BLOOMBERG US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses that risks damaging the economy. Commercial bank lending dropped nearly $105 billion in the two weeks ended on March 29, the most in Federal Reserve data back to 1973. ...

BLOOMBERG Mastercard Inc wants the plastic in consumers’ wallets to do less damage to the environment. Starting in 2028, the company will require all banks issuing one of its payment cards to use sustainable materials as it seeks to remove first–use, PVC plastics from its network, according to a statement. Acceptable alternatives include recycled or bio-sourced plastics. The move comes ...

ABU DHABI / WAM HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta. During the meeting, which was held at the Ministry’s HQ in Abu Dhabi, ways of expanding cooperation and partnership were discussed within the framework of the ...

ABU DHABI / WAM  HH Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, said that Zayed Humanitarian Work Day is an everlasting stop on a national march of generosity and kindness for all peoples on earth. In statements marking theZayed Humanitarian Work Day, Sheikh Tahnoun added: “Late Sheikh Zayed bin ...

ABU DHABI / WAM UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a written letter to Dr Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen, which discussed bilateral relations and also included an invitation to attend COP28, which will be held in the UAE this November. The letter was received by Al-Alimi from ...

ABU DHABI / WAM G42 and Microsoft announced their intention to collaborate on the development of the public sector and industry-focused solutions that leverage Microsoft’s partner ecosystem and cloud capabilities. These solutions will benefit UAE organisations to address citizen and customer needs. Formalised in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed at G42’s premises, the agreement will allow both ...

DUBAI / WAM Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, has recognised Marriott International, the world-renowned hospitality chain, as a long-standing partner and major supporter of their mission. Since the collaboration began in 2015, Marriott International has raised AED11 million making it the largest contribution by ...

DUBAI / WAM The National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) announced that it has provided a long-term credit facility to CleanMax for refinancing its rooftop solar portfolio in the UAE. The facility will cover 48 different operational rooftop solar assets, located in industrial facilities, malls, schools, and universities. This new partnership between NBF and CleanMax therefore represents a significant step towards ...

DUBAI/ WAM CodersHQ, an initiative of the National Programme for Coders, organised an interactive workshop titled “Metaversing Your Education” that focussed on the application of metaverse technology in higher education and was aimed at students from universities across the UAE. The workshop witnessed participation from various speakers, including; Thaer Faraj CEO of Beyond Universe — a Microsoft partner in the ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has made major strides in developing the quality infrastructure of Abu Dhabi, enhancing the emirate’s regional and international competitiveness in various key sectors, according to its annual report for 2022. QCC reported that achievements last year spanned preparing and implementing conformity programmes, reviewing and approving technical documents for partners, ...