Protests sweep Lebanon for a second day

1 / 2
Lebanese demonstrators burn tires and wave their national flag during a protest against dire economic conditions on Friday, October 18, 2019. (AFP)
2 / 2
Lebanese demonstrators burn tires and wave their national flag during a protest against dire economic conditions on Friday, October 18, 2019. (AFP)
Updated 18 October 2019
Follow

Protests sweep Lebanon for a second day

  • The unusually wide geographic reach of the protests has been seen as a sign of deepening anger with politicians
  • Lebanon’s economic growth has been hit by regional conflict and instability

BEIRUT: Protesters across Lebanon blocked roads with burning tires on Friday and marched in Beirut for a second day of demonstrations targeting the government over a deep economic crisis.
In Lebanon’s biggest protest in years, thousands of people gathered outside the government headquarters in central Beirut on Thursday evening, forcing the cabinet to backtrack on plans to raise a new tax on WhatsApp voice calls. Tear gas was fired as some demonstrators and police clashed in the early hours.
Fires lit in the street in central Beirut were smoldering on Friday morning. Pavements were scattered with the glass of several smashed shop-fronts and billboards had been torn down.
Protesters blocked roads in the north, the south and the Bekaa Valley, among other areas, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. Schools were closed on the instructions of the government.
Two foreign workers choked to death from a fire that spread to a building near the protests in Beirut, the NNA said.
This was the second wave of nationwide protests this month.
In a country fractured along sectarian lines, the unusually wide geographic reach of these protests has been seen as a sign of deepening anger with politicians who have jointly led Lebanon into crisis.


READ MORE: Lebanese PM gives government 72 hours to back his reforms as protests rage


The government, which includes nearly all of Lebanon’s main parties, is struggling to implement long-delayed reforms that are seen as more vital than ever to begin resolving the crisis.
The Lebanese newspaper an-Nahar described it as “a tax intifada,” or uprising, across Lebanon. Another daily, Al-Akhbar, declared it “the WhatsApp revolution” that had shaken Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s unity government.
Seeking ways to boost revenues, a government minister on Thursday announced plans to raise a new fee of 20 cents per day for calls via voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), used by applications including Facebook-owned WhatsApp.
But as the protests spread, Telecoms Minister Mohamed Choucair phoned into Lebanese broadcasters on Thursday evening to say the proposed levy on WhatsApp calls had been revoked.
Shattered by war between 1975 and 1990, Lebanon has one of the world’s highest debt burdens as a share of its economy. Economic growth has been hit by regional conflict and instability. Unemployment among those aged under 35 runs at 37 percent.
The kind of steps needed to fix the national finances have long proven elusive. Sectarian politicians, many of them civil war veterans, have long used state resources for their own political benefit and are reluctant to cede prerogatives.
The crisis has been compounded by a slowdown in capital flows to Lebanon, which has long depended on remittances from its diaspora to meet financing needs, including the state’s deficit.
The financial crunch has added to the impetus for reform but the government’s steps have yet to convince foreign donors who have offered billions in financial assistance conditional on changes.
The strains have emerged recently in the real economy where importers have been unable to secure dollars at the pegged exchange rate.
The cabinet is due to meet on Friday at the presidential palace in Baabda in what a minister has said would be the final session to discuss the 2020 state budget.


Saudi Pro League partners with Word Football Summit for WFS Asia show in Riyadh

Updated 5 min 53 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Pro League partners with Word Football Summit for WFS Asia show in Riyadh

  • Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders

LONDON: The Saudi Pro League, Asia’s top-ranked football league, and the World Football Summit announced on Monday a strategic partnership ahead of the WFS Asia 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders to discuss and shape the future of football business.

“We are delighted to partner with the World Football Summit,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League.

“This collaboration serves as a platform to welcome the global football industry to Saudi Arabia, fostering opportunities for shared growth and mutual prosperity. From our humble beginnings with just eight teams to becoming Asia’s top-ranked league today, our journey highlights the transformative power of football in driving both sporting excellence and societal progress,” he added.

Jan Alessie, co-founder and director of the World Football Summit said the SPL’s success in recent years has been rooted in three key pillars: nurturing young talent, securing world-class international players, and improving club governance.

This evolution aligns seamlessly with WFS Asia’s mission to drive innovation in football business, making the event a natural platform for the SPL to share its insights and experiences.

“The Saudi Pro League’s evolution represents one of the most remarkable stories in modern football,” he said.

“Their commitment to developing local talent while attracting global stars has created a unique model that deserves industry-wide attention. This partnership will provide invaluable insights for football executives worldwide,” he added.

The key themes for the 2024 edition of WFS Asia are the integration of cutting-edge technology in football and the innovation of fan engagement strategies to enhance the sport’s appeal and accessibility.

Additionally, the summit will emphasize the development of sports tourism, showcasing football’s potential to drive economic growth. Sustainability in football will also take center stage, highlighting environmentally conscious practices within the industry.

The event will further spotlight the growth of women’s football and the importance of youth development programs, reinforcing the Kingdom’s dedication to inclusivity and nurturing future talent.


Princess Rajwa visits art gallery in Amman with Queen Rania

Updated 38 min 40 sec ago
Follow

Princess Rajwa visits art gallery in Amman with Queen Rania

  • Visit marks another public engagement in Princess Rajwa’s calendar
  • Naqsh Collective was founded in 2009 by two sisters, Nisreen and Nermeen Abudail

DUBAI: Saudi-born Jordanian royal Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein visited Amman-based art gallery Naqsh Collective on her first joint engagement with her mother-in-law Queen Rania, on Sunday.

“Exquisite local designs, handcrafted with love. Had a lovely time with Rajwa at the Naqsh Collective workshop yesterday,” Queen Rania’s team posted on Instagram shortly after the visit.

The pair posted in front of an artwork titled “Wall Runner” at the gallery, which presents design works and artworks.

Naqsh Collective was founded in 2009 by two sisters, Nisreen and Nermeen Abudail. The gallery has participated in national and international events such as Milan Design Week, Amman Design Week, Design Days Dubai, and Saudi Design Week.

The visit marks another public engagement in Princess Rajwa’s calendar. Last week she attended a ceremony marking the inauguration of the first ordinary session of the 20th parliament in Amman, her second public appearance since the birth of her first child this summer. 

The royal showed off an elegant black ensemble for the occasion, complete with an oversized belt by Dior and pumps by Chloe. The look was finished off with the Goji mini bag in black by Jill Sander. 

Princess Rajwa was photographed alongside Queen Rania, who showed off a red look courtesy of Maison Valentino and Altuzarra. 

Princess Rajwa made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Iman bint Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II at a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match in October. 

The royal welcomed her first child, Princess Iman, with Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah on Aug. 3.

Jordan’s King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media to mark the occasion. Translated from Arabic, the post read: “I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.”

Princess Rajwa, who celebrated her 30th birthday in April, is the daughter of Saudi businessman Khalid bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saif, who died in January this year, and his wife, Azza bint Nayef Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Sudairi.


Naval chief says Pakistan’s economic future ‘inextricably linked’ to maritime security

Updated 46 min 27 sec ago
Follow

Naval chief says Pakistan’s economic future ‘inextricably linked’ to maritime security

  • Admiral Naveed Ashraf says challenges in Indian Ocean Region requires greater vigilance
  • He says Pakistan’s socio-economic prosperity can be assured by harnessing blue economy 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Monday emphasized the importance of maritime security for the country’s economic future, calling for robust measures to address “unprecedented challenges” in the Indian Ocean Region.
In a message issued to mark the Seventh Maritime Security Workshop, scheduled to run from November 26 to December 5 at the Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore, Ashraf highlighted the need to harness the country’s maritime potential while ensuring a secure environment for trade and economic growth.
He noted the Indian Ocean Region faced significant challenges, including geopolitical competition, nuclearization and transnational threats, compounded by rapid technological advancements.
“The country’s economic future is inextricably linked to the sea, which serves as mankind’s last reservoir for sustenance,” he said. “Securing our maritime domain is not merely a national priority but a necessity, requiring cooperation, innovation and vigilance.”
Ashraf stressed the potential of Pakistan’s maritime resources to drive socio-economic prosperity through the exploitation of the blue economy, enabled by a secure maritime environment.
His comments come at a time when Pakistan has made a strategic offer to landlocked Central Asian economies for access to its ports, allowing them to conduct trade via sea routes.
The initiative underscores Pakistan’s ambition to position itself as a critical hub for regional economic activity.
“Our rich maritime resources offer great potential for economic prosperity,” the naval chief maintained.
“Let us work toward a secure and stable maritime environment that benefits not only our nation but the global community at large,” he added.


Saudi Arabia’s fintech demand offers growth prospects for UK firms: London Lord Mayor

Updated 25 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s fintech demand offers growth prospects for UK firms: London Lord Mayor

RIYADH: UK-based fintech firms have an opportunity to address rising demand for fintech services in Saudi Arabia, according to the Lord Mayor of London. 

Speaking on the sidelines of the 28th World Investment Conference in Riyadh, Alderman Alastair King highlighted the UK capital’s extensive expertise in fintech, particularly as the city works on digitizing national debt instruments. 

He noted that such initiatives could provide opportunities for collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia’s growing fintech sector. 

“We have incredible expertise in London in relation to fintech and financial technologies in general. I know there’s a great demand for that sector here in Saudi, so those are some of the areas we are concentrating on,” said the Lord Mayor. 

“In the United Kingdom, we’ve just started to digitize our national gilts, what they call the debt instruments. Now, there’s a road ahead to digitize them, which is a wonderful opportunity to work on those types of things,” he said. 

A gilt is a UK government bond issued in sterling, and London’s efforts to digitize these instruments could pave the way for similar initiatives in Saudi Arabia, added.

King went to say that the payments sector could also be explored, noting that the entire sector is being transformed by fintech and that there are enormous opportunities for collaboration.

Other sectors that could be devoloped include infrastructure, insurance, and legal services, as well as asset management, and banking. 

“London is the number one global center for professional services in the world. Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing economy in the G20. There’s going to be a fantastic symbiosis between us, and we can do all sorts of things together,” the Lord Mayor said during the interview. 

King also discussed the broader opportunities arising from Saudi Arabia’s energy transition and economic diversification, particularly in industries such as asset management, banking, and insurance. He emphasized the role of both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises in fostering innovation. 

“In London, as an extraordinary financial and professional services ecosystem, there is a symbiosis between small and medium-sized companies and the large ones. Part of my job is to go around to the British companies, whether small, medium, or large, and encourage them to take advantage of the international markets that are going to be available to us,” the Lord Mayor said. 

“So, although the early adopters are the large companies, I think you often see real innovation coming out of the small and medium-sized companies,” he added. 

The Lord Mayor added that he would consider it a success if more British firms expanded into Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council markets, particularly in professional services. 

“I’d also view success as greater investment flows into financial and professional services in the UK,” he concluded. 

Investment trends 
 
During a panel discussion at the World Investment Conference, Nan Li Collins, senior director of investment and enterprise at the UN Conference on Trade and Development, discussed global investment trends, emphasizing the importance of effective regional policies and multilateral efforts to counteract fragmentation and protectionism. 

“I think these are the efforts we need to promote globally for more multilateral reasons, for more regional integration, to lower trade and investment barriers, and then work with countries’ investment promotion agencies to look at how to strengthen investment facilitation,” she added. 

During the discussion, Collins highlighted three key trends shaping the market.

“The first is the long-term trend of trade and investment,” she said, adding that while GDP and trade have grown steadily since the 2008 financial crisis, FDI has stagnated. 

She identified global fracturing as the second trend, noting that investment is increasing in geopolitically aligned countries but declining in more distant ones. 

The third trend is digitization, Collins said, adding that over the last decade, investment in digital services has risen from 60 percent to 80 percent, now accounting for the majority of new global FDI. 


Ithra conference in Saudi Arabia shines spotlight on vibrant Islamic arts

Updated 46 min 49 sec ago
Follow

Ithra conference in Saudi Arabia shines spotlight on vibrant Islamic arts

  • Conference seeks to highlight how traditional crafts can inspire innovative solutions in areas such as design, business and urban development
  • Adding to the immersive experience, three specially curated films explore the artistry and history of Islamic crafts

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, is hosting the second Islamic Art Conference from Nov. 25-30.

In partnership with the Abdullatif Al-Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture, the theme of this year’s event is “In Praise of the Artisan.” Featuring 50 participants from 14 countries, including 27 distinguished speakers, the conference will explore the connection between heritage and innovation in Islamic art.

From panel discussions to live demonstrations, and with a diverse lineup of artists, historians, curators and academics, the program offers attendees an opportunity to engage with the artistry and history of Islamic craftsmanship.

There are thought-provoking lectures, hands-on workshops and interactive demonstrations, all designed to immerse visitors in the beauty and intricacy of Islamic art forms. A central theme this year is the vital role played by artisans in preserving cultural heritage while adapting to contemporary challenges.

Through these discussions, the conference seeks to highlight how traditional crafts can inspire innovative solutions in areas such as design, business and urban development.

Running alongside the event is the “In Praise of the Artisan” exhibition. This display of historical artifacts and contemporary works highlight the timelessness of Islamic artistry through media ranging from ornate wood carvings and luminous textiles to intricately painted ceramics and dazzling metalwork. For those eager to learn skills for themselves, there are workshops on crafts such as embroidery, wood carving and sailboat crafting.

Adding to the immersive experience, three specially curated films explore the artistry and history of Islamic crafts, delving into the lives of artisans and the cultural significance of their work. Each screening is followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Beyond the main exhibition, Ithra’s plaza will host eight mini-exhibits in collaboration with institutions such as The Heritage Commission, The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques. These highlight regional crafts from across the Islamic world, such as Turkey and Egypt, emphasizing the event’s global nature.

Prominent voices such as Dr. Mashary Al-Naim, Dr. Mahmoud Erol Kilic and artist Ahmad Angawi will lead debates on the challenges and opportunities artisans face in preserving their crafts in an era dominated by mass production. Topics will include the integration of craftsmanship into modern business models and the role of artisans in sustainable urban development.

The conference also emphasizes the potential of traditional crafts to drive social change. By fostering collaboration between artisans, designers and cultural institutions, it creates pathways for them to thrive in contemporary markets while maintaining their historical integrity.

One highlight is the work of Dhai Ibrahim Al-Otaibi, a rising star in the art of Naqda embroidery. Known for her innovative approach, Al-Otaibi blends the opulence of traditional silver and gold threads with modern fashion aesthetics.

“Naqda embroidery signifies a critical aspect of Saudi cultural identity, especially in the Eastern and Central regions,” Al-Otaibi told Arab News.

“By reinterpreting these methods, I hope to make this craft more accessible to new generations while preserving its authenticity.”

Al-Otaibi began her journey as an apprentice under the guidance of artisan Sarah Al-Dosari and is one of only 14 of Naqda embroidery practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Her contributions to the exhibition not only show her personal artistry but also underscore the enduring relevance of this centuries-old craft.

“In Praise of the Artisan” will continue at Ithra until December 2027, providing plenty of opportunity to experience the splendor of Islamic arts and their evolving role in a modern world.