Israel endorses plan to extend Gaza truce as first phase draws to close, Hamas wants permanent peace
The first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was set to expire over the...
Geostrategy
Economy
MENA region could gain $385bn from women reentering workforce: survey
Doha, Qatar - The women returning to the workforce following a career break have the potential to contribute nearly US$385bn...
- Nearly half of working women in the MENA region have taken a career break, with over 68% taking them at experienced levels and above, the study reveals
- Providing flexible working models that enable women to work additional hours could generate close to US$4.3 billion in GDP gains in the nine countries surveyed
Global child deaths reach historic low in 2022: UN report
Geneva, Switzerland – The number of children who died before their fifth birthday has reached a historic low, dropping to...
- The report reveals that more children are surviving today than ever before, with the global under-5 mortality rate declining by 51 percent since 2000
- The loss of life is primarily due to preventable or treatable causes, such as preterm birth, complications around the time of birth, pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria
Business
Over 70% report revenue surge in UAE from digital payments, Visa finds
Dubai, UAE - More than 70% of surveyed retailers in the UAE have experienced increased revenue and higher customer footfall since...
- The study focused on two groups of merchants - those accepting digital payments for 1-4 years and those exclusively dealing in cash transactions
- 95% of digital payment-accepting merchants believe that the value derived from digital payment acceptance are on par with or exceed the associated costs
Business
Parkin to give more shares to retail investors in its IPO
Dubai, UAE - Parkin Company on Tuesday announced an increase in the number of shares offered in the UAE Retail...
- The UAE Retail Offer has been increased to 89,964,000 ordinary shares from 74,970,000 ordinary shares
- Parkin is expected to commence trading on the DFM on March 21, 2024, under the symbol “PARKIN”
Geostrategy
Israeli forces kill Jordanian in West Bank, says Palestinian ministry
A Jordanian citizen has died after being shot by Israeli forces in the West Bank, Palestinian authorities said, with the...
- The Israeli military said Hussein was suspected of being an accomplice of a Palestinian fighter Muhammad Jabar.
- Jabar was preparing to carry out a suicide attack in Israel, according to the military.
Economy
Baghdad, Tehran in talks to import gas from Turkmenistan
Tehran, Iran - Baghdad and Tehran are currently engaged in negotiations to facilitate the import of gas from Turkmenistan, with...
- The pact provides for supplying Iraq with 51 million M3 per day, Iraqi minister of electricity Luay Al-Khatteeb said
- He further noted that the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has fulfilled all gas-related payments to Iran
Economy
$2bn earmarked for Saudi real estate by Muslim global HWNIs
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Muslim global high net worth individuals (HNWI) are prepared to spend US$ 1.96 billion on real...
- Makkah (30%) has emerged as the top wish list city by Muslim HNWI for real estate purchases in Saudi, while Riyadh (25%) ranks second
- Prices in Makkah have risen by an average of 5.5% over the last 3 years, compared to 5% in Madinah over the same period
Business
Jafza reports 28% year-on-year growth in 2023 of new Indian companies
DUBAI, UAE – Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is a major contributor to the growing trade between India and the...
- Over 190 new Indian businesses and a total of more than 1,500 Indian companies have set up business in Jafza.
- This move aims to assist Indian businesses in accessing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Business
UAE’s e-commerce sector projected to earn $9bn revenue in 2024
Dubai, UAE - The UAE's online shopping market is gearing up for unprecedented growth, with revenue projections hitting $9 billion...
- One of the key drivers of this expansion is the emerging trend of "metaverse e-commerce," a segment anticipated to experience a 37% growth from 2024 to 2030
- The top performers in 2023 were Toys, DIY, and hobbies, leading with 29% market share, closely followed by fashion at 27%
Economy
Residential demand buoyed Qatar’s property sector in 2023
Doha, Qatar - Residential demand continued to buoy the country's property sector in Q4 2023, hapondo, a homegrown property portal,...
- The report pointed out that despite a decrease in real estate transaction volume to $4.6 billion from $5.82 billion, apartments remained popular for investment
- Key residential highlights included the Marina District in Lusail, while The Pearl remained the most sought-after location for apartment seekers
Israel endorses plan to extend Gaza truce as first phase draws to close, Hamas wants permanent peace
The first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was set to expire over the...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Paris, France - Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence (AI),...
Economy
In stabilization bid, Syria’s new ruler declares all weapons under state control, including Kurdish arms
Ahmed al-Sharaa announced all weapons, including those held by Kurdish-led forces, will come under state control, emphasizing unity and coexistence...
UN envoy warns Syria conflict persists as rebels seek international ties post-Assad ouster
The UN migration chief expressed concerns about large-scale refugee returns destabilizing Syria further, particularly affecting religious minorities who fled violence...
Geostrategy
Most Read
‘AI saved 1.5 billion liters of water, cut carbon emissions equivalent to 1 million trees in Saudi Arabia’
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Artificial intelligence (AI) has contributed to saving 150 million sheets of paper and conserving 1.5 billion...
- Alghamdi said that the planet is facing unprecedented challenges today, from record high temperatures to escalating climate risks that threaten global stability
- Saudi Green Initiative lies at the heart of transformative efforts, being a comprehensive national strategy comprising over 80 initiatives, he added
Science
Saudi Space Agency launches ‘Space Futures Centre’
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) announced Sunday the launch of the Centre for Space Futures, the...
- The Centre for Space Futures aims to enhance space research, innovation, and international collaboration, boosting Saudi Arabia's role in the global space industry
- The Centre positions Saudi Arabia as a key player in advancing space exploration and technological innovation worldwide
Saudi-US higher education partnerships forum launched
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan alongside U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney, on...
- Saudi Arabia and the U.S. deepen academic ties with a new higher-education partnership forum, promoting student exchanges and research collaboration.
- The Saudi-U.S. forum marks a milestone in educational cooperation, aligning academic initiatives with Saudi Vision 2030