Death becomes a growing business in ageing, lonely South Korea
Busan, South Korea -- Rows of coffins line a university classroom in the South Korean port city of Busan, ready...
Geostrategy
AI-powered meet-up apps fight ‘epidemic of’ loneliness
San Francisco, United States -- On a summer evening in San Francisco, JT Mason went to dinner with five complete...
Arts & Culture
Morocco set for sheepless Eid as drought persists
Arts & Culture
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in hajj apex
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
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...
- The survey said that 85.3 percent attended at least one entertainment event or activity.
- The data showed that 65.8 percent of individuals visited parks and gardens, 40.5 percent attended national celebrations.
World Economic Forum
Art and culture retain power to humanize the Intelligent Age, says WEF’s Fowler
Davos, Switzerland -- In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives, the World Economic Forum's Arts and Culture...
- I see talent emerging in the MENA region, UAE especially. Saudi Arabia is extremely exciting at the moment with the focus they're placing on culture, Fowler said.
- The UAE is extremely forward-thinking. They absolutely have a finger on the pulse when it comes to technology and how technology can be integrated into everyday life.
World Economic Forum
UNFPA and corporate partners drive reproductive justice in workplaces
Mariarosa Cutillo, UNFPA Chief of the Private Sector and Civil Society Branch, says businesses need to provide adequate maternal health...
- UNFPA emphasizes that corporate strategies can empower vulnerable communities, particularly women, by driving positive change in workplaces, Cutillo said
- UNFPA's presence in 150 countries allows us to work with women and implement these targeted initiatives effectively, she added.
Arts & Culture
Two falcons sell for $81,300 at Saudi Falcons Club Auction
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Two falcons were sold for a combined total of $81,300 (SAR305,000 ) on the tenth night...
- On its tenth night, the Saudi Falcons Club Auction saw two falcons sell for over $81,000, underscoring the nation’s dedication to cultural preservation.
- The Saudi Falcons Club Auction highlights cultural heritage, with top falcons fetching impressive bids as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Geostrategy
Media: Two major American liberal newspapers refuse to endorse Kamala Harris
With few days remaining to vote in the US election, two major liberal American newspapers have decided not to endorse...
- The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post say they will not endorse Kamala Harris or any presidential candidate
- "Our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent"
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...
- The 26-year-old Syrian, who was raised in the UAE, has become a social media sensation, with 437,000 followers on Instagram and millions of views on her YouTube channel
- She offers not only a unique sound but also an unusual look in a region where artists who wear the hijab, the head covering characteristic of Muslim women, are few and far between
Iraqi date farmers fight drought to protect national treasure
Janājah, Iraq - Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and...
- Once known as the country of "30 million palm trees", Iraq's ancient date-growing culture had already suffered from upheaval
- Authorities and religious institutions have launched programmes and mega-projects to encourage tree planting and growth
Arts & Culture
In the heart of Beirut, one family upholds a unique dessert tradition
Beirut, Lebanon - At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm,...
- Makary, 73, said he used to sell other sweets but as demand grew for mufataka, he abandoned the rest and now just makes the yellow pudding
- The rice must be soaked overnight, and Makary said he comes to the shop at 5:00 am to make the dish, which takes around four hours
Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
- The new guidance comes after growing concern from parents about the potential pitfalls of smartphone access for young people
- A recent study by the UK communications regulator found around a quarter of British children aged between five and seven-years-old now had a smartphone
Economy
Saudi Arabia submits official bid to host FIFA World Cup 2034 after successful Qatar event in 2022
The next steps include official visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation of the bid.
- This bid highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Vision 2030
- Saudi Arabia is currently the sole nation bidding for the 2034 World Cup
Death becomes a growing business in ageing, lonely South Korea
Busan, South Korea -- Rows of coffins line a university classroom in the South Korean port city of Busan, ready...
Geostrategy
Company News
Iraqi women table tennis players chase Paralympic dreams
Arts & Culture
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Morocco set for sheepless Eid as drought persists
Arts & Culture
Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
Xingyi, China -- Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams...
Arts & Culture
Inside Saudi’s hajj-only barbershop, shaving thousands of heads in a day
Mina, Saudi Arabia -- Near the holy city of Makkah, men in white robes stand quietly in a long queue,...
Arts & Culture
Muslim pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Hajj concludes under extreme heat in Saudi Arabia
Starting at dawn, the more than 1.6 million Muslims took part in the pilgrimage will throw seven stones at each...
Arts & Culture
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Arts & Culture
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in hajj apex
To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal...
- Thousands of pilgrims gathered before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon
- While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Koran recitals until the evening
Arts & Culture
Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam...
- About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means
- Authorities have ratcheted up anti-heat measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F)
Arts & Culture
Qatar table tennis says ‘prepared to escalate’ after chaotic vote
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's table tennis association has warned of possible legal action as it disputes the result of a...
- Tuesday's 104-102 vote to Soerling ended in such acrimony that the ITTF's annual general meeting was suspended.
- The world body said the assembly was "disrupted by outsiders" after the election result was announced.