What does it take to keep going during uncertain times? Many business founders and CEOs are forced to make tough calls and re-examine leadership that is the need of the hour. Behind every redundancy decision is a calculation that goes far beyond numbers. As businesses navigate uncertainty, founders are being forced to take some of the most difficult decisions of their careers: deciding who stays and who goes. ‘You’re affecting people’s lives’ For Natasha Hatherall, founder and CEO of TishTash Group, these decisions are as personal as they are strategic. “There is no easy way to approach this,” Hatherall said.…
Author: Editorial Team
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 746 food baskets to vulnerable families in Rif Dimashq, Syria, as part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. This effort forms part of a broader series of relief and humanitarian initiatives carried out by the Kingdom, through KSrelief, to support those in need in Syria. Source: Riyadh Daily
Scott Wilcox, Senior Advisor and Founder, Sicuro Group. Scott Wilcox of Sicuro Group shares a practitioner’s view on how resilience and intelligence are redefining risk in the UAE. The UAE’s rise as a global hub for trade, energy, and digital infrastructure has been matched by a deliberate and highly integrated approach to risk management that prioritises coordination, speed, and real-time decision-making over fragmented or imported frameworks. From cybersecurity and intelligence to crisis response and business continuity, the country has aligned its risk architecture to address the realities of operating in high-consequence environments. Risk is no longer treated as a compliance…
JEDDAH — The Saudi Passport authorities have made it easy and quick for six eligible categories of people, in addition to expatriates, to apply for an entry permit to Makkah during the current Hajj season through the Absher Individuals platform. These categories include holders of the Premium Residency, investors, citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, non-Saudi mothers of Saudi citizens, non-Saudi family members, and domestic workers. The service allows these categories of people to get issued an entry permit through completing a few simple steps on Absher. The security forces started on Dhul Qada 1, corresponding to April…
RIYADH — The Saudi construction cost index recorded an increase of two percent during the last month of March compared to the same month in 2025. This was driven mainly by a 1.9 percent increase in residential costs and a 2.2 percent increase in non-residential costs. The annual construction cost index for the residential sector rose by 1.9 percent last month, driven by a 4.5 percent increase in equipment and machinery rental costs, which in turn was influenced by a 6.1 percent rise in operating costs. Labor costs also increased by 2.7 percent and energy prices by 3 percent along…
On February 28, 2026, it wasn’t just the sound of explosions that shook the region. There was another sound — quieter on the surface, yet far more consequential for the world: the sound of aircraft engines shutting down, one after another, in a moment when the sky itself seemed to be pulled from beneath the maps of international aviation. With the coordinated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, followed within hours by an Iranian retaliation involving missiles and drones, the fallout didn’t stop at the boundaries of military confrontation. It spread rapidly to the most…
RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has reinforced the strict prohibition of manufacturing or storing food products without obtaining the necessary licenses to conduct food-related activities during the Hajj season, warning that violators may face a maximum jail term of 10 years and fines of SR10 million. In a press statement on Wednesday, the authority emphasized that all food factories and warehouses must adhere to the provisions of the Food Law and its Implementing Regulation, highlighting that the safety of food and medicine for pilgrims remains its top priority and stating it will maintain a zero-tolerance policy…
Rabih Itani. Middle East cybersecurity market is set to surpass $37 billion by 2034, driven by rapid digital transformation. Dubai — WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, has announced the appointment of Rabih Itani as Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The appointment comes at a time of significant growth across the region, with the Middle East cybersecurity market projected to more than double from USD 16.72 billion in 2025 to USD 37.22 billion by 2034 (Market Data Forecast), driven by digital transformation across finance, healthcare, energy, and government sectors. In this newly created role,…
Luxury dining brand GAIA has begun relocating its Dubai-based teams to international destinations as part of its summer 2026 expansion, aiming to preserve jobs while maintaining service standards across markets. The move, led by Fundamental Hospitality, will see staff deployed to seasonal pop-ups in destinations such as St Tropez and Bodrum, aligning operations with where its global clientele travels during the summer months. At a time when many hospitality businesses adjust headcount during quieter periods, the group said it has prioritised continuity for its workforce by offering international placements instead. “Our summer pop-ups are not just about being present in…
RIYADH — Ride-hailing applications recorded significant growth during the first quarter of 2026, exceeding 32 million trips, an increase of 15.77 percent compared to the same period last year. These figures reflect the sector’s continued development and its role in supporting and enhancing the mobility experience, according to statements issued by the Transport General Authority (TGA). These indicators highlight the growing reliance on ride-hailing services as a preferred mode of urban transportation, supported by their widespread availability across the Kingdom and the efficiency and quality of services provided. Source: Saudi Gazette