Jet skis in the desert: winter lake creates Saudi watersports oasis
Az Zulfī, Saudi Arabia -- The ear-splitting roar of his jet ski fills the air as Hamza al-Hamm thunders past,...
Arts & Culture
Mothers of imprisoned Palestinians from West Bank under great stress
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – "I don't sleep anymore," Latifa Abu Hamid said while looking at pictures of her children hanging on...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Sheikha Fatima launches national plan for empowerment of Emirati women
ABU DHABI, UAE – Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU) Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak launched the National Strategy for...
- This strategy comes in line with Sheikha Fatima’s vision to achieve fair and comprehensive women's participation in all fields.
- The plan provides a general framework and guidance for decision makers in federal, local government institutions, private sector and civil society.
Geostrategy
All eyes on tech firms as strict EU digital rules come into effect
The landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) compels tech companies to better police content to protect European users against disinformation and...
- The first phase of the regulation affects 19 "very large" digital platforms including social media networks, websites and online retailers with at least 45m monthly active users.
- They are: Alibaba AliExpress, Amazon Store, Apple AppStore, Booking.com, Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, Google's Maps, Play, and Shopping, LinkedIn, Pinterest.
Geostrategy
UAE plays an active role in shaping better future for societies, says minister
NEW DELHI, INDIA – The UAE is committed to playing an active role in global efforts to shape a better...
- The UAE is also committed to enhancing human resources’ contribution to sustainable development.
- The minister applauded all G20 members for “their dedication and commitment to the objectives and vision of the forum.”
Geostrategy
Macron adjourns Germany visit over riots in France
President Emmanuel Macron informed Berlin he was postponing a state visit to deal with the urban rioting that has rocked...
- Shops were ransacked and town halls attacked in various locations nationwide, despite 45,000 members of the police dealing with the situation.
- The protests over the death of teenager Nahel M., who was of Algerian origin, have again exposed the severe racial tensions in modern France.
Geostrategy
French president announces measures to quell riots
French President Emmanuel Macron announced measures including more police and urged parents to keep minors off the streets as he...
- French President Macron attempted to strike a balance between political pressure for a harsh response and fears of triggering a still stronger backlash.
- "Additional means" would be mobilized by government to tackle the rioting, Macron said, without specifying how many more officers might be involved.
Royal fever sweeps Jordan ahead of crown prince Hussein’s wedding
On the big day for the Hashemite kingdom, a key Western ally, the royal red motorcade, reserved for special occasions,...
- The eldest son of King Abdullah II will marry Saudi fiancee Rajwa Al Saif at the grand royal wedding with regional monarchs, US First Lady Jill Biden is also among the guests
- Photos of Saif's henna bridal party took the internet by storm last week as she donned a white gown with an Arabic poetry verse embroidered: "When I see you, life becomes sweet"
Geostrategy
Uzbekistan, IsDB ink pacts worth US$396.7m for infrastructure, education
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President and Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser and Uzbekistan Minister of Investments,...
- Under the agreement, IsDB will provide US$260 million in financing for the Integrated Rural Development Project.
- The project will empower local communities, improve their access to quality and resilient infrastructure.
Business
Red Cross to cut 1,500 jobs over funding crunch
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The Red Cross announced Tuesday that it would cut 1,500 jobs over the next 12 months in a...
- The Red Cross said an expected drop in humanitarian assistance budgets over the next two years was forcing it to make significant cuts.
- The Geneva-based organization said its governing board on March 30 had approved US$474 million in global cost reduction through early 2024.
Business
Artists close ranks in order to fight AI programs that copy their styles
Fury erupted in the art community last year with the release of generative artificial intelligence (AI) programs that can convincingly...
- In January, artists Andersen and Ortiz filed a class-action lawsuit against DreamUp, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, for copying their art works
- Prompted by artists, a team at the University of Chicago last week launched their "Glaze" software to help protect original works
Jordanian club holds workshops to train people in art of comedy
The new comedians hoping to put a smile on Jordanian faces range in age between 18 to 40 and include...
- The Amman Comedy Club has been training aspiring comics since 2019 and offering free, three- to four-month workshops in stand-up, improv, comedy sketches and satire writing
- Aided by foreign institutions such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Chicago-based comedy club The Second City, the ACC has already trained more than 140 people in Jordan
Jet skis in the desert: winter lake creates Saudi watersports oasis
Az Zulfī, Saudi Arabia -- The ear-splitting roar of his jet ski fills the air as Hamza al-Hamm thunders past,...
Arts & Culture
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7,000 digital marriage contracts delivered in Abu Dhabi since Oct
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has introduced a new service that allows marriage contracts to be...
Arts & Culture
Iraqis haunted by war battle mental health issues
Ravaged by war and rocked by Islamic State group attacks, Iraq's demand for mental health professionals is great, but help...
‘Too hot outside’: Saudis take to walking, jogging in malls
Roughly one in five Saudi adults is obese, according to an in-depth study published by the World Bank last year...
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Geostrategy
Iraq asks Sweden to extradite accused in Quran burning incident
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Baghdad has asked Sweden to extradite Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, who stoked international outrage by desecrating the Quran,...
- The Swedish government has condemned the desecrations of the Quran but upheld the country's laws regarding freedom of speech and assembly.
- The accused in the Quran burning incident said that Iraq was seeking his extradition to try him according to Islamic law.
Geostrategy
Sheikha Fatima launches national plan for empowerment of Emirati women
ABU DHABI, UAE – Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU) Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak launched the National Strategy for...
- This strategy comes in line with Sheikha Fatima’s vision to achieve fair and comprehensive women's participation in all fields.
- The plan provides a general framework and guidance for decision makers in federal, local government institutions, private sector and civil society.
Geostrategy
All eyes on tech firms as strict EU digital rules come into effect
The landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) compels tech companies to better police content to protect European users against disinformation and...
- The first phase of the regulation affects 19 "very large" digital platforms including social media networks, websites and online retailers with at least 45m monthly active users.
- They are: Alibaba AliExpress, Amazon Store, Apple AppStore, Booking.com, Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, Google's Maps, Play, and Shopping, LinkedIn, Pinterest.