Author: Editorial Team

Foreign private capital investment in Saudi Arabia’s private markets reached SAR 20 billion (USD 5.3 billion) in 2025, representing about 60% of total private capital investment in the Kingdom and marking a significant milestone in the continued expansion of Saudi Arabia’s private capital ecosystem. This was highlighted in a report released by the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), titled “Global Investment in Saudi Arabia’s Private Markets,” providing a comprehensive analysis of global capital flows into the Kingdom’s venture capital, private equity, and private debt markets, while examining the factors attracting international investors and the evolution of Saudi Arabia as a…

WhatsApp is making preparations to implement usernames across its messaging platform. This change will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers in a move aimed at strengthening privacy. WhatsApp said users can begin reserving optional usernames this week, ahead of a phased global launch of the feature over the coming months. Users who opt-in will be able to message new contacts by exchanging usernames rather than phone numbers. The Meta Platforms-owned service noted the rollout is its “latest step to make WhatsApp even more private” because “a phone number is personal”, adding there will be no searchable public…

KYIV — At least 17 people have been killed and several dozen injured in a Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, which came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an impending “massive” attack by Moscow. Ukraine’s emergency services said the toll had risen to 17, after Zelensky reported several dead and at least 90 injured in the attacks on Thursday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday a day of mourning. Damage from the strikes also included six floors of an apartment building that had partially collapsed after a direct hit from a Russian projectile,…

JERUSALEM — Jewish settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, a number of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, conducted provocative tours of its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals, under the protection of the occupation forces. Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to repeated incursions by settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, which constitutes a dangerous escalation and a violation of the sanctity of the mosque. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as the Temple…

DUBAI — Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz began to rebound following weekend tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran while an industry representative said the gradual increase in transit resulted in a noticeable easing of shipping costs. Reports from the maritime tracking firm Kpler said 40 vessels passed through the critical waterway on Monday, while 24 ships transited the strait on Sunday in addition to 39 ships on Saturday. Energy markets have responded in tandem with stabilized prices. Closure of the strait, a key waterway transporting roughly a fifth of the global oil supply, has been a major hiccup…

ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation and a leading provider of enterprise IT management and security solutions, today announced the launch of a partner-developer ecosystem through its ManageEngine Marketplace, where enterprises can discover and deploy extensions for ManageEngine platforms, including integrations, add-ons, and plugins. The launch enhances ManageEngine’s robust platform capabilities, enabling organizations to address a broader range of enterprise needs with specialized extensions from its partner ecosystem. “As software development becomes increasingly democratized through powerful AI tools, customers expect a secure, efficient, and agile way to extend the capabilities of their platforms. ManageEngine Marketplace enables developers to unlock possibilities…

Magna AI, Inc., the global integrated‑value‑chain sovereign AI transformation leader established through a partnership between Trend Micro and Wistron Digital Technology Holding Company (WDH), powered by NVIDIA, recently announced a strategic collaboration with Saudi Xerox, official representation of Xerox Trading Company in Saudi Arabia that is redefining the workplace experience by providing solutions to improve business processes, automation, and printing technology. The initiative was formalised during the Global AI Show 2026 in Riyadh by Dr. Moataz BinAli, Chief Executive Officer of Magna AI, and Mehmet Sezer, General Manager of Saudi Xerox. The strategic framework will enable both companies to advance…

NEW YORK — A couple who managed to climb the massive antenna mast atop the Empire State Building, one of New York’s most iconic landmarks, unfurled a banner bearing a message of love after a marriage proposal. The daring stunt has led New York City police to arrest the duo as they quickly became the focus of attention on social media. Video shot by a US news helicopter on Wednesday showed two people, dressed in black, appearing to kiss on top of the iconic skyscraper’s main antenna. According to the footage, the man proposed to his girlfriend while the woman…

Prime Inspections & Snagging, a Dubai-based property inspection company, today announced the expansion of its RERA-certified snagging and home inspection services across all seven emirates. With the UAE’s property market maintaining a rapid pace of new handovers, the company is helping homeowners and investors identify construction defects early, before final payments are released or keys are accepted. Detailed Reports Within 24 Hours Property snagging is the process of professionally inspecting a new or resale property for defects such as electrical, plumbing and HVAC faults, incomplete finishes and cosmetic issues. The company’s team of InterNACHI-certified inspectors carries out a full assessment…

RIYADH — More than 51,000 Saudi families moved into their first homes during the first five months of 2026, while another 38,471 benefited from housing and financing support, according to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The figures, covering the period from the beginning of the year through the end of May, reflect the ministry’s ongoing efforts to expand homeownership by providing a range of housing and financing solutions for eligible families across the Kingdom. Since the launch of the Sakani program in 2017, the total number of supported housing contracts has reached 1,040,215, highlighting the program’s cumulative role in…