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ABU DHABI / WAM The second phase of Marking Tobacco and Tobacco Products Scheme is set to commence on March 1, with the scheme aiming to utilise latest digital solutions to boost efficiency of tax control systems and, in turn, support UAE’s transition to a knowledge-based economy in line with the National Agenda. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA), reaffirmed its …

Bloomberg US and Taliban officials signed a peace deal aimed at winding down the war in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of fighting that turned into the longest conflict in American history. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo led a US delegation that signed the agreement with Taliban leaders. The deal — which followed a seven-day reduction in violence — …

ABU DHABI / WAM The National, the English-language news outlet based in Abu Dhabi, has been selected by the Google News Initiative as one of the first winners of Google’s GNI Middle East Innovation Challenge. The GNI Middle East Innovation Challenge is a programme that will fund a set of projects across the region that inject new ideas into the …

Bloomberg Europe kicked into high alert as countries from Italy and Spain to France reported rising numbers of cases of coronavirus, struggling to limit its spread. Vast swathes of the Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy, stretching from Milan to Venice, remained in a virtual lockdown. Spain kept about 700 guests confined to a Canary Islands hotel as they undergo …

Bloomberg Oil extended declines to the lowest in a year on fears the fast-spreading coronavirus will take a major toll on the global economy. Futures in New York fell 1.4% after plummeting more than 7% over the previous three sessions. Top US health officials warned of a domestic outbreak of the infection, triggering another sell-off on Wall Street and in …

Abu Dhabi / WAM Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, discussed ways to further develop economic cooperation frameworks with Mexico during a number of bilateral meetings held with Mexican ministers and other government officials, in connection with UAE delegation’s participation in the “Mexico-UAE Business and Trade Forum” hosted by Mexico. During Al Mansoori’s meeting with Miguel Torruco …

Agencies President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent a cable of condolences to President of Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the death of the former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak. In the cable, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa expressed his heartfelt condolences and solace on the death of Hosni Mubarak. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid …

Bloomberg The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) hasn’t decided yet to extend or modify its agreement to cut oil output, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said, as the coronavirus batters the global economy and threatens demand for crude. Opec and its allies are to meet next week in Vienna to assess their global cuts policy. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin …

Bloomberg The worrying prospect that the coronavirus outbreak could become the first truly disruptive pandemic of the globalisation era is renewing doubts over the stability of the world economy. With the death toll approaching 3,000, over 80,000 cases officially recorded and an outbreak in Italy now shutting down the richest chunk of its economy, some economists are beginning to war …

Bloomberg Renewed fears that the coronavirus will harm global growth rocked commodity markets again on Monday, with oil and metals prices tumbling while gold soared towards $1,700 an ounce amid a flight to haven assets. As the deadly virus spreads more widely outside China, raising the threat of a global pandemic, finance chiefs and central bankers from the world’s largest …