Author: Steven Sahiounie

Goldman Sachs raised United Kingdom’s 2025 and 2026 economic growth forecasts on Friday by 0.1 percentage point respectively

RIYADH — A Royal decree has been issued to grant Saudi citizenship to a number of scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specializations, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.The announcement aligns with the Kingdom’s initiative to attract experts and exceptional global talents in religious, medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and technological fields.This move supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of creating an attractive environment that fosters the retention and investment in exceptional creative minds.This decree is an extension of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to attract prominent talents whose expertise contributes significantly to economic…

RIYADH: Abu Dhabi’s airports saw around 22.4 million travelers in 2023, a 40 percent increase from the previous year,

RIYADH: Private sector employment in Saudi Arabia reached 11.4 million by the end of June, marking a 1.24 percent increase from April.

RIYADH: More than 120,000 commercial registrations were issued by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 78 percent year-on-year increase.   

RIYADH: Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.7 percent annual growth in passenger demand in May fueled by an increase in Asia-related travel

Students at the University of Toronto have cleared out an encampment ahead of a court-ordered deadline to leave. The move came a day after the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the university an injunction to tear down the encampment, and gave Toronto police the authority to remove and arrest anyone who did not comply with the 6pm (22:00 GMT) deadline, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported. It quoted Mohammad Yassin, an encampment organiser, as saying: “We refuse to give the Toronto Police Service any opportunity to brutalise us.” “We are leaving on our own terms to protect our community…

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer formally took office as UK prime minister and received a mandate from King Charles III to form a cabinet, according to a video of the king’s audience released by Buckingham Palace. Starmer, 61, will now go to his Downing Street residence and address the nation as prime minister. He is the third UK prime minister during the reign of Charles III who took the throne less than two years ago. Starmer’s predecessor as prime minister, Rishi Sunak, led the cabinet from October 25, 2022 until this Friday. Starmer took over as head of cabinet following the…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today that the ruins of Gaza are emblematic of the lost legitimacy of the international order. In a passionate address at the 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Erdogan highlighted that over 16,000 Palestinian children have been killed and nearly 90,000 others injured as a result of Israel’s indiscriminate attacks in Gaza. Calling for immediate action, Erdogan called for pressuring Israel to accept a ceasefire to halt the destruction, asserting, “Pressure must continue and increase on its government.” He emphasized the necessity for justice and global fairness, acknowledging states that earnestly advocate…

Iranians have headed to the polls in the runoff presidential election, a week after none of the candidates could secure the majority of votes in the snap election. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on Friday and are scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m. (1430 GMT), with the possibility of extensions by Interior Ministry. The final result will be announced on Saturday, although initial figures may come out sooner. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballot at a polling station in Tehran just as the voting began The runoff follows the June 28 election…