Middle East

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) decided to reduce the repurchase agreement (repo) rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%, and reduce the reverse repurchase agreement (reverse repo) rate by 50 basis points to 5.00%. The bank said the decision is consistent with its goal of …

TOKYO — A Japanese handheld radio manufacturer has distanced itself from walkie-talkies bearing its logo that exploded in Lebanon, saying it discontinued production of the devices a decade ago. At least 20 people were killed and 450 injured after hundreds of walkie-talkies, some used by the armed group Hezbollah, exploded …

NEW YORK — The UN General Assembly has adopted a Palestinian-drafted, non-binding resolution demanding Israel end “its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months. There were 124 votes in favor and 14 against, including Israel, along with 43 abstentions. As a non-member observer state, Palestine could …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has affirmed that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel is contingent on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, said in a speech before the Shura Council on behalf of the Custodian …

The death toll from a series of new ICOM wireless communication device explosions in Lebanon has risen to 20. The death toll in Lebanon from the explosions of ICOM wireless communication devices Wednesday has risen to 20, with more than 450 injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones to support integration between the geospatial sector and drone system. The MoU covered efforts by both parties to enhance coordination regarding …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in cooperation with the National Information Technology Development Program (NTDP), launched the “Tamkeen” initiative to support Saudi technical cadres in micro, small and medium enterprises. The move is aimed at enhancing the growth of the digital economy in line …

BEIRUT — At least 20 people have been killed and more than 450 wounded by a second wave of explosions from wireless communication devices in Lebanon, the country’s health ministry says. Walkie-talkies used by the armed group Hezbollah blew up in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, the Bekaa …

WASHINGTON — One of America’s most influential labor unions, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has declined to issue a US presidential endorsement for the first time since 1996. The union, which boasts some 1.3 million members across the US and Canada, said it had received “few commitments on top …

HONG KONG — A 10-year-old boy attending a Japanese school in southern China has died after being stabbed on his way to class on Wednesday, according to Tokyo’s foreign minister, in the second knife attack near a Japanese school in the country in recent months. The boy was attacked by …