Khaleej Times - February 13, 2025

In this issue

February 13, 2025

Arabs bin Trump's Gaza vision

America believes Mideast solution lies in ending Palestinian identity. This is not mediation, says Arab League chief

2 mins

Google's CEO says AI will create many new jobs

Artificial intelligence (AI) will create many new job opportunities, Google's CEO said on Wednesday, shrugging off concerns about new technology taking away jobs of the people.

2 mins

How Blue Visa at 79 changed wildlife expert Khan's life plan

Dubai's renowned wildlife expert Reza Khan was preparing to return to Bangladesh after more than four decades in the UAE when an unexpected call changed everything.

2 mins

Online gaming platform Roblox launches Arabic language support

Popular online game platform Roblox on Wednesday announced the launch of Arabic language support, enhancing accessibility and connectivity for millions of users around the world.

1 min

Soon, renew driving licence, apply for home through voice command with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform government services, eliminating the need for traditional websites and mobile apps.

1 min

'Arab world needs to unite to attract bigger investments'

The Arab world needs to unite to foster an investor-friendly environment for the region as a whole, a top entrepreneur has said.

2 mins

We are victims of exclusion, says Syrian minister

There is an \"urgent need\" to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said on Wednesday.

1 min

Trump's Gaza plan not going to happen: Johnson

War needs to end and the suffering of the people of Gaza needs to end, says the UK’s former PM

2 mins

UAE aims to become hub for space economy, says AI Marri

The UAE wants to focus on not just manufacturing but advanced and complex manufacturing sectors such as space economy, which will rejuvenate the local and regional economies, said Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Ministry of Economy.

1 min

Markets stock up dates to meet Ramadan rush

With Ramadan just weeks away, local markets across the UAE have begun stocking a wide variety of dates, with prices starting as low as Dh10 per kg. While prices are stable for now, vendors anticipate an increase as demand surges closer to the holy month.

1 min

Get up to 60% offas restaurants sell surplus food on new app

UAE residents can now purchase food, sweets and drinks at more than half the usual price from some of their favourite restaurants and F&B outlets.

1 min

'Emirati currency a symbol of UAE's history and culture'

Photographer decodes little-known bols, inscriptions onthe UAE currency

2 mins

Employees take career break to pursue MBA at Abu Dhabi university

Emirati data product manager Hamdan Al Hosani has spent the last seven years carving out a niche for himself in the corporate world.

2 mins

Don't fire, redeploy, say experts to employers

HR professionals in the UAE are urging companies to explore redeploying existing employees to other departments before resorting to layoffs.

2 mins

Modi, US VP Vance discuss diversifying’ India’s energy sourcing

US Vice-President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Tuesday about how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in US nuclear technology, the White House said.

1 min

Oil prices down as US crude stocks rise, hawkish Fed comments weigh

Brent and WTI futures fall more than $1; Fed's Powell signals slower interest rate cuts

2 mins

Pakistan sees economy on long-term recovery path

Pakistan's economy is on a path to long-term recovery, thanks to a stabilisation programme backed by the International Monetary Fund, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said ahead of a first review of a $7-billion IMF bailout set for early in March.

1 min

Workplace leaders most influential in their lives, say UAE employees

This new global study spanned 52 countries and covered the vast majority of the world’s population and economy revealing what people value most in the leaders who positively influence their daily lives

1 min

Emirates airline denies sacking employees for posting viral behind-the-scenes video

Shot during a flight to Shanghai, the video has garnered around 1.3 million views

1 min

Nerves fray in Turkey textile sector as Syrian refugees mull return

As excitement swept through the Syrian community after Bashar Al Assad's overthrow, businesses in Turkey that rely on them for labour began quickly crunching the numbers.

3 mins

How Chalhoub Group grew from a Syrian family business to Dubai's luxury empire

Luxury isn’t just about fashion it’s about vision. Patrick shares how the biggest designer brands stay on top and why Dubai is the group HQ.

3 mins

Lebanon PM says state must extend authority’to all areas

Lebanon's prime minister said on Tuesday the state must be in control of all Lebanese territory, in a televised interview days before a deadline to implement the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.

1 min

Concern mounts over Gaza truce as Israel calls up reservists

Israel's military has called up reservists in preparation for a possible resumption of fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to meet a Saturday deadline to release more Israeli hostages and a nearly month-old ceasefire breaks down.

2 mins

Record number of journalists killed in 2024; Israel mostly responsible: CPJ

A record number of journalists was killed around the world last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday, adding that Israel was responsible for nearly 70 per cent of the deaths.

2 mins

‘Saudi is the best!’: Why are TikTok mumfluencers lauding desert megacity?

Expat \"mumfluencers\" are taking to TikTok to sing the praises of life in Saudi Arabia and to extol the virtues of its new NEOM megacity, filming their idyllic lives spent picnicking by turquoise waters and shopping in gleaming malls.

1 min

‘What would you have us do>’: The plastic credits problem

Twice a day, sirens sound at Cambodia's Chip Mong Insee cement kiln, warning limestone will soon be blasted from the karst mountain that overlooks the sprawling industrial site.

3 mins

The squad saving deer from tourist trash in Japan's Nara

As peckish deer chase delighted tourists in Japan's temple-dotted Nara Park, a quiet but dedicated team of litter-pickers patrols the stone paths, collecting plastic waste that threatens the animals' health.

1 min

Pope tells weekly audience he still has bronchitis

A breathless Pope Francis asked a priest on Wednesday to read out his speech during the weekly audience, saying lingering bronchitis meant he was unable to do it himself.

1 min

Nasa-SpaceX capsule switch poised to bring home Starliner astronauts

Nasa on Tuesday swapped out the astronaut capsule it plans to use for an upcoming routine flight to the International Space Station, a scheduling move that will allow a slightly earlier return for two Starliner astronauts who have been on the station far longer than expected.

1 min

Britain wants to smash the gangs but what gangs?

Small boat crossings increased in 2024; anti-smuggling policies drive people to riskier routes; smugglers often work alone, researchers find

4 mins

UK to refuse citizenship to undocumented migrants

Under new guidance migrants arriving by sea, or hidden in the back of vehicles will normally be refused citizenship

1 min

Musk aide given payment system access by mistake: US official

An Elon Musk aide was mistakenly given clearance to make changes to the US Treasury Department's highly sensitive payments system containing millions of Americans' personal information, a department official said Tuesday.

2 mins

Trump discusses Ukraine war with Putin, Zelensky

Donald Trump discussed the war in Ukraine on Wednesday in phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the new US president’s first big step towards diplomacy over a war he has promised to end.

1 min

Zelensky offers land swaps as Russia heartens Trump with prisoner release

Ukrainian prime minister has in the past refused to cede any territory after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022

3 mins

Trump loses bid to pause judge’s order barring funding freezes

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday lost the latest round in a court battle over his administration's bid to freeze federal spending after an appeals court declined to pause a court order requiring the government to continue delivering funds.

2 mins

We gave our full effort, says Rizwan after stunning win

Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha cracked centuries to guide Pakistan into the tri-series final with a thumping six-wicket win over South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday.

2 mins

Asalanka leads from the front as Sri Lanka upstage weakened Australia

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka led by example and smashed a belligerent hundred to set up a 49-run victory over a depleted Australia in their low-scoring opening one-day international in Colombo on Wednesday.

1 min

Rohit hails near-perfect India after clean sweep

Skipper Rohit Sharma praised a near-perfect India after the home team completed a 3-0 series sweep against England on the back of Shubman Gill's fluent hundred and some incisive bowling.

3 mins

Starc pulls out of Champions Trophy, Smith to lead Australia

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons, leaving the squad without its three frontline quicks for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the UAE. Starc's withdrawal comes after pace stalwarts Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were ruled out due to injuries.

1 min

‘i will fight’: Khelif responds to boxing organisation

Algerian gold-winning boxer Imane Khelif has denounced \"false and offensive\" allegations after the International Boxing Association (IBA) said it will sue the International Olympic Committee over her and another female athlete's inclusion at the games' women's boxing last year.

1 min

Football Australia backs Kerr amid calls to strip her of captaincy

Football Australia said on Wednesday it looked forward to Sam Kerr's return to the pitch after the national women's captain was found not guilty of racial abuse but the episode has left a sour taste for some fans and pundits in Australia.

1 min

Moroccan surfer proud to represent the region at Abu Dhabi Pro

Ramzi Boukhiam, the topranked Arab surfer, has been making waves in the region’s surfing community since he was less than half the size of the onrushing ocean swells of which he expertly weaved in and out.

2 mins

Real Madrid late show at Etihad Stadium exposes City's decline

Real Madrid once again twisted the knife into Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to compound a troubled season for the English champions and leave them on the brink of an early Champions League exit.

2 mins

UAE's Alkaabi, Alblooshi win gold at Fazza Para Athletics GP

The hosts UAE continued to excel at the ongoing Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025, claiming two more gold medals besides other medals on the second day of competitions in Dubai.

1 min

Daisy Ridley to reprise role for Star Wars sequel

Actor Daisy Ridley has confirmed that she will be returning to the Star Wars universe to reprise her role of Rey.

1 min

Jesse Eisenberg has only bad memories' of hosting SNL

Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg recalled his Saturday Night Live (SNL) hosting gig in 2011, calling it one of his biggest accomplishments. However, he did acknowledge that he doesn’t have the best memories of the experience.

1 min

Raza Murad slams YouTuber Ranveer for rude remarks

Veteran actor Raza Murad has reacted to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on the show India’s Got Latent, hosted by comedian Samay Raina. Calling it a publicity stunt, he said that it has left everyone in “shock”.

2 mins

Novelist Salman Rushdie faces accused stabber in New York courtroom

Salman Rushdie spoke calmly and with occasional dry humor as he testified on Tuesday against the man accused of trying to murder him, the first time the two have been in the same place since the 2022 knife attack on the novelist onstage at a New York arts institute.

1 min

I swear by the director'

The Indian actress, currently on a streak of popular hits, talks about her upcoming film Chhaava, her stardom, and how she picks the right roles

3 mins

Food with feeling

With stunning views and a delightful Franco-East Asian menu that's been curated for the occasion, your Bar des Prés date this Valentine's promises to be one for the books

2 mins

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Khaleej Times Newspaper Description:

Khaleej Times is the first English newspaper to be launched in the UAE in 1978.

The broadsheet comprises of the general news section, the business pages and a lively sports section. Khaleej Times is the highest circulated of the English language newspapers throughout the Gulf.

It reaches out to all parts of the UAE. Additionally, it covers Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through a dedicated distribution network.