No permit, no hajj: Saudi intensifies crackdown after heat deaths
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a...
Geostrategy
Syria inks $7 bn energy deal with Qatari, Turkish, US firms
The agreement was sealed at the presidential palace in Damascus in the presence of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US...
Business
Science
Global cost of dementia to cross $1.7trn by 2030
The disease, which robs people of their "memories, independence and dignity", is on the rise worldwide but few countries are...
- Figure is set to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050 as the population grows older
- Yet only a quarter of countries worldwide have a national strategy for supporting people with dementia and their families
Geostrategy
Taliban close to forming government
The announcement of a cabinet may take place on Friday following afternoon prayers
- The announcement of a cabinet may take place on Friday following afternoon prayers
- The Islamist militants, who have pledged a softer brand of rule than during their brutal reign of 1996-2001, must now transform from insurgent group to governing power
Arts & Culture
Colonial-era architectural heritage at risk in Tunis
Built by Italian and French architects and businesspeople, such buildings are associated with colonialism
- Built by Italian and French architects and businesspeople, such buildings are associated with colonialism
- Built just outside Tunis's traditional Arab medina they were meant to "modernise" the city
Geostrategy
Qatar team in Kabul for restart of ‘airport operations’
A technical team has landed in Kabul to discuss the resumption of airport operations after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan,...
- The goal is to resume flights for both humanitarian aid and to provide freedom of movement
- Taliban, according to reports, has 'officially asked Qatar to help with managing the airport as soon as possible'
Business
Twitch video gamers go offline to protest ‘hate raids’
The protest organized using the social media hashtag #ADayOffTwitch was intended to get Twitch to do more to protect streamers...
- The extent of the protest remained unclear, but a TwitchTracker website indicated that there were nearly 4,000 fewer channels streaming at Twitch than the daily average
- The protest organized using the social media hashtag #ADayOffTwitch was intended to get Twitch to do more to protect streamers from attacks
Business
Twitter lets star users make money from subscriptions
The move came as Twitter strives to be a preferred online venue for clickable stars and to boost its own...
- The move came as Twitter strives to be a preferred online venue for clickable stars and to boost its own income in ways that don't clutter the platform up with ads or promotions
- The company, which has more than 200 million active users, is looking for new ways to generate revenue without further more advertising
Economy
What can central banks do to address climate risks?
While not directly involved in addressing global warming, central banks do have to be alert to its impact on the...
- While not directly involved in addressing global warming, central banks do have to be alert to its impact on the economy and the financial system.
- Amid increasing public concern, the institutions are factoring considerations about climate into their policies
Economy
Weather, climate disasters rise five-fold in 50 years
A report from the UN's WMO examined mortality and economic losses from weather, climate and water extremes between 1970 and...
- A report from the UN's WMO examined mortality and economic losses from weather, climate and water extremes between 1970 and 2019
- In total, there were more than 11,000 of disasters attributed to these hazards globally
Science
Depleting seagrass: Experts sound alarm
Named posidonia oceanica -- or "Neptune grass" -- for the Greek god of the seas, the plant covers at least...
- Named posidonia oceanica -- or "Neptune grass" -- for the Greek god of the seas, the plant covers at least one million hectares of the Mediterranean seabed
- Neptune grass meadows have long fallen prey to boating activity, with official figures estimating some 7,500 hectares in damage along the French coastline alone
Science
WHO adds ‘Mu’ strain to list of coronavirus variants of concern
The strain, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", in the global health body’s weekly...
- The strain, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", in the global health body’s weekly pandemic bulletin
- There is widespread concern over the emergence of new virus mutations as infection rates are ticking up globally again
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
No permit, no hajj: Saudi intensifies crackdown after heat deaths
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a...
Geostrategy
Company News
Houthi and Saudi engage in ‘positive’ talks
Geostrategy
Latest News
Qatar under pressure in Asian Cup defence after abrupt Queiroz axing
Queiroz, who coached Iran at the World Cup and was assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, had a four-year...
Blinken discusses Israel normalization in tented Saudi talks
US top diplomat Antony Blinken also said all the leaders on his tour, which took him to six countries before...
Most Read
Geostrategy
Israel faces Gaza ‘genocide’ case at UN top court
South Africa wants the ICJ to impose "provisional measures", or emergency actions, while the broader case is being considered --...
- In an 84-page submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa urged judges to order Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations" in Gaza
- South Africa alleges that Israel "has engaged in, is engaging in, and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza".
Economy
Markets drop as US jobs deal fresh blow to early rate cut hopes
Hong Kong, China - Asian markets stumbled out of the gates Monday, extending last week's grim start to the year, after...
- The keenly awaited non-farm payrolls data Friday showed the world's number one economy remains resilient despite interest rates sitting at a two-decade high
- Equities ended 2023 with a surge as traders bet on a string of reductions this year thanks to falling inflation and a softening of the labor market
Geostrategy
Iran supports Baghdad pledge to expel US-led forces from Iraq
"We have repeatedly expressed our views to the authorities of the countries of the region, including Iraq, and declared that...
- Iran is confident that its neighbor has "the ability, strength and authority necessary to maintain security" on its territory alone, Iranian official Kanani said
- US and other coalition forces in Iraq, deployed since 2014 in the fight against the IS, have come under regular attack since Gaza war