Cypriot authorities say there has been a rise in the number of migrants arriving by boat this year, with a 60 per cent increase recorded in the first five months. Most irregular migrants arriving by sea board boats in the Syrian port of Tartus, and these vessels are usually detected...

Amman, Jordan--Jordanian security forces have scuttled an attempt to smuggle narcotics from Syrian territories to Jordan.According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the border guards, in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Department and other military apparatuses, thwarted an attempt by a group of smugglers who tried to cross the Syrian-Jordanian border.The...

Latakia, Syria--The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has inaugurated the Al Naqa housing project in the Latakia Governorate in Syria.The ERC announced in April the construction of 1,000 prefabricated housing units in seven areas in the Latakia Governorate worth $18 million to assist Syrian families affected by the earthquake that hit...

Tehran, Iran--Iran-China bilateral relations and the 25-year strategic cooperation program between the two countries are moving forward in the right direction, according to the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.In a telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of China, the latest...

Libya's central bank announced that its two rival branches in the west and east are reuniting after nearly a decade apart. The North African country is currently split between Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-backed government in the west and another in the east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -  The National Development Fund (NDF) on Sunday said it will contribute US$453 million (SAR1.7 billion) to the US$2.2 billion (SAR8.3 billion), 2.6 GW Al Shuaibah solar project that is to be carried out by the National Infrastructure Fund (under establishment).This is one of the world’s largest...

Since the beginning of August, European-style bakeries selling baguettes in the formerly French-ruled country had been prevented from accessing their quota of subsidized flour, after President Kais Saied said there should be "one type of bread for all Tunisians".

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that companies from his country plan to expand their activities in Russia despite sanctions and political difficulties.Orban made the statement at a meeting with the head of Russia’s Tatarstan region Rustam Minnikhanov in Budapest, TASS news agency reported."It has been noted...

Jakarta, Indonesia--Indonesian President Joko Widodo departed for South Africa on Sunday to attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg amid speculation that the country could join the group as its latest member.The meeting, which brings together major emerging economies countries led by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will be held...

Tehran, Iran-- China's ambassador to Iran has affirmed that his country's cooperation with Iran is at its best in various fields, voicing hope that both sides will further improve ties.Chang Hua made the remarks in a Saturday meeting with the governor of the northwestern Iranian province of West Azarbaijan Mohammad...

Astana, Kazakhstan-- Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan have pledged to strengthen cooperation in the fields environment, water, and agriculture.The strengthening of ties in these sectors came up in a meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli.Both affirmed the...

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - UAE Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Mohammed Salem Al Rashidi said that the historical relations between the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress over the past few years.This reflects the distinguished friendship between the leaderships of the two countries, and the exchange of...

The monarch is credited with effectively maintaining stability in a volatile region -- in part through suppressing criticism -- as well as modernising the economy and pursuing assertive diplomacy. But his efforts have fallen short in addressing the profound inequalities that continue to plague Moroccan society.

Dubai, UAE--Oil prices jumped about 1% on Friday on signs of slowing U.S. output, but both crude benchmarks also ended their longest weekly rally of 2023 on mounting concerns about global demand growth.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 86 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $81.25 a barrel, and...

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- As the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Ethiopia to strengthen relations with the African country, the non-oil trade between the two nations has expanded to US$1.4 billion in 2022.According to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the UAE’s has...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has urged the public to provide their views on its space use plan for frequency spectrum, aiming at enabling space radio services, studying the most critical trends and needs of manufacturers, operators and users.Besides it will ensure optimal use of frequency...

The two leaders met in Addis Ababa and held talks on various aspects of bilateral relations, in addition to broader regional and international issues of mutual interest. The focus of the discussion was boosting areas of cooperation, including economic, investment, and development ties, across all sectors to increase prosperity of...

Evergrande, once China's top property developer, was found in 2021 to be struggling with more than $300 billion in liabilities, as it came under intense pressure after officials tightened scrutiny of the real estate industry. The company's woes have come to symbolize the growing crisis in China's sprawling property sector,...

Expectations of another Fed hike have pushed 10-year Treasury yields -- a gauge of future rates -- close to their highest levels since the global financial crisis. Data on Thursday did little to dissuade investors, with unemployment benefit applications falling the most since last month, indicating the labour market remains...

The financial landscape of Saudi Arabia and the UAE is undergoing a significant transformation, with most adults in the region experiencing an increase in their wealth.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also took the opportunity to reiterate the Islamic republic's support for the Palestinian cause at a time when Riyadh is in discussions with the United States about potentially normalizing ties with Israel.

Aden, Yemen--Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik affirmed that the economic support Saudi Arabia provides to Yemen represents a vital factor for achieving progress in various service and development sectors.During a cabinet meeting today in Aden, Abdulmalik pointed out that the kingdom's economic support backs the efforts of the Yemeni government...

Its shares will begin trading on the bourse later this month.

The division recorded 32% growth in H1 of 2023.

Dubai, UAE-- The UAE's General Sports Authority (GSA) and the International Skating Union (ISU) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have discussed opportunities for cooperation and partnership to boost winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey in the UAE.In this regard, Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director...

In a separate statement late Tuesday, the commerce ministry announced the total lifting of subsidies on petrol and a partial lifting of subsidies on fuel oil. As a result the price of petrol has risen to 8,000 pounds from 3,000 previously, and fuel oil to 2,000 pounds from 700 previously,...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The 11th Moscow Conference on International Security, held at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center here, saw high-level discussions between Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and military representatives from Saudi Arabia and Iran.In a meeting with Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, military adviser to the Saudi defense minister,...

In 2022, 45 percent of adults in Saudi Arabia had a net worth of less than $10,000, against 43 percent of adults in the UAE, according to Global Wealth Report 2023.

Train trips in H1 2023 rose 46 percent compared to H1 2022.

Twelve years after conflict broke out when President Bashar al-Assad repressed peaceful pro-democracy protests, Syrians are still trying to escape a war that has killed more than 500,000 people. At least 141 Syrians were among up to 750 migrants thought to have been on a trawler that set off from...

Its cargo revenue recorded a 42% jump in H1 to US$57.9m.

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Neymar, the kingdom is offering eye-watering salaries to international football stars to bring them over from clubs across Europe.

The boat was spotted on Monday almost 200 miles from the island of Sal by a Spanish fishing boat, which alerted Cape Verde authorities, police said. Around 40 survivors and several dead bodies were found on the boat, but sources differed on the exact number. The local morgue said it...

Jerusalem--The European Union has disbursed $24 million for the payment of social allowances to 71,162 vulnerable Palestinian families through the National Cash Transfer Program.The European Union for the past 17 years has been a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian Authority's (PA) Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), collaborating to ensure that...

Amman, Jordan--Jordan is urging "companies and institutions" to switch to renewable and sustainable energy to reduce operating costs.In this regard, the kingdom's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said Tuesday opportunities exist for cooperation to cut energy consumption across various sectors through implementing programs similar to those of...

It posted a jump in net profit in Q2 to US$2.92 million.

Seen as a key culprit in the country's dramatic economic crash, former governor Riad Salameh's bank accounts were ordered to be frozen by Lebanon days after the the US, the UK and Canada slapped him with sanctions. The central bank has ordered the lifting of banking secrecy and the freezing...

Muscat, Oman-- Oman LNG has signed an agreement with Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) to supply 400,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year from 2026.According to Oman News Agency, the agreement with the German company is based on a four-year contract.“The term-sheet signing with SEFE marks another milestone. Going...

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- The banks in the UAE increased their credit facilities for the business and industrial sectors by around $7.73 billion in the first five months of this year.According to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of the UAE, the two sectors witnessed a 4 percent rise in...

Atlanta, United States - Prosecutors investigating Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the US state of Georgia were expected to begin presenting evidence to a grand jury Monday for what could be a sprawling, multi-defendant indictment.The case would be the fourth brought against Trump this year -- it...

Dubai, UAE--Oil prices declined more than 1% on Monday as concerns about China's faltering economic recovery and a stronger dollar weighed against seven weeks of gains on tightening supply from OPEC+ output cuts.Brent crude futures fell $1.07, or 1.2%, to $85.74 a barrel by 0631 GMT while U.S. West Texas...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) is set to introduce a system of fines and penalties targeting employers who breach labor regulations, a report in Saudi Gazette said.The changes encompass a wide array of labor-related violations: The companies will face fines for...

Its net profit jumped to US$77.19m as against US$37.63m.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Saudi National Debt Management Center (NDMC) has issued new sukuk worth $9.57 billion under the Local Saudi Sukuk Issuance Program, in addition to an early purchase of more than $9.52 billion.In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), NDMC outlined that such a step is...

Its net profit rose to US$4.14m as against US$3.96m last year.

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE has applauded the UN for the successful unloading of oil from the deteriorating tanker, FSO Safer, situated off Yemen's coast in the Red Sea.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) lauded the collective efforts of the United Nations, its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Agnes Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition of the French Republic met and issued a joint communiqué:The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the French Republic acknowledge that energy is one of the main pillars of their...

Baghdad, Iraq--Iraq has restored access to the popular messaging app, Telegram, on Sunday after a week-long ban.The ban, which took effect on August 6, was enforced after concerns arose regarding breaches of national security. The government cited the leaking of state-owned private documents and the protection of citizens' personal data...

Doha, Qatar--Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has exhorted companies willing to work in providing website services to compare prices of insurance policies to promptly submit applications to receive the required license from the bank.In a statement on Saturday, QCB outlined that this announcement comes in alignment with financial sector and fintech...

Until April 15, when the conflict erupted between the army headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Seif had worked at a Khartoum university. Now the engineering lecturer and his family live in Wad Madani, In order to survive, he has started selling...