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Oleg Panteleev, head of the AviaPort aviation think-tank in Moscow, said Russian airlines have "solved the problem" of operating under Western sanctions. When those firms stopped providing services – Lufthansa Technik said it suspended sales to Russia from Feb. 28, 2022 – Russian airlines turned to a pool of far smaller suppliers. Ivan Melnicov, chief executive of Air Rock and another aircraft parts distributor in Moldova called Aerostage Services, denied selling products to Russia. Most of the shipments listed in Russian customs records as having been made by Air Rock and Aerostage took circuitous routes, transiting through the UAE or Kyrgyzstan. He said Skyparts had procured one of the Northrop Grumman parts from a U.S. supplier but denied ever sending it to Russia.

Persons: Paul Hanna, Northrop, Oleg Panteleev, Kirill Skuratov, Northrop Grumman, Ivan Melnicov, Melnicov, Aerostage, Kafolati Komil, Mahmadbashir Yakubov, Kafolati, Skyparts FZCO, Lisa Barrington, Saeed Abdulloev, Skyparts, Karine Bukrey, Ramses Turizm, Bukrey's, Ramazan, Bukrey, Akpinar, Nordwind, Valery Pashaev, Pashaev, Maurice Tamman, David Clarke, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Ural Airlines Airbus, Palma de Mallorca, REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Northrop Grumman, Central Asia, Airbus, Boeing, Ural Airlines, Northrop, United Arab Emirates, Western, Reuters, of Commerce, European Union, Russian, S7 Airlines, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Aeroflot, Lufthansa Technik, Engineering, Rock Solutions, Air Rock, Aerostage Services, Airlines, UAE, Istikloliyat, Skyparts, Nordwind Airlines, Thomson Locations: Palma de, Spain, Russian, Yekaterinburg, U.S, Moscow, Russia, Central, Ukraine, Tajikistan, UAE, Turkey, China, Kyrgyzstan, Swiss, Germany, Moldova, Air, Moldovan, Saudi Arabia, Komilchon, Ural, Dubai, United Arab, Turkish, Antalya, Nusret, Technic, New York

☆ Russia's economic woes have brought a flood of cash and sparked a real estate boom in the UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Traders in the Gulf state have ramped up business in Russian oil and gold markets, the WSJ reported. Conversely, Russians are flocking to the UAE, bringing their wealth to its economy and sparking a real estate boom. That's as sanctions and trade restrictions have weighed heavily on Russia's economy, cutting it off from billions of its foreign reserves and crimping its energy trade. Russians were the third-largest group of real estate buyers in Dubai over the last quarter, the real estate firm Betterhomes told the Journal, up from the ninth-largest group in 2021. Russia's economy meanwhile is in a state of turmoil.

Persons: Betterhomes, Putin Organizations: Traders, Service, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Wall, Yale Locations: UAE, Gulf, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Ukraine, Dubai, Poland

☆ Asia's refiners face profit crunch as Kuwait cuts crude exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Lower Kuwaiti exports follow cuts from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia that have pushed Brent prices close to $90 a barrel and left little wriggle room for Asia's refiners, reliant on the Middle East for more than two-thirds of crude imports. Chinese refiners, which have invested heavily in new plants designed to process sour oil, are especially exposed. Discounted oil from Russia has eased some of the pain, replacing some Kuwaiti supply, largely to China and India. Additionally, Kuwait's joint venture 230,000 bpd Duqm refinery in Oman is scheduled to start operation by end-2023, which could reduce Kuwaiti crude exports by a further 100,000 bpd to 200,000 bpd in 2024, the consultancies said. Formosa could replace Kuwaiti supply with grades such as Iraq's Basra Medium, Qatar's al-Shaheen and Oman crude, Lin said, adding it can also process U.S. light sweet crude.

Persons: Brent, Asia's, Janiv Shah, Sun Jianan, Al Zour, consultancies, KPC, Lin, al, James Forbes, Muyu Xu, Florence Tan, Sonali Paul Organizations: Kuwait Oil Tanker, Oil, Companies, Lower, Saudi, United Arab, Rystad Energy, P, Kuwait Petroleum Corp, Shenghong, Taiwan Formosa Petrochemical Corp, FGE, Dubai, Brent, Thomson Locations: Kuwait, Pier, Companies Kuwait, SINGAPORE, OPEC, Lower Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, India, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Taiwan, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Oman, PetroChina's, Guangdong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Formosa, Basra, Shaheen, Brent, Dubai

☆ Dubai's DEWA selects Abu Dhabi's Masdar to construct solar park
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Saeed Al Tayer, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 4th phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, south of Dubai, United Arab Emirates March 19, 2018. Picture taken March 19, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/ File PhotoCompanies Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC FollowDUBAI, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Dubai Electricity And Water Authority (DEWA) selected state-owned renewable energy firm Masdar to construct and manage the 1,800 MW sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park with an estimated cost of up to 5.51 billion Emirati Dirhams, the Dubai media office said on Sunday. Reporting by Ahmed Elimam; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Saeed Al Tayer, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Satish Kumar, Ahmed Elimam, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Dubai Electricity, Water Authority, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Companies Dubai Electricity, Water, Thomson Locations: DEWA, Dubai, United Arab, DUBAI

☆ Dubai rises on higher oil prices; FAB drags on Abu Dhabi
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Shamsuddin Mohd | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File PhotoAug 11 (Reuters) - Stock markets in Dubai rose on Friday as upbeat demand growth forecasts from OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) lifted oil prices, while lender FAB weighed on Abu Dhabi's index. In Dubai, the main share index (.DFMGI) added 0.4% after falling for four consecutive sessions. Emirates NBD Bank (ENBD.DU), Dubai's largest lender, rose more than 3% while toll operator Salik Company (SALIK.DU) was up 2% after reporting second quarter earnings. Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), Dubai's largest listed real estate firm, was also up more than 0.7% the day after reporting second-quarter earnings. In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark index (.FTFADGI) dropped 0.3%, for a third negative session in a row, pressured by a 1.1% fall for the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) and a 1.6% drop in Alpha Dhabi Holding (ALPHADHABI.AD).

Persons: Hamad I Mohammed, Brent, Shamsuddin, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, REUTERS, Stock, International Energy Agency, FAB, IEA, Organization of Petroleum, Emirates NBD Bank, Salik, Abu Dhabi Bank, Alpha, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Alpha Dhabi, Bengaluru

☆ Nomura's crypto arm wins Dubai licence
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The crypto arm of Japanese investment bank and brokerage Nomura (8604.T) said on Tuesday it had won an operating licence in Dubai, the latest in a number of mainstream financial institutions this year to enter the crypto sector. Laser Digital, which is headquartered in Switzerland with officers in Dubai and London, said in a statement it had received the licence from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, allowing it to offer crypto-related broker-dealer, management and investment services. Laser said it would launch its trading and asset management business in the coming months, allowing institutional investors access to over-the-counter crypto trading and other investment products. French bank Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) became last month the first company in France to obtain a licence for crypto services, underscoring resilient hunger among mainstream banks to embrace crypto as markets have rallied through 2023. Reporting by Tom Wilson, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nomura, Tom Wilson, Louise Heavens Organizations: Laser, Regulatory, Societe Generale, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Switzerland, London, France

☆ Dubai invites pitches for IPOs of taxi, parking assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The RTA is targeting the first of the two potential public share sales, in the Dubai Taxi Corporation, to take place around December or January, said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public. It has appointed Rothschild & Co to advise on a strategic review of its assets, which include its taxi and public parking businesses, Reuters reported on July 7, citing sources familiar with the matter. Dubai raised nearly $8.5 billion from five IPOs last year, fuelled by a government privatisation plan to list 10 state-linked companies to boost stock market activity. Companies in the region raised $21.9 billion through IPOs last year, more than half the total for the wider Europe, Middle East and Africa region, Dealogic data shows. Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Jan Harvey, John Stonestreet and Emma RumneyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rothschild, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Jan Harvey, John Stonestreet, Emma Rumney Organizations: Transport Authority, Reuters, RTA, Dubai Taxi Corporation, Co, Nol, Dubai, Emirates, Companies, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai's, Dubai, Europe, Middle East, Africa

DUBAI, July 7 (Reuters) - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has selected Rothschild & Co (ROTH.PA) to advise on the strategic review of its assets, two sources close to the matter said on Thursday. The transport regulator is considering an initial public offering of Dubai Taxi Corp and its public parking business, said the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is not public. The authority is expected to appoint Emirates NBD for the potential IPOs, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Dubai raised nearly $8.5 billion from five IPOs last year, fuelled by a government privatisation plan to list 10 state-linked companies to boost stock market activity. The authority was also looking at potential options for its public parking assets and the Nol card, which passengers use to pay for public transport across the emirate.

Persons: Rothschild, Emirates NBD, Nol, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Yousef Saba, Jonathan Oatis, Josie Kao, Louise Heavens Organizations: Transport Authority, Co, Dubai Taxi Corp, RTA, Rothschild, Emirates, dnata, Reuters, Companies, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai's, Dubai, Europe, Middle East, Africa

☆ Gulf bourses end mixed on China growth concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China on Tuesday cut two benchmark lending rates by 10 basis points each. Dubai's benchmark index (.DFMGI) extended losses to a second straight session, ending 0.3% lower. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) inched up 0.1%, with Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services (4013.SE) rising 0.7% and Company for Cooperative Insurance (8010.SE) climbing 2.3%. "Oil prices remained volatile as Chinese economic recovery continues to fuel concerns among traders, affecting oil demand expectations," said Daniel Takieddine, CEO MENA at BDSwiss. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 0.4%, extending previous session losses with financial and materials sectors trading in the red.

Persons: Dr Sulaiman Al, Daniel Takieddine, Brent, Md Manzer Hussain, Eileen Soreng Organizations: Emaar, Emirates Central Cooling Systems, Emirates, Qatar National Bank, Ezdan, Habib Medical Services, Company, Cooperative Insurance, Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals, Alpha, Commercial International Bank, Ezz, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Qatar, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, China, Beijing, Alpha Dhabi, Burjeel

At the same time, the property price surge and demand for the ultra-high-end segment is stirring memories of old excesses. In 2008, the global financial crisis hit Dubai hard, leading to a flight of capital and people, a crash in property prices and highly leveraged flagship companies known as government-related entities (GREs) struggling to repay debts. Dubai set up a Debt Management Office in 2022, has repaid or restructured some outstanding debt, and announced plans to list government stakes in 10 companies to raise capital and deepen financial markets. 'GLOBAL SAFE HAVEN'The United Arab Emirates' commercial centre, Dubai has shovelled resources into social and business reforms and sectors like digital technology. Average property prices rose 12.8% in Q1, with villa prices up almost 15%, according to property research firm CBRE.

Persons: Knight Frank, Nasser Al Shaikh, GREs, Shaikh, Justin Alexander, Betterhomes, Richard Waind, Philippe Zuber, Beyonce, Rachna Uppal, Yousef Saba, Lisa Barrington, William Maclean Organizations: Reuters, Khalij, GlobalSource Partners, Dubai Media Office, Management, HAVEN, United Arab Emirates, Villa, Dubai Inc, Emirates, Kerzner, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, DUBAI, Dubai, glitzy, Property, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Gulf, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE

☆ OKX crypto exchange seeks Dubai regulation with eye on Middle East expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Lisa Barrington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, June 15 (Reuters) - OKX, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is seeking regulatory approval to operate in Dubai as it plans to expand the company's Middle East operations, an executive told Reuters on Thursday. Regulation is an industry trend, OKX Global Head of Government Relations Tim Byun said. Byun said he believed the SEC's move would push more applicants towards innovative regulators like Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). OKX is regulated in the Bahamas and currently does not allow customers from the United States to use its platform due to regulatory issues. OKX plans to apply for such a licence, Byun said.

Persons: Tim Byun, Binance, Byun, VARA, Lisa Barrington, Yousef Saba, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Reuters, Government, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Regulatory, Dubai World Trade Center, United, United Arab Emirates, Dubai International Financial, UAE, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai, VARA, United Arab, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bahamas, United States

ISTANBUL, June 6 (Reuters) - Global airlines called on Tuesday for broad co-operation to reach "very tough" emission targets and pledged to release interim climate targets next year as the industry aims for a goal of net-zero by 2050. Airlines are relying for 62% of their emissions reduction target on the fuel, which is currently between two to four times more expensive than kerosene. Walsh said airlines were not afraid to confront the fact that their share of total emissions will rise as other industries with fewer technological hurdles decarbonise. "Different parts of the world are moving at different paces and for us, representing global airlines, we've got to factor all of that into account." One thing airlines agreed on was frustration at aircraft delays, which have disrupted their schedules, with CEOs asking IATA to lobby planemakers.

Persons: Willie Walsh, Walsh, Jo Dardenne, Tim Clark, Clark, we've, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher, Andrew Heavens, Sriraj Kalluvila, Alexander Smith Organizations: Aviation, International Air Transport Association, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF, Transport, Environment, Dubai's Emirates, Reuters, Thomson Locations: ISTANBUL, Istanbul, planemakers, United States, Dubai

☆ Roberto Cavalli launches 'disruptive' capsule collection in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Marie-Louise Gumuchian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Roberto Cavalli launched a "disruptive" capsule collection outside the traditional catwalk calendar on Thursday as the Italian fashion label seeks to rebrand itself after a few shaky years. Designer Fausto Puglisi looked to a 1994 print drawn by the brand's founder Roberto Cavalli, itself inspired by a rococo depiction of the Greek myth of Leda and the swan, for the "Wild Leda" line, on show at London's Selfridges department store. Previously seen in the fashion house's spring-summer 2023 line, the depiction, matched with animals prints, features on floaty dresses, beachwear, accessories and homeware. "Roberto Cavalli was always famous for obviously the gowns but... he created really a lifestyle... So you have your plates, you have your coffee cups, you have your shoes, you have your bag, you have everything.... (we thought) let's do something that is a bit larger and invites you to discover the world of Roberto Cavalli."

Persons: Roberto Cavalli, Fausto Puglisi, Leda, Sergio Azzolari, Dubai's Damac, Hussain Sajwani, Azzolari, Marie, Louise Gumuchian, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Dubai's, Vision Investments, Thomson Locations: Florence, U.S, London, Milan

☆ Dubai DXB airport Q1 passenger traffic reaches 96% of pre-pandemic level
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 9 (Reuters) - Dubai's main airport registered a 55.8% increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of this year compared to last year, reaching 95.6% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, operator Dubai Airports said on Tuesday. Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest international hub, welcomed around 21.3 million passengers in the first three months of 2023, Dubai Airports said. Dubai International registered 66 million passengers in 2022. Dubai Airports has revised its 2023 forecast upwards to 83.6 million passengers, bringing it within "striking distance" of 2019 annual traffic, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said. DXB is connected to 234 destinations, with India, Saudi Arabia and Britain the top three countries by passenger numbers this quarter, Dubai Airports said.

☆ Emirates is opening a new store that will allow passengers to check in and drop off their bags without having to go to the airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Bianca Giacobone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Emirates' new check-in store is 30 minutes from the airport by public transport, and 15 by car. The location should allow passengers to avoid long lines and crowds at the airport. Emirates is getting ready to open a store that would allow passengers to check in and drop off their bags without having to go to the airport. Much like an airline desk at any airport, it will also give passengers the option to book travel, according to Emirates. Emirates' robot check-in assistant is called Sara and is equipped to match faces with scanned passports and give passengers instructions.

☆ Dubai's stunning skyline shown in surreal, dramatic images
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Nadia Leigh-Hewitson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Now, artist Baber Afzal is capturing the city-state’s famous towers and spires in a new light through a series of stunning images that marry architecture, environment, and atmosphere. Afzal, 40, uses a combination of landscape and architectural photography, and visual art techniques, to illustrate the city of Dubai as he sees it. “Awareness of the climatic conditions gave birth to a unique editing style and technique to express my visions.”A Pakistani native, Afzal first started making art in 2007. “I gravitated toward the editing aspect since shifting color and contrast values really fascinated me.”Photographer and visual artist Baber Afzal captures Dubai in a unique light in his ethereal images. He believes that technology will play a significant role in the future of the art scene in Dubai.

☆ Most Gulf markets fall as Fed seen hiking rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 1 (Reuters) - Most major stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Monday, dragged lower by expectations the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates, although the Qatari index bucked the trend. The Fed is predicted to raise rates by another 25 basis points this week. The U.S. central bank has raised its policy rate by 475 basis points since March last year from the near-zero level to the current 4.75%-5.00% range. Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI) fell 0.1%, hit by a 1.1% fall in Emirates NBD Bank (ENBD.DU) and a 0.8% decrease in utility firm Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWAA.DU). In Qatar, the index (.QSI) bucked the trend to trade 0.5% higher, with telecoms firm Ooredoo (ORDS.QA) up more than 5%.

☆ Dubai crypto regulator awards first broker-dealer MVP operational license
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 1 (Reuters) - BitOasis, a Middle East-focused crypto exchange based in the United Arab Emirates, has received the first broker-dealer minimum viable product operational license from Dubai's crypto regulator, the company said on Monday. BitOasis, which received provisional approval to start the licensing process in March 2022, is the first broker-dealer to complete the minimum viable product (MVP) stage. No firm has yet been licensed under the full market product (FMP) stage, according to VARA's website. BitOasis can now provide broker-dealer services to qualified retail and institutional investors from its headquarters in Dubai under the VARA's regulatory regime, the company said in a statement. Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dubai ruler appoints new second deputy - Dubai Media office
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 28 (Reuters) - Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum on Friday appointed another of his sons as a deputy ruler of the emirate, following the death of his brother and long-serving deputy ruler Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2021. Dubai now has first and second deputy rulers, the decree published by the Dubai Media Office said. The decree appointed as first deputy ruler Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, one of Sheikh Mohammed's sons who has been a deputy ruler since 2008 and is currently the United Arab Emirates' finance minister. Newly appointed to the role of second deputy ruler is Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, another of Sheikh Mohammed's sons and the chairman of the Dubai Media Council. Reporting by Yomna Ehab; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Major Gulf markets mixed in early trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 26 (Reuters) - Major stock markets in the Gulf were mixed in early trade on Wednesday amid rising recession fears in the United States, with the Saudi index on course to end five-day winning streak. U.S. Consumer confidence fell to a nine-month low in April, a survey showed, intensifying concerns of a potential recession. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.3%, on course snap a five-session gains, hit by a 1.1% drop in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI) retreated 0.6%, weighed down by a 3.2% slide in Emaar Properties PJSC (EMAR.DU). U.S. crude oil stocks fell by about 6.1 million barrels in the week ended April 21, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute (API) figures on Tuesday.

☆ 'A massive record-breaker': A plot of sand the size of half a football field just sold for $34 million on a luxury Dubai island
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A plot of sand in Dubai half the size of a football field sold for $34 million, per Bloomberg. The 24,500 sq ft plot — about half the size of a football field — is on Jumeirah Bay Island, a man-made island in the shape of a seahorse. Jumeirah Bay Island is man-made, like the World Islands and Palm Jumeirah. GooglePrices on Jumeirah Bay Island are so expensive because there were only 128 plots originally put on offer. By comparison, there are thousands of homes on the tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah island, and 300 in the World Islands archipelago.

☆ 'French Spiderman' climbs Paris skyscraper as protest against pension law
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] French "Spiderman" Alain Robert climbs the Tour Alto skyscraper at the financial and business district of La Defense, naming his feat "The People", in Courbevoie near Paris, France, April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, April 19 (Reuters) - A free climber known as the "French Spiderman" scaled a 38-storey skyscraper in Paris on Wednesday to demonstrate his support for protesters angry about a pension law that will delay the age at which people can retire in France. Alain Robert, 60, climbs without a harness, using only his bare hands and a pair of climbing shoes. "I'm here to show my support for those who oppose the pension reform," he told Reuters before starting his ascent of the 150-metre (492 foot) skyscrapper in Paris' La Defense business district. Under the reform, the French retirement age will gradually rise to 64 from 62.

[1/2] An Air India Airbus A320neo passenger plane moves on the runway after landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, in Ahmedabad, India, October 22, 2021. In another sign of the formerly government-owned carrier's whirlwind transformation under its new owner Tata Group, Air India is testing ChatGPT, OpenAI's popular chatbot, to replace paper-based practices. Air India is not only reworking every aspect of operations - from systems to supply chains - but integrating four Tata-related airlines, with Air India due to merge with Vistara while low-cost Air India Express and AirAsia India also converge. Airline mergers in India have had little success with Air India still hobbled by the botched integration of Indian Airlines in 2007. Air India's planes are already a mix of Airbus (AIR.PA) and Boeing (BA.N) jets with multiple cabin configurations.

☆ Most Gulf markets rise in early trade; Fed meeting in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 22(Reuters) - Most Stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Wednesday, mirroring gains in global peers ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, as worries on a banking crisis eased. The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) rose 0.7%, with gains in most sectors, led by finance and industry. The region's largest bank Qatar National Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank gained 0.6% and 1.5% respectively, while conglomerate Industries Qatar climbed 2.9%. In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index (.FTFADGI) was up 0.2%, aided by a 1.7% gain in Alpha Dhabi Holding and 0.9% rise in First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest lender in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai's benchmark stock index (.DFMGI) fell 0.3% in early trade, weighed down by losses in finance and communication sectors, with Emaar Properties dropping 0.5% and Dubai Commercial Bank losing 2.1%.

[1/2] Air India passenger aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai, India, February 14, 2023. Current limits on the amount of flying allowed between India and many markets date back to heavy losses at Air India around the beginning of the last decade, analysts said. "We are not getting enough share from this market," Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Bilal Eksi told the CAPA India conference. "I think it's about time that our carriers looked at the international market with greater focus. Other analysts noted India is not alone in making use of a post-war system of air traffic agreements to aid development.

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