News

Bloomberg Asia’s manufacturing activity continued to advance in May, though at a slightly slower pace, despite flare-ups of Covid-19 around the region that could force some plants to close and weigh on sentiment. Taiwan’s IHS Markit May manufacturing purchasing managers’ index declined to 62 from April’s 62.4, remaining well above the 50 level that signals expansion. New orders rose. South ...

Bloomberg Malaysian stocks dropped and the ringgit weakened after the government imposed a two-week nationwide lockdown to curb a relentless surge in Covid-19 infections. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index fell as much as 1.6%, before paring losses to 0.7% at the close in Kuala Lumpur. The ringgit slid as much as 0.4% to 4.1480 per dollar, while 10-year bond ...

Bloomberg Singapore pledged it would not be left behind as developed economies reopen, marking an intention to shift away from the strict containment approach that’s helped some Asian places eliminate the virus, but which leaves them increasingly isolated. The country wouldn’t be stuck in a Covid-19 malaise, and tourists will be welcomed, people can go for sports events, even ditch ...

DUBAI / WAM HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered an aid flight to transport much needed cholera kits from the World Health Organisation’s logistics hub in Dubai to Bangladesh to assist the country in combating an escalating cholera outbreak. Under His Highness’s directives, the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in ...

Bloomberg Oil advanced ahead of an Opec+ policy meeting as traders expect rising demand to absorb a planned production increase from the group as well as any additional crude from Iran. Futures in New York climbed past $67 a barrel, putting crude on track for a second straight monthly gain. Opec and its allies are expected to stick with a ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) of Saudi Arabia concluded the first bilateral cooperation initiative in the nuclear regulatory industry. The cooperation initiative is part of an agreement signed in 2019 on the peaceful use of nuclear energy between the two countries. A one-month series of ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, received at his palace Massimo Badji, Swiss Ambassador to the UAE, and a number of heads of religious sects. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Switzerland across various fields. They exchanged views on a ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The Philippines wants to closely cooperate with the United Arab Emirates to achieve food security, according to a top Philippine official. In an exclusive interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM), Ramon M Lopez, Minister of Philippines Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “The Philippines and the UAE share ...

SHARJAH / WAM The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced the launch of two new beach development projects, worth a total of AED 197 million, complete with world-class public amenities to develop the emirate’s retail, tourism and hospitality infrastructure and enhance Sharjah’s appeal as an ideal leisure and adventure destination for residents and visitors. The upcoming AED 110 ...

SHARJAH / WAM Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), has announced the resumption of direct flights between Sharjah and Bishkek starting from July 2. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Bishkek by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. Ensuring the highest ...