Kirkuk - IRQ
Kirkuk, Iraq, May 4, 2018 (AFP) - In the multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk it is hard to find posters of Kurdish candidates for Iraq's upcoming elections, but the campaigns of other hopefuls are in full swing.
The past seven months have seen a dramatic turn of events in Kirkuk, the "Jerusalem of Kurdistan" where hopes of independence for Iraqi Kurdistan were dashed after Baghdad retaliated against a referendum held in September.
The May 12 national elections have been welcomed by the city's Arab and Turkmen politicians, who are busy organising campaign meetings and whose election posters hang proudly in place.
In the Kurdish neighbourhood of Rahim Awa, home to the polling station that received the largest number of votes in the referendum, passers-by prefer not to discuss the return to the polls.
Only Freidoun Rahim, a 41-year-old Kurdish labourer, was willing to express his view.
"I voted yes in the referendum but today we have to live together -- Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen -- and so I will vote on May 12," he told AFP, without indicating which list he supported.
Rahim is one of around 940,000 registered voters in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, who will decide between 291 candidates -- 80 percent of which are new faces -- divided into 31 lists.
The hopefuls are vying for just 13 seats, one of which is already reserved for a Christian politician.
In the 2014 elections Kurds took eight of the available seats, with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) winning six seats and their rivals the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) securing the other two. Kirkuk's Arab and Turkmen communities each saw two lawmakers voted into parliament.
The outcome of this month's vote remains uncertain, with the KDP -- which initiated the referendum -- calling for a boycott and declaring the province an "occupied territory".
Other Kurdish groups have refused to present a unified list of candidates, while the PUK is urging its supporters to go to the polls.
But the party is facing allegations of betrayal after it facilitated the federal army's takeover of the province six months ago.
Federal troops pushed Kurdish forces out of Kirkuk and its oilfields in October, part of Baghdad's response to the "illegal" referendum that also saw the central government impose economic sanctions.
"My presence in Kirkuk during these difficult times is proof of my loyalty to the city," declares a slogan on the election poster of lawmaker Rebwar Taha Mustafa, head of the PUK list.
Speaking to AFP in his office, Mustafa alluded to the Arab and Turkmen groups: "Today we are witnessing the revenge of certain people."
He said the PUK had no choice but to allow federal troops into Kirkuk in October.
"The referendum changed the equation, but it's very temporary," the 40-year-old politician said, while admitting it is unlikely the PUK will do as well in this year's election.
"Kirkuk is Iraqi, yes, but with a Kurdish identity. The Kurds will still win but not with eight seats as in the last poll."
When Kirkuk residents went out to vote in September, they were met with the green, white and red Kurdish flag, a sun in the centre, flying in the streets.
It has since been replaced by the blue Turkmen flag, adorned with a crescent moon and one star, along with slogans for Arab candidates declaring "Kirkuk belongs to its residents".
"The next elections will show the real weight of different communities," said Turkmen politician Hassan Tauran.
"We warned the Kurds that the cost of the referendum would be very high and those that imagine a return (to the situation before) are dreaming," he told AFP.
His view was echoed by Amer al-Juburi, a candidate from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's list, who said: "Kirkuk is Iraqi, those who don't like the new situation can go elsewhere."
The political change can be seen in the office of governor Rakan al-Juburi, the Arab replacement of a pro-independence Kurd, who removed a photo of PUK founder Jalal Talabani from the wall.
The image has been replaced by one of Fuad Masum, a Kurd who is also Iraq's sitting president.
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Dispirited Kurds shy away from Iraqi elections in Kirkuk
Dispirited Kurds shy away from Iraqi elections in Kirkuk
Air India flight makes emergency landing in Thailand after bomb threat; all passengers off plane
- Indian airlines, airports received nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages in first 10 months of 2024
- Incident follows Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, which killed over 240 people
BANGKOK: An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand to India’s capital New Delhi received an onboard bomb threat on Friday and made an emergency landing on the island, airport authorities said.
All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said.
The aircraft took off from Phuket airport bound for the Indian capital at 9.30 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.
The incident follows the crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday shortly after takeoff, in which more than 240 people were killed.
AOT did not provide details on the bomb threat. Air India did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Indian airlines and airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, with nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages received in the first 10 months, nearly 10 times that of 2023.
Plant-based diets transform Saudi agriculture and fuel Vision 2030
RIYADH: A green revolution is taking root in Saudi Arabia as plant-based diets gain popularity, reshaping the Kingdom’s agricultural landscape and creating new opportunities for local farmers.
This growing shift toward plant-based living not only reflects global dietary trends but also represents a strategic step toward economic diversification and environmental sustainability — key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative.
The agricultural sector has shown impressive growth, with the Kingdom’s agricultural gross domestic product reaching a record SR114 billion ($30.3 billion) in 2024, according to PwC.
Despite this progress, Saudi Arabia remains a net importer of both food and animal feed, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving national food security.
Experts say the solution lies in innovation. Phil Webster, partner at consulting firm Arthur D. Little and head of its consumer goods, retail, and agriculture division, emphasized the potential of alternative crops and supporting technologies. According to him, the greatest opportunity in agriculture lies in embracing innovation — from alternative crops to smart technologies — to meet rising demand, reduce costs, and enhance food sovereignty.
As plant-based trends continue to flourish, Saudi Arabia’s evolving agricultural strategy may well position the Kingdom as a regional leader in sustainable food production.
“Plant-based diets are often inherently more sustainable — production of meat and dairy for example is one of the most land and water intensive activities on the planet, as well as a major contributor to global warming due to land use change and methane emissions from ruminant animals,” Webster told Arab News.
He added that plant-based diets necessitate consumers to seek non-meat protein alternatives, creating opportunities to focus more on conventional high-protein crops such as chickpeas, lentils, and quinoa, which naturally exhibit greater tolerance to drought and salinity compared to many other arable crops.
The ADL partner noted that crops such as lentils can play a key role in improving meat alternatives, including products like lentil burgers, with ongoing efforts aimed at increasing their resilience to harsh environmental conditions.
Webster also pointed to the growing momentum behind vertical farming, which is attracting more than $1 billion in annual venture capital investment. This method supports year-round, high-quality food production in compact urban environments by utilizing advanced lighting, irrigation, and automation technologies — enabling crops to be grown virtually anywhere with minimal risk of pests and diseases.
He said: “Finally, a rise in ‘lab grown meat’ has seen a temporary boom in investment, but then a subsequent decline due to the costs of production and also consumer appetite when it comes to taste and mouthfeel of unfamiliar products.”
According to consultancy firm Strategy& Middle East, businesses across Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector are increasingly adopting integrated, technology-driven supply chain models to meet the growing demand for plant-based and locally sourced products.
Roger Rabbat, partner at Strategy&, highlighted that major agribusinesses such as NADEC are leading this shift by implementing controlled-environment farming in partnership with Pure Harvest. This approach enables the year-round production of pesticide-free, locally grown vegetables, enhancing both food quality and supply chain resilience.
“Startups have also been active to adapt to these trends as well, with companies like Red Sea Farms collaborating with Saudia Airlines to supply sustainable food to customers by levering RSF’s innovative solutions around irrigation and greenhouse technology,” Rabbat told Arab News.
Supply chain
Providing sustainable, locally sourced food not only strengthens national food security but also supports public health initiatives — including biofortification, which enhances the nutritional value of food without requiring major changes to traditional eating habits.
Patrick Wall, a medical doctor, veterinarian, and professor of public health at University College Dublin, noted that Saudi poultry producers, in collaboration with King Abdulaziz University, are exploring the use of algal oil in animal feed as a way to address nutrient deficiencies and improve overall public health outcomes.
“Microalgae are tiny aquatic organisms that, while not technically classified as plants, are photosynthetic and can be sustainably cultivated for use in both animal feed and dietary supplements,” Wall, who is also a former chair of the European Food Safety Authority, told Arab News.
Wall emphasized that fortifying poultry with Omega-3 DHA could play a significant role in combating heart disease and diabetes in Saudi Arabia, which ranks among the world’s largest poultry consumers.
He explained that the human body cannot produce sufficient Omega-3 fatty acids on its own, making dietary intake essential. However, fish — a primary source of Omega-3s — is often avoided by many Saudis, particularly younger generations, leading to nutritional gaps that enriched poultry could help address.
“Tanmiah and Arabian Farms are the first companies in the region to produce DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) enriched poultry and eggs and they helped King Abdulaziz University to deliver this research. They are showing that the private sector is ready to engage in food innovation that benefits both public health and business growth,” Wall said.
Rabbat, from Strategy&, noted that the record agricultural GDP achieved by the Kingdom in 2024 is being driven by ecosystem-wide innovation, supported by the introduction of new products and technologies such as precision irrigation and vertical farming.
“SADAFCO has launched Saudia Oat Milk, the Kingdom’s first locally produced oat based milk, to meet the rising demand for plant-based alternatives. Mishkat Agritech, based in Jeddah, leverages hydroponic greenhouse and vertical farming techniques to reduce water usage by up to 90 percent compared to traditional agriculture,” he said.
The Strategy& Middle East partner added: “These innovations directly support Vision 2030 by advancing food security, reducing import dependence, enabling sustainable resource use, and fostering a resilient, tech-driven economy.”
Food system innovation
There is no doubt that Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on building a vibrant society, enhancing quality of life, diversifying the economy, and empowering the private sector in Saudi Arabia.
In the agri-food sector, this vision translates into prioritizing public health and nutrition, developing consumer-friendly products, strengthening food security, and advancing sustainable food production.
From the perspective of Arthur D. Little, innovation in sustainable food systems is a cornerstone of this national transformation. One particularly promising area is the use of functional ingredients to boost the nutritional profile of everyday foods.
Webster highlighted that Saudi scientists are working to reduce the country’s dependence on imported animal feed by cultivating microalgae locally. Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology are leading efforts to develop seawater-adapted microalgae strains and are investigating the potential for algae farming on the salt flats along the Arabian Gulf.
Projects like TOPIAN, part of NEOM Food Co., are showcasing how advanced, climate-resilient infrastructure can bolster local food production.
TOPIAN recently inaugurated its first controlled-environment glasshouses, engineered to grow fruits and vegetables year-round. These facilities also serve as testing grounds for evaluating the viability of various crops across different production systems.
“Cooling efficiency, radiation control, solar integration, and water conservation are among the key innovations being explored to enable consistent domestic supply of crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries,” Webster said.
The ADL partner acknowledged that while the full impact of these innovations on national food system productivity is still emerging, their long-term potential is substantial.
From Strategy&’s perspective, Rabbat emphasized that the growing “plant-based prosperity” trend is steering Saudi agriculture toward sustainable, technology-driven models designed to address water scarcity, climate challenges, and increasing consumer demand.
Wrapped in gratitude: How Saudi women are redefining post-Hajj gift culture
RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia, the end of Hajj doesn’t simply mark the conclusion of a sacred pilgrimage — it opens the door to another cherished tradition.
Gift-giving, known locally as hadiyat al-hajj or “the pilgrim’s gift,” is a gesture that turns a personal journey into a shared blessing. For many, it is an expression of faith, gratitude and love.
While classics like Zamzam water and dates still hold their place, a new generation of Saudi women is redefining this tradition, infusing it with creative spirit, personal stories and intentional detail. From custom packaging to symbolic items and handwritten notes, Hajj gifts today are becoming more than a token — they’re a continuation of the spiritual journey itself.
“I didn’t want to just hand someone a plastic bottle and say, ‘I went’,” said Nawal Al-Subaie, aged 30. “So I put together small bundles with Zamzam water, engraved tasbeeh and handwritten du’a cards for each friend. It was my way of letting them in on the experience.”
The gifts now often carry symbolic meaning — a fragrance that evokes the air of Arafat, prayer cards reflecting moments of silence in Muzdalifah, or a simple stamped tag reading “Hajj Mabroor” in hand-drawn calligraphy. The items are chosen with care, often representing moments that shaped the pilgrim’s heart.
For Dana Al-Hamdan, 26, the most powerful way to preserve the feeling of Hajj was through images. Instead of giving traditional gifts, she printed instant film photographs she took throughout her pilgrimage, labeled with the exact date and time.
“I gave them to my twin sister,” she said. “One was from Arafat just before Maghrib, another from the moment I arrived in Mina. They weren’t staged — they were raw and personal.”
The emotional weight of that gesture lingered far beyond the exchange.
“She kept one photo in her wallet and the other on her desk.” Al-Hamdan said.
This new take on hadiyat al-hajj is trending on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Videos show everything from Hajj-themed gift boxes and laser-cut Qur’anic bookmarks to handmade pouches, scented oils and memory tokens.
But it isn’t about luxury or performance; it’s about thoughtfulness. Many women prepare the gifts in quiet, reflective settings. Some add prayers or verses. Others prepare items based on personal meaning, such as a prayer for healing, a verse for patience, or an object that symbolizes strength.
Latifa Al-Dossari, 27, created sets of prayer beads and placed them inside tiny velvet bags, along with notes describing what that day of Hajj felt like.
“It was like writing someone a letter from Mina,” she said.
What’s happening with these gifts is part of a larger movement, a shift toward a more expressive, emotionally honest form of spirituality. For many Saudi women, especially younger ones, Hajj is not only a rite to fulfill, but a memory to share, a testimony that invites others in.
Some see hadiyat al-hajj as souvenirs, others see them as silent declarations. “I remembered you,” they say. “I carried your name. This was not a journey I took alone.”
The true beauty of this tradition lies in the unspoken energy that surrounds it. These are not mass-produced tokens; they are gifts that hold time, intention, and prayer.
For the women crafting them, the act is a final ritual, a quiet bridge from the pilgrim’s journey back to daily life, but built with du’a, thought and love rather than stone or scripture.
Because, in the end, the real gift isn’t the Zamzam or the photograph or the beads. It’s the sincerity that comes with it — the kind that says: “You were with me, even when I was away.”
State-led startup momentum poised for sustainable growth under Vision 2030
RIYADH: Amid a record-breaking surge in venture funding and a wave of regulatory reforms, Saudi Arabia is drawing global attention for its ambitious push to build a vibrant startup economy.
The Kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape is being reshaped thanks to the work of Saudi Venture Capital, a subsidiary of the National Development Fund, and incubation support from the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at.
With government capital underwriting much of the early momentum, the challenge now lies in translating that support into private-sector-driven sustainability, with some market observers cautioning against confusing rapid growth with long-term sustainability.
“The long-term sustainability of this support will depend on continued private-sector participation and market-driven investment flows,” Philip Bahoshy, CEO of MAGNiTT, told Arab News in an interview.
He accepted that sovereign-led investment vehicles have played a foundational part in catalyzing early-stage innovation, saying: “Saudi initiatives like SVC and Monsha’at have played a critical role in expanding access to capital, fostering entrepreneurship, and developing the broader startup ecosystem.”
Bahoshy cited SVC’s strategy of acting as a fund-of-funds as a key mechanism for increasing market liquidity, alongside new instruments such as venture debt and private equity.
These tools are designed not only to finance startups but to build institutional depth across the capital stack.
Beyond financial capital, the initiatives have emphasized ecosystem development through mentorship and education.
“Another key pillar is their focus on education — whether they be in-person events or the content they share through sponsorships like MAGNiTT — to educate the market,” Bahoshy added.
Monsha’at, he added, has expanded its support through physical incubators and SME-focused regulatory facilitation, helping reduce barriers for company formation and early operations.
Capital drives diversification
For Said Murad, senior partner at Global Ventures, these efforts are not just supportive — they are catalytic.
“SVC has invested in 54 private capital funds that invested in over 800 startups and SMEs via $3 billion in AUM (assets under management). This has resulted in entrepreneurship growth and economic diversification,” the venture capitalist told Arab News in an interview.
Murad added that this flow of capital has had knock-on effects beyond startups, helping to “drive jobs and economic growth” across sectors and enabling venture firms like his to back “emerging technologies across platforms built by exceptional founders.”
In assessing sustainability, the venture community is looking for more than just headline investment totals.
Bahoshy pointed to a broadening of sector focus as a positive indicator. “Indicators of sustainable growth include diversified sector investment, rising follow-on funding rounds, and an increasing number of successful exits,” he said.
MAGNiTT’s recent report with the National Technology Development Program, he noted, shows Saudi Arabia outperforming the wider Middle East and North Africa region on follow-on investment metrics — evidence of startups moving successfully through the funding pipeline.
Murad emphasized deal activity and capital market maturation. “Achieving a record number of deals in 2024 (178), which was 31 percent of MENA’s total deal number, reflects positively on activity,” he said.
He also cited the growing pipeline of exits and public listings, saying: “More than 50 IPO applications are currently under review by the regulator and the exchange, showing further momentum in the Saudi market.”
The increase in mergers and acquisitions transactions — up 17.4 percent year on year — suggests the market is entering a phase of consolidation and liquidity, which is critical for long-term investor confidence, he stated.
Still, the pace and scale of state-backed capital injections have prompted some caution.
“Concerns about government-driven funding inflating valuations remain,” Bahoshy warned.
He stressed the need to monitor startup profitability, organic market demand, and the inflow of non-government capital to guard against artificial inflation.
In his view, sustainable ecosystems are those where “startups demonstrate strong unit economics” and attract both domestic and international private capital.
Murad agreed that macroeconomic indicators must be matched with real operational progress.
“From an investor’s perspective, distinguishing between real market development and an overheated ecosystem requires a mix of macroeconomic signals and sector-specific insight,” he said.
Those metrics include gross domestic product growth, employment contribution, and non-oil revenue gains.
At a sectoral level, fintech remains a bellwether. “In fintech, for example, sustained growth in digital payment adoption, rising financial inclusion, and tangible collaboration between fintech and incumbent banks signal structural integration rather than hype,” Murad explained.
On the structural side, Saudi startups face a different set of challenges as they scale regionally and globally.
While local capital and infrastructure offer a strong base, market fragmentation across the MENA region presents real operational hurdles.
“Key challenges include regulatory differences, talent mobility constraints, and fragmented market demand,” Bahoshy said.
In particular, sectors such as fintech and health tech often require jurisdiction-specific compliance, which can stretch the resources of scaling companies.
Murad underscored the importance of localization and talent strategy in overcoming those barriers.
“Startups operating in sectors such as fintech or health tech may find it particularly difficult to navigate differing compliance standards and approval timelines,” he said, adding that hiring local talent is often critical.
“Our portfolio company Rabbit, a hyperlocal e-commerce platform, has made the recruitment of local employees a key part of its Saudi market entry strategy,” said Murad.
Despite these headwinds, both Bahoshy and Murad see a strategic shift toward long-term market integration.
“Saudi startups are increasingly positioning themselves as regional leaders within MENA,” Bahoshy said, with many expanding into the UAE, Egypt, and other Gulf Cooperation Council markets.
Murad added that founders are building their businesses “with scalability in mind,” and are “leveraging the Kingdom’s strong capital base, infrastructure, and Vision 2030 momentum to compete across borders.”
Next growth phase
Ultimately, the next phase for Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem will depend on how effectively it balances public ambition with private execution.
While Vision 2030 provides a powerful narrative and institutional backing, sustained impact will be measured by market maturity, depth of innovation, and the ability of startups to solve real problems across borders and sectors.
As Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem transitions from state-backed momentum to market maturity, investors and policymakers are shifting their focus from funding volume to long-term value creation.
This next phase will test whether startups can scale beyond subsidized growth and become embedded drivers of innovation across sectors and borders.
“What often matters most is on-the-ground visibility: how embedded startups are in daily life, how their products are solving real problems, and how much institutional trust they’ve earned,” said Murad.
That visibility — whether in finance, healthcare, or logistics — is increasingly seen as a litmus test for lasting impact.
Startups that succeed in the Kingdom are now expected to meet regulatory standards, address market needs, and contribute to non-oil GDP.
Murad pointed to the fintech sector, where startups are not only attracting investment but also becoming integral to the financial system through collaboration with banks and the adoption of digital infrastructure.
He noted that alignment with national priorities, like those in the Financial Sector Development Programme, helps reinforce sector-wide progress.
Regional expansion remains an important strategic goal, but the road to cross-border growth is uneven.
Bahoshy pointed out that as Saudi startups expand into nearby markets, they encounter challenges such as varying regulations, limited movement of skilled talent, and inconsistent consumer demand across the region.
To mitigate these challenges, firms are increasingly investing in local knowledge and partnerships rather than applying one-size-fits-all models.
Pakistan set to hold rates as Israel-Iran conflict overshadows growth push
- Several brokerages initially expected a cut but revised their forecasts after Israeli strikes sparked fears of a broader conflict
- Escalating hostilities triggered a sharp spike in oil prices, a worry for Pakistan given the broader impact on imported inflation
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank is expected to hold its policy rate on Monday, a Reuters poll showed, as many analysts shifted their previous view of a cut in the wake of Israel’s military strike on Iran, citing inflation risks from rising global commodity prices.
Israel said on Friday it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in a “preemptive strike” to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Several brokerages had initially expected a cut but revised their forecasts after the Israeli strikes sparked fears of a broader conflict. The escalating hostilities triggered a sharp spike in oil prices — a worry for Pakistan given the broader impact on imported inflation from a potentially prolonged conflict and tightening of crude supplies.
Eleven of 14 respondents in a snap poll expected the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to leave the benchmark rate unchanged at 12 percent. Two forecast a 100 basis-point cut and one predicted a 50 bps cut.
“There remains an upside risk of a rise in global commodity prices in light of geopolitical tensions which could mark a return to inflationary pressures,” said Ahmad Mobeen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
“The resultant higher import bill could also threaten external sector performance and bring pressure to the exchange rate.”
Inflation in the South Asian country has been declining for several months after it soared to around 40 percent in May 2023.
Last month, however, inflation picked up to 3.5 percent, above the finance ministry’s projection of up to 2 percent, partly due to the fading of the year-go base effects. The SBP expects average inflation between 5.5 percent and 7.5 percent for the fiscal year ending June.
The central bank paused its easing cycle in March after cumulative cuts of 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22 percent, and resumed it with a 100-basis-point reduction in May.
The policy meeting follows the release a tight annual budget, which saw Pakistan raise defense spending by 20 percent but overall expenditure was reduced by 7 percent, with GDP growth forecast at 4.2 percent.
Pakistan says its $350 billion economy has stabilized under a $7 billion IMF bailout that had helped it staved a default threat.
Some analysts are skeptical of the government’s ability to reach the growth target amid fiscal and external challenges.
Abdul Azeem, head of research at Al Habib Capital Markets, which forecast a 50-bp cut, said a lower rate could “support the GDP target of 4.2 percent and reduce the debt financing burden.”
