According to IMF, Dubai finances stronger but still vulnerable, 

According to IMF, Dubai finances stronger but still vulnerable, 

DUBAI: Dubai’s ability to finance its debts has improved because of stronger economic growth and more conservative spending, but the emirate would still be vulnerable in a global economic downturn, the International Monetary Fund said.

Under a baseline scenario, Dubai government debt is expected to fall gradually to 41.6 percent of gross domestic product by 2019 from 60.2 percent last year, the IMF said after annual consultations with the United Arab Emirates......Read more

According to Experts politicians should tackle trade deficit 

According to Experts politicians should tackle trade deficit

BEIRUT: Industrial and agricultural experts urged the government over the weekend to take measures aimed at curbing a trade deficit that has neared $7.33 billion in the first five months of 2014, recording an increase of 1.85 percent in comparison with May 2013.

Lebanon’s balance of trade deficit widened by $133 million to just below $7.33 billion during the first five months of 2014, according to statistics published by the Higher Council of Customs.

The increase in the deficit was buoyed by a $578 million contraction in exports to around $1.39 billion, which outweighed the $445 million year-on-year drop in imports to around $8.71 billion.

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Now Brazil’s maverick turned leader 

 Now Brazil’s maverick turned leader

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil: Frizzy locks flailing and eyes bulging, David Luiz charged toward the corner flag and karate-kicked it out the way after sending Brazil into the World Cup semifinals with a stunning free kick against Colombia.

His celebration a caricature of his playing style, Luiz rarely does things the conventional way.

The most expensive defender ever having sealed a £50 million ($85 million) move from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain last month, he played the majority of his final season in the Premier League in midfield as Jose Mourinho didn’t trust him to defend and is his country’s second top scorer at the World Cup.

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Border rebels resist Hezbollah, regime 

Border rebels resist Hezbollah, regime

   
 Lebanon: Hezbollah and the Syrian Army have hit a wall in their fight to root out opposition forces from the mountainous Qalamoun area just over the Syrian border from Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

“We need more fighters to launch an extensive attack against the rebels,” a Hezbollah official told The Daily Star. “Their [the opposition’s] numbers ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 fighters.”

As rebels continue to cling to their foothold in Qalamoun, they continue to travel easily in and out of Lebanon, raising concerns of more attacks here from Islamist militants galvanized by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria’s (ISIS) recent gains in northern Syria and Iraq.......Read more

   

Etiquette gets reboot for digital age