BRUSSELS, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — In the first quarter of 2026, the EU seasonally adjusted current account of the balance of payments recorded a surplus of €113.4 billion (+2.4% of GDP), compared with a surplus of €99.2 billion (+2.1% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2025 and a surplus of €104.9 billion (+2.3% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2025, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, based on seasonally adjusted data, the surplus of the goods account…
Author: Editorial Team
Sajida Begum was one of the hundreds of Indian expats who lined up in front of the Consulate General of India (CGI) for passport and consular services on Friday. She was in the queue to get the passport made for her 10-day old son. She said she was surprised by how seamless the procedure was. “I was expecting to wait for a long time in the heat, and I had taken my umbrella and mist fan,” she said. “But there were tents set up for the applicants. While we waited, the consulate staff brought us free tea and snacks. In…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework governing property ownership by non-Saudis, setting out detailed requirements for foreign individuals, companies and non-profit entities while creating a unified digital platform for all ownership transactions. The executive regulations for the Foreign Ownership of Real Estate Law establish standardized procedures for acquiring property and real estate rights in the Kingdom, strengthen disclosure requirements, introduce electronic transaction mechanisms, and set penalties of up to SR10 million for violations. The regulations complement the recently approved geographical zones where non-Saudis are permitted to own property and are aimed at enhancing transparency, improving market…
RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 208,836 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through Al Hadithah border crossing. ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered during customs inspection of a truck entering the Kingdom after officers used advanced security screening technologies and detector dogs. The amphetamine pills were concealed inside a shipment of agal cords, he said. Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of two individuals who were awaiting the shipment inside the Kingdom. Al-Harbi said ZATCA remains committed to…
DUBAI, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirati Supplier Programme, managed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), facilitated the awarding of more than AED1.78 billion in contracts to Emirati SMEs in 2025, marking a 38 percent increase compared to AED1.29 billion in 2024. The programme represents a key enabler of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The latest results highlight the commitment of the Government of Dubai to empowering Emirati enterprises, further reinforcing their role in driving economic growth in line with the…
On Friday, July 3, luck struck in a big way as Kanika Arora became the winner of a staggering Dh25 million—the grand prize in this month’s Big Ticket Abu Dhabi live draw. The life-changing prize went to Indian participant Kanika Arora, who lives in New Delhi, after her ticket number 476107, purchased on 30 June, was drawn as the winning ticket. The hosts Richard and Bouchra called the winner to share the exciting news, and she became very emotional on the phone, crying as she repeatedly expressed how happy she was. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow…
ASIR — Authorities are investigating the cause of an amusement ride accident at a festival in Abha after emergency teams responded immediately to the incident and provided medical care to those injured. In a statement posted on X, the Asir governorate said the competent authorities began their response as soon as the incident was reported, handling the situation on site and ensuring that the injured received the necessary medical treatment. According to Saudi TV’s Al Ekhbariya channel, the incident injured 23 people. No fatalities were reported, and three of the injured have been discharged from hospital after receiving the necessary…
SpaceX is reported to have finished development on a prototype handset-like device aimed at changing how people interact with AI. The reported device was shown to investors and other stakeholders during a roadshow ahead of SpaceX’s since-completed IPO. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the device has a sleek design slimmer than an iPhone and would run on a proprietary operating system while integrating AI technology from Elon Musk’s xAI. Sources told the WSJ the device would use a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. SpaceX told some investors the project remains at an early stage, with the design subject to change and…
Alhind Tours & Travels has confirmed that its rollout of its Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) services in the UAE has been temporarily deferred until further notice, following official communication from the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi. The services, which were originally scheduled to commence on July 1, have been postponed due to “administrative reasons” as communicated by the embassy. In a press release issued on Friday, Alhind said it has received official advice that the commencement of the services will take place only upon further instructions from the Indian mission in the UAE. Stay up to date with the…
RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has begun constructing three bridges as part of the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road Development Project at its intersection with the Northern Ring Road. RCRC said the current phase of the project will increase the road’s capacity to accommodate more than 200,000 vehicles per day, strengthening connectivity between major routes in northern Riyadh, reducing travel times, and improving the overall travel experience. The section currently under development extends more than three kilometers and includes road widening, upgraded lanes, and the implementation of advanced traffic solutions aimed at enhancing the…