Bloomberg Hong Kong’s subway system has closed early for more than a week, effectively cutting off the main mode of transportation for millions of residents. Many are now wondering how long it will last. Following unprecedented vandalism on the night of October 4, when Chief Executive Carrie Lam banned face masks after invoking emergency powers last used in 1967, many ...

Bloomberg Former South African President Jacob Zuma was briefly back in court on Tuesday as the start of his trial on graft, racketeering and money laundering charges inched closer, a decade after prosecutors tried to shelve the case amid allegations of political interference. High Court Judge Sharmaine Bolton delayed the trial in the eastern town of Pietermaritzburg until February 4 ...

Bloomberg Protesters continued to disupt rail and road travel as unrest flickered across Catalonia a day after a Madrid court handed down jail sentences totalling 100 years to separatist leaders who tried to split the region from Spain in 2017. Demonstrators blocked several highways while the high-speed rail service north of Barcelona to Girona was disrupted by damage to the ...

Bloomberg The French government believes that the UK presented a “serious proposal” to exit the European Union, though it is too early to say if there will be a deal by the European summit later this week. The situation regarding Brexit must be clear before the EU leaders meet on Thursday in Brussels, about two weeks prior to the October ...

Bloomberg US Democratic presidential aspirants were expected to take the debate stage in Ohio armed with a battery of fresh ammunition against Donald Trump. Trump’s would-be challengers will be targeting a president who’s the subject of a deepening House impeachment inquiry and whose whiplash foreign policy in Syria is drawing withering criticism, even from some in his own party. Look ...

Dubai / Emirates Business Chinese tourists to Dubai can now benefit from instant VAT refund capabilities at Dubai Airports via the We Tax Refund on the WeChat Mini Program, launched by Chinese tech giant, Tencent, and international payments service provider, Planet. With the support of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), the new integrated service provides a ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), posted draft regulations concerning crypto assets on its website, in line with its efforts to regulate and develop capital markets operating in the UAE. In a statement, the Authority urged all relevant parties including investors, brokers, financial analysts, researchers, media personnel, and others to provide their feedback and input on ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The Abu Dhabi Government and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), awarded to a subsidiary of the Russian listed PJSC Lukoil Oil Company (Lukoil), a five percent stake in the Ghasha ultra-sour gas concession that comprises the Hail, Ghasha, Dalma and other offshore sour gas fields in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. At the same time, Adnoc, ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The UAE Space Agency (UAESA), announced the details of its National Space Strategy 2030 and National Space Investment Plan, complementing the regulatory and legislative framework of the UAE’s national space sector and in line with the strategic objectives of the Agency. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), sought out cooperation opportunities with Russia’s Ministry of Energy in the conventional and renewable energy sectors. The Chairman of the Abu Dhabi DoE, Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, met with Russian Minister of Energy, Alexander Valentinovich Novak, to discuss opportunities for collaboration on the sidelines of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit ...