Rebels seize military base, pose serious challenge to Putin’s rule

• Counter-terrorist operation initiated to halt their advance towards Moscow
• Wagner force moves through Lipetsk region; civilians urged to stay home

‘Domestic violence is overlooked in custody rulings’

• Reem Alsalem, a UN human rights expert, uncovers substantial gender bias in family courts, frequently ignoring past domestic violence incidents in custody rulings
• Violence persistently threatens women and children, causing significant hardship. For minority women, stereotypes and justice hurdles further exacerbate challenges, she adds

Rate hikes, tech, government support boost GCC banks

‘EU acknowledges, appreciates Qatar’s labor reforms’

• European Union commends Qatar's successful organization of FIFA World Cup and its positive impact
• The bloc has also vowed to strengthen relations with Islamic countries and combat hatred against Islam

Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2030 plans at BIE Assembly

• The Gulf nation emphasized the Expo's potential in enhancing global collaborations and reinforcing actions on impactful projects
• Riyadh has already begun expanding its infrastructure in preparation for hosting the Expo, says Royal Commission of Riyadh CEO

US supports China’s bid to advance Middle East peace

• Blinken spoke of his recent visit to the Middle East where he met with the GCC leaders who, according to him, still see the US as the preferred partner
• On Taiwan, Blinken said the US has real concerns about the direction it has taken and blamed China for what he called as reckless actions

‘UAE committed to support refugee across the world’

• The UAE has launched initiatives to economically and socially empower refugee women through the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women
• The Gulf country recently donated $20 million to UNRWA, totaling $521 million in Palestinian assistance between 2018 and 2023

Saudi-French Investment Forum signs $2.9 billion worth of agreements

• The agreements provide opportunities for increased investment and collaboration in diverse sectors
• Trade volume between France and Saudi Arabia surged by over 80% in 2022, reaching $11.5 billion

Which country leads Arab world in business ease?

• Arab nations have implemented several reforms to improve the ease of doing business. TRENDS takes an in-depth look to determine the most business-friendly country in the region
• Business reforms have led to a significant increase in foreign direct investments, contributing to the growth of both the public and private sectors in the Arab countries

$800bn investments set to bolster Saudi tourism

• Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, fueling a 4.45% GDP growth, is set for an $800 billion investment boost over the next decade.
• Despite the global pandemic, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 93.5 million tourists in 2022, making it the fastest-growing tourism destination