Author: Editorial Team
JEDDAH — The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved the State Revenues Law and endorsed the introduction of a new training visa for international trainees during its session held in Jeddah on Tuesday. The new visa will be granted to international trainees in accordance with a set of approved regulatory arrangements. The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming support for efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region. The…
NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia presented its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim highlighted the report’s key findings, outlining Saudi Arabia’s progress in implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda, as well as the lessons learned and priorities for the next phase. The report builds on the Kingdom’s previous voluntary reviews submitted in 2018 and 2023 and reflects contributions from more than 140 government entities, private-sector organizations, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and the United Nations system. Alibrahim said the third review demonstrates…
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda, Impact on Humanity, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with FII10, taking place in Riyadh from October 26–29, 2026 under the theme “The Power of Legacy.” Marking a defining milestone for one of the world’s leading global platforms for investment, innovation, and international dialogue, FII10 will celebrate a decade of impact while exploring the forces that will shape the next era of investment, growth, and global cooperation. Since its inception, FII Institute and its global network have helped facilitate and spotlight more than USD…
Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan. Enterprises embed AI deeper into core business operations, but most surveyed organisations remain locked into AI systems they cannot easily change, reinforcing the growing importance of AI sovereignty to maintain business continuity and performance, says a new global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value. Based on insights from 1,000 senior executives, The Calculus of AI Sovereignty study* reveals that 88% of surveyed executives in the UAE say switching their primary AI vendor or model would be difficult if they had to do it today, highlighting the extent of AI…
BEIJING — The Minister of Communications and Information Technology met with government leaders and major technology companies in China to strengthen partnerships in artificial intelligence and the space sector. Minister Abdullah Alswaha was accompanied by Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Governor Haytham AlOhali and Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Alharbi during a series of meetings with senior government officials and business leaders. Among the meetings, Alswaha met with China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun, where the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, technology transfer, and talent exchange programs. They also explored opportunities…
The Fifa World Cup comes to an end on Sunday, July 19, with football’s biggest prize on the line. Whether you’re looking for a lively fan zone, a sports bar packed with supporters, or a premium dining experience with giant screens, Dubai has plenty of options for every kind of fan. Here’s where to watch the final: 1. Palm Arena, Palm West Beach If you’re after a stadium-like atmosphere, Palm Arena is screening the final across multiple giant screens. There will also be food stalls, beverages from 5 pm to 7 pm. Good for: Groups and football fans looking for…
DUBAI — Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the past 24 hours as renewed US-Iran strikes and attacks on commercial vessels heightened security concerns in the strategic waterway. Shipping industry sources said vessels were increasingly switching off their public tracking transponders, making it difficult to determine the full number of ships crossing the waterway. MarineTraffic data reviewed by Anadolu showed that only two tankers completed passages through the strait in the 24 hours up to 0625GMT Tuesday. The vessels were the oil and chemical tankers Seafaith and Niki. The actual number of crossings…
NEW DELHI — India summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to the country on Tuesday following the killing of an Indian seafarer in Iranian missile strikes on two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, an official from the foreign ministry in New Delhi said. The NDTV news channel reported Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini and other Iranian diplomats were summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a protest over the killing. Social media videos showed the Iranian diplomats apparently leaving the ministry after the meeting. The Indian seafarer was a crew member of th Mombasa hit…
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) distributed 250 personal care kits to individuals from the most vulnerable groups in Chad, benefiting 1,500 people. The assistance is provided under the 2026 personal care kits distribution project in the Republic of Chad. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist vulnerable and affected people worldwide. Source: Riyadh Daily
For many artists today, the goal is no longer to top the charts first; it’s to go viral first. A song that catches fire on TikTok or YouTube Shorts can propel an unknown musician to millions of streams, sold-out concerts and even major label deals. But as governments around the world introduce stricter rules around children’s access to social media, the industry is beginning to ask a new question: what happens if artists lose access to part of the audience they’ve come to depend on? The discussion comes as the UAE announced plans to ban children under the age of…