Business

BRUSSELS/LONDON, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Members of the European Parliament have overwhelmingly backed the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU.

MEPs ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by 621 votes to 49 following an emotional debate in Brussels.

After the vote, MEPs marked the UK’s exit by singing Auld Lang Syne.

Several British MEPs said they hoped the UK would return one day although Eurosceptics, including the Brexit Party’s Nigel Farage, used their final speeches to tear into the EU.

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the new North American trade pact with Canada and Mexico into law, pronouncing a “glorious future” for US industry.

It was another opportunity for Trump to tout successes in the midst of an impeachment trial where he is fighting charges of abuse of office and obstructing Congress. On Tuesday he announced a Middle East peace plan — rejected immediately by the Palestinians — and earlier this month he signed a truce in his trade war with China.

29 Jan 2020; MEMO: As part of a package of goodwill postures, Israeli occupation authorities cement to entry the besieged Gaza Strip without UN observation, Arab48 reported yesterday.

Reporting the Israeli general radio, Arab48 said Gaza traders would buy and sell cement freely without restrictions.

29 Jan 2019; MEMO: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been in touch with Greece in an effort to cooperate against Turkey in the Mediterranean, Turkey’s Yenisafak newspaper has reported.

The two Arab states, which have had a history of animosity with Ankara over the past decade as a result of their support of opposing sides in numerous Middle East conflicts including in Syria, Egypt and Libya, have met with Greek Cyprus Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, and other officials in Athens.

Brussels, Jan 28 (AFP/PTI) The EU will not ban Chinese telecom giant Huawei or any other company in Europe, a top official said on Tuesday, despite intense pressure from Washington to shun the firm over spying fears.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, will officially unveil recommendations to member states on Wednesday, but commissioner Thierry Breton told MEPs that Brussels will choose tight scrutiny over any blanket ban.

PHNOM PENH, Jan 29 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia’s economy is projected to remain robust in 2020, despite stronger external headwinds, the Singapore-based ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said.

“Real GDP (gross domestic product) growth is forecast to moderate to a more sustainable rate of 7.1 percent in 2019 and 2020, supported by robust construction activities, strong domestic credit growth, and buoyant domestic demand,” the press release said.

Inflation is expected to rise to 2.3 percent this year, slightly up from 2.1 percent last year, it said.

28 Jan 2019; MEMO: British prosecutors revealed that the oil and gas consultancy company Unaoil paid nearly $6 million in bribes to obtain deals in Iraq worth $800 million, between 2005 and 2011.

Jaipur, Jan 28 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of tarnishing India's image as a country where peace prevailed and urged the youth not to let their voice be suppressed.

Targeting the youth, the former Congress president blamed the BJP-led government of creating an image for the country that deterred investors.

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabhbhai Patel on Monday urged Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Qatar, to supply gas to the state at reasonable rates on long-term basis, a press release from the state government said.

A bilateral meeting between Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan and Al Kaabi was held here which was attended by Patel.

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Ahead of the Union Budget, the Congress on Monday accused the government of doing little to put the country's economy in order and warned that it was on the brink of stagflation.

Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the country's economy needed the attention of the government as the world was watching it closely.

"We are at the brink of stagflation; we are at the risk of stagnating economy slipping into stagflation and I say that with full responsibility," she said.