AHMEDABAD: Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, is now mainstream. Nobody has done more to advance this cause than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of India’s most beloved and polarizing political leaders. And no entity has had more influence on his political philosophy and ambitions than a paramilitary, right-wing group founded nearly a … Read more
Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Aboudi, CEO of Thakher Development Company, reaffirmed his confidence in the Vision 2030 goal of attracting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030, or even before that. “The government has made huge efforts and provided comprehensive support to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030, aiming to accommodate 30 million Umrah performers and … Read more
CAIRO: Startups in the Middle East and North Africa region have closed Ramadan and started Eid Al-Fitr on a positive note as venture activity continued. Among the most significant announcements during the holy month was UAE-based online streaming platform OSN+ and the Lebanon-originated music streaming service Anghami Inc.’s successful merger into a unified media entity following … Read more
RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia, sports halls bustle in the evenings with fencers as young as 8 years old, as swordsmanship spreads rapidly across the Kingdom. It is a testament to the work carried out by the Saudi Arabian Fencing Federation since 2018 that the sport has attracted so many young female and male … Read more
DAMASCUS: Families in northwestern Syria are celebrating Ramadan in bomb-ravaged houses against the backdrop of a dire economic crisis, surging rents, and the ongoing 13-year civil war. During the holy month, Muslims traditionally go without food or drink from dawn to dusk, then break their daily fast with iftar, a meal after sunset. But the … Read more
GCC telecommunication firms reinventing themselves as ‘techcos’: S&P Global RIYADH: Telecommunication companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council region are redefining themselves as technology firms to diversify their revenue streams, S&P Global said. In its latest report, the credit rating agency noted that moderate growth prospects for core telecom operations are one of the key drivers … Read more
RIYADH: There is an abiding enthusiasm for cricket in Saudi Arabia especially among expatriates from Asian nations already familiar with the game. Relatively new tournaments that have helped boost this enthusiasm include the Indian Premier League, the Pakistan Super League and the Bangladesh Premier League. Fans love watching the game with family and friends at … Read more
RIYADH: Real estate transactions are set to surge in Saudi Arabia in 2024 thanks to Vision 2023 investments, according to an S&P Global report. In a report titled “GCC Real Estate How Credit Stories Have Evolved,” S&P believes the Kingdom’s property sector will also benefit from economic growth of up to 3 percent in the Gulf Cooperation … Read more
HONG KONG: Masters champion Jon Rahm said Wednesday that the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) was not “a good system” after LIV Golf formally withdrew its application to join. LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman on Tuesday sent a letter to players, seen by AFP, saying the Saudi-funded breakaway circuit had ended its efforts to be … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi developers received a funding boost with deals exceeding SR2.4 billion ($640 million) signed on the sidelines of the four-day Restatex Real Estate Exhibition in Riyadh. In addition, the event witnessed the launch of three property development funds, amounting to over SR1 billion. The exhibition aims to underscore the property sector’s role in diversifying … Read more