Author: Gulf News Week

Speaking at Web Summit Qatar, Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani unveils the ‘Core Project’, urging a shift from speed to context in the AI era.Journalism has acquired a renewed importance at a time technology guided by algorithmic systems has “fuelled new forms of polarisation”, the media Media Network’s director general says, adding that the Doha-based network aims to review its role and purpose in the digital age.“Algorithmic systems, attention-based economic models and instant interaction have fuelled new forms of polarisation and deepened division instead of dialogue. They have built echo chambers where people live cut off from other narratives…

Former Real Madrid teammate and current SPL rival Karim Benzema’s move has upset Cristiano Ronaldo, reports say.Two of the most popular footballers in the world have caused a stir in Saudi football on the final day of the midyear transfer window.Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French football icon Karim Benzema, both of whom play in the Saudi Pro League (SPL), were in the news on Monday for their off-field actions.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4A complete guide to the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan-Cortinalist 2 of 4‘Intrusion of politics’: Pakistan’s boycott of India game divides opinionlist 3…

Analysts see various factors at play for price swings, from Trump’s unpredictability to distrust in economic systems.Gold and silver prices have been on a rollercoaster ride in the past few days.After racking up huge gains over the past year to hit record highs, prices of the precious metals fell sharply on Friday and Monday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Musk merges SpaceX and xAI firms, plans for space-based AI data centreslist 2 of 4Jobs, cash, loans: Can Bangladesh’s parties deliver on election promises?list 3 of 4The drones being used in Sudan: 1,000 attacks since April 2023list 4 of…

Syrian forces move into the northeastern city, which was previously under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF.The Syrian army has moved into the northeastern city of Hasakah, which was formerly under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a first step towards implementing a US-backed ceasefire deal.A large convoy of trucks was seen entering the city on Monday hours after the SDF declared a curfew there.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF accuse each other of ceasefire violationslist 2 of 3Syrian army offensive overjoys some, leaves others with ‘existential’ fearlist 3 of 3US…

The state-imposed blackout has disconnected Iranians from the world and choked off businesses.Tehran, Iran – Iran’s economic outlook appears increasingly grim more than three weeks after the start of what became one of the most comprehensive and prolonged state-imposed internet blackouts in history, impacting a population of more than 90 million people.Iranian authorities abruptly cut off all communications across the country on the night of January 8, at the height of nationwide protests that the United Nations and international human rights organisations say were suppressed with the use of deadly force.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran eyes progress towards…

Iran examines regional proposals to ease tensions with the US as it expects a framework for talks in the coming days.Iran has said that it expects progress on a framework to restart nuclear talks with the United States as unverified reports suggest the country’s president has ordered the revival of the negotiations.Tehran said on Monday that it is examining several diplomatic processes pitched by countries in the region to ease tensions with Washington, adding that it expects a framework for talks in the coming days.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iraq Shia bloc reiterates support for al-Maliki despite…

Eight more charities say they will not hand Israel details about their Palestinian staff, fearing for their safety.As Israel cracks down on international aid groups supporting Palestinians after decimating Gaza’s healthcare system, eight NGOs have told media they will defy an order to provide information about their colleagues in the strip and the rest of occupied Palestinian territory.Action Aid, Alianza por la Solidaridad, Medecins du Monde, Medicos Del Mundo, Premiere Urgence Internationale, American Friends Service Committee, Medico International and Medical Aid For Palestinians have joined Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, in refusing to comply…

Reopening of the link between the Palestinian enclave and Egypt is stipulated under the second phase of the US-brokered ‘ceasefire’.Gaza’s key Rafah border crossing has reopened for limited traffic after almost two years of closure, officials have said.The crossing – linking the Palestinian enclave with Egypt, Gaza’s only border passage that does not lead to Israel – reopened on Monday.A vital entry point for humanitarian supplies and passage for people awaiting medical evacuation, the crossing’s reopening is stipulated under the United States-brokered “ceasefire” that halted the war between Israel and Hamas in October.However, the reopening is limited. ⁠Israel and Egypt…

Strong non-oil performance underpins annual growth, while a late-year oil surge propels Q4 momentum as Kingdom outpaces global forecasts. RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s economy grew by 4.5% in 2025, propelled by significant gains in both oil and non-oil sectors, according to flash estimates from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The expansion underscores the Kingdom’s continued progress in economic diversification. While oil activities grew 5.6% for the full year, non-oil sectors rose 4.9%, contributing nearly two-thirds (2.7 percentage points) of the overall growth. Government services expanded by 0.9% over the same period. “Momentum accelerated toward year-end,” GASTAT noted, reporting a…

The 1,000-km state-funded line, built with Chinese partners, aims to fuel steel ambitions, cut $1.2bn in imports, and diversify from oil and gas. ALGIERS – Algeria on Sunday opened a strategic 1,000-kilometer railway designed to unlock one of the world’s largest iron ore deposits, marking a pivotal step in the country’s plan to become an African steel powerhouse and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune inaugurated the desert line, which connects the remote Gara Djebilet mine near Tindouf to the northern city of Béchar. From there, ore will be transported to a steel plant in Oran. Hailing it…