Bloomberg Former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble backed the European Union’s (EU) proposed 500 billion-euro ($545 billion) economic-recovery plan, adding a key voice to a standoff with EU countries focusing on fiscal austerity. The comments by Schaeuble, who remains influential within Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, suggest he’s gearing up to play a role when the package ...
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Hertz says pandemic decimated revenue, leading to bankruptcy
Bloomberg Hertz Global Holdings Inc., the car-rental company which filed for bankruptcy, said the collapse in air travel amid the coronavirus hit its biggest source of rental revenue. “The overall impact of the Covid-19 crisis devastated our revenue,†according to a court filing signed by Jamere Jackson, an executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hertz. The company, whose ...
Read More »German businesses bet on gradual rebound from virus hit
Bloomberg German businesses are counting on an improvement in the economy in the second half after the coronavirus pandemic depressed private spending and investment and plunged the economy into a recession. Companies surveyed by Ifo showed cautious optimism in May, with a gauge of expectations rising after the previous month’s plunge. A full-fledged recovery though is still a long way ...
Read More »Ma’an initiative benefits over 350,000 people in Ramadan
ABU DHABI / WAM In keeping with the spirit of giving, generosity and reflecting the true values of social cohesion and unity in the Abu Dhabi community, Ma’an’s ‘Together We Are Good’ programme has benefited more than 350,000 people in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Authority of Social Contribution, Ma’an, has received millions ...
Read More »Dubai Customs announces Eid Al Fitr working hours
DUBAI / WAM Dubai Customs has announced the official working hours at its customs centres during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, to help individuals and companies clear their goods without any delay. Air customs centres at Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Airport Free Zone- gate number (5), Al Maktoum Airport Cargo Centre, and inspection section at Dubai Multi Commodities Centre will ...
Read More »3,000 water samples examined in Sharjah over last four months
SHARJAH / WAM The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) revealed the increase in number of water samples examined in the laboratory of water desalination plants was 3,000 from the beginning of the current year until the end of April 2020. In the previous year, Sewa examined 8,420 water samples, intending to provide high-quality drinking water, in line with the ...
Read More »Key UK pension fund urges Total to clamp down on CO2
Bloomberg The UK’s biggest pension fund by membership said it will back a climate resolution asking for France’s Total SA to adopt a tougher stance on climate change at its annual shareholder meeting next week. The resolution was brought by 11 European asset managers last month, in another example of investors pressuring Big Oil to tackle environmental challenges. Since then, ...
Read More »Venezuelans lack gas to cook over shortage
Bloomberg Venezuelans forced to queue for days to fill up their cars with gasoline are now facing a growing shortage of propane to cook after a processing plant caught fire and distribution is being rationed. The Jose petrochemical complex that supplies propane used by about 90% of Venezuelans to cook has slowed production since a fire and a pipeline leakage, ...
Read More »China official says Hongkongers won’t be whisked over border
Bloomberg A senior member of Hong Kong’s delegation to Beijing dismissed speculation that new national security legislation would be used to whisk people over the border, as Chinese authorities sought to assuage global concerns about the measure. Maria Tam, vice chairwoman of the Chinese parliamentary committee that oversees Hong Kong’s law, said in an interview that she didn’t believe the ...
Read More »Record Italian bond sale will cost taxpayers extra $1.6bn
Bloomberg Italy’s record bond sale this week has cast a light on the price tag of the country’s political tension with the European Union (EU). The government’s decision on financing its pandemic costs will saddle taxpayers with 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion) of interest expense over the five-year life of the security. That’s 1.5 billion euros more than if Rome ...
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