International News

Putin lands in Abu Dhabi on Middle East visit

ABU DHABI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday landed in the United Arab Emirates for a rare visit outside the former Soviet Union, as Moscow seeks to reassert itself on the global stage.
Isolated by the West over the Ukraine war, Putin is courting allies in the Middle East, where he will discuss oil, trade and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
"Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a working visit," the Kremlin said, before he was scheduled to travel onwards to Saudi Arabia.

COP28 fossil fuel battle hardens despite new warning on warming

DUBAI: Battle lines on fossil fuels hardened at UN climate talks on Tuesday despite scientists warning that global warming could breach the 1.5C threshold within seven years.
A new COP28 draft agreement in Dubai included the options of phasing out fossil fuels or not addressing the issue at all, setting the stage for tough negotiations due to end next week.
Saudi Arabia -- the world biggest oil exporter -- took a hardline stance, saying it would "absolutely not" agree to phasing down fossil fuels, never mind phasing them out.

Modi party routs opposition in key India state polls

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruling party routed the main opposition in key heartland states as votes were counted Sunday, months before national elections in the world most populous country.
The victories in three of the five states that voted in November further boost right-wing BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Modi, who is already the favourite to win his third consecutive term in office next year.
The premier party wrested control of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan states from the opposition and retained Madhya Pradesh in a landslide despite a spirited challenge.

Climate damage fund hailed, but needs billions rather than millions

DUBAI: The launch of a climate "loss and damage" fund drew praise and hundreds of millions of dollars in pledges at the UN COP28 talks on Thursday but also warnings that much more is needed to help vulnerable nations.
"We have delivered history today," the UAE COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber told delegates who stood and applauded after the decision adoption in Dubai.
The announcement was followed immediately by financial pledges, including 225 million euros ($246 million) from the European Union, $100 million from the United Arab Emirates, another $100 million from Germany, $40 million from Britain, $17.5 million from the United States and $10 million from Japan.