Saudi Council of Economic Affairs Reviews Local and Global Developments
The Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs has held a videoconference, reviewing the Ministry of Economy and Planning's quarterly report, which covered developments in the global economy and the impact of geopolitical challenges and fluctuations in global markets on growth prospects. The»»»
Former Polish intel chiefs charged over ‘Israeli spyware’ use
The former directors of Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) have been charged for allegedly using Pegasus spyware, the national prosecutor’s office has announced. After Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government took over in late 2023, it launched»»»
Fintech, global partnership offer major opportunities for Qatar
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s fintech sector and cross-border expansion, presents significant untapped potential, according to Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, who outlined growing opportunities for startups and investors. Speaking to The Peninsula, Lints said that the financial technology ta»»»
Collecting donations in the UAE? You must hold a valid permit — or face legal consequences
The UAE Public Prosecution has clarified that calling for or promoting fundraising activities without obtaining the required license constitutes a criminal offence, warning that such conduct may result in legal accountability. In an awareness video published yesterday through its social media platf»»»
11 men face jail, 1.1 million fines after Dh600,000 robbery
The Sharjah Criminal Court has sentenced 11 men to three years in prison, fined each Dh100,000 and ordered their deportation after convicting them of robbing Dh600,000 from an employee transporting company funds in the Al Taawun area. Court records show the robbery targeted an Arab accountant who w»»»
Trump halts $250M in Medicaid payments to Minnesota over alleged fraud - UPI.com
Vice President JD Vance, seen here on January 9, 2026, announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration was suspending Medicaid payments to Minnesota over alleged fraud. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The Trump administration announced Wednesday it is pausing mor»»»
Explosions rock Ukrainian capital after air alert
Kyiv, Ukraine; Several explosions shook central Kyiv early Thursday, AFP journalists heard, after officials warned of air raids in the Ukrainian capital ahead of planned talks in Geneva with US representatives on ending the Russian war. Washington is pushing to bring an end to the war triggered by »»»
Collecting donations in the UAE? You must hold a valid permit — or face legal consequences
The UAE Public Prosecution has clarified that calling for or promoting fundraising activities without obtaining the required license constitutes a criminal offence, warning that such conduct may result in legal accountability. In an awareness video published yesterday through its social media platf»»»
Heckles, expulsion, cheers: Top moments from Trump’s State of the Union speech
The 2026 State of the Union address set a record as the longest in US history. While Donald Trump delivered the first such speech of his second presidential term, there were several moments of high drama as a sharply divided Congress watched before a television audience of millions. Here are five t»»»
Trump touts ‘golden age of America’ in longest ever State of Union speech
President Donald Trump focused on the US economy, immigration and other domestic policy issues in his 2026 State of the Union address, telling a divided Congress that he has ushered in "the golden age of America". Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democrat's of»»»
Trump’s marathon State of Union: Big claims and the questions he left unanswered
US President Donald Trump used his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday to make truth-bending claims of domestic and foreign policy success but failed to confirm whether the US is planning a military strike on Iran or to mention the unfolding scandal surrounding late sex offender Jeffery Ep»»»
Dubai-based Yalla BB launches new app to simplify second-hand fashion in UAE
Dubai-based startup Yalla BB has launched a new mobile application aimed at simplifying how people buy and sell second-hand fashion in the UAE, offering a more structured and trusted approach to resale in a market that continues to grow in popularity. Built in Dubai, Yalla BB is a social recommerce»»»
Dubai gold eases Dh3.50 but global rally keeps buyers on edge
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai opened lower on Thursday morning, giving residents a brief respite after a volatile February that has kept jewellery buyers and investors on edge. At 8.30 am, the 24-karat rate stood at Dh624.75 per gram, down from Dh628.25 on Wednesday. The 22-karat variety slipped to D»»»
Iran says deal with US 'within reach' ahead of talks in Geneva
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday a deal to avert military confrontation with the United States was within reach, ahead of talks set to resume in Geneva. His remarks came as Tehran issued a muted warning to student protesters amid mounting US threats over Iran’s nuclear programme.»»»
Press Review - Prospect of war with Iran is 'crisis of Trump's own making'
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 25, 2026: The prospect of war between the United States and Iran is getting a lot of coverage. But first, French papers discuss the municipal elections, which are taking place in a few weeks' time. Also, a report about the future of AI causes a few wobbles in the »»»
Paris says US envoy pledges not to 'interfere' in France affairs
The US ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, called France's foreign minister Tuesday and pledged not to "interfere" in the host country's affairs, a diplomatic source said, after a fallout over Washington's remarks following the killing of a far-right activist. FRANCE 24's August Hakansson reports»»»
Sri Lanka arrests ex-spy chief for ‘abetting’ 2019 Easter bombings
Sri Lanks authorities on Wednesday arrested the country's former intelligence chief, Suresh Sally, for "conspiracy and aiding and abetting" the 2019 Easter bombings, which killed 279 people, according to an investigating officer. A whistleblower has claimed Sallay allowed the attack to proceed»»»
North Korea's Kim pledges economic push as his sister is elevated at party congress
Members of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party have been gathering in Pyongyang this week, where Kim Jong Un is pledging to boost the economy over the next fives years. While there's been no sign of his daughter, who's emerged as Kim's heir apparent, the secretive leader has promoted his sister to »»»
A propos - North Korea's Kim pledges economic push as his sister is elevated at party congress
Members of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party have been gathering in Pyongyang this week, where Kim Jong Un is pledging to boost the economy over the next fives years. While there's been no sign of his daughter, who's emerged as Kim's heir apparent, the secretive leader has promoted his sister to »»»
Saudi Arabia revises labour penalties, sets SR10,000 fine for hiring foreign workers without permits
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has amended its schedule of labour violations and penalties, introducing updated fines including a SR10,000 penalty for employing a non-Saudi worker without a valid work permit. The decision was issued by Ahmed Al Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, as par»»»
Has the British Museum really removed references to ‘Palestine’ from exhibits?
The British Museum is accused of having removed the term "Palestine" from its exhibits under pressure from a pro-Israeli group. In reality, only certain panels regarding the Antiquity period were modified. The museum says they wanted to use a term that is both more neutral and historically accurate»»»
Japan targets 2031 missile deployment near Taiwan
Japan will station surface to air missile systems on its far southwestern island of Yonaguni by March 2031, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed from Tokyo, as frictions in the East Asian region continue to build, the BBC reports. »»»
Japan targets 2031 missile deployment near Taiwan
Japan will station surface to air missile systems on its far southwestern island of Yonaguni by March 2031, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed from Tokyo, as frictions in the East Asian region continue to build, the BBC reports. »»»
German Chancellor faces calls for tougher China stance as he arrives in Beijing
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing early on February 25 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in what is his first visit to China since taking office in 2025, amid mounting pressure back home in Germany to take a harder tone towards its largest trading partner, EURACTIV»»»
Panama seizes control of strategic ports from Hong Kong’s Hutchison
Panama’s decision to assume control of the Balboa and Cristóbal container terminals marks a structural rupture in the governance of infrastructure that underpins roughly 5% of global maritime trade and about 40% of US container traffic. »»»
Japan targets 2031 missile deployment near Taiwan
Japan will station surface to air missile systems on its far southwestern island of Yonaguni by March 2031, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed from Tokyo, as frictions in the East Asian region continue to build, the BBC reports. »»»
German Chancellor faces calls for tougher China stance as he arrives in Beijing
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing early on February 25 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in what is his first visit to China since taking office in 2025, amid mounting pressure back home in Germany to take a harder tone towards its largest trading partner, EURACTIV»»»
Samsung’s develops a solid-state silver-carbon battery breakthrough
Samsung’s development of a solid-state battery using silver as a core material could prove a disruptive moment for the electric vehicle industry, with potentially significant implications for global silver demand. The Sout»»»
Samsung’s develops a solid-state silver-carbon battery breakthrough
Samsung’s development of a solid-state battery using silver as a core material could prove a disruptive moment for the electric vehicle industry, with potentially significant implications for global silver demand. The Sout»»»
Loom Games claims “unicorn” crown in record time for Turkish startup
Video game developer Scopely has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Istanbul-based mobile game studio Loom Games, Scopely has informed the market. The deal valued the»»»
Loom Games claims “unicorn” crown in record time for Turkish startup
Video game developer Scopely has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Istanbul-based mobile game studio Loom Games, Scopely has informed the market. The deal valued the»»»
Panama seizes control of strategic ports from Hong Kong’s Hutchison
Panama’s decision to assume control of the Balboa and Cristóbal container terminals marks a structural rupture in the governance of infrastructure that underpins roughly 5% of global maritime trade and about 40% of US container traffic. »»»
Samsung’s develops a solid-state silver-carbon battery breakthrough
Samsung’s development of a solid-state battery using silver as a core material could prove a disruptive moment for the electric vehicle industry, with potentially significant implications for global silver demand. The Sout»»»
Loom Games claims “unicorn” crown in record time for Turkish startup
Video game developer Scopely has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Istanbul-based mobile game studio Loom Games, Scopely has informed the market. The deal valued the»»»
Loom Games claims “unicorn” crown in record time for Turkish startup
Video game developer Scopely has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Istanbul-based mobile game studio Loom Games, Scopely has informed the market. The deal valued the»»»
ERG has reportedly restarted Kazakh iron ore shipments to Russia’s MMK
A first consignment of iron ore supplies from Kazakhstan’s Sokolov-Sarbai Mining and Processing Plant, part of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), was reportedly dispatched on February 23 to Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) following a four-year suspension on deliveries, the TradingShar»»»
US formally warned Kyiv over attacks on Russia that damage American oil majors’ interests, says ambassador
The US issued a formal warning, or demarche, to Kyiv over damage suffered by American commercial interests caused by Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure used by Kazakhstan for most of its crude oil exports, according to Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna. »»»
ASH: Hungarian elections as a read out to US midterms?
For me the two most important elections globally this year will be midterms in the US in November, and elections in Hungary on April 12. The first will likely shape the course of democracy in the US, and the latter democracy both in Hungary but perhaps wider than that, the outcome of the war in Ukr»»»
Orbán accuses Ukraine of disrupting oil supplies to Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says he has stationed soldiers at key energy facilities across the country after he blamed Ukraine for disrupting energy supplies. Orbán has accused Kyiv of imposing an "oil blockade" on Hungary by deliberately delaying the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline, th»»»
Here's where Dubai and Sharjah traffic stood still this morning
Dubai: Commuters travelling between Dubai and Sharjah endured a slow Thursday morning as accidents and peak-hour congestion backed up several key roads across both emirates. Crashes compound Emirates Road rushThe worst of the disruption centred on Emirates Road (E611), where multiple crashes near W»»»
Russia moves to bring crypto market under full state control
Russia’s central bank and finance ministry are preparing legislation to establish a fully regulated domestic cryptocurrency market, four years after officials debated an outright ban on digital assets. The draft bill, sche»»»
Samsung’s develops a solid-state silver-carbon battery breakthrough
Samsung’s development of a solid-state battery using silver as a core material could prove a disruptive moment for the electric vehicle industry, with potentially significant implications for global silver demand. The Sout»»»
Fog warning and rough seas: NCM issues weather alert for UAE
Dubai: Temperatures are set to fall across the UAE today, with a chance of fog in some areas and rough seas in the Arabian Gulf, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). In its weather bulletin, the NCM said conditions would be fair to partly cloudy, with a decrease in temperatures an»»»
Strong wind expected in Bishkek and Chui region - | 24.KG
Strong westerly wind is expected in Bishkek and the Chui Valley in the next three hours and throughout the day. The press center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan reported, citing the Hydrometeorological Service. According to it, wind speeds could reach 15-20 meters per second. »»»
Fog warning and rough seas: NCM issues weather alert for UAE
Dubai: Temperatures are set to fall across the UAE today, with a chance of fog in some areas and rough seas in the Arabian Gulf, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). In its weather bulletin, the NCM said conditions would be fair to partly cloudy, with a decrease in temperatures an»»»
US promises not to ‘interfere’ in French affairs – media
US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner has pledged not to “interfere” in French internal affairs after a diplomatic row over the killing of a right-wing activist. The US described the incident as a manifestation of rising “violent radical leftism” in France. Paris took offense, taking the statemen»»»
Webb telescope reveals Uranus' upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail - UPI.com
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first vertical view of Uranus's upper atmosphere, delivering an unprecedented look at the planet's ionosphere and auroral structures. The new observations, released by NASA on Tuesday, show how temperature and charged particles vary with height abo»»»
Kerala to Keralam: UAE Malayalis split over state's name change proposal
Dubai: A proposal to rename the south Indian state of Kerala as “Keralam” has sparked debate among the UAE’s large Malayali community, with many welcoming the cultural assertion while others question its timing, practicality and global recognition. The discussion follows India’s Union Cabinet appro»»»
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
In the US alone, 127 billion plastic bottles are purchased every year, according to one estimate. However, one soft drinks firm in the Midwest is keeping old school tradition alive by continuing to sell its products in returnable glass bottles. For almost a century, until the 1960s, soda bottles in»»»
Why UAE travellers can get longer multiple-entry Schengen visas soon
Dubai: UAE travellers who regularly visit Europe could soon benefit from longer-valid Schengen visas and simpler digital travel procedures, as the European Union moves to modernise its visa and border systems. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.New measures under the Euro»»»