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Beijing, Mar 30 (PTI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China on Wednesday to take part in the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries being organised by Beijing, amid the Ukraine crisis.

Lavrov arrived in Tunxi, east China's Anhui Province, for the third meeting of foreign ministers on Afghanistan, Russia's official news agency Tass reported on Wednesday.

Berlin, Mar 30 (AP) The German government said Wednesday it was triggering the early warning level for gas supplies amid concerns that Russia could cut off supplies unless it is paid in rubles.

Western nations have rejected the Russian demand for ruble payments, arguing it would undermine the sanctions imposed against Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

30 March 2022; MEMO: Qatar has pledged to pump $5 billion into Egypt's investment markets in a boost to the ailing Egyptian economy, it was reported on Tuesday.

According to official mass media in both countries, their respective governments agreed to form a committee to coordinate investment plans. However, no timetable was provided for the formation of the committee or the investment process.

30 March 2022; MEMO: Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) yesterday raised its toll fees for vessels passing through the waterway due to the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine.

SCA chairman Osama Rabie told reporters that the increases will be imposed on "all types of ship" using the canal. The increases will amount to between 5 and 20 per cent. "Traffic through the canal has been affected by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," he explained.

29 March 2022; MEMO: UAE Energy Chief has doubled down on OPEC's alliance with Russia and insists that Moscow will always be part of the inter-governmental organisation. Abu-Dhabi's Energy Minister, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, said yesterday that Russia, with its 10 million barrels of oil a day, is an important member of the global OPEC+ energy alliance and sees no other substitute to replace its contribution to the global supply of oil.

Islamabad, Mar 29 (PTI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday embarked on a visit to China to attend a regional meeting on war-torn Afghanistan.

The third meeting of 'Foreign Ministers of Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan' is being held on March 29 to 31, according to the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO). The meeting will be held in Tunxi, central China's Anhui province.

Amaravati, Mar 28 (PTI): The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), founded by Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo, an economist, will extend its collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government to help achieve the target set under the UN sustainable developmental goals.

Duflo and her team interacted with Chief Minister of the State Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy here on Monday and explored ways on working with the government.

28 March 2022; MEMO: OPEC+ will likely stick to plans for a modest increase in oil output in May, several sources close to the group said, despite a surge in prices due to the Ukraine crisis and calls from the United States and other consumers for more supply, Reuters reports.

Several consuming nations, including the United States, have urged producers to raise their output by more as crude prices have surged, hitting their highest since 2008 this month, at over $139 a barrel.

28 March 2022; MEMO: Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a flurry of Western sanctions on Moscow, at least one oligarch and thousands of other Russians have arrived in Turkey, seen as a safe place to stay, invest and hold assets despite its NATO membership, Reuters reports.

Acting as a safe haven raises risks for Turkey's government, banks and businesses that could face tough decisions and penalties if the United States and others ramp up pressure on Moscow with broader "secondary" sanctions.

27 March 2022; MEMO: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said his country is ready to supply Lebanon with wheat, amid heightened concerns of a regional food crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.