81 percent of Saudi population attends cultural events, activities in 2024: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 81.6 percent of Saudi individuals visited at least one cultural event or activity in 2024, according...
Arts & Culture
‘Beautiful thing’: hijab-wearing singer looks to inspire
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - In a Dubai recording studio, hijab-clad Ghaliaa Chaker tunes her guitar and belts out original songs...
Arts & Culture
Tunisia train accident leaves nearly 100 passengers injured
A head-on collision between two passenger trains injured 95 people on Monday morning in the south of the Tunisian capital,...
- Most of the injured suffered bruises or fractures, none of them life-threatening, sources confirmed
- Between 2017 and 2021, the country saw 173 train accidents which killed 229 people and injured 345
Economy
Iran’s Khamenei hopes for economic upturn in Persian New Year speech
Khamenei said the toughest problems encountered last year were due to "rising prices and inflation".
- Khamenei said the toughest problems encountered last year were due to "rising prices and inflation."
- Iran's economy has suffered under stringent sanctions that were reimposed by the US in 2018
Geostrategy
Tunisians protest against President on Independence Day
More than 2,000 Tunisians rallied on Sunday, the country's Independence Day, against President Kais Saied and a project he launched...
- Protesters in the capital shouted "the people want to overthrow the president" and "no to consultations"
- Many of the demonstrators were people who had voted for Saied, among them blogger and rights activist Mounira Bouazizi
Economy
Two Ajman organizations pledge to work for women empowerment
The Ajman Business Women's Council and Umm Al-Moumineen Women's Association in Ajman will now work together to empower women. The...
- Ajman Business Women's Council and Umm Al-Moumineen Women's Association signed an MoU to work for women empowerment.
- The focus of both the organizations will be on increasing women's contribution to the process of sustainable economic development.
Thousands of mourners take part in rabbi’s funeral in Israel
An estimated three quarters of a million ultra-Orthodox Jews attended the funeral Sunday of influential rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, known to...
- The streets of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv were packed with a sea of men and boys in black suits mourning for the Belarusian-born preacher who died Friday
- A separate women's section was created in the streets of Bnei Brak for the funeral which is billed as one of the largest ever gatherings in "Israeli history"
Arts & Culture
Gulf region’s biggest wellness festival begins in Saudi Arabia
The AlUla Festival for Recreation and Relaxation, which is considered the largest festival of relaxation and wellness in the Gulf...
- The 10-day event began with the opening of “Five Senses Sanctuary” designed among the rocks of the ancient mountains of the Kingdom of Dadan.
- The launch included the presence of the spokeswoman for women's rights, Manal Rostom, who shared her experiences with the audience.
Women bear brunt of domestic violence in Iraqi Kurdistan
A woman burned alive by her husband, others shot dead by a father or a teenage brother -- bloody violence...
- The autonomous area, keen on projecting an image of a relative haven of stability and tolerance in war-battered Iraq, has seen a sharp rise in femicide
- Across Iraq, gender-based violence rose 125 percent to over 22,000 cases between 2020 and 2021, says the UN children's agency UNICEF
Arts & Culture
On International Day of Happiness, UAE aims for best quality of life
The UAE is celebrating the International Day of Happiness, observed on March 20, with achievements and gains that enhance the...
- The minister was speaking on International Day of Happiness, which is to be held on March 20
- He said the UAE aspires to maintain its leading position among the happiest countries in the world
Economy
Bahrain top Arab country in the World Happiness Report 2022
The annual report is published by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
- The report ranks Bahrain in the 21st position out of 146 countries
- This is an improvement by one position from last year’s report
Geostrategy
Finland named happiest nation for fifth year, Afghanistan unhappiest
The World Happiness Report, now in its 10th year, is based on people's own assessment of their happiness, as well...
- Lebanon, which is facing economic meltdown, fell to second from last on the index of 146 countries, just below Zimbabwe.
- Northern Europeans once again dominated the top spots -- with the Danes second to the Finns, followed by the Icelandic, the Swiss and the Dutch.
81 percent of Saudi population attends cultural events, activities in 2024: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 81.6 percent of Saudi individuals visited at least one cultural event or activity in 2024, according...
Arts & Culture
Company News
Teachers play key role in shaping future generations
Arts & Culture
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Library battles on to restore Palestinian history
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia’s natural reserve makes it to UNESCO heritage list
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage...
Arts & Culture
EU nominates Mahsa Amini and Elon Musk for top rights award
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM- Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish woman who died in custody a year ago, and billionaire Elon Musk were among...
Geostrategy
92% of respondents in Saudi Arabia willing to pay more for sustainable broadband
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - About 92% of respondents in Saudi Arabia consider ‘critical national infrastructure’ and are willing to pay...
Business
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Geostrategy
UNESCO adds Djerba in Tunisia to world heritage sites list
Tunis, Tunisia -- UNESCO announced Monday it was adding the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to its list of World Heritage...
- The United Nations cultural organization took the decision in Saudi Arabia, during its 45th world heritage committee meeting.
- Djerba is considered to be the mythological island in Homer's "Odyssey" where Ulysses and his companions encounter the lotus eaters.
Business
Turkish clubs financially hit attracting big names in transfer market
Eyes have been on Saudi clubs' transfer outlays which have rivaled those of the top European sides, but Turkish teams...
- Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray spent US$32 million this summer, down on the US$45 million of the same window last year.
- Economist Kerem Akbas believes trying to appease football fans in the country pushes clubs into spending money they cannot afford.
Arts & Culture
Nine works nominated for 9th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel
Doha, Qatar - The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) revealed the lists of nine works that would be included in the...
- This includes published novels, unpublished novels, young adult unpublished novels and unpublished critical studies, with a total reaching 36 novels and critical studies.
- The 9th edition of the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel saw 1,491 entries and the number of unpublished novels participating was about 833.