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
Bird call contest boosts conservation awareness in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle
The competition brought nearly 100 people together, including a contestant who mimicked the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo.
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
Iran’s long-lasting love for gemstones believed to have divine power
Common beliefs associated with gemstones are largely what motivates people to buy them, said Hassan Samimi, a lapidary at the...
- Iran's senior officials including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have often been spotted wearing rings with agate or turquoise stones
- Agate, especially from Yemen, is popular "because it is recommended by imams" who often claim it can boost livelihoods
Arts & Culture
Djokovic and Nadal to play 6 Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will headline a new exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia, organizers said. The...
- The Serb and the Spaniard will be joined by Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner at the event
- World number three Daniil Medvedev and seventh-ranked Holger Rune will also play the event in Riyadh in October, Saudi Arabia's latest foray into the sport
Arts & Culture
25,000 fragments of early Islamic era artifacts discovered in Saudi
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- As many as 25,000 fragments of artifacts dating from the early Islamic era, the first two...
- The discovery was announced by the Jeddah Historic District Program, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission.
- The project aims to preserve national antiquities and archaeological sites, uncover the rich history of the Kingdom, and promote historic Jeddah as a cultural destination.
Geostrategy
Arab Israelis let out of Gaza recount ‘terrifying’ journey
JERUSALEM - When Fatima, an Arab Israeli married to a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip, fled Israel's bombardment of the...
- The majority of the Palestinian population, around 760,000 people, either fled or were forced from their homes during the first Arab-Israeli war.
- According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, there are more than two million Arab Israelis today, accounting for 21 percent of the population.
Arts & Culture
Iran ‘following dreams’ in trying to win first Asian Cup since 1976
Doha, Qatar - Iran are "following our dreams" in trying to win the Asian Cup for the first time in 48...
- Three-time champions Iran face Syria in Qatar with a quarter-final against Bahrain or pre-tournament favorites Japan up for grabs
- Along with holders Qatar, Iran are the only team left in the competition who went through the group stage with a 100 percent record
Business
WHO urges limiting trans fat across the world
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Health Organization said on Monday that nearly half the world's population was now covered by solid...
- The WHO appealed in 2018 for industrially produced fatty acids in foods to be eliminated worldwide by 2023, amid evidence they caused 500,000 premature deaths every year
- 53 countries covering 46 percent of the world's population are now implementing best practice policies on the toxic substance -- up from 11 countries and six percent in 2018
Business
Saudi Arabia launches global tourism campaign featuring Messi
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's national tourism brand, "Saudi Welcome To Arabia," has launched a new global marketing campaign...
- The campaign, called "Go Beyond What You Think," aims to address misconceptions about Saudi Arabia and encourage people to experience the country's cultural transformation.
- The campaign launch coincides with Messi's upcoming return to Saudi Arabia, where he will play two matches with his club, Inter Miami, against Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
Geostrategy
Skipper Battat leads Palestine on and off pitch at Asian Cup
Doha, Qatar - Musab Al-Battat has led Palestine on the pitch with his all-action performances and off it as the voice...
- The 30-year-old captain will be the man his team look to once again for inspiration when Palestine face hosts and reigning champions Qatar in a daunting last-16 tie.
- The side ranked 99 in the world have progressed into the next round despite a deeply troubled build-up overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war
Arts & Culture
Expo City Dubai launches 10-day festival of Emirati light art and culture
DUBAI, UAE - Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art festival, has launched its illuminating 10-day program at Expo City...
- The event celebrates the rich artistic tapestry of Emirati through a series of awe-inspiring artistic projections, interactive installations.
- The free-to-attend festival is created and organized by Expo City Dubai, in partnership with AGB Creative and will run from January 26 to February 4.
Business
Airbus and Tata to build helicopter assembly line in India
Paris, France - Airbus will build a helicopter assembly line in India with Indian conglomerate Tata, the European aircraft manufacturer said Friday....
- Airbus said the facility -- which will take two years to set up -- would be the first such operation to be run by a private group in India.
- Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said making the helicopter in India would "unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country".
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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
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
Company News
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War against elite universities: Trump ramps up conflict against defiant Harvard
Cambridge, United States - President Donald Trump escalated his war against elite US universities Tuesday with a threat to strip...
Science
After Instagram restrictions, Meta to introduce teen accounts for Facebook
Paris, France -- Meta on Tuesday announced that it was extending its teen accounts to its social network Facebook, after...
Geostrategy
$20 million rare blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday...
Business
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Arts & Culture
Saudi marks Eid al-Fitr today, other Mideast states on Monday
Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Arab states are to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday from Sunday but other Middle...
- The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced Sunday would be the first day of the holiday
- But neighbouring Oman and Jordan, as well as Shiite-majority Iran, said that Eid al-Fitr would not begin until Monday
Arts & Culture
Film stars blast Academy for ‘failing to defend’ Palestinian filmmaker
Los Angeles, United States - Movie stars including Joaquin Phoenix, Penelope Cruz and Richard Gere have blasted the Academy of...
- Hamdan Ballal co-directed "No Other Land," which won best documentary at this year's Academy Awards
- Unlike multiple other prominent filmmaker groups, the US-based Academy initially did not issue a statement
Arts & Culture
‘My entire life’: Saudi tailor keeps robe-making craft alive
Hofuf, Saudi Arabia - Saudi tailor Habib Mohammed's shop once made ornate, hand-woven cloaks for royals, a time-honoured craft he...
- He makes "bisht", a long gown which for centuries has been a status symbol, worn by kings and princes -- and ordinary men -- and could take a week of meticulous work to create
- Now, with cheap Chinese-made robes taking a bite out of his business, 60-year-old tailor is struggling to make a profit, and his only son wouldn't take over the beleaguered shop