Doug Lansford 
BAHA: In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Baha region, a humble cactus is sparking an agricultural revolution. The prickly pear, known locally as Al-Barshumi, has blossomed from a niche crop into a burgeoning industry. Once confined to private farms, prickly pear cultivation has spurred scientific research and yielded an array of food, medical and cosmetic … Read more
BEIRUT: The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Lebanese Parliament, MP Fadi Alama, revealed that “the number of attacks on South Lebanon has exceeded 5,736 until July 15, resulting in 538 martyrs, and 1,850 injuries.” The Foreign Affairs Committee met on Wednesday with several ambassadors from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Britain, and Canada … Read more
In a strategic move to enhance its network, Air India Express, India’s first international budget airline, has launched its first direct international flight from Indian city Bengaluru to United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi. The new route aims to improve connectivity between India’s IT hub and Abu Dhabi. The launch was celebrated with a welcome … Read more
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s capital has experienced a significant surge in apartment rental prices in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for many residents to afford suitable accommodation. This sharp rise in rental costs has led to a growing trend among Riyadh’s population to prioritize home ownership over renting, as they seek to gain more stability … Read more
What is the human cost of Israel’s relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza? LONDON: Israel’s military has killed dozens of Palestinian civilians and wounded hundreds more, including children, in its relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza, despite designating many of its areas of operation as “safe zones.” Palestinian health officials said on Monday … Read more
Muscat: Oman is set to impose a strict ban on the importation of plastic bags starting September 1, 2024, as part of a new initiative to combat plastic pollution. This came in a circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), in collaboration with Oman Customs on X on Tuesday, July … Read more
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s capital has experienced a significant surge in apartment rental prices in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for many residents to afford suitable accommodation. This sharp rise in rental costs has led to a growing trend among Riyadh’s population to prioritize home ownership over renting, as they seek to gain more stability … Read more
What is the human cost of Israel’s relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza? LONDON: Israel’s military has killed dozens of Palestinian civilians and wounded hundreds more, including children, in its relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza, despite designating many of its areas of operation as “safe zones.” Palestinian health officials said on Monday … Read more
Abu Dhabi: In a significant step towards promoting economic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-India, Al Maya Supermarkets, a leading supermarket chain in the UAE has announced the acceptance of India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) payments across its outlets in the country. The first UPI transaction at a supermarket was recently conducted in the … Read more
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s capital has experienced a significant surge in apartment rental prices in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for many residents to afford suitable accommodation. This sharp rise in rental costs has led to a growing trend among Riyadh’s population to prioritize home ownership over renting, as they seek to gain more stability … Read more
