World – Page 17

Saudi Halal Centre unveils new halal mark with ESG standards | World News

Saudi Arabia unveils ESG-aligned Halal Mark Track, enhancing trust, sustainability, and global halal market growth/Image: SPA The Saudi Halal Centre has introduced a new Halal Mark Track to strengthen the Kingdom’s role in the global halal market. By combining halal certification with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the initiative aims to build more trust […]

Saudi Arabia introduces new White Land Rules, imposes fines up to 100% on undeveloped plots | World News

Saudi rolls out White Land fees, heavy penalties / Image: Files The landscape of Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is undergoing a seismic shift. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH) recently launched a new draft regulation outlining strict violations and heavy fines for the “White Land and Vacant Property Tax” system. Currently out for […]

UAE: Sharjah grants government employee status to imams and muezzins across all mosques | World News

Sharjah granted imams and muezzins government employee status, including promotions, health insurance, allowances, and paid leave benefits/Image: X Sharjah has taken a historic step to formally recognize the contributions of imams and muezzins by granting them the same status and benefits as government employees. The directive, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed […]

More than medicine: How a weight-loss drug helped US envoy free prisoners in Belarus | World News

Diplomacy rarely hinges on small talk, but in an unusual backchannel between Washington and Minsk, a casual exchange about weight loss became part of a negotiation that helped secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus. The episode centres on John P. Coale, a senior US envoy with close ties to President Donald Trump, and […]

‘Dipu Chandra Das, say his name’: Laura Loomer attacks Islamic hatred after lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh | World News

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer has reacted to the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 26-year-old Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh. She used the incident to warn about the spread of the Islamist hatred. Her comments followed after Das was lynched by a mob following unverified accusations of blasphemy linked to a workplace dispute.In a post […]

‘We did nothing wrong’: Indian truck drivers challenge California over mass licence cancellations | World News

Thousands of Indian truck drivers in California have launched a legal challenge against the state after being told their commercial driving licences will be cancelled. Drivers say the move threatens their livelihoods and has left their families in limbo. The lawsuit follows decisions by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke licences issued to […]

Explained: How Americans misused the J-1 visa and exploited foreign labour | World News

The J-1 visa was meant to be America’s soft-power handshake. A cultural exchange that allowed young people from around the world to live, work briefly, and absorb the idea of the US as a land of opportunity, fairness and learning. Over the years, that idea quietly thinned out. In its place emerged something colder: a […]

UAE tops global charts in 2025, leading in economy, innovation, healthcare, and human development | World News

In 2025, the UAE ranked top five globally in competitiveness, healthcare, technology, and human development/Image: WAM The United Arab Emirates has marked 2025 as a landmark year, securing top spots in multiple global indices. From economic competitiveness to human development, healthcare, technology, and safety, the UAE continues to reinforce its position as a regional and […]

UAE and Indonesia unite to treat Gaza patients under Operation Gallant Knight 3 | World News

A fresh batch of Indonesian medical experts joins the UAE’s floating hospital in Al-Arish / Image: National News In the bustling Egyptian port of Al-Arish, a repurposed vessel serves as a beacon of survival. The UAE Floating Hospital, a cornerstone of Operation Gallant Knight 3, has just received its fifth batch of medical experts from […]

After years of private celebration, Christmas goes public in Saudi Arabia | World News

Christmas in Saudi Arabia moved from private gatherings to mall celebrations under Vision 2030/Representative Image Christmas in Saudi Arabia has quietly transformed over the years. Once a private, low-key celebration confined to expatriate homes, the festival is now gradually appearing in public spaces, from decorated malls to themed events. This shift reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing […]