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  • Saudi Arabia’s series of law changes eases entry for investment and companies

    Two important laws that came out in the past week include an update to the new investment law which puts Saudi and non-Saudi investors on an equal footing and the amendments to the labour law that are expected to benefit employees and employers and enhance their relationship. As part of the law, there will no longer be a system of getting a foreign investment licence, instead, there will be an investment register that's operated by the Ministry of Investment.

  • Saudi Arabia launches National Kidney Exchange Program between families

    The program enables reciprocal kidney transplant between a pair of patients and their donors for the first time in the Kingdom, between families at King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, and King Abdulaziz Medical City at the National Guard in Riyadh, under the supervision of the SCOT.

  • Saudi Arabia announces major labour law changes; maternity leave extended, new notice rules, more paid leave

    Wide ranging changes include the extension of maternity leave, paid leave for the death of a sibling and defined notice periods for indefinite contracts. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development indicated that the recent amendments to several articles of the labour law, approved by the Cabinet session on Tuesday, August 6, will contribute to creating a more attractive work environment for employees and achieving sustainable development, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

  • King Salman issues royal order to change name of Saudi housing ministry

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued an order on Sunday to change the name of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudi Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail expressed his gratitude to King Salman, and stressed that the name change was a progressive step reflecting the nation’s commitment to fostering an advanced urban environment in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives.

  • Climate-tech startups could help the Middle East adapt to climate change—if they can get funding

    Though states such as Qatar and Kuwait have invested billions to bring in tourists, investment in climate-focused startups has begun lagging in the region. Climate tech investment in the Middle East declined by more than 80% in 2023 to $152 million, compared to about $1 billion in 2022. Sulaiman Amin, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based clean startup accelerator Catalyst, says this is due in part to risk-averse investors who want a more rapid return than many climate ventures can deliver.

  • Coffee is getting more expensive thanks to climate change

    The price of a standard contract — a 100-piece lot of 60-kilogram bags — topped $300 on Tuesday before settling slightly lower. The commodity is up nearly 28% for the year and 56% compared to a year ago. Like with cocoa, coffee harvests are shrinking because of climate change. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that soaring global temperatures and fluctuating rainfall patterns are making it harder for traditional exporting nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil to maintain harvest levels.

  • A new esports tournament in Saudi Arabia promises to be a game-changer – but it’s also caused division in the industry

    The Esports World Cup (EWC) – which began on July 3 – has brought together professional gamers, publishers and fans from across the world for an eight-week competitive gaming bonanza. Its record-breaking prize pool of more than $60 million has raised eyebrows and Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation which is organizing the event, told CNN Sport that the spectacle will help unite the industry.

  • Saudi Tadawul Group Invests in Dubai Exchange

    The acquisition sees Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Company become the joint largest shareholder in DME Holdings Limited, the parent company of Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), alongside CME Group, through the acquisition of a mix of new and existing shares. DME will be rebranded as the Gulf Mercantile Exchange (GME) to reflect its position as the key regional commodities exchange in the Middle East.

  • Climate change boosted deadly Saudi haj heat by 2.5 C, scientists say

    The heatwave in Saudi Arabia blamed for the deaths of 1,300 people on the haj pilgrimage this month was made worse by climate change, a team of European scientists said on Friday. Temperatures along the route from June 16 to 18 reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) at times and exceeded 51.8 C at Mecca's Great Mosque. The heat would have been approximately 2.5 C (4.5 F) cooler without the influence of human-caused climate change, according to a weather attribution analysis, opens new tab by ClimaMeter.

  • How Did the Taliban Power Grab Change Afghanistan’s Opium Economy?

    With the Taliban retaking power in April 2022, the new Afghan government instituted a strict ban on the cultivation of poppy, not only curtailing the supply of illicit substances like heroin but also that of medical prescription opioids. As a result, potential opium production dropped by 95 percent between 2022 and 2023 to 333 tons.