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UK

Has UK economy entered a recession? Q3 data suggest so

UK Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said the outlook for the economy was not as bad as the updated official figures suggested

AI

Europe agrees landmark AI regulation deal

The accord requires foundation models such as ChatGPT and general purpose AI systems (GPAI) to comply with transparency obligations before they are put on the market

Schengen visa process to go digital from 2028

Schengen visa: EU Council gives nod to online application

Based on the new rules, people who plan to travel to the Schengen area can apply online for a visa once the new system becomes operational in 2028

Instagram

Meta’s Instagram, Facebook to charge EU users for ad-free service: Report

The proposal is an attempt by Meta to comply with European Union regulations that threaten to curb its ability to personalise ads for users

2030 FIFA WORLD CUP COHOST MOROCCO

Morocco named 2030 FIFA World Cup co-host along with Spain, Portugal

Morocco will become only the second African country to host the World Cup after South Africa hosted it in 2010

UK visas fees to rise by Oct 4 2023 image: Getty Images

UK visas: Fees set to rise from October 4, here are the details

The rise in fees mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by GBP15 to GBP115 (around Dhs514)

70% of jet fuels at EU airports to be green by 2050 Image courtesy European Parliament

EU approves new aviation law; 70% of jet fuels at airports to be green by 2050

Based on the new EU approved law, 2 per cent of jet fuel must be sustainable as of 2025, and 70 per cent by 2050

Facebook News

Meta to remove Facebook News from UK, Germany, and France

Facebook News, a dedicated tab on Facebook’s platform spotlighting news content, is set to be phased out in early December

BMW EV

BMW reveals next-generation EV to take on Tesla, China’s BYD

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are expected to make up 90 per cent of the world’s biggest auto market around the end of this decade

Greece wildfire

Greece battles ‘Europe’s worst-ever wildfire’

The wildfire currently spans over 810 square kilometers, and has burnt down an area larger than the New York City

Heathrow airport trials low-carbon concrete -Image Heathrow Airport Limited

Heathrow is one of world’s first airports to trial use of lower-carbon concrete

As part of Heathrow’s holistic sustainability strategy – Heathrow 2.0 – the airport is committed to reducing on the ground emissions as well as those in the air

household wealth drops

Global household wealth drops for first time since 2008 financial crisis

The bulk of the decline was felt in North American and European households which lost a combined $10.9tn

Proximie

SoftBank-backed Proximie launches virtual robotic-assisted surgery training course

The first observership programme will begin on October 16

Turkey earthquake

Earthquakes strike central Turkey; Indonesia’s Nusa Tenggara

The earthquake’s epicentre was in the country’s Adana province and tremors were felt across the eastern and southern parts of the country

Saudia Cargo

Saudia Cargo expands European services

The air cargo services provider has signed a strategic agreement with Jan de Rijk Co to expand its reach

INVESTMENT

Bahrain signs $1.3bn strategic investment deal with UK

The agreement aims to facilitate investment in sectors such as clean technology, business services and manufacturing

Birmingham Airport

Saudia launches first flight to Birmingham Airport

This is a significant step in Saudia’s strategy of expanding its international network and strengthening connections between the kingdom and the rest of the world

Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister dies

Silvio Berlusconi was prime minister of Italy three times between 1994 and 2011 and his party is a junior partner in the current ruling coalition

AI's dark side

EU urges Big Tech to alert users about AI’s ‘dark sides’

The EU is rushing to catch up and set rules for generative AI as it negotiates its AI Act, which will go up for a key vote in the European Parliament

real estate

A new wave of real estate pain is coming after $148bn rout

The price of prime real estate office buildings in Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam have dropped considerably

solar

Solar beats coal in Europe for first time – but there’s a glitch

While the furious expansion of solar generation bodes well for efforts to replace fossil fuels, the breakthrough also exposed flaws in the energy system

France implements short-haul flight ban. Image credit: Groupe ADP

France short-haul flight ban comes into effect: What it means for travellers

Domestic flight journeys that can be completed by train in less than two-and-a-half hours banned by French Transport Ministry

Cold storage in Meta data center. Image Credit: META

Meta fined record $1.3bn in EU over US data transfers

The Meta fine coincides with the fifth anniversary of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, widely seen as the world’s benchmark for privacy

UAE-UK Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and James Cleverly meet for the Strategic Dialogue between the UAE and UK. Image Credit: MOFAIC

UAE-UK inaugural strategic dialogue: key takeaways

The strategic dialogue builds on the 2021 bilateral meet during which the two countries agreed to establish a partnership for the future

UAE, Germany

UAE, Germany explore partnerships to build on industrial ties and climate efforts

Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology hosts around 30 German companies to discuss expanding cooperation in fields such advanced technologies and de-carbonisation

Silicon Valley Bank UK

HSBC acquires Silicon Valley Bank UK for less than Dhs5

The assets and liabilities of the parent companies of SVB UK are excluded from the transaction

Nomo

Digital Islamic bank Nomo launches multi-currency accounts

First available in Kuwait, the multi-currency accounts will soon roll-out in phases to customers across the GCC

Sturgeon

Scotland’s Sturgeon to resign as first minister

It’s unclear when she plans to leave office

Etihad

Etihad Cargo expands European capacity

The carrier will introduce two new routes from its Abu Dhabi hub to Copenhagen in Denmark and Düsseldorf in Germany

Dubai Investments acquires 9% stake in UK-based digital bank

Dubai Investments acquires 9% stake in UK-based digital bank

Monument Bank is focused on the overlooked ‘mass affluent’ segment in the UK