GCC News

1 year 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.

1 year 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.

1 year 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, […]

1 year 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.

1 year 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 […]

1 year 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 […]

1 year 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 […]

1 year 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.

1 year 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, […]

1 year 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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Middle East Powerhouse: Bahrain’s Dinar Ranked Second Most Valuable In The World

Bahrain Cricket Club Qualifies For Semi-Finals With Dominant Win Over Public Security

Al-Falih: 571 Global Companies Moved Their Headquarters To Saudi Arabia

Moroccan Kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi To Star At ONE 171 In Qatar

PFL Opens 2025 With Stacked Card In Dubai

UAE Reopens Embassy In Lebanon Following Election Of New President

UAE Travel: Low-Cost Carrier Air Arabia Increases Hand Baggage Allowances On Flights

Maid Arrested For Kidnapping Saudi Toddler In Egypt

Meta, Dubai’s New Creators HQ Launch First-Of-A-Kind Project For Influencers

Kuwait Announces 3-day Holiday

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