RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said in a press release it issued on Sunday that it has adopted the chain-linking methodology to calculate the real GDP in the country. The Q4 2023 results and the annual results for the same year have been reached at...

NEW YORK, US – Bitcoin has captured the limelight in recent weeks as it surged to a new record high, yet another major cryptocurrency, Ether, has been enjoying its own meteoric rise. Launched in 2015, Ether, also known as Ethereum, is by far the second-largest digital currency in terms of total...

Washington, United States -- Since his tumultuous takeover of Twitter, Elon Musk has made an unabashed turn to the right politically, defying the orthodoxy that Silicon Valley is a citadel of well-heeled liberals beholden to Democrats. Long considered non-identifiable ideologically, Musk's politics are now hardline right wing as he uses his...

AMMAN, JORDAN – Data released by the Amman Stock Exchange reveals that non-Jordanian investors bought shares worth US$12.5 million (JD8.9 million) in February 2024, accounting for 8.7 percent of the month's total trading volume. Conversely, these investors offloaded shares valued at US$44.7 million (31.7 million dinars) during the same timeframe....

“Emirati doctors play a key role in enhancing the healthcare system and promoting health and wellness throughout society. We look forward to a future where medical innovation flourishes, solidifying the UAE's position as a beacon of healthcare excellence and innovation,” he adds as the UAE marks Emirati Doctor's Day, celebrated...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) continued to decline for the 13th month in a row, falling 8.8 percent in January compared to Jan 2022, on the decrease in mining and quarrying activity. Given the relative importance of mining and quarrying activity, which amounted to 61.4...

Hizbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel after Israeli strikes the day before left five dead in southern Lebanon, including three of the group's members. Hamas ally Hizbollah and its arch-foe Israel have been exchanging near-daily fire across the border since the Israel-Hamas war broke out...

The deal will see the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) -- made up of non-European Union nations, including Iceland and Liechtenstein -- invest $100 billion over 15 years in India, the world's fifth largest economy, India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said.

Sharjah, UAE -- Sharjah witnessed real estate deals worth AED 3.1 billion ($844 million) in February 2023, according to the Real Estate Transactions and Mortgages Movement report issued by the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department. The report said the results indicate that the real estate sector in Sharjah continues to...

With Gaza's humanitarian crisis growing more dire and Biden's left flank in uproar, the US president made contradictory remarks as to the question of a "red line" over Israel's threatened offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza. Netanyahu "has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas,"...

The oil giant posted a 24.7% fall in net profit to US$121.25bn.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for "all possible operational scenarios" during Ramadan, and that it plans to allow "freedom of worship under security and safety restrictions". Hagari said it was because of Hamas that a new truce deal had yet to be reached in the Gaza...

With t-shirts and banners featuring the names and pictures of hostages seized during Hamas's October 7 attack, the crowd demanded swift action to rescue the remaining captives. Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza alive and 31 are presumed dead, Israel has said, a key source of demonstrators' despair.

Beijing, China-- A greener globe requires a greener energy industry, which could definitely be represented by new quality productive forces such as green hydrogen, according to Baoshen Zhong, Chairman of LONGi Green Energy. China Economic Net quoted Zhong as saying, during the 2024 Two Sessions, that “Renewable energy, mainly photovoltaic...

The announcement came after the airline's record profits.

It will enable customers to access Dropbox's tools.

Driven by resilience, legislation, and determination, the female populace is reshaping the socio-economic fabric of the Gulf countries, a TRENDS report suggests.

Lebanon's official National News Agency said the Israeli strike on a house in the Khirbet Selm area killed a family of four," a couple and their two children, and one other person. Hizbollah and Israel have traded deadly cross-border fire on a near-daily basis since war broke out in October...

London, UK - Thousands of protesters marched in central London on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing bombardments by Israel after the Hamas attack on its territory on October 7. Regular marches protesting Israel's military response to the attacks have seen dozens arrested for anti-Semitic chanting and...

AMMAN, JORDAN - Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) exports amounted to US$1.3 billion (JD926 million) during the last two months of 2024, compared to US$1.79 billion (JD1.272 billion) for the same period last year. According to statistical data obtained by Petra, exports of five sectors recorded an increase, while the...

A boat laden with food for Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza was "ready" to set sail from Cyprus, an NGO said, as fighting raged between Israeli troops and Hamas ahead of Ramadan. The sea route aims to counter aid access restrictions, which humanitarians and foreign governments have blamed on Israel.

Lagos, Nigeria - The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins early next week in Nigeria, with the worst economic crisis in a generation leaving many in Africa's most populous Muslim country struggling to buy food. With food inflation at around 35 percent, worshipers taking part in Friday prayers at the central...

Ankara, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Ankara "firmly backs" Palestinian group Hamas. "No-one can make us qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization," he said in a speech in Istanbul. "Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them." Erdogan has been...

Geneva, Switzerland - The war in Gaza has "ruptured any sense of a shared humanity," the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Saturday. ICRC head Mirjana Spoljaric called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, saying Israel and Hamas must respect international law and protect civilians caught...

Arbil, Iraq - A drone strike in northern Iraq killed a Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) commander, Kurdish authorities said, raising the death toll from strikes blamed on Turkey to three. Turkey often carries out ground and air operations in northern Iraq against positions of the PKK, which has waged a decades-long...

TEHRAN, IRAN – Tehran on Saturday strongly condemned a UN report on the Islamic republic's response to mass protests in 2022, denouncing Western countries' "Iranophobia". The report was built on "baseless claims" and "false and biased information, without a legal basis", foreign affairs ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement. International experts...

Tunisians usually prepare for Ramadan -- when daytime fasting is followed by festive but often costly meals with family and friends -- by stocking up on large amounts of food. But this year things are different, with purchasing power greatly diminished because of soaring prices, a recession and rising unemployment.

CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy and coalition ships in the region". It was one of the Houthis' largest attacks since they began in November a campaign of drone and missile strikes against ships in the Red Sea area,...

It was the first time that Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003, has spoken about leaving office. The AKP is hoping to regain the mayorship of Istanbul in the elections later this month, having seen it taken by the opposition in 2019.

He has spent more than 11 years in jail, a long time even by the standards of Pakistani politicians, with a wheeler-dealer's talent for bouncing back after scandals. Back in 2009, the New York Times said he had a knack for "artful dodging" -- "maneuvering himself out of the tight...

Canada has reviewed the investigation's interim report and "we were reassured by the contents," Minister of International Development said. He also announced that Ottawa will partner with Jordan and the World Food Program to conduct airdrops in Gaza to deliver desperately needed food and other essentials.

Doha, Qatar - Doha Bank has successfully issued $500 million in international bonds, garnering a total order book of $2 billion, marking an oversubscription of 4 times. The investor base includes prominent asset managers, banks, private banks, and insurance companies from the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East....

Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE has been elected the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for 2025. The appointment acknowledges the UAE’s contributions to cultural diversity and its role in fostering a multicultural and civilized tapestry...

"Government entities must be thoroughly prepared for technological advancements that will change how they operate and provide services. A high level of future readiness is essential to meet the needs of stakeholders and capitalize on the opportunities that arise from rapid AI development," he adds.

Gulf companies benefit from supportive credit environments, ensuring resilience in 2024 despite global economic challenges and geopolitical risks, says a report.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has unveiled plans to broaden the range of customs duty exemptions for various industrial products and materials starting April 1. Industrial companies holding a valid license from the ministry will benefit from duty exemptions on specific items essential...

ROME, ITALY – The European country's data protection watchdog - Italian Data Protection Authority - said on Friday it has launched an investigation into Sora, a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool made by US firm OpenAI. The Italian Data Protection Authority said it was concerned over "the possible implications for the...

BERLIN, GERMANY – Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Trip.com Group have announced a significant global partnership, which will drive greater inbound tourists to Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030 program. The joint effort aims to bring over 350 thousand additional tourists to Saudi over the course of the...

In his annual State of the Union address to Congress, President Joe Biden said the US military would "lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water medicine and temporary shelters."

NATO member Turkey has sought to maintain good relations with Moscow and Kyiv throughout the two-year war, with Erdogan pitching himself as a key go-between and possible peace-maker.

Other parts of the Islamic world may be grappling with their own challenges, from conflicts to high inflation. But many Muslims say their thoughts are with Palestinians this year.

DUBAI, UAE – Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that under the guidance of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate has achieved remarkable success in expanding endowment assets and enhancing service endowments. Dubai witnessed an...

UN rights chief warned Volker Turk said there had been a drastic acceleration in Israeli illegal settlement building in the occupied West Bank as it wages a relentless war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. He said creating and expanding settlements amounted to the transfer by Israel of its own...

The law issued by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum exempts the foreign banks licensed to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Besides all foreign banks operating in Dubai, the law applies to special development zones and free zones.

RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – "I don't sleep anymore," Latifa Abu Hamid said while looking at pictures of her children hanging on the walls of her living room, two women and 10 men. All have passed through Israeli prisons. Four are still languishing in jail while a fifth died in custody 14...

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sanadak, UAE's and MENA region's first legally established independent Ombudsman Unit catering to consumers of financial institutions and licensed insurance companies, started its operations Thursday. Sanadak's focus is on safeguarding consumers rights and resolving complaints that arise from dealings with financial institutions and licensed insurance companies....

ABU DHABI, UAE – Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has approved the Board of Directors proposal to distribute a cash dividend of US$0.15 (AED0.56) per share, translating to a total pay-out of US$1.1 billion (AED4.099 billion) equivalent to 50 percent of its 2023 net profit. This came as the ADCB...

Using his annual State of the Union address to deliver some of his strongest comments yet about the five-month-long war, Biden also ordered the US military to lead "an emergency mission" to build a temporary pier off Gaza to facilitate more aid deliveries.

Madrid, Spain--Spain said Thursday it would give an additional $21.87 million to the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, which is facing a cash crunch after several nations suspended their funding. The agency has been at the centre of controversy since Israel accused about a dozen of its employees of involvement in...

Specialized companies such as Grayscale and Wall Street giants such as asset manager BlackRock are among those investing in the digital token, theoretically opening up the sector to a wider public by allowing investors to bet on bitcoin's price without owning it directly.