Latest news with #Red Sea
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Four presumed dead and 11 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship
Four people are presumed dead and 11 others are missing after a Liberian-flagged cargo ship sank in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, a European Union naval mission said. The update from the EU's Operation Aspides came as private security forces continue to search for survivors from the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier that sank on Wednesday. Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the EU mission said. 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' a spokesman added. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The US Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where 1 trillion dollars in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sunk four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the US had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. They stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weeks-long campaign of air strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear programme — remain in the balance.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Reimagining Saudi Arabia's future: creating new economies within
Imagine waking up to cool, crisp air, surrounded by rolling green hills and stunning mountain views. Your morning commute is a short, traffic-free drive through scenic roads, and by the evening, you're enjoying dinner on a terrace with year-round comfortable weather. This starkly contrasts the congestion and high-rise density of a major metropolis. Imagine, on weekends, taking a two-hour drive to the beautiful shores of the Red Sea, hiking through the mountains, camping in the desert, or simply enjoying the serenity of Friday morning at a local cafe. For many in Saudi Arabia, this kind of lifestyle is often dismissed as unrealistic. The country's economic heartbeats — Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam — have become the primary hubs for jobs and business opportunities, making them the default choice for most professionals. But what if Saudi Arabia's smaller cities and towns — with stunning landscapes, cooler climates, and a balanced pace of life — became viable economic centers? The Future Saudi Cities Program is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the UN Human Settlements Programme. It is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and aims to guide urban transformation by enhancing the livability and sustainability of 17 cities across Saudi Arabia. One such city is Taif — historically known as a summer retreat for royals and elites because of its cooler temperatures and stunning landscapes, and its strategic location close to Makkah and Jeddah. Taif has the potential to be more than just a seasonal destination — it could be a thriving economic hub, attracting professionals looking for an alternative to big-city life. However, like many other secondary cities, it lacks the necessary infrastructure to support a modern workforce and economy. Most professionals and businesses gravitate toward Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam because that's where the opportunities exist. Before the announcement of Vision 2030, companies — whether local, regional, or international — prioritized establishing a presence in major cities. The need for proximity to government entities, regulatory and legislative bodies, reliable logistics infrastructure, modern office space, and access to essential services such as schools and health care facilities primarily drove this. However, with Vision 2030's emphasis on digital transformation and the widespread availability of e-services, the business environment has fundamentally evolved. Today, companies can access many government services remotely, reducing the necessity of being physically based in traditional urban centers. Instead of allowing this cycle to continue, why not encourage large corporations to establish offices and operations in smaller cities? What if Taif, Jazan, Hail, or Abha were considered touristic destinations and places where professionals could build their careers without sacrificing quality of life? If multinational and local companies were incentivized to move into these secondary cities — with tax cuts, subsidies, or access to government-backed contracts where applicable — it would trigger a chain reaction of economic and social transformation by creating new jobs and stimulating economic growth. The presence of these corporations in smaller cities would create high-paying jobs, reducing the need for local talent to relocate. With better salaries, residents would spend more locally, supporting small businesses and services. When new industries and professionals settle in these areas, they introduce different lifestyles, work ethics, and cultural perspectives. This shift can lead to greater entrepreneurial activity and a more diversified economy. In addition, unlike the rapid, often unsustainable urbanization seen in major cities, developing secondary urban centers allows for smarter, more environmentally friendly expansion. Just as Riyadh is emerging as a hub for corporate headquarters, secondary cities in Saudi Arabia are being strategically developed as specialized economic zones in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives. For instance, Taif is enhancing its tourism, hospitality, medical, and agribusiness sectors through initiatives like the New Taif project. Similarly, Jazan has been designated a special economic zone to attract international investors. In Tabuk, NEOM encompasses developments like The Line and Trojena. Abha is part of the Future Saudi Cities Program. The future of Saudi Arabia: a multi-city economic powerhouse. Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, but diversification should not only be sectoral — it should also be geographical. The opportunity is here — it's time to seize it.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Houthi rebels sink cargo ship Eternity C in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthi rebels have released footage of an attack on the Eternity C vessel in the Red Sea. The attack led to the sinking of the cargo ship, with at least four people killed and many crew members kidnapped. The Eternity C was first attacked on Monday afternoon using sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades, which destroyed its lifeboats. By Tuesday morning, the vessel was adrift and listing before a subsequent attack forced the crew to abandon it. Watch the video above
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Red Sea Authority issues Maritime Tourism Agent License to support coastal tourism activities
RIYADH: As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate and develop a thriving coastal tourism sector, the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has issued a maritime tourism agent license to Maritime Solutions Company, based in Jeddah. This step reflects SRSA's commitment to organizing and enhancing coastal tourism activities, and to fostering an attractive environment for tourists, investors, and maritime operators across the Red Sea. It also aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to position the Red Sea as a leading global destination. Issuing such licenses is a key function of the SRSA, which is responsible for regulating coastal tourism activities, granting permits, attracting investment, identifying infrastructure needs, and ensuring the protection and sustainability of the marine environment. The newly licensed agent will provide essential services to marine crafts facilitating and supporting their operations within the Saudi Red Sea jurisdiction. To date, SRSA has issued more than 35 licenses, including those for maritime tourism agents, marina operators, and yacht charter companies. This forms part of the SRSA's broader mission to enhance the coastal tourism ecosystem and elevate service quality to deliver an exceptional visitor experience.
