NEW YORK, 11th July, 2026 (WAM) — Wall Street’s main stock indices closed higher on Friday, with all three major benchmarks posting gains. The S&P 500 rose 28.72 points, or 0.38 percent, to close at 7,572.36 points. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 77.52 points, or 0.25 percent, to finish at 26,273.21 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 148.28 points, or 0.28 percent, ending the session at 52,635.69 points. Source: Emirates News Agency
Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — Fitch Ratings has affirmed Saudi Arabia’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at “A+” with a stable outlook, citing the Kingdom’s strong fiscal position, substantial financial reserves and resilient economy. In its latest report, Fitch said Saudi Arabia’s credit profile is supported by government debt and sovereign net foreign assets that remain significantly stronger than the averages for countries rated in the ‘A’ and ‘AA’ categories, alongside substantial fiscal buffers. The agency said the Kingdom has maintained economic resilience despite regional geopolitical developments, supported by the strength of non-oil economic activity and prudent fiscal management. Fitch noted that Saudi…
Parents in the UAE are unlikely to find a baby feeding bottle recalled in Saudi Arabia on the shelves of local supermarkets and pharmacies, according to checks carried out by Khaleej Times. The reassurance comes after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce announced the recall of 22 units of Nursh 8oz Reusable Baby Bottles (Product No. B11654). The authority warned that parts of the bottle’s outer protective layer could peel or detach, creating small loose pieces that could pose a choking hazard to infant. To understand whether the affected bottles are available in the UAE, Khaleej Times contacted retailers and visited…
KINSHASA — The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains in a “very active” phase and has yet to peak, the Xinhua news agency reported quoting health authorities as saying on Thursday. The outbreak in DRC is the “fastest growing” ever, they said as the World Health Organization confirmed the disease has killed more than 600 people. Updated numbers issued by the UN health agency showed there have been 1,759 confirmed cases in DR Congo since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 confirmed deaths. “This is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak ever, not only…
TOKYO, 11th July, 2026 (WAM) — An experimental Japanese reusable rocket successfully lifted off and landed safely during its first test flight today, Saturday, as Japan seeks to acquire the technology to reduce launch costs and compete in the global space market dominated by SpaceX. The RV-X rocket lifted off, hovered and moved horizontally before landing during a flight lasting less than one minute at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Noshiro Testing Centre in north-eastern Japan. The test was broadcast live by NVS, a group of space enthusiasts. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is expected to provide details of…
CAPITALS, 11th July, 2026 (WAM) — Oil prices settled lower on Friday, with Brent crude futures falling by 29 cents, or 0.38 percent, to close at US$76.01 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined by 67 cents, or 0.93 percent, to settle at US$71.41 a barrel. Source: Emirates News Agency
DHAKA — The UN refugee agency called on Thursday for additional land to ease overcrowding in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps after heavy rains triggered landslides that have killed at least 15 people. More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled Myanmar during a brutal military crackdown in 2017, live in congested camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar. The refugees live in basic shelters on hillsides cleared of trees — making the land unstable during monsoon rains. Authorities in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh used loudspeakers and a network of volunteers and community leaders to relocate people from risky areas…
Schalk Vorster. MRI Software’s Schalk Vorster shares insights on how AI, data readiness, and unified platforms are redefining the property management discipline in the UAE and GCC Middle East real estate has entered a phase where operational performance matters as much as ambition. PropTech across the UAE and GCC has shifted from a digitisation experiment to the infrastructure that runs portfolios, with regulators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi pushing transparency, standardised reporting, and data-driven operations. Schalk Vorster, Regional Director for the Middle East at MRI Software, sees the regional market mirroring a global move from scale to measurable outcomes. His…
DUBAI, 10th July, 2026 (WAM) — The MENA Golf Tour has confirmed that its leading players will earn exemptions into the Second Stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School in 2026, in a move that significantly strengthens the Tour’s standing as a route to the upper reaches of the professional game. The exemption takes the leading three players in the MENA Golf Tour’s final 2025/26 Rankings, to a limit of 10th place and not otherwise eligible, straight into the Second Stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School, bypassing the First Stage entirely. For the players involved, it is…
JEDDAH — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Frinday from the US President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and ongoing US-Iran talks. During the call, the two leaders reviewed cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States and explored ways to further strengthen ties across a number of sectors. They also discussed several regional and international issues and exchanged views on the latest developments. The call included discussions on the current situation in the region, including the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran. The two leaders emphasized the…