COP28: Turkey assessed as “critically insufficient” on all climate crisis goals by scientific analysis

Researcher concludes that country “has set an emission target that it can almost achieve without any serious action”.

COP28 – what will be the main battles?

As around 70,000 people descend on Dubai for COP 28, the warnings signs of the climate crisis are clear. So far this year has been the hottest ever, and the future looks bleak.

IEA offers five pillars for action at the COP28 climate summit

Renewable energy should be tripled globally by 2030. That is the first of five pillars of action from the International Energy Agency for the COP28 climate summit starting on November 30 in Dubai.

Host UAE planned to use COP28 for oil deals

COP28 host, the United Arab Emirates, has planned to use its status at the UN annual climate conference in Dubai to make new oil and gas deals with as many as 15 member nations, according to leaked briefing documents obtained by the BBC.

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Success in delivering Turkmenistan methane crackdown would be big moment for COP28

US and global institutions have been lobbying the “super-emitter” all year long. The moment of truth will arrive at the summit.

Raisi no-show suggests Iran irked by Turkey’s "words not action" posture on Gaza

Turkish companies provide Israel with 40% of its oil and at least 7% of its electricity. Tehran would like to see that stop.

Iran registers $10bn in non-oil trade deficit

Iran's annualised inflation hits 44.9%: statistical centre

Iran to sign free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union in 2 months

Israeli media alarmed by Iran's new hypersonic missile

SDS storms fed by sand and dust equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza, says UNCCD

Sometimes known as the sirocco, haboob, yellow dust, white storm or harmattan, the phenomenon that engulfs everything in its path can be a costly disaster.

Central Asia land degradation data demonstrates rapid advance of crisis worldwide says UNCCD

Data shows that in region an area almost four times the size of Kyrgyzstan is degraded.

Iran registers 75% rise in e-commerce transactions

The total value of electronic commerce transactions in Iran grew by 75% to reach IRR 13,400 trillion ($25.7bn), during the first half of the current Iranian year (started March 2023), Donya-e Eqtesad Daily reported on November 13.

Central Bank of Iran partners with fintechs to advance smart financial services

The Central Bank of Iran says fostering smart banking services is high on its agenda, adding that it wants fintechs to be a part of the developments, IBENA reported on November 13.

Bank deposits flourish in Iran with private banks amassing over $8bn in 7 months - led by Pasargad

A recent review of the financial statements of 13 private banks listed with Tehran Stock Exchange indicates lenders’ success in attracting deposits during the seven months to October 22, EcoIran reported on November 12.

Iran’s private enterprises suffering under mounting tax pressure

Iran's Human Development Index on the decline

Mass deportations of Afghans from Pakistan strain bilateral relations

More than 160,000 undocumented Afghans have been forcibly deported from Pakistan, which claims the refugees have been involved in Islamist militant attacks and crimes.

Turkey fails to respond to Iran call for ban on shipping oil to Israel

At an Ankara press conference, Turkey’s top diplomat leaves boycott appeal voiced by his Iranian counterpart hanging in the air.

Iran looks to solar power to solve energy shortages

Subsidised prices, over-reliance on gas and oil, and a lack of investment (partly due to international sanctions) have led to worsening energy shortages.