MANILA — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and regional cooperation during the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) Conference in Manila, while condemning Iranian attacks on Gulf infrastructure and rejecting Houthi allegations against the Kingdom. Representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji addressed the conference, titled “Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy,” emphasizing the importance of strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and expanding regional cooperation. Al-Khuraiji said Saudi Arabia recognizes ASEAN’s vital role in promoting peace, stability and prosperity and welcomed progress made through recent ASEAN summits in advancing economic integration and addressing…
Author: Editorial Team
Tarik Erk, Head of MENAT and Senior Executive Officer, Binance. ABU DHABI – The Middle East and North Africa is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic markets for stablecoin adoption, as users increasingly incorporate stablecoins into a broader range of financial activities, including trading, savings, value preservation and access to digital financial products, according to new findings from Binance Research. The report, Stablecoins: Transforming the Financial Landscape, identifies MENA as the fastest-growing region for stablecoin savings on Binance Earn. The region’s share of global stablecoin balances held through Binance Earn increased from 5.53% to 9.21%, reflecting growing participation in digital…
The Indian Consulate in Dubai said on Friday that it is extending emergency services related to NRI certificates, as deadlines for college admissions draw closer in India. A limited walk-in facility is being made available in the Indian Consulate in Dubai from 8.30am to 12 noon on Saturday, July 25. The applications will only be accepted if the deadline for submission of documents falls until July 31. Applicants will be required to fill the form for an NRI certificate that is available on the consulate’s website. They must also carry all the documents mentioned on the form, along with an…
RIYADH — Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan has approved seven new regulations governing contracting, procurement and quantities as part of efforts to enhance the government procurement system. The regulations were prepared by the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) as specialized regulatory documents covering specific government procurement services. Government entities subject to the Government Tenders and Procurement Law are required to use them when preparing tender documents and procurement specifications. The new framework is designed to provide government entities with unified technical standards and procedures to help accurately identify procurement needs, improve planning and purchasing efficiency, enhance the quality of…
SEOUL, 24th July, 2026 (WAM) — The Republic of Korea will maintain reduced fuel tax rates through the end of September, the finance ministry said Friday, amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Under the measure, the current tax reductions of 15 percent for gasoline and 25 percent for diesel and butane, originally set to expire at the end of this month, will remain in place through 30th September, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The latest decision is expected to ease the public’s energy cost burden by managing the prices of diesel used…
RIYADH — King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) hosted Saudi Nobel Prize-winning chemist Prof. Omar Yaghi on Thursday for a scientific discussion with students participating in the 2026 Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program. The event was attended by KACST President and Acting Governor of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority Munir Al-Desouki, along with senior officials from the Kingdom’s research and innovation sector. Yaghi reflected on key milestones in his scientific career, describing how he chose early on to pursue research problems that many considered impossible to solve. Despite skepticism from parts of the scientific community, he said he…
Selin Bahadirli. Mastercard’s Cyber Pulse Report reveals the region’s threat landscape ahead of an exclusive interview with Selin Bahadirli Cyberattacks across Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa climbed 13% over the past year, according to Mastercard’s inaugural Cyber Pulse Report, with a 198% surge recorded on the first day of the recent Middle East conflict alone. Government, technology and financial services organisations bore the brunt of this activity, together accounting for 44% of all targeted sectors, while the Middle East emerged as the most targeted geography, absorbing 49% of regional attacks. The financial toll is steep too: the average cost…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has approved a new General Education Law under a royal decree, establishing a comprehensive framework to strengthen governance across the general education sector, improve educational outcomes and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives. Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan expressed his appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for approving the law, describing it as a significant step in advancing general education and enhancing the sector’s regulatory and operational efficiency. The law defines the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education, the General Education…
BEIJING, 24th July, 2026 (WAM) — Brent oil prices hovered above $100 per barrel on Friday while heading for their fourth week of gains. Brent futures advanced 37 cents, or 0.37 percent, to $101.06 a barrel at 0330 GMT, having settled up 7 percent above $100 in the previous session for the first time since May. The contract remained on course for a 14.6 percent advance this week. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were little changed at $91.20 a barrel, their highest level since 11th June and on track for an 11.8 percent weekly rise. Source: Emirates News Agency
The UAE President welcomed outstanding graduates of the academic year 2025-26, in a move to acknowledge these students’ efforts and support their endeavours. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shared heartfelt images from the gathering and emphasised the value to education to the country. He said: “Education remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s continued development, and teachers and families are essential partners in supporting students’ lifelong pursuit of knowledge.” Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The leader continued to wish them success and commended the “tireless efforts of our nation’s educators…