Author: Ramalaan Nasser

The complete guide to Dubai uncovers everything visitors need to know and what to see, plus thrilling things to do in all seasons. Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and its commercial capital, is a dazzling oasis that impresses with its futuristic architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Despite its rapid growth, Dubai retains a touch of the Arabic charm that made it a trading hub centuries ago. The city’s skyline, dominated by the iconic Burj Khalifa, is a testament to its ambition and innovation. Visitors to Dubai can explore the bustling Gold Souk, indulge in world-class dining,…

Tajikistan Pamiris Welcome Eid-ul Fitr Amidst Repression Paris, Brussels (21/04 – 50)Pamiri Muslims in Tajikistan, who mostly are followers of the Ismaili branch of Shi’ism, celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday. Residing in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in southeastern Tajikistan, the Ismaili Pamiris welcomed Eid-ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan holy month of fasting, despite the continued repression and oppression campaign launched by the central government regime in Dushanbe. There were many previous military and militia interventions since the end of the civil war (1992-1997) targeting the Pamiris who struggle to maintain their own identity and…

There’s a country in the Middle East that’s been embarking on a massive construction spree. But we’re not talking about the UAE, Qatar or Saudi Arabia. This is Israel, where half-built high-rises have been popping up and dominating the skyline for years. Now a global hub for innovation — from start-ups to tech giants like Microsoft — and home to a growing population, demand for bigger buildings and infrastructure is on the rise. Getting the industry to adapt to a larger workload hasn’t been easy, but technology is leading the way. This is how construction in Israel is gathering serious…

Shares in UAE-based currency exchange company Al Ansari Financial Services climbed 16.5% above its listing price on its market debut after raising $210.5 million in an initial public offering (IPO) for 10% of the business. The shares traded at 1.2 dirhams as the Dubai market opened on Thursday, against an IPO price near the top of the indicative range at 1.03 a share. Al Ansari is one of the first family-owned businesses to go public in the United Arab Emirates. Family businesses account for about 60% of gross domestic product in the Gulf and employ about 80% of the workforce,…

ISLAMABAD – Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held a meeting with Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani at the Parliament House here on Wednesday. The meeting was aimed at discussing the strengthening of bilateral relations between Qatar and Pakistan, and exploring new avenues for cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, said a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat. The ambassador delivered a letter of appreciation to Sanjrani expressing gratitude on behalf of Speaker of the Shura Council of the State of Qatar Hassan bin Abdulla AI-Ghanim for the Senate’s unanimous resolution…

Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on 2-3 August 2022 provoked China into an irrationality with which it will have to live for a long time. In the run-up to the 20th Party Congress, political stakes and nationalism in China were at a high. When the frail old lady went ahead with her ‘poke in China’s eye’ visit, she forced Xi Jinping’s hand. He resorted to showcasing the uncompromising and tough Chinese image. China carried out high decibel firing drills around Taiwan. Such belligerent Chinese military action around the first chain of Islands was unprecedented. However, as Newton stated, every action…

Uber-backed ride hailing service Careem announced on Tuesday an end to its operations in Qatar. The surprise announcement, which went into effect immediately on Feb. 28, comes just months after the country became the first Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup. Careem played a key role in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, expanding its fleet in the country by 50% in November, while growing in neighboring Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Careem also for the first time offered inter-country round-trip rides from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Qatar for the soccer tournament, which allowed customers to travel to matches by…

An ultra-conservative Jewish politician on Monday said he was resigning from his role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government after failing to advance his agenda, but that he would still support the coalition in parliament. Avi Maoz, whose Noam party had one of the Knesset’s 120 seats, was made a deputy minister in Netanyahu’s office as part of the coalition sworn in on Dec. 29, with responsibilities for encouraging stringent observance of Jewish law in the country. His inclusion shook Israel’s once-dominant secular liberals, who have been holding weekly mass-demonstrations against reforms sought by Netanyahu to curb the power of…

Rishi Sunak has negotiated an agreement, in the form of the Windsor Framework, that has required the EU to give significant ground while getting nothing in return. The DUP tail must not now be allowed to wag the government dog, and Brexiteer Tory MPs must resist the temptation to seek ideological purity on the single issue of the European Court of Justice’s jurisdiction. To triumph electorally, the Tories must retain the support of significant numbers of Remain voters as well as Brexiteers, most of whom have no interest in the Northern Ireland Protocol. Swing voters, in particular, have other priorities, which…

Kenes Rakhisev, chairman of Board of Directors at Kazakhstan’s Fincraft Resources, and Sandeep Jajodia, managing director of Indian holding company Monnet Group, reached an agreement to jointly establish a ferroalloy plant in Kazakhstan. A memorandum of understanding was signed in Astana on December 14, 2022. The plant is ceremoniously named TB Alloys Kazakh Limited. The new plant is envisioned to be constructed in the industrial zone of Taraz city with the company has already started preparation works. Taraz is the administrative seat of Jambyl region in the south of the country near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Initially, the plant will have…