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59 minutes ago
Russia, Iran To Sign ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ Treaty This Week
Russia and Iran have unveiled plans to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty on Friday when Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits Moscow. The two nations dubbed ‘pariahs’ by much of the West have seen their cooperation and relations grow in the context of the Ukraine war. “On January 17, Vladimir Putin will hold talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who will come to Russia on an official visit,” the Kremlin announced Monday. The much anticipated treaty has long been in the works, since at least last summer, news of which caused President Zelensky to say there’s an axis of rogue states conspiring to defeat Ukraine. This has included North Korea as well, which has lost troops helping Moscow defend Kursk region. As for the treaty to be signed by the week’s close, it was previewed as heavily focused on defense and security cooperation. “It will confirm the parties’ desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier stated. Putin and Pezeshkian in addition to signing the agreement are expected to discuss “prospects for the further […]
1 hour ago
Former UK Ambassador: How The West Destroyed Syria
Peter Ford served in the UK Foreign Ministry for many years including being UK Ambassador to Bahrain (1999-2003) and then Syria (2003-2006). Following that, he was representative to the Arab world for the Commissioner General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency. He was interviewed by Rick Stering on Jan 6, 2025. RS: Why do you think the Syrian military and government collapsed so rapidly? Peter Ford: Everybody was surprised but with hindsight, we shouldn’t have been. Over more than a decade, the Syrian army had been hollowed out by the extremely dire economic situation in Syria, mainly caused by western sanctions. Syria only had a few hours of electricity a day, no money to buy weapons and no ability to use the international banking system to buy anything whatsoever. It’s no surprise that the Army was run down. With hindsight, you might say the surprise is that the Syrian government and Army were successful in driving back the Islamists. The Syrian Army forced them into the redoubt of Idlib four or five years ago. But after that point, the Syrian army deteriorated, became less battle ready on the technical level and also morale. Syrian soldiers are mainly conscripts and they […]
1 hour ago
Bahrain To Invest In 22 Major Infrastructure Projects, Including Five Artificial Islands
Bahrain is planning a $30 billion surge in infrastructure projects, which includes 22 major developments such as five artificial islands. The construction market is forecast to grow to $3.17 billion by 2025 and $3.89 billion by 2030, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence. Public-private partnerships are expected to drive much of this growth, in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. The government’s efforts to back large-scale construction projects are a key force behind the market’s expansion. Productivity Reforms led by the Economic Development Board are also improving productivity across the building and design sectors. However, the report acknowledges that the industry faced setbacks in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and falling oil prices. Bahrain stands out in the Gulf for offering comparatively low construction costs. Its designation as a ‘free zone’ allows 100% foreign ownership of businesses and properties. Investors This, coupled with the free movement of profits and capital, makes the country attractive to investors. In 2021, the government allocated BD600 million ($1.6 billion) to fund projects over two years. These funds have supported developments in infrastructure, housing, health, education, sports, culture, and utilities. Economic diversification Among the largest initiatives is a $30 billion plan that includes […]
2 hours ago
Middle East Powerhouse: Bahrain’s Dinar Ranked Second Most Valuable In The World
Bahrain continues to solidify its position as a key player on the global economic stage, with the Bahraini dinar (BHD) ranking as the second most valuable currency worldwide. Here’s a look at the world’s top currencies as of January 10, 2025, and what makes them stand out: Bahrain’s economy stands out for its diversity. While oil remains a significant contributor, the nation has made remarkable strides in banking, finance, and tourism. These industries, combined with strategic investments, have positioned Bahrain as a financial hub in the Gulf region. Bahrain’s prominence on this list underscores its growing influence as a center for innovation and economic activity in the Middle East. With its strategic location, forward-thinking policies, and commitment to diversification, Bahrain exemplifies how Gulf nations are evolving beyond traditional oil-based economies. As Bahrain continues to attract global investors and tourists, the Bahraini dinar’s position as one of the world’s most valuable currencies highlights the Kingdom’s enduring economic strength and stability.
2 hours ago
Bahrain Cricket Club Qualifies For Semi-Finals With Dominant Win Over Public Security
In a scintillating quarter-final clash of the Khalid Bin Hamad Cricket League under Division A (2024) series, Bahrain Cricket Club (BCC) stormed into the semi-finals after comfortably defeating Public Security by 8 wickets. The win came on the back of a stellar all-round performance, with Sohail Ahmed’s match-winning knock leading the charge. Public Security, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a total of 122/8 in 20 overs. Mohammed Ismail Raja was the standout performer for Public Security, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 50 balls, but the lack of substantial partnerships saw their innings falter. Despite a quickfire 18 from Wajid Mahmood, wickets fell at regular intervals, and the team could not build on Raja’s resilience. In reply, Bahrain Cricket Club made light work of the target. Openers Sarfaraz Ali and Shahbaz Badar provided a quick start, and it was Sohail Ahmed’s unbeaten 56 from just 33 balls that sealed the win for the team. With valuable contributions from Fiaz Ahmed (26* from 17 balls) and Badar (22 from 16), Bahrain Cricket Club comfortably chased down the target of 123 in just 12.5 overs.
2 hours ago
Spain To Slap 100% Tax On Foreign Home-Buyers
Spain is set to impose a significant new tax on foreigners, including Brits, buying homes in the country as it moves to prioritise housing availability for locals. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the new package of measures today. One of the 12 is the controversial proposal to introduce a tax for non-EU citizens who don’t already live in Spain on buying homes in the country. The tax raises the amount when purchasing a property to 100 percent of its value. House-buyers in the country are currently expected to fork out for costs and taxes worth between 10 and 12% of the house price, depending on its location. Mr Sanchez said that the new levy would help “prioritise the availability of housing for residents”. Mr Sánchez also accused the 27,000 foreigners from outside the EU who purchased homes in Spain in 2023 of buying the properties “not to live in them, but to speculate”. He added that house prices are one of Europe’s “main challenges, adding that “average house prices in Europe have risen by 48% in the last decade and it is unbearable.” It comes after the Spanish prime minister announced plans to end the so-called ‘golden visa’ scheme in a blow to thousands. […]
2 hours ago
Al-Falih: 571 Global Companies Moved Their Headquarters To Saudi Arabia
Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih said that the initiative of moving regional headquarters of global companies to Saudi Arabia is proceeding steadily well in a way accomplishing its goals. “The number of international companies licensed to establish their headquarters and moved to the Kingdom has reached 571, most of which have opened their offices in the King Abdullah Financial Center in Riyadh. The largest share of them are industrial companies, and incentives will be provided to these companies through various programs,” he said. Al-Falih made the remarks during a dialogue session in Riyadh on Saturday on the sidelines of the launch of the Standard Incentives Program for the industrial sector. He said the first phase of the incentives was launched two years ago, during which 33 projects worth SR310 billion were provided with incentives. Al-Falih said that the industrial sector contributes 30 percent of the foreign investment balance in the Kingdom, with a growth of 61 percent, and most of the licenses for international companies granted by the Ministry of Investment are also for manufacturing industries. Al-Falih highlighted that the Standard Incentives Program constitutes a significant step toward realizing the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the National Investment Strategy, […]
3 hours ago
Moroccan Kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi To Star At ONE 171 In Qatar
Moroccan martial arts star and former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi will face Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE Championship’s show ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20 at Lusail Sports Arena. The winner of the matchup could be the next challenger for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing world title which will be on the line in the show’s main event as Jonathan Haggerty defends his gold against Chinese veteran Wei Rui. Ennahachi has won both his two bouts since moving to bantamweight, most recently defeating second-ranked Hiroki Akimoto via unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27, taking his ONE record to 5-0 and his overall professional record to 40-3. The 28-year-old Moroccan is one of the promotion’s most established stars and the only fighter to beat current two-sports champion Superlek Kiatmoo. Meanwhile, 39-year-old veteran Petchtanong most recently picked up a knockout win against former divisional champion Alaverdi Ramazanov in June after returning to action for the first time in two years. The experienced Thai owns an incredible 359-56 overall professional record.
3 hours ago
PFL Opens 2025 With Stacked Card In Dubai
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has its first major event of 2025 with the Road To Dubai Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena on Jan. 25. Headlining the PFL card is a highly-anticipated matchup between undefeated Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Ireland’s surging contender Paul “Big News” Hughes. Nurmagomedov, the cousin of mixed martial arts great Khabib Nurmagomedov, comes into the fight with a pristine 19-0 record and two successful title defenses. Hughes, meanwhile, is riding a seven-fight win streak, including a victory over former Bellator champion AJ McKee. To add more fuel to the fire, Hughes said he is drawing inspiration for the fight from Khabib’s recent criticism of Ireland’s MMA fighters. Meanwhile former Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov takes on seasoned knockout artist Tim Johnson. Nemkov, who was dominant at light-heavyweight and set a league record for title defenses, moved up to heavyweight in 2024 with a victory over former PFL champion Bruno Cappelozza. A PFL and Bellator veteran, Johnson has 18 career victories, with 10 knockouts. The Road to Dubai Champions Series will also feature MMA fighters from nations including the US, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and Brazil. MAIN CARD Bellator Lightweight World Championship: Usman […]
3 hours ago
UAE Reopens Embassy In Lebanon Following Election Of New President
The United Arab Emirates has reopened its embassy in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after years of limited diplomatic engagement, the UAE’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. The decision follows the election of Lebanon’s new president Joseph Aoun last week, ending a prolonged 15-month leadership vacuum in the country. A high-level UAE delegation arrived in Beirut on Sunday to oversee the reopening of the embassy, acting on directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. This move comes after a direct call between Sheikh Mohamed and President Joseph Aoun. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) highlighted that the reopening reflects the strong and enduring ties between the two nations, built on mutual respect and shared regional interests. The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and stability, while pledging comprehensive support for the Lebanese people across economic and developmental sectors. “The reopening of the UAE embassy is a testament to the longstanding fraternal relations between our peoples and underscores the UAE’s steadfast support for Lebanon’s stability and development,” the statement read. A new chapter in Lebanese politics The UAE’s move coincides with a pivotal moment for Lebanon. On Thursday, the country’s parliament […]
3 hours ago
UAE Travel: Low-Cost Carrier Air Arabia Increases Hand Baggage Allowances On Flights
Sharjah-headquartered and DFM-listed budget carrier Air Arabia announced Monday that passengers can now carry hand baggage weighing 10kg. Most other airlines limit hand, or cabin, baggage weight capacity to 7 kg per passenger. “The total combined weight allowed for cabin baggage is 10 Kg. This includes carry-on bags, personal items and duty-free purchases,” the airline explained on its website. The carry-on bag’s maximum dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (including handles, pockets, and wheels). The dimensions of the personal item must be 25 x 33 x 20 cm. Air Arabia explained that the rules apply to all flights departing from the airline’s headquarters in Sharjah and its hubs in Egypt and Morocco. Passengers travelling with infants are entitled to one additional standard-sized hand baggage weighing up to 3 kg for items the infant may require during the flight. “This additional baggage must fit under the seat in front. The airline explained that you must declare the additional bag at the check-in counter and that personal item tags must be attached,” the airline explained. All cabin baggage, including duty-free purchases, will be checked for compliance with weight, dimensions, and number of pieces restrictions at the boarding gate. “If your cabin […]
3 hours ago
Maid Arrested For Kidnapping Saudi Toddler In Egypt
Egyptian security authorities have arrested a maid accused of kidnapping a two-year-old Saudi girl and abandoning her on a street in Dokki, a neighbourhood in Giza. The toddler was found near a pedestrian footbridge. Major General Sameh Al Humaili, First Assistant Minister of Interior and Director of Giza Security, received a report from the Dokki Police Station. The report said that a Saudi mother had filed a complaint regarding the disappearance of her two-year-old daughter, alleging that her maid had abducted the child. Investigations revealed that the maid had recently begun working for the family. On the day of the incident, she took the toddler with her under the pretext of visiting a supermarket to purchase necessities but failed to return.
3 hours ago
Meta, Dubai’s New Creators HQ Launch First-Of-A-Kind Project For Influencers
The new Dubai-based Creators HQ, the first global centre of its kind, and Meta – which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – have announced the launch of the ‘Creators for Purpose’ programme through a strategic partnership. This initiative aims to support creators in the region to produce “meaningful, high-value content that spreads positivity across communities” via Instagram and Facebook. The announcement was made on Sunday at the Instagram Hub Pavilion during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, which attracted over 15,000 content creators and more than 420 prominent speakers from around the world. The summit also introduced the largest and most valuable global award for purposeful content creators, worth $1 million, along with the One Billion Pitches competition. The latter successfully brought together over ten investment funds, securing Dh50 million to support content creators. Why UAE? Meta selected the UAE for the programme’s launch, in collaboration with Creators HQ, due to the nation’s leadership in shaping the future of digital media and content creation. The UAE’s dynamic environment fosters innovation and supports influencers and creators through its inclusive culture and a population of over 195 nationalities living in remarkable harmony. Moon Baz, Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, […]
16 hours ago
Kuwait Announces 3-day Holiday
Kuwait will have a three-day holiday for the occasion of Isra and Mi’raj at the end of this month, according to local media reports. Citing the Civil Service Commission, English language daily Arab Times reported that Thursday, January 30 will be recognised as a holiday for public sectors departments, agencies and institutions. With Friday and Saturday being a typical weekend in the country, it means workers will enjoy a three-day weekend. Public holiday in Kuwait Isra and Mi’raj falls on Monday, January 27, but the holiday will be moved following a Cabinet decision. This is to allow for a long weekend in the country and means work will resume on Sunday, February 2.
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