• Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed

    JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of work in the project to restore ramshackle buildings in the district under the generous donation of US$13 million (SAR50 million) from the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The project...
  • UAE and Jordan sign MoU to boost tourism, cultural exchange

    Abu Dhabi, UAE--Looking to boost tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the Jordan Tourism Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market 2023. The MoU will unlock the...
  • Abu Dhabi Festival celebrates 20 years with record number of visitors

    Abu Dhabi, UAE— More than 20,000 people visited the 20th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in the first twenty days of March this year, drawing culture, arts, and music lovers from all walks of life. Held under the honorary patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister...
  • Thousands throng Jerusalem for Orthodox Easter ‘Holy Fire’ rite

    In the past about 10,000 worshippers would fill the church, with many more crowding outside, before the flame was flown to Orthodox communities internationally. This year's ceremony also comes after deadly attacks and clashes in Israel, east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, and cross-border fire several days ago between...
  • King Abdullah’s daughter marries a Greek-origin financier

    Princess Iman, the eldest daughter of King Abdullah and Queen Rania, has wed a financier of Greek origin at a ceremony at the royal palace west of the capital Amman. The ceremony broadcast on state television showed the princess tying the knot with Jameel Alexander Thermiotis in the presence of...
  • Unequal pay checks plague GCC workplaces

    Businesses in the region need to embed diversity strategies by setting diversity KPIs to ensure fair assessments for women and reinforcing supportive workplace culture whill also help acheive the goal, she advises.
  • Women play key role in nurturing families, society

    “The Emirati woman, who is confident and capable, has demonstrated her worth and distinguished presence, serving as a role model for women worldwide. She has reached the highest positions and represented the country with distinction in prominent international forums, contributing to achievements that benefit humanity,” she adds.
  • Syrian family adopts ‘miracle baby’ born under rubble in quake

    Jindayris, Syria--Born an orphan under the rubble in north Syria after a devastating earthquake, Afraa al-Suwadi has been given a new lease on life when relatives took her in. Since footage of her rescue in the town of Jindayris went viral on social media, Suwadi's story has captivated a grieving nation...
  • Archaeologists in Iraq uncover 5,000 year old restaurant

    Dating back almost 5,000 years, archaeologists in Iraq have uncovered the remains of a tavern that they hope will illuminate the lives of ordinary people in the world's first cities. The US-Italian team made the find in the ruins of ancient Lagash, northeast of the modern city of Nasiriyah.
  • Innovations chart Dubai’s path to sustainable future

    "An effective partnership model between the public and private sector in Dubai has helped transform innovation into a culture that has enhanced the UAE’s competitiveness. Innovation has also helped in formulating strategies and unlock new achievements,” Al Basti adds.
  • Dubai’s government, private sector to discuss future at Innovation Talks

    DUBAI, UAE - The Innovation Talks series will bring together heads and representatives of Dubai government departments, and experts from major private sector companies to discuss how they can work together to develop a common vision for the future. The Innovation Talks series in Dubai forms part of the emirate's...
  • ‘Honor killing’ of YouTube star by father sparks outrage in Iraq

    Touching off a wave of outrage across the country, the death of a young YouTube Iraqi star at the hands of her father has shone a spotlight again on so-called "honor killings" inside the conservative country. Tiba al-Ali, 22, was killed by her father on January 31 in the southern...
  • Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030

    The revenue of Saudi cinemas increased by 9.47% to approximately US$240 million until December 25, 2022, compared to 2021's revenue of US$232 million, a report points out.
  • Camel beauty contest season gets underway in Abu Dhabi

    Al Dhafra, UAE--The 16th Al Dhafra Festival has kicked off as part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s camel beauty contest season. The event will continue until February 2 at Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra. Organised by Abu Dhabi Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee and ADNOC, the festival aims...
  • Buzz Aldrin, second man on the Moon, marries on 93rd birthday

    LOS ANGELES, US - Legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to set foot on the Moon, said he had married his longtime girlfriend on Friday, his 93rd birthday. Aldrin and Anca Faur, executive vice president of Buzz Aldrin Ventures, were wed in a private ceremony. "On my 93rd...
  • 16th Al Dhafra Festival to launch Sunday

    AL DHAFRA,  UAE - The competitions and concluding activities of the 16th Al Dhafra Festival will begin Sunday as part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s camel beauty contest season. The event, held under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,  will continue until February 2 at...
  • Qatar’s Consumer Price Index increased by 5.93% in Dec 2022

    Doha, Qatar-- Qatar's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 5.93 percent in December 2022 to reach 108.20 points, driven primarily by an increase in prices in the recreation and culture sectors. On monthly basis, the CPI increased by 1.24 percent when compared to CPI of November 2022. The CPI annual...
  • ASBU president calls for upgrading of digital content industry

    Tunis, Tunisia--The President of Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and CEO of Saudi Broadcasting Authority Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi has called on media institutions in the Arab countries to develop and keep pace with changes by upgrading the local digital content industry to global standards. Speaking on the sidelines of...
  • Jeddah to showcase Uzbekistan’s ‘cultural heritage’ at Biennale

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--Jeddah will host the first Islamic arts event from 23rd January to 23rd April 23, 2023, which will feature 17 exhibits from Uzbekistan. The event is organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. The event aims at “connecting the...
  • Camel Club, ICO sign partnership to promote Saudi Camel Heritage

    The Camel Club will be participating in all events organized by the ICO in the kingdom as a local and international strategic partner.
  • Prince Harry accuses brother William of 2019 physical attack: report

    New York, United States--Britain's Prince Harry recounts in his new book how he was physically "attacked" by his older brother Prince William during an argument in 2019, the Guardian reported Wednesday. According to the newspaper, the story of the incident appears in Harry's new memoir "Spare," which is due to be...
  • DEWA encourages active lifestyle by organizing sporting events

    DUBAI, UAE -  Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organized 12 sports tournaments in 2022, with the participation of 2,437 male and female employees from various divisions. DEWA also sponsored and hosted three sports tournaments, and participated in several local sports events. These occurred in line with the directives of...
  • Inflation, uncertainty rule as 2022 comes to an end

    The country profiles -- arranged in alphabetical order -- summarize recent data, presenting statistical narratives of a country that include economic, political, sociological, environmental, and cultural factors. The profiles also include their performance in 2022 and estimations for 2023.
  • UAE, Morocco discuss ways to boost cooperation in energy, industry

    Rabat, Morocco - UAE and Morocco discussed ways of boosting their cooperation and investment opportunities in industry, economy, investments, culture, and tourism. The discussion occurred between Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco, in Morocco. The visit is a...
  • Conservators strive to preserve ancient manuscripts in Iraq

    Some manuscripts date from the early Abbasid era, while some seventh-century calligraphy boards in Kufic script were written on parchment "even before the manufacture of paper."
  • G20 Interfaith Forum to convene in Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi, UAE— The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), the world’s leading organisation focused on the intersection of faith and policy at the G20 level, will be convening a global forum in Abu Dhabi on December 12-13, 2022. The UAE is hosting the event as part of its ongoing initiatives to...
  • Saudi Arabia launches drive to embed role of culture in development

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia— Saudi Arabia has unveiled the "Culture & Green Future" initiative, aiming to enhance the role of culture and raise awareness of the centrality of culture in sustainable development and address its various challenges. The initiative was launched by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture...
  • French winner says Nobels an institution ‘for men’

    Stockholm, Sweden—The Nobel Prize is an institution "for men", literature laureate Annie Ernaux of France told AFP on Tuesday in an interview ahead of this weekend's formal awards ceremony. "It manifests itself by this desire for tradition. Being bound to traditions is perhaps more masculine, it is a way to transmit...
  • Technology, sustainability sectors among the most booming and awarded ones across GCC, says expert

    The three sectors help the regional economies grow and offer better life to people, Takreem founder Ricardo Karam tells TRENDS while discussing various topics, including awards
  • Envoy eyes more cooperation, $6.32bn bilateral trade this year as UAE-Belgium ties mark 51st anniversary

    Brussels needs to find new energy suppliers and we recognize the important role of the UAE on that front, Belgian ambassador to the UAE Antoine Delcourt tells TRENDS
  • UAE’s role in reconstruction of Mosul Heritage: Hope and will win over zealotry and exclusivism

    "The revival of Mosul's heritage will reveal that the only way to live together is by believing in diversity as a mosaic, where each distinct piece is integral to the revelation of the whole, where any missing piece will, in the end, drop all of their shared destiny," adds the...
  • Sheikh Zayed Festival to air World Cup matches for fans

    Abu Dhabi, UAE— The Sheikh Zayed Festival will provide a number of screens for the regular airing of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 football matches. According to the Higher Committee organizing the festival, the screens will be set up throughout different areas from the 20th November to 18th December...
  • Museum of London packs up for $260m move

    The new museum, set to open in 2026, will follow the history of London from its earliest days through Roman habitation and seismic events such as the bubonic plague, the Great Fire of 1666 and World War II.
  • European Film Festival commences at Haya Cultural Center in Amman

    Amman, Jordan— Intended to open up a space for intercultural cooperation, the 34th edition of the European Film Festival (EUFF) began at the Haya Cultural Center in Amman. Speaking at the opening ceremony, EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou said the 34th edition of the European Film Festival, the longest-running...
  • ‘Culture is prerequisite for peace in the world’

    A robust cultural and creative sector remains at the heart of the UAE’s growth strategy and to give it a further boost, the UAE has been rallying for the amplification of culture and arts education, she adds, while speaking at the fifth edition of the Paris Peace Forum in Abu...
  • Five things to know about Egypt’s pharaoh Tutankhamun

    The tomb of Tutankhamun, who died aged 19 around 1324 BC after nine years on the throne, was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter and his Egyptian digging team in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor in November 1922.
  • Global talks between religions key to peace and justice

    The hopes placed on the event -- attended by prominent religious figures and symbols, including the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Pope Francis of the Catholic Church -- are big to address modern challenges, support interfaith dialogue and achieve global peace, the UAE-based journalist adds.
  • Emerging sectors are creating thousands of new jobs in the Kingdom, says Saudi Economy Minister

    Saudi Arabia is focused on offering solutions that make global trade more predictable and reliable, says Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim at an event in Riyadh.
  • Camel Club, Riyadh Chamber to promote camel culture as Saudi heritage

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia---The Saudi Arabia's Camel Club and Riyadh Chamber of Commerce have signed an MoU to develop and create investment opportunities in the camel sector. The MoU, which was signed in presence of Executive Director of the Camel Club, Engineer Bandar Al-Qahtani and Vice Chairman of the Board of...
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates fifth anniversary with art show

    To mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, a major exhibition of impressionist art opened in the capital of the UAE, featuring works from masters like Pissarro, Renoir and many others. It is billed as one of the most significant exhibitions on the 19th century art...
  • Algeria boosts English tuition in blow to colonists’ French

    Language is a sensitive topic in the North African country, where French is still widely spoken six decades after independence that followed 132 years of colonial rule and a gruelling eight-year war." The French language is war booty, but English is the international language," President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told journalists in...
  • After long renovation, Qatar reopens Museum of Islamic Art

    Looking to showcase Islamic culture and art and history, Qatar has unveiled its landmark Museum of Islamic Art after an 18-month renovation ahead of the World Cup. The five-story building has redesigned its collections, with some two-thirds of the thousand exhibits new to the museum.
  • Cultural policy vital for diversified economy, says UAE Minister

    UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth participated in the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, which took place in Mexico.
  • Morocco tells Adidas to withdraw Algeria jersey design

    Taking offense at what it calls "cultural appropriation", Morocco has asked Adidas to cancel newly designed footfall tops for Algeria. A lawyer for Morocco has demanded the withdrawal within two weeks of the Algerian sports top it claimed was "inspired by the art" of Moroccan zellige.
  • Balkans library keeps alive its Ottoman link; helps villagers become highly literate

    Thanks to a gift of books from passing Ottoman soldiers in the late 19th century, a hamlet in the Balkans continues to revel in its reputation of being a "village of enlightenment."
  • Israeli researchers find opium residue in 3,500-year-old pottery

    Researchers examined whether they had served as containers for the drug, which earlier writing had suggested was used in burial rituals in Canaan, and found "opium residue in eight vessels", the researchers said in a statement. These were likely "placed in graves for ceremonial meals, rites and rituals performed by...
  • Abdullah bin Zayed meets Benjamin Netanyahu

    UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the growing cooperation between the two countries.
  • TV series ‘The Crown’ brings mourners closer to royals

    First aired in 2016, it charts the queen's journey from nervous 25-year-old neophyte to national institution as she guided the world's most famous monarchy through decades of scandals and upheaval.
  • Egypt looks to regain its glorious past

    As Cairo gears up to open "the largest archaeological museum in the world," Egypt's former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass said he will soon demand the return of its greatest lost treasures.
  • High-level UAE economic delegation visits Georgia

    A UAE economic delegation led by Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh visited Tbilisi, Georgia.
  • End of the road for New York’s horse-drawn carriages?

    Opponents say the horses live in cramped conditions, are often malnourished and dehydrated, get spooked by cars en route to the park.