Author: Editorial Team
TEHRAN — Iran’s military doctrine is shifting from a defensive to an offensive posture based on lessons learned from the country’s recent wars, an Iranian army spokesman said Saturday. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia told state news agency IRNA that the change had gradually emerged during what he described as the 12-day and 40-day wars. “Our country’s military doctrine was defensive in the past, but gradually during these two wars, we witnessed the military doctrine moving from a defensive posture toward an offensive one,” Akraminia said. He stressed that adopting an offensive doctrine did not necessarily mean Iran would conduct preemptive…
STOCKHOLM — The victim killed in a sword attack at a school in central Sweden was a 17-year-old girl, police said Saturday, as investigators continued to examine the motive behind the assault. An 18-year-old man armed with a sword carried out the attack at Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm, while classes were in session Friday. The attack left one person dead and three others injured, including two seriously. Police arrested the suspect and are investigating the case as murder and attempted murder. Authorities said there was no indication that additional perpetrators were involved. Officials in Vastmanland County said…
Irfan Shaikh. Founder and Managing Director Irfan Shaikh shares how intelligent automation, AI-powered analytics and an integrated digital ecosystem are driving operational excellence, scalability, and customer-centric innovation Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of business, from operations and customer engagement to decision-making and long-term growth. At Office Connect Group, AI is more than a technology upgrade. It is driving a fundamental transformation across the organisation’s diverse business verticals. Through intelligent automation, advanced analytics and an integrated digital ecosystem, the company is building a more agile, scalable and customer-centric enterprise. In this interview, Irfan Shaikh, Founder and Managing Director, Office Connect…
Al-Badayea Dates Market in Qassim Region is experiencing strong commercial momentum, driven by high consumer turnout, diverse date supplies, and active participation from local farmers, marketers, and young entrepreneurs. Organized under the seasonal market framework overseen by the National Center for Palms and Dates, in cooperation with relevant authorities, the market aims to improve marketing efficiency, raise service standards, and expand the market reach of premium local produce. Featuring dedicated auction yards and retail zones, the market showcases a wide selection of dates, led by the signature Sukkari variety, offering consumers diverse options in quality, grading, and packaging at competitive…
KHOBAR — Ten-man Al Ittihad secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al Qadsiah on Friday, with George Ilenikhena scoring the decisive goal late in the first half in the Roshn Saudi League. Al Qadsiah made the stronger start and nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Mateo Retegui met a dangerous low cross, but defensive pressure prevented him from directing his effort on target. Al Ittihad responded almost immediately, forcing goalkeeper Ahmed Al Kassar into action as he tipped a high ball onto the crossbar before clearing the rebound ahead of Youssef En-Nesyri. At the other end, Al…
VISAKHAPATNAM — Authorities in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have launched an investigation after a six-year-old boy collapsed and died after allegedly being slapped by a teacher in his classroom. Security camera footage from the school in Visakhapatnam shows a female teacher holding the child by his clothes before slapping him across the face, after which he collapses. The boy has been identified by local media as Pranay Tej. Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh said authorities were taking legal action against those responsible as well as the school management. “Corporal punishment has no place in…
Massive Media has established itself as one of the top press release agencies in Dubai, helping startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and organizations across the UAE and the wider MENA region strengthen their visibility, communicate their achievements, and connect with relevant media audiences. Founded with a focus on making professional public relations more accessible to growing businesses, Massive Media has developed a comprehensive approach to press release distribution that combines strategic content development, media targeting, English-Arabic translation, distribution, and media coverage reporting. Its approach has enabled the agency to support businesses across a wide range of sectors, including technology, finance,…
Ramki Jayaraman, Managing Partner at Synarchy Consulting, outlines the importance of sovereign cloud, its dependencies and more in this exclusive op-ed. For most of the past two decades, MENA built its digital economy by importing capability. Global cloud providers supplied the infrastructure, international software houses supplied the platforms, and enterprises across the region became sophisticated buyers and integrators of technology developed elsewhere. That model served the region well, accelerating digitisation and allowing organisations to leapfrog legacy infrastructure. But the next phase will be shaped by a different question. Technology leaders across MENA are no longer asking only which technologies they…
Farasan Islands Protected Area in Jazan has cemented its position as a global model for nature conservation, as reported by the National Center for Wildlife, by achieving three major international milestones: designation under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 2021, addition to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2025, and inclusion on the IUCN Green List in 2026 for exemplary environmental governance and biodiversity protection. As one of Saudi Arabia’s premier marine protected areas, the Farasan Islands embody the Kingdom’s ongoing conservation achievements in safeguarding biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem sustainability, and balancing natural resource protection with…
WASHINGTON — The United States imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian products early Saturday, prompting Canada to announce immediate retaliatory measures after last-minute negotiations failed to resolve a deepening trade dispute between the longtime allies. President Donald Trump’s tariffs affect roughly 5% of Canada’s annual exports to the United States and cover products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. “Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement. The retaliatory move escalates the trade conflict between two of the world’s closest…