TRENDS seeks whistleblowers

Funding gap, consumer apathy peter out sustainability in Middle East retail

Europe in crossfire of US-China economic rivalry

• Europe's fears have deepened after the economic and supply crises sparked by the war in Ukraine that have cast the rules of globalisation into question
• The EU has called on the United States to provide European firms exemptions -- like those granted to trade bloc partners Canada and Mexico

Home demolitions for road widening sparks anger in Gaza

• Hamas that governs Gaza began demolishing 62 houses at Al-Shati refugee camp as they widen the territory's main coastal road.
• A community centre which hosts a football field and halls for table tennis and parkour is also slated for demolition.

Diriyah signs JV agreement

• The 15-year design, build and operate contract covers open-access services for visitors, tenants, and residents of Diriyah.
• In addition, more than 80 telecommunication towers are expected to be erected over the next three years.

Saudi Arabia wins seat on FIFA Council; Qatar gets a position too

• Qatar federation head Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, whose country hosts the Asian Cup next January, was elected to a FIFA position for the first time
• Saudi soccer federation president Yasser Almisehal was among six Asian officials elected by AFC members to represent them on FIFA council through 2027

Lebanon’s offshore exploration agreement supports the country’s economic development, says Qatar’s minister

• Qatar had entered a consortium to explore for offshore gas in waters near Israel, following a historic border deal last year between the two rivals
• The agreement green-lights Lebanon's exploration of its southern Qana, or Sidon, reservoir following the signing of the landmark accord last October

dnata invests $10 million in Zanzibar

• dnata has hired and trained over 340 local talent and deployed a fleet of more than 120 pieces of ground support equipment at ZNZ
• The company by 2024 expects to handle more than 4,000 flights annually with a team of over 400 aviation professionals

Iran minister urges tolerance for women over headscarves

• Ezzatollah Zarghami referred to the fact that increasing numbers of women were being seen without a hijab since the death of Amini
• Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly breaching the country's strict dress code

Qatar, Pakistan finance ministers discuss investment, economic cooperation

• The two ministers to explore cooperation in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, and education
• Pakistani finance minister also extended invitation to Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari to visit Pakistan, a press statement issued at the end of the meeting said