UAE Approves Developing the Circular Economy Policy 2031

Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairs the cabinet meeting on Monday. (WAM)
Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairs the cabinet meeting on Monday. (WAM)
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UAE Approves Developing the Circular Economy Policy 2031

Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairs the cabinet meeting on Monday. (WAM)
Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairs the cabinet meeting on Monday. (WAM)

The Emirati Cabinet approved developing the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, as an updated framework to achieve the objectives of the UAE in the circular economy, the UAE's Green Agenda 2030, and the UAE Centennial 2071.

The Agenda includes developing 22 policies in various fields, including sustainable transport, sustainable food production and consumption, sustainable manufacturing, and green infrastructure.

The UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter was approved by the Cabinet, reported the state news agency WAM.

The charter aims to create a unified framework between the Federal government and the local governments of the Emirates, ensuring cooperation in adopting policies and procedures to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “We approved four international agreements and the establishment of an office for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in the country.”

“The bank brings in 57 countries, with a starting capital of $100 billion, and aims at driving investments in infrastructure to promote Asia’s accelerated development.”

Sheikh Mohammed added: “During the meeting, we adopted the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031. Also, we reviewed the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment report and its action plan for the upcoming period, to achieve UAE Net Zero by 2050.”

“We approved the ‘Ajyal Schools’ model which includes managing 28 government schools by operators from the private sector for three years to ensure experience transfer and diversification of educational choices for parents.”

The Cabinet also approved the launch of the “UAE Award for Market Leadership” that recognizes distinct practices and honors leading businessmen and employees, and highlight the competitiveness of the UAE labor market.



Oman Port Hit by Drone to Reopen from Tuesday

General view of Port of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo
General view of Port of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo
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Oman Port Hit by Drone to Reopen from Tuesday

General view of Port of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo
General view of Port of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo

Danish shipping firm Maersk announced Monday that Oman's port of Salalah, which was hit by a drone at the weekend, would start to reopen from Tuesday.

The Oman authorities said one worker was injured and minor damage caused by the strike on the port, which is run by Maersk subsidiary APM Terminals and is one of the key shipping facilities in the Gulf state.

Maersk said the area damaged was "limited" and that the port's management would take "necessary measures" to progressively build up to full capacity.

Some "constraints" would remain but additional safety and "preventive" measures had been taken because of the strike, it added.


US Stocks Open Higher after Trump Threatens Iran

Stock market statistics are displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange (AFP)
Stock market statistics are displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange (AFP)
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US Stocks Open Higher after Trump Threatens Iran

Stock market statistics are displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange (AFP)
Stock market statistics are displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange (AFP)

Wall Street stocks opened higher Monday after US President Donald Trump claimed progress in talks with Iran, even as he threatened to destroy key oil facilities on Kharg Island and to decimate the country's power infrastructure.

International benchmark Brent North Sea crude was up 2.2 percent to $115.02 per barrel on Monday morning, while the main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, rose 1.7 percent to $101.35, AFP reported.

All three major US indices started the week on the front foot.

About ten minutes into trading, the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite was up 0.8 percent at 21,124.23, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9 percent at 45,566.69, and the broad-based S&P 500 also rose 0.9 percent to 6,426.20.

Art Hogan of B. Riley Wealth Management said investors "would desperately like to see an exit ramp in this war."

Still, even as Trump claims progress towards talks, he is often contradicted by Tehran and the Middle East region remains engulfed by war, with US-Israeli strikes continuing, Iran's retaliation targeting US allies in the Gulf and Israeli strikes against Lebanon expanding.

"The market's going to wake up every day and try to figure out where we are in the war with Iran and what that means for energy prices," said Hogan.

"If in fact, the president's announcement on Truth Social can be even taken a little bit seriously about negotiations going well, then the market would celebrate that."

Hogan added that markets were currently oversold and therefore "very susceptible to any good news, especially as it pertains to this war in Iran."

Monday's gains came after a series of losses last week, with the S&P 500 ending the week lower for the fifth straight week, its longest such run in four years.


Turkish Cenbank Total Reserves Fell $55 billion Since War Began

Turkish Central Bank (official website)
Turkish Central Bank (official website)
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Turkish Cenbank Total Reserves Fell $55 billion Since War Began

Turkish Central Bank (official website)
Turkish Central Bank (official website)

The Turkish Central Bank's total reserves fell by a hefty $22 billion last week to $155.5 billion, bringing their declines since the start of the Iran war to $55 billion, bankers said, Reuters reported.

They said the central bank sold $18 billion in foreign exchange last week, meaning its total forex sales amid the one-month war totaled $44 billion.

The central bank's net reserves fell $22.5 billion last week to $35 billion, the bankers also said.