, Islamic, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University, Tel Aviv University, Birzeit University, Institute for Palestine Studies, The New York Times Magazine, James Russell & Sons, of Congress, Israel, Ben, General Photographic Agency, Society, International Affairs Locations: Palestine, City, Jerusalem, Canadian American, Israel, British, Jaffa, Damascus, Old City, Hebron, Safed, Europe, Arab, North Africa, New York City, Middle Eastern, Haifa, Cyprus, Jenin, U.S, United Nations, Iraq, Tel Aviv’s Lod, Lebanon, Eyal, el Bared, Egypt, Syria, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Palestinian, United States, Qatar, Iran, Columbia University ,, Nazareth, Israeli, Husseini

☆ Gaza endgame: Inching toward a deal to end the war
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Elliott Gotkine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday Axios reported Israel had proposed a two-month truce in exchange for the release of all the 100-plus hostages still held in Gaza. The sticking point there appears to be that Hamas wants a “package deal” which would include a second-phase agreement to end the war. For now, though, such talk remains moot, with an Israeli official telling CNN there’s no concrete deal on the table. “But at the same time we can’t gamble on the future of Israel [by leaving Hamas in control of Gaza]. Any deal Israel is looking to seal, says Ziv, would be more likely to come into effect once the Khan Younis operation is complete.

Persons: Ofer Shelah, Axios, Israel, David Barnea, Yahya, Shelah, ”, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Thani, Antony Blinken, it’s, wouldn’t, Yasser Arafat, Israel doesn’t, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Aviva Siegel, Netanyahu, Israel Ziv, there’s, ” Ziv, Khan Younis, Ziv, There’s, Israel’s, Gadi, “ Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, Street Journal, Reuters, Qatari, ’, Israel, Israel Democracy Institute Locations: Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Beirut, Tunis, United States, “ Israel

☆ Big T’s BBQ: The hidden restaurant taking Dubai’s food scene by storm
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Big T's beef brisket, smoked for up to 16 hours, has loyal customers coming back time and time again. “If you want to taste actual Texas barbecue, not any just state, but Texas barbecue, it’s this.”A taste of TexasFood runs in Faour’s family. Located in Al Quoz Industrial Estate, Big T's BBQ is hidden between factories and warehouses. He transported the smoker to Dubai in 2022, opening Big T’s BBQ in December of that year. His videos often highlight low-cost eateries in unusual places, like Big T’s, which he calls his “go-to” for all things meat.

Persons: CNN —, Fadel, “ I’m, I’ve, ”, Brett Turner, Faour, “, it’s, Fadel Faour, T’s, ” Faour, You’ll, Alex Augusti, Big, “ He’s, he’s, Augusti, you’ll Organizations: CNN, CNN — Al, CNN — Al Quoz Industrial, foodies, United Arab Emirates, Lone Star, Texas, Texas Food, Institute of Culinary Education, Big, Michelin Locations: CNN — Al Quoz, Dubai, Quoz, Texas, UAE, Faour’s, Al Quoz, Manhattan, New York, “ Good, Lockdowns, East, North Africa, “

☆ Four survive charter jet crash in Afghanistan but condition of two others unclear, Russia says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Two Taliban provincial officials said four survivors were now with Taliban administration officials who had reached the remote, mountainous site of the crash. The Taliban administration’s top spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the pilot of the plane was among four who had survived. The Russian-registered charter plane with six people on board disappeared from radar screens over Afghanistan a day earlier, Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Sunday, after Afghan police said they had received reports of a crash. The pilot then reported that one engine had stopped, and then that the second one had also stopped, SHOT reported. Afghanistan police had received reports of a plane crash in a remote, mountainous region of Badakhshan in Afghanistan’s far north, a provincial police spokesperson said on Sunday.

Persons: Zabiullah Mujahid, ”, Rosaviatsia, “, Zabihullah Amiri Organizations: CNN, Taliban, Thailand’s Utapao, Dassault Aviation, Falcon, Reuters, Russia’s, Athletic Locations: Moscow, Afghanistan, Islamic, Thailand’s, Pattaya, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russian, Indian, Thailand’s Pattaya, Bangkok, “, Russia, Badakhshan, Afghanistan’s, Fayzabad

☆ Aeternitas Tower: Dubai is building the world’s tallest residential clock tower
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Aeternitas Tower, officially unveiled at a launch event last week, will be the world’s tallest residential clock tower at a staggering 450 meters (1,476 feet) tall — more than four times the height of London’s Big Ben, and just 22 meters (72 feet) short of the world’s tallest residential building, the Central Park Tower in New York City. Set to become the world’s second-tallest clock tower (after the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia), Aeternitas Tower is the result of a partnership between Dubai-based real estate developer London Gate and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Franck Muller. The Aeternitas Tower will have amenities for residents such as gym, yoga studio, cinema, and swimming pool, pictured in this digital rendering. London GateA booming marketThe Aeternitas Tower is part of a growing trend in Dubai. The design for Aeternitas Tower was officially unveiled at a launch event on January 9 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai (pictured).

Persons: Big Ben, Franck Muller, Tom Hill, ”, Franck Muller Aeternitas, Erol Baliyan, Franck Muller’s, Karl Lagerfeld, “ We’ve, Carlton Dubai Organizations: CNN, CNN —, London Gate, Marina, Research, Benz, London, Ritz, Carlton Locations: CNN — Dubai, New York City, Makkah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Dubai Marina, East, Africa, Swiss, London, Emirate, “

☆ Aeternitas Tower: Dubai is building the world’s tallest residential clocktower
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Aeternitas Tower, officially unveiled at a launch event last week, will be the world’s tallest residential clocktower at a staggering 450 meters (1,476 feet) tall — more than four times the height of London’s Big Ben, and just 22 meters (72 feet) short of the world’s tallest residential building, the Central Park Tower in New York City. Set to become the world’s second-tallest clock tower (after the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia), Aeternitas Tower is the result of a partnership between Dubai-based real estate developer London Gate and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Franck Muller. The Aeternitas Tower will have amenities for residents such as gym, yoga studio, cinema, and swimming pool, pictured in this digital rendering. London GateA booming marketThe Aeternitas Tower is part of a growing trend in Dubai. The design for Aeternitas Tower was officially unveiled at a launch event on January 9 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai (pictured).

☆ Russian demand for Dubai property is slowing — but China's is picking up, DAMAC chairman says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But that wave is slowing down, DAMAC Chairman Hussain Sajwani says. But other countries are coming in strong, especially Chinese coming back," Sajwani told CNBC's Dan Murphy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday. "Dubai is, you know, surrounded by more than 100 countries with all kinds of issues and challenges. While China's economy faces challenges at home, Dubai is benefitting from those who can spend outside of the country. "So a lot of people coming and residing in Dubai anyway."

Persons: Hussain Sajwani, Sajwani, CNBC's Dan Murphy Organizations: Economic Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Gulf, China, Davos, Switzerland, India, Europe, Dubai, Israel, UAE

☆ The sexiest new hotels for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

This list tries to do just that – spotlight the hotels opening (or reopening, as one of them is) in 2024 that make us want to visit for the hotel alone. Properties with a little bit of oomph – the sexy hotels of 2024, as we like to call them. For spring 2024, Costa Rica’s on the cards, with this beachfront hotel at surfer central Santa Teresa, on the Pacific Coast. Existing ones have been refurbished, and new pool villas, suites and bungalows have been added to the mix. Pool villas are cute cabins with patio doors opening on the open-to-the-elements plunge pools, while the bungalows will be wood-clad, tropical spaces.

Persons: Will, ”, that’s, King Charles, Maria, Casa Lucia Argentina, swank, Kit Kemp, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, George, Gran, Palazzo Cordusio, Cordusio, There’s, Emanuele II, Mina Al, Ras, Anantara Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, Mina Al Arab, Al Riffa, Mollie's, who’ll, KAI Akiu, Hoshino, Rupert Peace, Michel Rojkind, Moxy Banff, Marie, they’re, Philippe Kjellgren, It’ll, Aman, you’ve, you’ll, Roma, Romeo Roma, Romeo, starchitect Zaha Hadid, Rome’s Piazza, Costa Rica’s Organizations: CNN, Casa Lucia, Bacan, Leinster, Collins, Gran Meliá, Milan, Galleria, Tunisia –, Soho, Manchester TV, Beatles, Granada Studios, Old Granada Studios, Soho House, Resorts, Michelin, Guadalupe, Moxy, VW, Brisbane . Tourism, Queensland, Casa, Hoxton, Popolo, Princeton, Hotels, Ivy League, Mercure, Darwin, Training Academy Locations: Matca, Transylvania, Romania, Romanian, Brașov, Maria, Helsinki, Finland, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Retiro, Dublin, Ireland, Merrion, Georgian Dublin, Uganda, Rwanda, Queen, Edward, Milan, Italy, Meliá, Piazza, Duomo, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Arabian, Dubai, Ras Al, Oman, Mina, Al, Tunisia, Douz, Sahara, Matmata, Manchester, Japan, Tokyo, Akiu, Sendai, superlatives, Kempinski, Dresden, Germany, grande, Taschenbergpalais, Baja California, Mexico, Valle, Mexican, Valle de Guadalupe, Canada, Banff, Brisbane, Australia, Brisbane ., Dios, Peru, Casa, Andina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peruvian, Folegandros, Greece, Santorini, –, Hoxton Vienna, Austria, Hoxton, Vienna, Ennismore, Landstrasse, Sainte, Marie, Madagascar, Aman Nai, Bangkok, Thailand, Aman, Nai Lert, Thai capital’s, Rome, Naples, starchitect, New Jersey, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Morocco, Coast, Darwin, Larrakia, Northern Territory

☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

Persons: you’d, Tengguo Wu, Gabriele Thielmann, Turkey's, Gary Ennis, Matevz, Bill Bachman, Christian Kober, Gonzalo Azumendi, David ChiaFF, Pavel Tochinsky, Terry Kelly, Raul Rodriguez, iStock, Anton Petrus, –, — Karla Cripps Turkey’s, — Barry Neild, Mana Kaasik, — Maureen O’Hare, — Maggie Hiufu Wong, Deb Snelson, Glen Arbor, Marnie Hunter, — Forrest Brown, — Forrest Brown Angola Cristo, Eric Lafforgue, it’s, King, Eric Carr, John’s, Saint John, New Brunswick —, —, Tuul, Bruno Morandi, — Julia Buckley, Groenewald, Alamy, — Lilit Marcus, Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon, — JB, Bogdan Lazar, — Tamara Hardingham, Gill, Hercules, Francesca, Lazarus, ”, David Casanova, Megan Sequeira Casanova, “, Kuka y Naranjo, medina, Gordon Sinclair, Yvette Cardozo, — FB, Pierce Ingram, Stefan Tomic, Fujairah, who’ve, Samarkand —, It’s Organizations: CNN, United, CNN Travel, Getty Images, Town, Getty, Northwest, Saint, New Brunswick Tourism, UNESCO, Heritage, Alamy, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, Galicia, Tercera Orden, Parque, Bank, Wakulla Springs, Texas, United Arab Emirates, AP, Rock, of Culture, Estonian National Museum, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest Michigan, Bear, Farm, Riders, Lubango, — BN Saint John, Canada Tourists, St, Saint John City Market, Historic, Saint John Arts Centre, Carnegie, Carnegie Library, — KC, Korea, Folk, Netflix, South Korea, Adriatic, Nacional Glaciares, Australian Sea Lions, Panama, Spain Santiago de, Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Islas, Camino, Mexico People, YouTube, US State Department, Morocco, Regis Hotels, Resorts, — FB Texas, Travel Texas, Krause, Gruene, Fujairah, Icefjord, FS, Tuul, ” Locations: United States, Sumba, Indonesia Sumba, Indonesia, Bali, Getty Images Tartu, Estonia, Tartu —, European, Tainan, Taiwan, Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Lake Michigan, iStockphoto, Western Balkans, Culebra , Puerto Rico, Flamenco, Culebra, cdwheatley, Angola, Luanda, , New Brunswick, Fundy, New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tourism South Korea, Korea Albania, Albania, Chile, mauritius, Western Australia, Greece, Macedonia, American, Panama, Spain, Camino, Santiago, St, John's, Mexico, Parque Hidalgo, Morocco, Meknes, Florida, Spicewood, Anton, Greenland, Denmark, AP Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Indonesian, Sumela, Turkey's, — Barry Neild Tartu, Estonia Tartu, of Culture Tartu, Tartu, “, Baltics, — Maureen O’Hare Tainan, Taiwan Tainan, Taipei, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest, Lake, Traverse, Leland, Glen, perusing, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, transdinarica.com, —, Puerto Rico, It’s, — Forrest Brown Angola, Lubango, Barra, Cabo Ledo, — BN Saint John , New Brunswick, Canada, Hopewell, Newfoundland, Saint, Canada’s, Korea Andong, South Korea, Sanga, Korea, Seoul, Busan, Andong, Albania Albania, Berat, Montenegro, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, — Julia Buckley Chile, Atacama, Patagonia, Coral Coast, Geraldton, — Lilit Marcus Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece's, Hemis, Athens, Vergina, Veria, Naousa, Greece’s, Thrace, Philippi, Kavala, Panama . Panama City, Gill Galicia, Spain Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Galicia’s, Santiago de Compostela, Cabo, Fisterra, Galicia —, Singapore, John’s, Paseo, Montejo, Mérida, Yucatán, getaways, there’s, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Resorts Morocco, Wakulla, Ginnie, Fredericksburg, Texas, Marble Falls, Meanderers, New Braunfels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Wadi, Nuuk, Ilulissat, West, FS Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, China, India, Khiva, Uzbek, Sentob, Tashkent

On Monday, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, energy minister and the key climate negotiator, for the kingdom, was a no-show at the Saudi Green Initiative. "The climate finance that they have pledged at this COP28 is simply not enough," said Pakistani activist Zaigham Abbas, whose country was devastated last year by widespread flooding. Elsewhere, France and Japan said they would support a move by the African Development Bank to leverage IMF Special Drawing Rights for climate and development. This year also features the biggest-ever representation of business at the annual U.N. summit, amid hopes for more private investment toward climate causes. "The scale of the climate crisis demands urgent and game-changing solutions from every industry," COP28 President Ahmed Al-Jaber said.

Persons: COP28, Johanna Geron, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Nicholas Stern, Mia Mottley, Antonio Guterres, Zaigham Abbas, Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Al, Jaber, Simon Jessop, Maha El, Al Sayegh, Alexander Cornwell, Elizabeth Piper, David Stanway, Katy Daigle Organizations: of, European Union, REUTERS, Companies, Saudi, United, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Green Initiative, Crown, Grantham Research, Asian Peoples ' Movement, Development, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, BlackRock, HSBC, Finance, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Brussels, Belgium, Companies UAE, DUBAI, COP28, United Arab, Saudi Arabia, Sharm el, Sheikh, Egypt, Paris, China, Grantham, Barbados, France, Japan, Copenhagen, Abu

☆ Israel-Hamas War U.S. Pushes Israel and Hamas to Restart Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Andrés R. Martínez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Israel has since resumed its attacks on Hamas, and Mr. Kirby urged it to avoid civilian casualties, while crediting its forces with making efforts to do so. “He’s so naïve; I mean I just lost all confidence in this guy,” Mr. Graham said. “Secretary Austin is telling Israel things that are impossible to achieve.”Mr. Graham said his solution to the hostage impasse would be to threaten Iran, the sponsor of Hamas. “I would go to Iran and say listen, you need to tell Hamas to let these hostages go,” he said. “Qatar has said that Hamas is still at the table,” she said, referring to the Persian Gulf emirate that has served as the intermediary for the talks.

Persons: Israel, “, John F, ”, Kirby, Osama Hamdan, There’s, Biden, Biden’s, Lindsey Graham, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, ” Mr, Graham, Mr, Al Qaeda, Pramila Jayapal, Jayapal, ” Hwaida Saad Organizations: Kirby, White House National Security Council, Press, Hamas, Republican, West Bank, CNN’s, Union, “ Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, U.S, Lebanon, Israel, South Carolina, CNN’s “ State, Iraq, Al, we’d, Iran, Washington, United States, Qatar, Persian, “ Israel

The U.S. government is making an intense effort to persuade Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations so they can once again pause hostilities and exchange more prisoners for hostages, a White House spokesman said on Sunday. Israel has since resumed its assault on Hamas, and Mr. Kirby urged it to avoid civilian casualties, while crediting its forces with making efforts to do so. “He’s so naïve; I mean I just lost all confidence in this guy,” Mr. Graham said. “I would go to Iran and say listen, you need to tell Hamas to let these hostages go,” he said. “We should have conditions on military aid in the same way that we do for every other country.”While the White House blamed Hamas for the breakdown in hostage talks, Ms. Jayapal faulted Israel.

Persons: Israel, “, John F, ”, Kirby, There’s, Biden, Biden’s, Lindsey Graham, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, ” Mr, Graham, Mr, Al Qaeda, Pramila Jayapal, Jayapal Organizations: Kirby, White House National Security Council, Press, Hamas, Republican, West Bank, CNN’s, Union, “ Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Carolina, CNN’s “ State, Iraq, Al, we’d, Iran, Washington, United States, Qatar, Persian, “ Israel

☆ Terrible Choices and Deep Distrust: The Path to the Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Peter Baker | More About Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The Israelis were insisting that it was not enough to free just 50 of the roughly 240 hostages. Mr. Biden told the emir of Qatar, who was serving as the intermediary with Hamas, that four was all they would get for now. The path to the hostage deal was painful and painstaking, one marked by fitful progress, deep mistrust, terrible choices and moments when the whole thing was on the verge of unraveling. Mr. McGurk, who has wide contacts in the region, held early morning phone calls each day with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and then briefed Mr. Sullivan, who kept Mr. Biden informed. Mr. Sullivan stayed in touch with Ron Dermer and Tzachi Hanegbi, two of Mr. Netanyahu’s closest advisers.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Mr, Jake Sullivan, Brett McGurk, Joshua Geltzer, McGurk, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Sullivan, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu’s Organizations: Hamas, United, Biden, White, National Security Council Locations: Qatar, United States, Thani

☆ Taliban Defends Record on Women as UN Looks at Path Forward
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

It proposes a path for political engagement aimed at reintegrating Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war. "Any formal re-integration of Afghanistan into global institutions and systems will require the participation and leadership of Afghan women," it read. Since the Taliban returned to power, most girls have been barred from high school and women from universities. The United Nations says two-thirds of Afghanistan's 43 million people need humanitarian aid. The independent assessment given to the Security Council recommended the appointment of a U.N. special envoy on Afghanistan, which the Taliban rejected as "unacceptable."

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, Antonio Guterres, Feridun Sinirlioglu, Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, Islamists, . Security, Security Locations: Afghanistan, Turkish, Emirate

Qatar has become a key negotiator for the release of hostages held by Hamas. In recent years, the tiny Emirate has led mediation efforts in Afghanistan, Iran and Ukraine. WSJ’s Shelby Holliday explains how Qatar became a diplomatic power broker. Photo illustration: Marina CostaIsrael and Hamas are closing in on an internationally brokered deal to pause fighting and free some of the roughly 240 hostages taken by the militant group, officials close to the talks said, amid heightened scrutiny of the civilian toll of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The hostage talks—brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S.—have moved in fits and starts for weeks and could break down again.

Persons: WSJ’s Shelby Holliday, Marina, Marina Costa Israel, — Organizations: Marina Costa, U.S Locations: Qatar, Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, Gaza, Egypt

☆ The Taliban appears to be patrolling Kabul on rollerblades while carrying AK-47s, video shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A video appears to show Taliban security forces patrolling Kabul on rollerblades. The Taliban took complete control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US troops. A video posted on YouTube shows what appears to be several uniformed Taliban members carrying AK-47s and "skitching," holding on to a truck while being pulled along. The slick video appears to have been made for propaganda purposes and is a departure from the types of content previously posted by the YouTuber. AdvertisementFollowing the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban took complete control of the country.

Persons: — Organizations: AK, Service, Kabul — rollerblades, YouTube, Hollywood, Islamic Locations: Kabul, rollerblades, Afghanistan, Kabul —, Afghan, Emirate

☆ Dubai’s Costly Water World
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Arielle Paul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

At Deep Dive Dubai, the equivalent of six Olympic-size swimming pools of water fills an underwater city shaped like a giant oyster, inspired by the emirate’s pearl-diving heritage. At the foot of the building, the 30-acre Burj Lake and its five dancing fountains use a wastewater reclamation system by Hitachi that reuses the Burj Khalifa’s sewage water to replace fountain water lost each day. The construction of Dubai’s artificial islands also strains the Gulf’s water resources. One study found that the average water temperature around Palm Jumeirah island, designed by HHCP Architects, increased by roughly 13 degrees over 19 years. “Developing close to the water is much more preferred than developing in the desert landscape, and you are increasing the coastline,” Dr. Alawadi said.

Persons: Adrian Smith, Alawadi, Smith Organizations: Dive, Emaar, Hitachi, HHCP Architects Locations: Dive Dubai, Burj, Burj Lake, Persian, Dubai

☆ Taliban Minister Raises Return of Deported Afghans' Assets in Pakistan Visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Charlotte GreenfieldISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Taliban's acting commerce minister said he had asked Pakistan to help return the assets of expelled Afghans and discussed ways to overcome Afghanistan's stalled banking sector transactions during a four-day visit to Islamabad this week. Acting minister Nooruddin Azizi's arrival in the Pakistani capital marked the first public visit by a senior Taliban official since Pakistan announced its policy to deport thousands of undocumented Afghans and other foreign citizens after Nov. 1. The Taliban have said the security issues are a domestic matter for Islamabad and called on Pakistan to stop deportations. Azizi said a major focus of the visit had been raising the problem of Afghan deportees being unable to return their assets from Pakistan. Pakistan's commerce minister and a spokesman for the commerce ministry did not respond to request for comment.

Persons: Charlotte Greenfield, Nooruddin, Azizi, Asif Shahzad, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, William Maclean Organizations: Taliban, Pakistan, Reuters Locations: Charlotte Greenfield ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Islamabad, Afghanistan, Islamic Emirate, Uzbekistan, China, Kabul

LONDON (AP) — One year after Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup, the gas-rich emirate and soccer governing body FIFA were urged Thursday by human rights group Amnesty International to do more for migrant workers who were essential to prepare the tournament and still face labor abuses. FIFA, under a different leadership, is now embarked on a similar journey toward Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup in 2034. “Qatar’s continued failure to properly enforce or strengthen its pre-World Cup labor reforms puts any potential legacy for workers in serious peril,” Amnesty said. A key point for activists and some FIFA member federations has been compensating the families of workers in Qatar who were injured or died. Weeks before the World Cup started, FIFA’s top lawyer had said it was open to helping create a compensation fund.

Persons: ”, Steve Cockburn, “ Qatar’s, “, Weeks, Michael Llamas Organizations: —, Qatar, FIFA, Amnesty, Progress, “ Qatar, United Nations, International Labor Organization, Labor, ” Amnesty, InBev, Budweiser, ” FIFA, “, ILO, Ministry of Labor Locations: Qatar, United States, Saudi Arabia, Gibraltar, “, Geneva

☆ Crypto.com wins Dubai licence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Virtual assets exchange Crypto.com's Dubai entity CRO DAX Middle East FZE has received a licence from the city state's regulator, subject to operational approval, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Once approved, the Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) licence will allow Crypto.com to offer various services in-market to retail and institutional investors, including exchange services, broker-dealer services, investment services, and lending and borrowing services, the statement said. “Dubai continues to show it is a leading market when designing effective regulation for the crypto space while still supporting adoption and innovation," Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com said. With more than 80 million customers globally, Crypto.com announced Dubai as its regional hub for the Middle East and North Africa in March 2022, following a trend of other major industry players gravitating towards the Gulf city state. Reporting by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: DAX, Kris Marszalek, Crypto.com, Rachna Uppal, Michael Perry Organizations: Virtual Assets Service, Assets Regulatory Authority, Dubai International Financial, Crypto.com, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai, VARA, East, North Africa, Gulf

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