SAIC net profit $39 million
The company's Board announces a dividend of $11.79 million.WHO calls on Israel to halt planned assault on Rafah
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the military's "plans for action in Rafah", according to a statement Friday, which gave no details or a timeline. The United Nations and the United States have also repeatedly warned against such a military operation in the Gaza Strip.US Fed to provide fresh clues on rate cuts after uptick in inflation
The Fed has raised interest rates to a 23-year high of between 5.25 and 5.50% as it looks to return inflation firmly to its long-term target of 2%. After making significant progress against rising prices last year, 2024 has been more challenging, with the US seeing a small uptick in...Afghanistan bus-oil tanker collision kills 21, injures 38
Kabul, Afghanistan--Twenty-one people were killed and 38 injured on Sunday in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province when a bus collided with an oil tanker and a motorbike, provincial officials said. Deadly traffic accidents are common in the country, due in part to poor roads, dangerous driving on highways and a lack of...Trump hails election as ‘most important date’ in US history
Earlier this month Trump and Biden each won enough delegates to clinch their party nominations in the 2024 presidential race, all but assuring a rematch and setting up one of the longest election campaigns in US history. Among the issues Trump is campaigning on is sweeping reform of what he...Ground operations in Ukraine possible at some point, says Macron
Last month French president refused to rule out putting troops on the ground in Ukraine, which prompted a stern response from Berlin and other European partners. But the French president has not recanted from his position, but stressed that Western allies would not take the initiative.UAE backs women in climate action, gender equality
“Today’s frameworks to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment ring hollow in the face of the war on Gaza, which is killing Palestinian women and girls. Our commitment to the promotion and protection of women and girls worldwide must extend to them, too,” she adds.Israel cabinet to meet on Sunday on Doha truce talks
Jerusalem--Israel's security cabinet is set to meet Sunday to discuss the "mandate" of a delegation due to travel to Doha for talks on a truce in Gaza, the prime minister's office said. The security cabinet and the smaller, five-member war cabinet will meet Sunday to "decide on the mandate of...Israeli attack on Ramadan Friday kills 36 relatives in Gaza
Israel's military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 31,553 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. In Rafah, where the majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have sought refuge, more bloodshed is feared after Israeli prime minister's office said he had approved plans for...Israeli fighter jets bomb Syria weapons depot
Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on targets in Syria since civil war broke out in 2011, mainly targeting Iran-backed forces including fighters from Lebanon's Hizbollah movement as well as Syrian army positions. The strikes have increased since Israel's war with Palestinian resistance group Hamas began on October 7.Nakheel, Meydan join Dubai Holding
The Board of Directors of both Nakheel and Meydan will be abolished.Middle East leads way in global methane mitigation
The Middle East is emerging as an important region in the battle against methane emissions, crucial for curbing global warming. say a latest IEA report.Second aid ship prepares to leave for Gaza from Cyprus
According to Cyprus foreign ministry spokesperson, the ship will depart for Gaza today even as US charity World Central Kitchen said that the Jennifer had been loaded with 240 tonnes of food but that rough weather made it hard to predict when it would set sail for the Gaza Strip.Gaza strike kills 36 relatives in first Friday of Ramadan
Palestinian Territories - Displaced by Israeli bombardment, the Tabatibi family gathered in central Gaza to eat together during the first Friday night of Ramadan, a scene that soon turned into a bloodbath. An air strike hit the building where they were staying as women prepared the pre-fasting meal, killing 36...Fatah rejects Hamas criticism of new prime minister’s appointment
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party hit back at criticism by Hamas and other factions over his appointment of a new prime minister they said could deepen divisions as the war with Israel in Gaza rages. Abbas appointed Mohammed Mustafa, a long-trusted adviser on economic affairs, as...Massive fire destroys prestigious Arab film studio in Egypt
CAIRO, EGYPT – A major fire here destroyed one of the Arab world's most prestigious and oldest film production houses, founded 80 years ago, an AFP journalist said. Flames overtook the Al-Ahram Studio in Cairo's Giza district, burning everything inside and spreading to three surrounding buildings which were evacuated before the...US charity says aid unloaded, ready for delivery in Gaza
A US charity said its team in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip had finished unloading the first maritime aid shipment to reach the besieged territory. "All cargo was offloaded and is being readied for distribution in Gaza," World Central Kitchen said in a statement, noting that the aid was "almost 200...Saudi Arabia takes part in global mineral and mining meet in Canada
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – A delegation comprising several entities from the Kingdom’s industry and mineral resources' system participated in PDAC 2024, Toronto, Canada under the umbrella of "Invest Saudi". The Saudi delegation was represented at the World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention by the CEO of the Saudi Geological...ExxonMobil makes new oil discovery
The oil and gas strike is the first of 2024.Netanyahu okays plan for operation in Gaza’s packed Rafah
Netanyahu "approved the plans for action in Rafah," his office said in a statement, without giving details or a timeline. Rafah is the last major population center yet to be subjected to a ground assault during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, which was triggered by the fighters' unprecedented attack...US sanctions network smuggling American tech to Iran’s central bank
US Treasury sanctioned a number of alleged ISC subsidiaries and front companies based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and three individuals allegedly linked to them including Pouria Mirdamadi, a French-Iranian dual national. "The United States will continue to use all available means to disrupt the Iranian regime's illicit...Middle East poised to lead global crypto surge as Bitcoin eyes $100,000
Geneva, Switzerland - A major new study released by The Lancet Neurology shows that, in 2021, more than 3 billion people worldwide were living with a neurological condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) contributed to the analysis of the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study (GBD) 2021 data. Neurological...S&P affirms Saudi Arabia’s A/A-1 credit rating
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The international credit rating agency S&P Global Rating affirmed its foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings of Saudi Arabia at 'A/A-1' with stable outlook. The agency indicated in its report that this rating affirmation is a result of the continuation of the Kingdom's economic and...In Gaza, there are no more ‘normal-sized babies’: UN official
The war began October 7 when a surprise attack by Hamas resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 31,490 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry.UN says 5 million at risk of starvation in Sudan
The war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has since April last year killed tens of thousands, destroyed infrastructure and crippled the economy. It has also triggered a dire humanitarian crisis and acute food shortages, with the country teetering on the brink of...Saudi Arabia grapples with over 1 million tons of annual vegetable waste
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia faces substantial annual losses in its agricultural sector, including 234,000 tons of tomatoes and 201,000 tons of potatoes, along with notable quantities of onions, cucumbers, and zucchinis, Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture revealed on Friday. Highlighting the critical importance of conserving food...Gulf aviation industry sets sky-high standards
"The demand from certain sectors indicates a strong interest in First Class, prompting us to introduce a newly-designed First Class cabin unique to Qatar Airways. ... We are combining the experience of flying commercial and executive jets to create something new. We are 70 to 80 percent ready and are...Hamas, Houthis hold rare meeting: Palestinian sources
According to sources from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, leaders from the two Palestinian groups, as well as the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, held an "important meeting" with Houthi representatives last week.UAE’s working mothers get extended maternity leave
The Gulf country is setting a new benchmark for supporting working mothers by doubling the mandated maternity leave to 120 days, Kathryn Martin VFS Global tell TRENDS.Air Arabia shareholders approve 20% dividend for FY2023
SHARJAH, UAE – Air Arabia shareholders approved the distribution of a 20 percent cash dividend for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (FY2023), at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The dividend, which is equivalent to 20 fils per share, underscores another year of record financial performance for the...G7 vows ‘significant’ new sanctions if Iran sends missiles to Russia
Washington, US - G7 countries warned Iran on Friday that they will impose "significant" new sanctions if Tehran transfers ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. "We reiterate our call on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia's illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine or...Seven children among 22 dead as boat capsizes off Turkish coast
Istanbul, Turkey - Twenty-two migrants including seven children have drowned after a boat capsized off the Turkish coast, local officials said on Friday. Two people were rescued by the Turkish coastguard and another two managed to make it out of the water on their own, officials said. The victims' nationalities were...European Union to sanction violent Israeli settlers and Hamas
Britain and the United States have already imposed sanctions on a small number of Israeli settlers accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.Nervous system disorders surpass heart ailments as top cause of illness
Paris, France - Conditions affecting the nervous system -- such as strokes, migraines and dementia -- have surged past heart disease to become the leading cause of ill health worldwide, a major new analysis said on Friday. More than 3.4 billion people -- 43 percent of the global population -- experienced...UAE launches digital public consultation on tax implementation
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- UAE's Ministry of Finance (MoF) Friday launched digital public consultation to gather feedback from relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) or Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar Two) (GloBE Rules) as well as other tax matters in the UAE. The consultation...Non-oil trade between UAE and US hits $31.4 billion in 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Non-oil trade between the UAE and the United States reached $31.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue growing at the same pace in 2024, said Danny E. Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council. Sebright added, in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM),...Non-oil sectors contribute 50% to Saudi Arabia’s real GDP in 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Non-oil activities in the Kingdom have achieved a historic milestone, reaching a 50 percent share of the country's real GDP in 2023 – the highest level on record, according to an analysis of the General Authority for Statistics data by the Ministry of Economy and Planning....UAE rises to seventh rank globally in UN gender balance index
Dubai, UAE -- The UAE advanced to the seventh rank globally in the Gender Inequality Index 2024, issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), rising significantly from its 49th place in 2015 and 11th place in 2022. The UNDP announced UAE's achievement during the meetings of the 68th session...Vodafone sells Italian unit to Swisscom
British telecoms giant sold the business for US$8.7 billion.Nissan, Honda in tie-up for EVs
The alliance will take on China's dominant EV makers.Iran’s aluminum ingot output up 7% in Feb 2024
Tehran, Iran - Iran’s production of aluminum ingot in the country registered a 7% growth in the first 11th month of this Iranian year, the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). Iran’s four major aluminum production companies produced 54,893 tons of aluminum ingots in February 2024,...US forces ‘destroy’ Houthi anti-ship missiles and drones in Yemen
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--The US military said Thursday it had destroyed nine anti-ship ballistic missiles and two drones in Yemen after Houthi rebels fired on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said two missiles fired by the Houthi rebels towards the Red Sea and...India publishes election donation data after court order
The BJP had received slightly less than 48 percent of all election bonds cashed by parties up to March 2023, amounting to around $730 million. Congress, India's main opposition party, had by contrast received around $171 million in the same timeframe, or 11 percent of the total.Dubai receives 1.77m international tourists in January this year
Dubai, UAE--Dubai welcomed 1.77 million international tourists in January 2024, an increase of 21% compared to 1.47 million visitors in the same period of 2023. According to the Dubai Tourism Performance Report for January issued by the Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Western Europe ranked first in terms of...Diriyah unveils 20,000-seat arena in $63bn Saudi masterplan
Diriyah, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia, has revealed plans for "The Arena in Diriyah," a monumental 76,000-square-meter lifestyle facility set to redefine the region's cultural and entertainment landscape. Designed by London-based HKS Architects as part of a $63.2 billion masterplan, the arena aims to become the Middle East's premier venue...Red Sea crisis reduces Ramadan cheer for war-torn Yemen
Ramadan, when Muslims break their day-long fasts with large evening meals, usually means brisk business for Yemen's shops. But in a Taez market, customers were few and far between. Shopkeepers were standing idly by, displaying vegetables, herbs and grains in straw baskets outside their stores.UN should organize more aid convoys for north Gaza: Israel
An Israeli official said that the UN should coordinate more convoys if it wants to see more aid in north Gaza. The official said 99 percent of aid trucks sent to Gaza were "approved", pushing back on reports by the UN and NGOs that cumbersome Israeli inspections are blocking food...GCC seeks travel ease with Schengen visa exemption
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi calls for visa-free travel to Europe, aiming to simplify the journey for Gulf citizens to the continent.Sweden’s gaming group Embracer divests Russian assets
Stockholm, Sweden - Swedish gaming group Embracer, which owns the Borderlands franchise and the Tomb Raider license, announced on Thursday that it was ceasing all Russian operations through the sale of subsidiary Saber Interactive. Beacon Interactive, which is controlled by Saber Interactive co-founder Matthew Karch, will pay $247 million for the...Saudi inflation rises to 1.8% in February
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s inflation accelerated to 1.8 percent in February compared to January 2024, according to data by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The cost-of-living index for February rose to 110.64 points, according to the base year 2018, from 108.67 points in the same month a year earlier. Inflation...




















































