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After UAE, India’s ‘Campa Cola’ Makes An Entry Into Oman With Reliance
After the UAE, it’s Oman for Campa Cola, India’s legacy fizzy drink. The entry into Oman’s F&B market also represents a first for Reliance Consumer Products, which bought the Campa Cola brand in 2022. With Indian expats in the Gulf – and of a certain age – Campa Cola remains along with the other Indian cola brand ‘Thums Up’ the beverages they had grown up with. (It was in the 1990s that Pepsi and Coca-Cola re-entered the Indian market.) Campa Cola has since the Reliance deal managed to build a following among a newer – and younger – consumer. “Campa isn’t just a drink; it’s a revival of a legacy, a taste of India, and a celebration of the spirit of today’s youth,” said Ketan Mody, COO of Reliance Consumer Products. “We are excited to enter the Oman market with Campa, a heritage Indian brand founded more than 50 years ago. “We are investing for the long-term and see great potential for accelerated growth in the region. We have a track record of delivering innovative and global quality products at affordable prices to customers.” The Campa portfolio will initially include Campa Cola, Campa Lemon and Campa Orange.
9 minutes ago
Abu Shar’an, Beloved Bedouin Astronomer Of Saudi Arabia, Dies At 96
Saudi Arabia is mourning the death of Malfi bin Shar’an Al Oreimah Al Harbi, widely known as “Abu Shar’an,” one of the Kingdom’s most respected figures in traditional astronomy and weather forecasting. Born around 1929 among the Bedouin communities of Hail, Abu Shar’an spent nearly a century studying the stars and interpreting climate patterns amid the desert sands. Preferring the simplicity of desert life over the city’s noise, he believed no roof was kinder than the open sky, and no companion more loyal than his herd. From the dunes stretching between Hail and Al Zulfi, he developed a deep knowledge of the stars and their connection to rainfall, becoming a trusted reference for Bedouins, city dwellers, researchers, and scholars alike. For decades, Abu Shar’an mapped star movements across the desert sands, living by the old wisdom: “Whoever knows the lunar mansions will not miss the rain.” His passing has sparked widespread tributes. Saudi astronomer Dr. Khalid Al Zaaq, his former student, wrote: “My first teacher has passed, the one who taught me how to calculate the stars when I was just 13 years old.” Although Abu Shar’an had partially recovered from a stroke three years ago, his health had recently deteriorated. Despite efforts […]
18 minutes ago
Bahrain Announces Public Holiday On May 1
Bahrain has announced a public holiday to commemorate Labour Day on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, issued a circular on the upcoming Labour Day. According to the circular, all ministries and public institutions across the Kingdom will be closed for the occasion. What Is Labour Day? Labour Day, observed on May 1st, celebrates the achievements of the labour movement. Also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day, it’s a public holiday in over 80 countries, honoring workers’ rights and contributions around the world.
25 minutes ago
Ukrainian Army Commander Openly Threatens Zelensky: Will ‘Regret’ Ceding Territory
Russia on Monday made clear that it is sticking by initial demands raised by Moscow at the start of the war in February 2022, after President Putin last week issues statements which appeared open to compromise for the sake of peace talks. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declared that Russia will never give up its hold over Crimea, as well as the annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. He named as a condition for peace negotiations that Russia’s control and sovereignty over these territories is vital and essentially non-negotiable. “The international recognition of Crimea, Sevastopol, the DPR, the LPR, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions as part of Russia is another imperative,” he said. “All the commitments Kiev assumes must be legally binding, contain enforcement mechanisms and be permanent,” Lavrov added. “Russia proceeds from the premise that Kiev’s non-accession to NATO, as well as reaffirming its neutral and non-aligned status as per the 1990 Declaration on Ukraine’s State Sovereignty – these factors form one of the two pillars for a final settlement to the Ukraine crisis that would meet Russia’s security interests,” he continue. The top Russian diplomat also demanded that Ukraine enact legislation that restores and protects Russian language, culture, and churches and […]
38 minutes ago
6 Days After Celebrating ‘100% Renewable Power’, Spain Blames “Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon” For Nation’s Largest Blackout In History
Six days ago, the media celebrated a significant milestone: Spain’s national grid operated entirely on renewable energy for the first time during a weekday. At 12:35 pm today local time, the lights went out (black out) across Spain and Portugal, and parts of France. As Michael Shellenberger writes at PUBLIC, this wasn’t just a Spanish blackout. It shook the entire European grid. …none of this should have been a surprise. The underlying physics had been understood for years, and the specific vulnerabilities had been spelled out repeatedly in technical warnings that policymakers ignored. … As countries replaced heavy, spinning plants with lightweight, inverter-based generation, the grid became faster, lighter, and far more sensitive to disruptions. That basic physical reality was spelled out in public warnings as far back as 2017. … Although political leaders promised that renewable energy would provide stable, affordable power, in practice, Spain grew more reliant on the remaining nuclear and natural gas plants to sustain inertia — even as the government pushes them to close. … Despite all these warnings, political and regulatory energy in Europe remained focused on accelerating renewable deployment, not upgrading the grid’s basic stability. In Spain, solar generation continued to climb rapidly through 2023 and early 2024. Coal plants closed. Nuclear […]
1 hour ago
What Is The Risk Of Nuclear War Between India And Pakistan?
Hostilities between India and Pakistan have intensified after a deadly militant attack in the contested Kashmir region killed twenty-six people. New Delhi has blamed its neighbor for the attack, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. The incident has sparked a series of smaller military engagements along the Indian border and the Indian government has ordered all Pakistani visitors in India to leave by April 29th. It has also threatened to block or divert water supplies from the Indus River system, which support 80% of Pakistan’s agriculture. The Indus Water Treaty – which was brokered by the World Bank in September 1960 – determined the rights and obligations of Pakistan and India concerning the use of waters of the Indus River system. The agreement has stood the test of time and has long been hailed as a rare example of cooperation between the two ideologically opposed nations. India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty is being called an “act of war” by Pakistan. Geopolitical strategists say the move “calculated” – Any diversion of Pakistan’s water supply could trigger famine and civil unrest in the already unstable region. Internal strife has been simmering after Pakistan’s current government arrested former Prime Minister Imran […]
1 hour ago
China Seizes Disputed Reef In South China Sea, Next To Key Philippines Military Base
China quietly seized a disputed reef just miles away from the Philippines’ most important military outpost in the South China Sea, in a sharp escalation of a regional dispute with the Philippines, raising the risk of a new military stand-off between the two rival claimants. According to the FT, the China Coast Guard “implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction” over Sandy Cay this month, the military channel of state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. It released images of four officers, wearing all black and holding the Chinese flag, declaring sovereignty over the reef in the Spratly Islands. Sandy Cay is near a Philippine military outpost on Thitu Island, which Manila reportedly uses to track Chinese movements in the area. The move marks the first time in many years that Beijing, which claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety, has officially planted its flag on another previously unoccupied land feature. It comes as the Philippines and its ally the US are conducting Balikatan, their largest annual military exercise, which will include coastal defense and island seizure drills. They will be held from next week on the Philippine territory closest to the Spratlys. Although just a sand bank measuring little more […]
2 hours ago
India’s Modi Vows ‘Harshest Response’ To Terror Attack Amid ‘Unprovoked’ Gunfire ‘Initiated By Pakistan’
Indian and Pakistani relations are once again in full crisis mode, and Sunday marks the third day of reports of sporadic border fire at army outposts between the nuclear-armed neighbors and historic enemies, following last Tuesday’s terror attack in India-administrated Kashmir, which killed 26 Indian tourists in the mountainous, remote region. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a new statement vowing that the terrorists widely being referred to as Pahalgam attackers “will be served with the harshest response” and that India will seek justice “to the ends of the earth”. The Indian army over the weekend announced there has been “unprovoked” firing “initiated by Pakistan” along the Line of Control (LOC)_ which divides Kashmir into two. Pakistan in the aftermath of the accusation neither confirmed nor denied. The New York Times described Saturday that “Pakistani solders fired at an Indian position first and India responded in kind, according to local news reports, which said that “the exchange was brief and that there were no casualties.” Precise locations of these live fire incidents have not been disclosed. Days into the crisis and land borders have been shut, visas and military exchange programs mutually canceled, and a landmark water treaty has been suspended. Pakistan’s PM Sharif meanwhile said his country is ready to defend its […]
2 hours ago
Israel Extends Compulsory Service As Manpower Crisis Plagues Army
The Israeli army has announced that it will extend mandatory service by four months due to a growing manpower crisis, coinciding with an intensification of battles in Gaza and the resurgence of deadly resistance operations against invading troops. The additional four months will be classified as reserve duty, allowing soldiers to complete a total of three years of military service. The military will also cancel pre-release leave for soldiers. Troops will have to serve a full three years before being discharged. This decision follows months of intense fighting and rising casualties, which have strained troop levels. The extra four months will provide benefits for the soldiers, given that reserve duty is usually compensated by the Israeli government. The army states that its decision is temporary and aims to help alleviate the current troop shortages. Click here to read more The Cradle
2 hours ago
Pakistan’s Defense Chief Warns Military Incursion By India Is ‘Imminent’
After three consecutive days of reports of mutual gunfire at army outposts along the Line of Control (LOC) disputed border area, Pakistan’s defense minister declared Monday that a military incursion by India is imminent. “We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters from Islamabad. This confirms Pakistani Army build-up along the border. A severe war of words has been on since last Tuesday’s deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir, which saw 26 Indian tourists get executed after the gunmen sought to identify Hindus among the group. The Indian government promptly accused Pakistan of harboring the Islamist terrorists which committed the atrocity, which Islamabad angrily rejected. The nuclear-armed neighbors have already fought two historic wars over the Kashmir region, and fears are rising that another one may soon be on the horizon – also after both sides have sent military reinforcements to the respective regions they administer. Amid a massive manhunt, India identified two detained suspected militants as Pakistani. “Asif said India’s rhetoric was ramping up and that Pakistan’s military had briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack,” Reuters continues of the […]
11 hours ago
First Look: Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah Set To Open in Early 2027
Wynn Al Marjan Island, the highly anticipated resort situated along the coastline of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, has released the first images of its guest accommodations. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the development offers a preview of the bespoke design approach shaping its 1,530 rooms, suites, and villas. A Bespoke Approach to Design At the upcoming Resort, the interiors have been conceptualised and executed by Wynn Design & Development, the brand’s award-winning in-house design team responsible for its global portfolio. Each accommodation reflects Wynn’s signature principles of elegance, functionality, and a deep sense of intentionality, tailored specifically for the landmark destination. Introducing the Resort King Room The Resort King room features a unique, dedicated entry vestibule that separates the sleeping quarters from the corridor — a departure from the typical open-plan layout seen in many contemporary resorts. This deliberate design enhances guest privacy and reinforces the room’s residential feel. Spectacular Design Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf. Arched forms, reflective surfaces, and layered textures define a sculptural aesthetic inspired by the region’s artistic and cultural heritage, with nods to the elegance and detailing of 18th- and 19th-century design. The interiors express […]
13 hours ago
Saudi Driver Runs Red Light, Crashes Into Brother’s Car, Killing Him
A driver who ran a red light in the eastern Saudi city of Hafr Al Batin early Saturday collided with another vehicle, killing two people — including his own brother — and injuring two others, local authorities said. The crash occurred at dawn when the driver failed to stop at a traffic signal and struck a car carrying four people. His brother and another passenger died at the scene, while two others were taken to a nearby hospital with injuries. The driver himself suffered multiple fractures and is being treated at King Khalid General Hospital, where he remains in a semi-stable condition. Funeral prayers for the two victims were held Saturday afternoon, followed by burial at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Hafr Al Batin. Authorities have launched an investigation and urged motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies. Also read: Rare Khazam Tree Rediscovered in Saudi Arabia: a Glimpse Into Its Ancient Uses and Medicinal Benefits
13 hours ago
Rare Khazam Tree Rediscovered in Saudi Arabia: a Glimpse Into Its Ancient Uses and Medicinal Benefits
A rare and historically significant tree has reappeared in the Al Baha region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. Known since ancient times, the Khazam tree has long been valued for its aesthetic and medicinal benefits. Standing on a trunk nearly three meters high with numerous branches at the top, the Khazam tree is found in the Sarawat Mountains, stretching from Yemen to western Hijaz. It passes through the mountains west of Medina and reaches the Radwa Mountains. According to botanist Ahmed Qashash, the tree produces a red sap extracted from its trunk. Over time, the sap hardens and turns brown. This substance has multiple uses, including sterilizing wounds, treating gingivitis, stopping bleeding, decorating home entrances, dyeing clothes, polishing pottery in the varnish industry, and serving as an adhesive. Also read: Saudi Arabia, Qatar Clear Syria’s $15mn World Bank Debt: Report
13 hours ago
Bomb Threat at Thiruvananthapuram Airport via Email, Search Intensified
Security checks were carried out at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after officials received a bomb threat via email on Sunday. The bomb squads are currently conducting detailed inspections across all terminals at the airport to ensure safety. Authorities are investigating the source of the threat. The bomb threat at the airport follows a series of similar threats sent to hotels in the state capital on Saturday. Police, bomb disposal units, and dog squads conducted extensive checks at several hotels, including the Hilton Hotel in central Thiruvananthapuram. No explosives were found, and authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes. Ongoing Investigations An officer from the Cantonment police station confirmed that no suspicious materials were found during the inspections. “We are actively investigating the source of the emails,” the officer added. Recent Surge in threats In recent months, a wave of email bomb threats has targeted key locations across Kerala, including district collectorates, Revenue Divisional Offices, and the Kerala High Court. In every case, police have ruled out any real danger after thorough searches, classifying the threats as hoaxes. Authorities urge public to stay calm Authorities have urged the public to remain calm while investigations continue. Enhanced security measures have been […]
13 hours ago
Dubai Gold Price Drops – Again – Ahead of April 30’s ‘Akshaya Trithiya’
The Dubai gold rate is dropping – and it couldn’t be happening in a better week for shoppers out there. A gram of 22K is at Dh367 (and Dh396.25 for 24K) and showing signs that there could be more price dips in the next 24-48 hours. These are the lowest levels in the last 7 days, and there remains a good chance that the Dubai gold price could end up around Dh360. Will these be enough to turbo-charge a clear spike on April 30 and the Indian gold buying festival of ‘Akshaya Trithiya’? Based on trends, gold retailers say that UAE resident-shoppers are back in the game. “There have been early bookings to ensure price lock-ins ahead of the actual April 30 purchase,” said a jeweler. “That’s been clear during the last weekend, and there is hope of the price lowering further.” How has Dubai gold price fared? It’s only in comparison over the last 7 days that the current Dubai gold rate is more buyer-friendly. The lowest since March 30 has been Dh331.5 for 22K (Dh356.25 for 24K) on April 7. “But a lot has changed in April itself, first with the US announcement of tariffs, then the dollar weakening after […]
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