Kuwait Amir accepts Finance Minister's resignation, assigns Al-Mukhaizeem as acting
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is assigned with implementing the decrees, which take effect upon their publication in the official gazette.
All KUNA right are reserved © 2025. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Syria signs $4bln airport redevelopment pact with Qatari-Turkish-US consortium
The Syrian government, represented by General Authority of Civil Aviation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium comprising Qatari, Turkish, and US companies to redevelop Damascus International Airport in a project valued at over $4 billion. The consortium led by Qatar's UCC Holding, through its investment arm UCC Concessions Investments, includes Assets Investments USA as well as Turkish construction giants Cengiz İnşaat, Kalyon İnşaat, and TAV Tepe Akfen, UCC Holding said in a press statement. Five-phase redevelopment plan The redevelopment will follow a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model over five phases: Phase 1: Expand capacity to 6 million passengers in the first year. Phase 2: Increase capacity to 16 million passengers. Final Phase: Reach a capacity of 31 million passengers annually. The airport will be constructed in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards, and feature: Up to 32 gates with modern passenger boarding bridges Integrated air navigation service systems A world-class duty-free area with international dining and retail outlets The project scope includes the redevelopment of a 50-kilometre access road to the airport. Additionally, the agreement earmarks $250 million in financing to purchase 10 Airbus A320 aircraft for Syrian Airlines as part of efforts to revitalise the national carrier. Power sector development In May 2025, the Syrian government and a UCC Holding-led international consortium had signed an MOU worth $7 billion to develop and operate power generation projects in the country. The consortium led by UCC Holding's investment arm UCC Concessions Investments included Turkey's Cengiz Energy and Kalyon Energy; and US-based Power International USA. The agreement covered the development of four combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Traifawi (Homs), Zayzoun (Hama), Deir-Azzour, and Mehardeh (Hama), with an approximate installed generation capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) and a 1,000 MW solar power plant in Wedian Alrabee, located in the southern region of Syria. The projects, which will be implemented under Build-Own-Operate (BOO) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models with corresponding power purchase agreements (PPAs), has completion timelines of three years for the gas plants and less than two years for the solar plant once final agreements and financial close are achieved. 12 agreements worth $14 billion The $4 billion Damascus Airport redevelopment pact is part of Syria 12 investment deals worth $14 billion with international companies inked by the Syrian government on Wednesday. Other deals include a $2 billion agreement with a UAE company to establish a metro in the Syrian capital, a $2 billion deal for the Damascus Towers project with Italy-based UBAKO and agreements worth $500 million and $60 million for Baramkeh Towers and Baramkeh Mall respectively. In July 2025, Syria and DP World inked an $800 million agreement to develop, manage and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartous for 30 years under Bot model and cooperate in establishing industrial and free trade zones. In the same month, Saudi Arabia had announced $6.4 billion of investments in the country including $2.93 billion for real estate and infrastructure projects and about $1.07 billion for the telecommunications and information technology sector. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Photo of Saudi Arabia's crown prince inside Jeffrey Epstein's mansion fuels criticism online
The New York Times on Tuesday ignited a wave of backlash after revealing a framed photograph of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman displayed inside the New York City mansion of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The article, which takes readers inside the late convicted paedophile's seven-storey Manhattan home, features surveillance cameras positioned above his bed and in adjoining rooms, taxidermied animals, and provocative artwork, including a sculpture of a bride clutching a rope suspended from the ceiling in the atrium. Images from the home of Jeffrey Epstein show cameras in bedrooms and photos of him with: Donald Trump Steve Bannon Bill Clinton Elon Musk Larry Summers Mohammed bin Salman and more As well as memorabilia from Ehud Barak, Woody Allen, Bill Gates, and many others. Gift link 👇🏼 — Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath) August 5, 2025 The revelation of the crown prince's photograph inside Epstein's mansion has sparked a storm of criticism on social media. Many social media users expressed their lack of surprise, with one remarking on another photograph of Mohammed bin Salman with George Nader, another convicted criminal and serial paedophile. 'Whenever Mohammed Bonesaw isn't orchestrating the murder of journalists (a reference to the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi) and dissolving their remains in acid, he seems to enjoy posing for photos with pedophiles.' Another person commented, 'Personally, I think this is the least surprising one out of all of them.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Some questioned the public's reaction altogether. 'Is MBS considered a moral leader in any way?' one person asked, while others connected the scandal to Saudi Arabia's silence towards the ongoing war in Gaza, which several states, human rights scholars and institutions now qualify as a genocide. One Reddit user wrote, 'If this is true, it would explain a lot for why there's no coordinated military response to the genocide [in Gaza].' Another post on X added: 'This is why he supports 'Israel'.' Wonder why they're all working for Israel and against their people ? Saudi Arabia's King MBS, Pope, Emirati high level figure, Trump ... with their common pedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein. — MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) August 5, 2025 The criticism escalated as people connected the image to long-standing allegations of Gulf-Israeli collaboration. Sam Youssef, author and editor of American and International Affairs, asked: 'Do you now understand why Arab rulers kneel to Netanyahu and the Mossad?' Others saw the photograph as symbolic of regional betrayal. 'Basically, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was being managed by an Israeli agent. That's why Palestinians are helpless today. But not for long,' one person posted. Many expressed disbelief and concern over the Saudi crown prince's apparent proximity to Epstein. But the relationship between Epstein and Mohammed bin Salman isn't new. A year before his death, which was ruled a suicide in 2019, Epstein boasted of his ties to the crown prince during an interview with The New York Times. A 2019 report by The New York Times—Jeffrey Epstein claimed to have known Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. During a 2018 interview with journalist James B. Stewart, Epstein gestured to a framed photograph of MBS displayed prominently in his… — Levantine Logic (@SyriaRetold) August 6, 2025 The crown prince was not the only high-profile figure whose image was exposed from inside Epstein's mansion. Framed photos of US President Donald Trump; former President Bill Clinton; Pope John Paul II; Mick Jagger; Elon Musk; Fidel Castro; CEO of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem from the United Arab Emirates; and former prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani were also in his home. Framed photograph in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan home shows him with the UAE's Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the current group chairman & CEO of DP World (X) In 2008, Epstein was convicted in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor, serving just 13 months in jail under a controversial plea deal. A decade later, he was arrested again on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors, accused of abusing dozens of underage girls between 2002 and 2005 in his homes in New York and Palm Beach. On 6 July 2019, Epstein was arrested and held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He died in his cell on 10 August 2019. Epstein's death has done little to quell public scrutiny. His connections to influential individuals, including former US presidents, royals, and billionaires, continue to fuel speculation about the extent of his network and whether justice was truly served.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sheikh Mohammed waves at humanoid robot during live demonstration
When was the last time you saw a humanoid robot wave and walk towards you? Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, had an experience that not many residents get to have during a meeting with local dignitaries at the Union House in Dubai today, August 6. In a video posted by Wam, the leader could be seen waving back at the humanoid robot. The robot also showcased its speed by running inside the majlis as the dignitaries looked on. The robot was present as part of a live demonstration of the Unitree G1 by Dubai Future Labs. The lightweight, highly balanced robot mimics human movement and represents the latest in robotics and AI. Watch the clip below: It will soon be featured in the Museum of the Future's interactive displays, welcoming visitors and showcasing advanced technology, allowing residents and tourists to watch it in action too. The Unitree G1 is a humanoid robot that stands 130cm tall and weighs around 35kg. Its onboard computing includes an 8-core high-performance CPU, with sensory hardware like a depth camera, 3D LiDAR, microphone array, speaker, Wi‑Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The robot runs for about two hours on a 13‑string lithium battery. Meeting at Al Mudaif Majlis During the gathering, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE's continued progress in building a distinctive development model based on openness, competitiveness, and support for entrepreneurship. He noted that the country's success stems from ambitious goals, a people-centred approach, and strong public-private partnerships. The achievements of recent decades, he added, reflect a clear vision driven by planning, determination, and collaboration. He added that the UAE remains committed to being a land of opportunity, a hub for prosperity, and a welcoming home for all who contribute to its growth. He also said that at every stage, the UAE has set new benchmarks for progress and established a model economy rooted in innovation. The outcomes of this journey are evident today in the country's stability, social cohesion, and the resilience and growth of its economy. The Ruler also highlighted Dubai's vital role in the UAE's broader development journey, as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading global economic centre. Driven by investor confidence, market maturity, and its ability to attract top talent and opportunities, the emirate continues to advance the goals of Dubai Economic Agenda D33, he highlighted.
