DUBAI – U.A.E : Dubai ranks among world’s top five, leads Arab World in Shipping Centre Development Index 2025

Dubai has reinforced its status as a leading global maritime hub, earning the title of “the crown jewel of the Middle East’s maritime sector,” according to the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index report, issued by Xinhua News Agency in collaboration with the Baltic Exchange. The report ranks Dubai among the top five global shipping centres and first in the Arab region.

Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, part of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, hailed the achievement stating: “Dubai’s ranking as fifth globally and first in the Arab world in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index reflects the vision of our leadership, as well as the effective coordination between strategic partners and maritime sector companies in the emirate.

We remain committed to continuous development, delivering world-class services, adopting global maritime best practices, implementing innovative solutions, updating regulations, and fostering a thriving maritime business environment to position Dubai as an innovative and sustainable global centre for shipping and logistics.”

The report highlights Dubai’s comprehensive maritime ecosystem, offering navigation services, shipbuilding and repair, and capacity to handle the increasing number of vessels. It also emphasised the Dubai Maritime Transport Plan 2030, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to expand maritime transport usage, enhance the network of marine transportation, and develop Dubai Maritime City.

The report specifically praised Jebel Ali Port for its strategic role as a regional shipping hub, underpinned by continuous investment in infrastructure and services. In 2024, the port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the highest since 2015, accounting for 18% of the total 88.3 million TEUs managed by DP World, the port operator.

On sustainability, the report highlighted Jebel Ali Port’s initiatives to reduce emissions, including the provision of biofuel for ships, installation of 50,000 m² of solar panels for renewable energy, and the use of electric vehicles for container handling—contributing to an annual reduction of 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of Dubai Ports Authority, commented: “We take pride in this achievement, which underscores Dubai’s strong position as a global maritime hub. Jebel Ali Port, operated by DP World under the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, continues to excel at both regional and international levels.

Dubai Ports Authority is committed to proactive measures to enhance the maritime sector’s contribution to the strategic objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, through its three ports—Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, and Hamriyah—despite global economic challenges and market fluctuations. We are dedicated to preserving the emirate’s marine environment and ensuring the highest operational safety standards in the maritime sector.”

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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DUBAI, U.A.E.

IRAQ : Hasan Hadi becomes first Iraqi to win Cannes Best Feature Debut

Hasan Hadi, the first filmmaker from Iraq to be selected for the prestigious Cannes Festival, on Saturday won a top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in “The President’s Cake”.

His first feature-length film follows nine-year-old Lamia after her school teacher picks her to bake the class a cake for President Saddam Hussein’s birthday or risk being denounced for disloyalty.

It is the early 1990s, the country is under crippling UN sanctions, and she and her grandmother can barely afford to eat.

The pair set off from their home in the marshlands into town to try to track down the unaffordable ingredients.

Hadi dedicated his Camera d’Or award, which honours first-time directors, to “every kid or child around the world who somehow finds love, friendship and joy amid war, sanctions and dictatorship.

“You are the real heroes,” he said.

He later shared the stage with dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who won the festival’s Palme D’Or top prize for his “It Was Just an Accident”, the tale of five ordinary Iranians confronting a man they believed tortured them in jail. 

“The President’s Cake” has received excellent reviews since premiering last week in the Directors’ Fortnight section. Cinema bible Variety called it a “tragicomic gem”.

Deadline said it was “head and shoulders above” some of the films in the running for the festival’s Palme d’Or top prize, and “could turn out to be Iraq’s first nominee for an Oscar”.

– Palestinian films –

Also from the Middle East, Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom received his award for his short film “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now”.

After giving thanks, he took the opportunity to mention the war in Gaza.

“In 20 years from now when we are visiting the Gaza Strip, try not to think about the dead and have a nice trip,” he said.

US President Donald Trump sparked controversy this year by saying he wanted to turn the war-ravaged Palestinian territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Outside the main competition, Gazan twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser on Friday received a directing award in the Certain Regard parallel section for “Once Upon A Time In Gaza”.

One of them dedicated the award to Palestinians, especially those living in their homeland of Gaza, which they left in 2012.

He said that, when they hesitated to return to Cannes to receive the prize, his mother had encouraged him to go and tell the world about the suffering of people in Gaza.

“She said, ‘No, no, no, you have to go. Tell them to stop the genocide’,” he said.

Amnesty International last month said Israel was carrying out a “live-streamed genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, claims Israel dismissed as “blatant lies”.

source/content : iraqinews.com (headline edited)

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Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi in Cannes, France

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IRAQ

MOROCCO : ‘Arab Youth Pioneers’ Selects Bouthaina Boujarda for Water-Powered Car Invention

The initiative aims to strengthen the global presence of Arab youth leaders and connect them with investors and decision-makers.

Moroccan young innovator Bouthaina Boujarda has been selected for the fourth edition of the “Arab Youth Pioneers” initiative, which started on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The initiative celebrates young people across the Arab world who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in various fields.

The young Moroccan woman, known for inventing a water-powered car, is participating in the “Industries and Innovation” track. 

“Being selected as part of the fourth edition of Arab Youth Pioneers is a tremendous honor. I feel a great sense of responsibility toward all Arab youth,” Boujarda said.

For her, being among this “elite” group is not only a recognition, but also a “mission … to promote the Arabic language and the achievements of Arabs around the world, and to empower them to become leaders on a global scale.”

Boujarda spoke of how significant every moment is when she feels that she is making a real impact or when a colleague tells her she is capable of creating change. “These are the moments that fill me with pride, moments when I feel that I have genuinely contributed to Arab society,” she stated.

The young innovator hopes that her achievements are not just for herself and that she is not just a name that passes by and is forgotten. “I hope that I can truly be one of the prominent figures who leave a lasting impact on future generations.”

In addition to the Industries and Innovation track, the initiative features nine other specialized tracks, including Community Service, Scientific Research, Space and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Sustainability and Environment, Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, and Media and Digital Citizenship. A total of 40 young pioneers from 13 Arab countries are participating.

The event runs until September 19 and is organized by the Arab Youth Center in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council, with the support of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Emirates Foundation, along with leading entrepreneurs and strategic partners.

The initiative aims to strengthen the global presence of Arab youth leaders and connect them with investors and decision-makers to provide more opportunities for funding, mentorship, and idea development. It also seeks to expand cooperation between the public and private sectors to support and develop youth-led projects.

UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center, Sultan Al Neyadi, said the initiative is an exceptional platform to help young people turn their ideas into impactful achievements that contribute to the development of their communities.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited0

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MOROCCO

ARAB : 6 Arab films submitted to the Oscars

Several Arab countries and filmmakers of Arab origin have submitted entries to the 98th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 15 next year.

 01- ‘All That’s Left of You’

This multigenerational drama by Palestinian filmmaker Cherien Dabis follows the struggles and memories of a Palestinian family from 1948 to the present day.

02 –  ‘Happy Birthday’

Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher, the film follows an 8-year-old child maid striving to make her wealthy friend’s birthday a success in Cairo.

03 – ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’

This reconstruction of the tragic events of January 2024, when 6-year-old Hind Rajab was killed by the Israeli military while fleeing Gaza City by car, is by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania.

 04 – ‘Calle Malaga’

Directed by Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani, the story follows Maria Angeles, a woman determined to keep her childhood home in Morocco after her daughter decides to sell it.

 05 – ‘The President’s Cake’

From Iraqi director Hasan Hadi comes the story of 9-year-old Lamia, who must bake a birthday cake for the president or face punishment.

06 –  ‘Eagles of the Republic’

Created by Swedish Egyptian director Tarik Saleh, the movie centers on a fictional Egyptian actor whose reputation collapses in the public eye.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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ARAB

QATAR : Ammar Ismail records Asia’s fastest 400m time of 2025

Team Qatar’s Ammar Ismail delivered a standout performance at the Voor Mon Meeting in Belgium, clocking 44.90 seconds in the men’s 400m. 

The result marked not only his season’s best but also the fastest Asian time of the year, underscoring his rise as one of the region’s premier sprinters.

Ammar finished second behind USA’s Bryce Deadmon (44.86 secs) on Saturday. 

The achievement highlights Ismail’s strong preparation ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, where he is expected to compete as a serious contender. 

source/content: thepeninsulaqatar.com (headline edited)

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QATAR

EGYPT : Cairo climbs global innovation rankings to enter world’s top 100 clusters

Cairo has secured a place among the world’s top 100 innovation clusters for the first time, rising 12 spots to 83rd in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, published by the United Nations’ (UN) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The Egyptian capital is the only cluster in both the Arab world and Africa to feature in the rankings, which measure patent activity, scientific publishing, and venture capital deals.

According to the report, Cairo recorded seven international patent applications (PCT) over the past five years, published 1,115 scientific articles, and secured 21 venture capital (VC) deals per million inhabitants.

Collectively, the top 100 clusters account for approximately 70 percent of global PCT filings and VC activity, as well as half of all scientific publishing.

Cairo University (24%), Ain Shams University (14%), and the National Research Centre (13%) were cited as the main contributors to academic output.

Syware Systems, the American University in Cairo, and the state-owned Engineering for Petroleum and Process Industries (Enppi) led patent activity.

Nearly a quarter of Cairo’s patents were co-filed with inventors in global tech hubs such as San Francisco and London, while almost 40 percent of its research papers were co-authored with partners in Riyadh, Islamabad, and Beijing.

Egypt’s higher education ministry hailed the achievement as evidence of growing international collaboration and pointed to its “National Policy for Sustainable Innovation 2030”, issued earlier this year, as part of efforts to link universities more closely with industry.

The Global Innovation Index ranks clusters based on their concentration of inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

The top hubs remain dominated by North America, Europe, and East Asia, led by Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou, Tokyo–Yokohama, and Silicon Valley.

Cairo’s move up the rankings, from 95th last year, highlights its emerging role as a regional centre for science and technology.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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EGYPT

KUWAITI researchers secure U.S. patent for innovative sleep apnea test

In a landmark achievement for national research and innovation, a team from the Dasman Diabetes Institute — established by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health — has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a groundbreaking diagnostic test for sleep apnea.

The patented test, a qualitative blood-based method, enables early detection of sleep apnea, a widespread condition linked to serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases including angina and heart attacks. This milestone marks the first of three patents currently under development by the institute.

The invention is the product of extensive collaboration led by Dr. Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Al-Turki, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head and Neck Surgeon at the Ministry of Health, who worked closely with the Dasman Diabetes Institute’s research team under the supervision of Professor Fahad Al-Mulla, Chief Scientific Officer. Their efforts were further supported by Dr. Faisal Hamed Al-Refaei, Acting Director General of the Institute.

This success highlights the strength of institutional cooperation, particularly between the Dasman Diabetes Institute and the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, both operating under the umbrella of KFAS.

Together, they are advancing an integrated strategy to support Kuwaiti researchers, empower young talent, and launch pioneering programs that raise the quality of scientific research. These efforts not only enhance public health but also reinforce Kuwait’s position in regional and global scientific communities.

source/content: timeskuwait.com (headline edited)

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KUWAIT

BAHRAINI diplomat Talal Ibrahim Al Absi elected President of ‘Young Diplomats in London’

Counsellor Talal Ibrahim Al Absi, Diplomat with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, has been elected President of the Young Diplomats in London (YDL).

According to the Bahrain News Agency, Counsellor Al Absi’s election marks the first time a GCC diplomat has held the presidency of the association since it was founded 17 years ago.

The association was established in 2008 to enhance ties between young members of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to the UK by organising cultural and social events, promoting understanding between peoples, and helping new diplomats integrate into the UK political, social and cultural scene.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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BAHRAIN

ALGERIA : 24th Arab Athletics Championships 2025 : Algeria Crowned Champion with 53 Medals, Including 18 Gold

Algerian national team has won the title of the 24th Arab Athletics championships, wrapped up Sunday evening at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Stadium in Oran (432-km west of Algiers), after collecting a total of 53 medals (18 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze).

On the first day of the competition, the Algerian athletes won the majority of events, outclassing their opponents all along the championship.

On Sunday, Algerian athletes clinched 16 medals (7 gold, 4 silver 5 bronze), namely Ouanis Chaima (400m hurdles), Chentif Haithem (800m), Hocine Tarek (long jump), Ramdani Ouarchi (5000m) and the men’s and women’s 4 x 400m relay.

The silver medals went to Karkas Wissal (triple jump), Reffas Abid (women’s 1500m), Lamraoui Louai (men’s long jump), Boudjeltia Zakaria (5000m).

The bronze medals were won by Benkaci Manel (women’s 200m), Houma Sarah (women’s 400m hurdles), Ouaba Leiticia (women’s triple jump), Benyache Adem (men’s 200m) and Boukhamouche Saber (men’s 400m hurdles).

source/content: al24news.dz (headline edited)

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ALGERIA

YEMEN : UNESCO Adds 26 New Sites to Yemen’s World Heritage Tentative List, Reinforcing Its Status as a Cradle of Civilizations

UNESCO has officially added 26 new cultural and natural sites in Yemen to its World Heritage Tentative List, marking a historic expansion that underscores the country’s enduring legacy as a cradle of ancient civilizations.

The newly listed sites span a wide geographic and historical spectrum—from the ancient cities of Ma’in and Tarim to the incense trade routes and biodiversity reserves in Hadhramaut. This brings Yemen’s total tentative entries to 35, reflecting its rich tapestry of archaeological landmarks, architectural marvels, and ecological treasures.

The nomination process was led by Yemen’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in collaboration with regional heritage organizations and a team of Yemeni experts. Despite the country’s ongoing humanitarian and political challenges, the effort signals a renewed commitment to preserving and promoting Yemen’s cultural identity on the global stage.

Mohammed Jumaih, Yemen’s representative to UNESCO, hailed the achievement as “a significant gain for Yemen’s heritage protection,” emphasizing that the recognition affirms the country’s historical depth and its contributions to human civilization.

From the towering mudbrick structures of Shibam Kawkaban to the ancient water systems of the Himyarite Kingdom, each site tells a story of innovation, resilience, and cultural exchange. The inclusion of these landmarks not only enhances global awareness of Yemen’s heritage but also opens doors for future conservation and tourism initiatives.

This milestone serves as a powerful reminder that, even amid adversity, Yemen’s legacy as a beacon of history and culture continues to shine.

source/content: yemenonline.info (headline edited)

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YEMEN