Saudi Arabia ranks 5th globally in AI growth, first in Arab world
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has been ranked fifth worldwide and first in the Arab world in artificial intelligence sector growth, according to the latest Global AI Index. The ranking marks a major national milestone, reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid progress in AI and the strength of its long-term developmen»»»
Saudi banking assets hit record SR4.94 trillion as sector posts strongest growth
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s commercial banks have reported a historic rise in total assets, reaching SR4.94 trillion at the end of October, the highest level ever recorded and edging closer to the SR5 trillion mark. The figures, disclosed in a recent government report, highlight the accelerating expansio»»»
Remit now? New money exchange rates for India rupee, Pakistan rupee, Philippine peso
Dubai: Dubai residents sending money home can breathe a sigh of relief as exchange rates for key currencies remain steady this morning, easing worries of losing value on remittances. The Indian rupee stands firm at Dh24.48 per dirham, the Philippine peso holds steady at 15.98, and the Pakistani rup»»»
White South Africans divided on US refugee offer
The 4m-high (13ft) electric steel gates, capped with spikes, creak open as Marthinus, a farmer, drives through in his pick-up truck. Cameras positioned at the entrance track his every move, while reams of barbed wire surround the farm in the rural Free State province in the heart of South Africa. "»»»
Azbej: Hungary Helps mission in Chad saves lives and supports the country’s stability
The humanitarian and development work carried out in Chad with Hungary’s support under the Hungary Helps programme is saving lives and contributing to the stability of the country, Tristan Azbej, the state secretary responsible for programmes aiding persecuted Christians and head of the Hungary Hel»»»
Orbán: War blocks growth, but Hungarian entrepreneurs are winning despite extreme challenges
Hungarian entrepreneurs have delivered outstanding performance under “extraordinarily difficult, essentially wartime conditions,” Prime Minister Orbán said at the Entrepreneur of the Year award ceremony on Friday, emphasizing that the country’s economic results are primarily due to the resilience a»»»
Former Australian deputy PM joins anti-immigration party One Nation
Australia's former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has joined anti-immigration party One Nation, less than a fortnight after he quit the opposition Nationals, a party he once led. Joyce confirmed his defection on Monday on his local radio station in Tamworth, 400km (250 miles) north of Sydney, »»»
Industrial production shows signs of life
The volume of industrial production lagged behind the one year earlier level by 2.7% in October 2025. The working day adjusted index is equal to the non-adjusted one. According to seasonally and working-day adjusted data, industrial output was 0.5% higher than in September 2025. Production volume d»»»
Total value of output of agriculture grows by 6.2%
The value of the output of the agricultural sector was above 4.4 thousand billion forints in 2025, which was 6.2% more than a year earlier. The contributors to the growth were a 10% rise in the total producer price level and a 2.5% increase in the volume of livestock production. The volume of outpu»»»
Nigeria secures release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren as 165 remain missing
Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted by gunmen from a Catholic school last month, a UN source and local media said on Sunday. The fate of about 165 remaining students and staff is unclear, with officials providing no updates on ongoing rescue efforts. Nigeria»»»
Drunk man threatens pedestrians with knife in Bishkek - | 24.KG
On December 7, Patrol Police Department officers stopped the dangerous actions of an intoxicated driver. He was reportedly behaving aggressively and running down the street with a knife, posing a threat to others. The Patrol Police Department crew quickly arrived at the scene, subdued the driver, a»»»
Consumer prices and tariffs rise across all regions of Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
Consumer prices and tariffs have increased in all regions of Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of this year, official statistical data say. From January to September, the highest price growth was recorded in Osh (7.5 percent), driven by a 10.9 percent increase in the cost of alcoholic beverages and to»»»
Monument to khan Sadyr unveiled in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
A monument to khan Sadyr (Sadyr Arzymat uulu), one of the prominent Kyrgyz leaders of the 18th century, has been installed in Toktogul. The unveiling is part of preparations for celebrating his 310th anniversary, which is being marked this year by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. Historians no»»»
Kingdom's real estate trading grows 4% since beginning of year
AMMAN — The volume of real estate trading in Jordan during the first eleven months of this year reached JD6.4 billion, recording an increase of 4 per cent compared to the same period last year.The report of the Department of Land and Survey indicated that the volume of trading in real estate market»»»
Agricultural producer prices increase by 6.9% until October 2025
AMMAN — The Department of Statistics (DoS) on Wednesday said that the agricultural producers’ price index (APPI) rose by 6.9 per cent during the first ten months of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.For October 2025, the index recorded an increase of 14.6 per cent compared with October 20»»»
'Guardian angels': Milei welcomes Argentina's first F-16 fighter jets
Argentina's far-right President Javier Milei on Saturday welcomed six US-made F-16 fighter jets purchased from Denmark, saying the purchase would "considerably strengthen" the country's air force. Milei's government bought 24 of the used supersonic fighters from Copenhagen last year. President Javi»»»
Kyrgyzstan investigates 70 workplace accidents since beginning of 2025 - | 24.KG
The issue of occupational injuries in Kyrgyzstan remains acute and requires comprehensive, systemic solutions, the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) reported. According to the FTU, 70 workplace accident investigations were conducted over the first 11 months of 2025. These included 31 fatal cases and»»»
The Bright Side: Egypologists find 225 'exceptional' figurines in pharaoh's tomb
Paris (France) (AFP) – A French team of excavators found hundreds of funerary figurines in a pharaoh's tomb in Tanis, Egypt, in early October, uncovering a long-standing mystery of who was buried in the sarcophagus. A treasure trove of 225 funerary figurines has been disco»»»
Dozens dead after drone strikes on Sudan kindergarten, hospital, local official says
Nearly 80 people – more than half of them children – have been killed in a series of drone strikes targeting a kindergarten, a hospital and rescue teams in southern Sudan, local officials said on Sunday, blaming the attacks on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF. A paramilitary drone attack »»»
West Africa's ECOWAS bloc deploys standby force to Benin in response to coup attempt
Soldiers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana are being sent to Benin after West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its standby force to the country following an attempted coup on Sunday. Addressing the nation on state TV, Benin President Patr»»»
Situation is 'totally under control' following attempted coup, Benin's president says
Benin’s President Patrice Talon appeared on state television for the first time following an attempted coup on Sunday, saying that the situation was "totally under control". He thanks security forces who he said acted to end a putsch by what he described as "a small group of soldiers". Benin Presid»»»
Merz reiterates Germany’s support for Israel as fragile ceasefire eases tensions
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, reaffirming Berlin’s unwavering support for Israel. The ties between the two countries had been strained during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, but have improved since a fragile US-led ceasefire cam»»»
Hamas says it will hand over weapons to a Palestinian authority 'if the occupation ends'
Palestinian militant group Hamas said Saturday it was ready to give up its arms to a future Palestinian authority "if the occupation ends". Israel has killed more than 360 Palestinians in the devastated Gaza Strip since the latest ceasefire came into effect on October 10, health officials say. Hama»»»
Macron threatens tariffs on Chinese goods but seeks trade deal with EU
French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened tariffs on Chinese goods, just days after a state visit to China, in an interview published Sunday by Les Echos. He also stated that he still believes a negotiated solution is possible to address the trade deficit between the world’s second-largest ec»»»
Greyness and solitude: French ex-president Sarkozy describes 3-week prison stay
The first excerpts of French former president Nicolas Sarkozy's prison diary speak of a monotonous three-week bid in prison. Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to efforts to finance his successful 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds. An appeals tr»»»
At least 25 people dead in Goa nightclub fire
At least 25 people, including foreign nationals, have died in a fire that tore through a nightclub in the popular Indian tourist destination of Goa, officials said on Sunday. A fire that ripped through an Indian nightclub in the popular tourist resort region of Goa killed 25 people, the state's chi»»»
The week in pictures: Trump first winner of FIFA Peace Prize, Pope in Lebanon, Sri Lanka Floods
US President Donald Trump named first winner of FIFA Peace Prize, Pope Leo XIV's three-day visit to Lebanon, Vladimir Putin's state visit to India, and the floods that affected nearly 1,600 people in several Asian countries. FRANCE 24 looks back at the week's most striking images. »»»
Hong Kong votes in legislative elections following deadliest fire in decades
Turnout in Hong Kong's legislative elections on Sunday rose slightly to 31.9 percent, official data showed. Beijing's sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021 following massive and sometimes violent protests have seen fewer people turning out to vote in the Chinese territories elect»»»
From migration to magnet: Dubai’s wealth boom
In early 2025, billionaire John Fredriksen made headlines—not just for the scale of his fortune, but for where he chose to move it. Long a fixture on London’s rich lists, Fredriksen decided to call time on the UK’s “non-dom” tax regime and shift the nerve centre of his empire to Dubai. He is hardly»»»
Additional school building for 225 students to be built in Kerben - | 24.KG
An additional building for the Zhoomart Bokonbaev school is planned for construction in Kerben town. A tender for the project has been posted on the public procurement portal. The Jalal-Abad Regional Capital Construction Department announced a tender for the development of design and estimate docum»»»
Kyrgyzstan receives more than $13.8 million in money transfers from USA - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan received over $13.8 million in money transfers from the United States from January to September 2025. Data from the National Bank say. It is noted that in 2024, the volume of cross-border money transfers sent by individuals from the United States to the Kyrgyz Republic amounted to $54.9 »»»
Russia pounds Ukraine's Kremenchuk as US-hosted peace talks wrap up
Russia launched a major overnight attack on the industrial Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, striking key water and heating infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday. The assault came as a Ukrainian delegation had wrapped up three days of talks with US President Donald Trump’s advisers in Flor»»»
Trump says Zelensky ‘isn’t ready’ to approve US peace plan to end Russia-Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was “a little bit disappointed” that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had not engaged with a US proposal to end the war with Russia, after days of talks ended without a breakthrough though Kyiv pledged to pursue further negotiations. President Donal»»»
Man arrested in Issyk-Kul region for repeatedly beating and insulting his wife - | 24.KG
A resident of Ak-Suu district in Issyk-Kul region filed a complaint with the police reporting systematic violence by her husband. A criminal case has been opened. The regional Internal Affairs Department reported. According to the department, I.A., 33, stated that her husband, 38-year-old I.E. from»»»
CEC determines who will become deputies of Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The Central Commission for Elections and Referendums of Kyrgyzstan (CEC) yesterday approved the results of the early parliamentary elections in 12 multi-mandate constituencies and declared the vote valid. For each constituency, the protocols of the district election commissions and the lists of ele»»»
MOSCOW BLOG: We need to talk about Kaja
When she took office, EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned of the danger of a rift between the US and Europe in support of Ukraine. As the first real peace negotiations get underway, Kallas is being accused of bringing that rift about. As bne IntelliNews rep»»»
Jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Alfredo Diaz dies in state custody - UPI.com
Alfredo Diaz, a jailed Venezuelan opposition leader, died Saturday in Venezuelan state custody. File Photo by Miguel Gutierrez/EPA Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A Venezuelan opposition leader whom United States says was arbitrarily detained has died in prison, according to human rights advocates and his politica»»»
Rush hour chaos: Multiple vehicle accidents slow Sharjah-Dubai traffic
Dubai: Multiple road traffic accidents and heavy vehicle volumes created widespread congestion on Dubai and Sharjah roads during the morning rush hour on Monday, heavily impacting the flow of traffic heading into Dubai. Dubai-bound gridlockTraffic was particularly heavy on main arterial routes lead»»»
Water leak in Louvre damages hundreds of books
A water leak at the Louvre museum in Paris has damaged hundreds of works, just weeks after thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the museum in broad daylight. The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, said between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak - and t»»»
Mangal, Meduza & Dikobraz: Russia's Top Anti-Drone Defenses for Armor
Russian engineers have come up with a number of practical, low-tech inexpensive solutions that help keep tanks and armored vehicles safe from drone strikes. Unofficially referred to simply as ‘Mangal’ (lit. ‘barbeque grill’), this contraption is the modern incarnation of the slat armor, which consi»»»
UAE women's workforce: 45.4 per cent skilled, 1.039 million jobs in private sector
Statistics issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation revealed that 35.8% of private-sector establishments contributed to the employment of women by the end of the third quarter of 2025. The proportion of skilled women within the total female workforce reached 45.4%, while women in»»»
Three new Saudi cities added to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities
Dubai: Three Saudi cities — Riyadh, AlUla and Riyadh Al Khabra — have been admitted to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, bringing the Kingdom’s total to eight. The recognition marks a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s drive to advance lifelong learning and align its education sector with »»»
EU set to back migrant 'return hubs': What it means
EU countries on Monday are expected to approve a significant tightening of Europe's immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up "return hubs" for migrants outside the 27-nation bloc. Fearful of far-right parties making gains at the ballot box, governments across Europe are scr»»»
Global award puts palladium at the centre of future tech
Hong Kong marked a major milestone in scientific and industrial innovation with the inaugural Palladium Global Science Award, the first global award programme dedicated entirely to advancing the role of palladium in high-impact technologies. Five scientists from Canada, Japan, India, the United Sta»»»
Fog, clouds and rising temperatures: UAE braces for unstable weather this week
Abu Dhabi: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts fair to partly cloudy conditions across the UAE today, with low clouds appearing over the islands and parts of the western region. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly during the day.Conditions will become humid at night and into T»»»
Ras Al Khaimah emerges as the UAE’s next investment hub with record property activity
Dubai: Ras Al Khaimah is rapidly evolving from a quiet northern emirate into one of the UAE’s most dynamic investment hotspots. Fuelled by major infrastructure spending, strategic government mergers, and a profound influx of luxury-branded residences, the real estate sector has logged growth figure»»»
US: Trump casts doubt on Netflix-Warner Bros. deal – DW – 12/08/2025
BusinessUnited States of AmericaUS: Trump casts doubt on Netflix-Warner Bros. dealKarl Sexton with AFP, ReutersThe US president has said "there could be a problem" with the proposed $72 billion deal that would see the streaming giant acquire the Hollywood studio. Donald Trump noted that Netflix alr»»»
Charlotte police arrest suspect in second train stabbing incident - UPI.com
Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia, an immigrant from Honduras, has been arrested in connection with a train stabbing incident in Charlotte. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A man from Honduras has been arrested and charged in connection with a second train stabbin»»»
5 ways Netflix’s Warner Bros takeover can hit Hollywood, studios, and streaming
Dubai: Netflix’s $72b acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets is one of the most consequential entertainment deals in decades. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.If approved, it will merge the world’s largest streaming platform with one of Holly»»»
Benin president appears on TV following coup attempt: Situation 'totally under control'
Benin's president has appeared on television to reassure citizens of the West African nation that the situation was now "totally under control" following an attempted coup earlier in the day. "I would like to commend the sense of duty demonstrated by our army and its leaders, who have remained... l»»»