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  Hanoi / AFP Vietnam’s economy dipped slightly in the third quarter year-on-year, data showed Thursday, but analysts say the communist country will remain one of Southeast Asia’s star performers. GDP growth in the three months to September hit 6.4 percent, down from 6.81 percent in the same period in 2015, the Government Statistics Office said in a statement. Vietnam ...

  Geneva / AFP The United Nations described on Thursday a desperate situation in Syria’s rebel-held eastern Aleppo, warning “hundreds” needed medical evacuation and that there was only enough food aid left for a quarter of the city’s population. “Utmost on our mind is the need to address the very concerning medical situation” in the east of Aleppo, UN deputy envoy ...

  Dubai / Emirates Business More than 100 professionals of the Middle East’s automotive aftermarket gathered in Dubai to discuss the future trends in their industry, with the rise of digitisation likely to have a major impact on the way they do business in the region. Valued at US$367 billion in 2015, the global market for replacement parts is estimated ...

  DUBAI / Emirates Business The Ministry of Economy recognised du as a pioneer in training and qualifying Emirati nationals in the profession, either for employees or the community with an award for The Emiratis in the Accounting, Auditing and Financial Management professions. du representatives, Amer Kazim, Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad AlSaabri, Senior Director for National Development, received the ...

  Sharjah / WAM Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) leads not only to wealth in economic terms, but also builds a nation’s culture, art and literature, His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has said. Sheikh Sultan made the remark during his opening address at the second edition of the Sharjah Foreign Direct ...

  Dubai / WAM Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum commended the critical role of the State Security Apparatus in enhancing security and safety of the community and preserving its gains. A safe and secure environment is one of the key pillars of development, Sheikh Mohammed stressed on Wednesday, while ...

  Rome / AFP Italy has slashed its growth forecasts for this year and next, nine weeks before a referendum shaping up as make-or-break vote on the centre-left government’s record that could send shockwaves across Europe. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on updated budget plans for 2017, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he was now making a “prudent” prediction of ...

  Athens / AFP The Greek parliament has adopted fresh austerity measures sought by its international creditors, including expediting privatisation of utility companies. The reforms were passed by 152 of the 293 parliamentary deputies present, deputy speaker Yorgos Varemenos announced after the debate. The vote opens the way for 2.8 billion euros ($3.1 billion) in loans, which have been blocked ...

  Sofia / AFP Bulgaria on Wednesday switched its candidate to be the next head of the United Nations, shaking up the race to succeed Ban Ki-moon when he steps down on December 31. Sofia is now throwing its weight behind European Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva, dumping UNESCO chief Irina Bokova after she came a lowly sixth in the ...

  Agencies The entire state of South Australia lost electricity after severe winds and storms lashed the region, according to Adelaide-based SA Power Networks. The distributor, which services about 850,000 homes and businesses, said that Australia’s fourth-largest state by area is currently without power and there is “no upstream supply from the transmission network.” The state — about one and ...