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RIYADH — The value of weekly sales through point-of-sale (POS) transactions, from August 2 to 8, reached SR14.6 billion, compared to SR16.31 billion in the previous week, according to the weekly report issued on Wednesday by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Consumer spending through POS transactions in the Kingdom last week was concentrated in the food and beverage sector, amounting to SR2.28 billion across 58.41 million transactions. This was followed by the restaurants and cafes sector, with spending reaching SR1.9 billion across 61.23 million transactions. The number of POS transactions executed last week decreased by approximately 5.1 percent to 253.42…

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held today in Jeddah. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister; President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for their successful and blessed efforts in convening the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, which reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical ties among the three countries and their shared commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity…

As 60% of manufacturers race toward full digitalisation, cyber risk is increasingly manifesting as a business risk, according to a new report by Kaspersky and VDC Strategy. This means cybersecurity is not merely a compliance function, it is a cornerstone of production assurance, safeguarding uptime, quality, and operational continuity. Manufacturers are modernising to deliver safer, more consistent and more cost-effective production and digitalisation is moving fast: just 9% of organisations describe themselves as fully digital today, but 60% expect to get there within two years, according to the joint report by Kaspersky and VDC ‘Cyber Resilience, Built for Manufacturing’. That…

As investment into femtech surges, more women in the GCC region are using smart devices to track their menstrual cycles and fertility. “Women are actively looking for tools that help them better understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health,” said Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief Medical Officer at wearable health tracker company Whoop. She said that according to the company’s data, menstruation is the second-most frequently logged behaviour among users in the GCC — one of the highest rates of menstrual logging globally. The surge in demand coincides with a broader boom in femtech investment. The sector attracted…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Digital Experience Maturity Index scored 87.06 percent, achieving an “Advanced” maturity level following a comprehensive assessment of 59 digital platforms, the Digital Government Authority (DGA) announced. More than 805,500 people participated in the “Rate Your Digital Experience” survey, compared with 374,000 the previous year, reflecting the index’s expanding reach and its role in supporting the continuous improvement of government digital services. The assessment was based on four main perspectives covering 20 areas, including beneficiary satisfaction, user experience, complaint handling, and technologies and tools, with the aim of improving digital services and enhancing the beneficiary experience.…

More than 39,000 people have registered as organ donors in the UAE, while over 1,195 transplant procedures have been carried out under the country’s national organ donation programme, the Minister of Health and Prevention said marking the World Organ Donation Day. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said the figures show growing public awareness and confidence in the UAE’s organ donation and transplantation system. According to the minister, the UAE now ranks first in the GCC in terms of growth in donor numbers and organ transplant procedures. He said that Hayat has also become one of the fastest-growing programmes of its kind…

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has achieved a number of accomplishments in governance and institutional development in recent years, contributing to more efficient emergency medical services, enhanced emergency response readiness, expanded volunteer work and a stronger Saudi presence at international humanitarian forums. These accomplishments are in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. According to the SRCA annual report for 2025, SRCA implemented an integrated operational plan during the 1447 AH Hajj season focused on strengthening field deployment, enhancing the readiness of its ambulance fleet and activating response services at land, sea and air entry points. It also applied an…

Charles Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO, Everpure. Fresh hyperscale agreement builds on 2024 breakthrough and validates DirectFlash technology advantage Dubai — Everpure has announced a design win and supply agreement with a second top-five hyperscaler, marking a fresh milestone in the company’s push into large-scale cloud infrastructure. Building on the landmark hyperscaler deal it announced in late 2024, the agreement reinforces Everpure’s technological leadership and software-driven approach to data storage. Charles Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO of Everpure, said the win reflects growing recognition of the economic, operational, and performance advantages of the company’s DirectFlash technology over legacy storage architectures. DirectFlash, Everpure’s…

WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon has survived a second leadership showdown in four months, just 87 days out from the country’s general election due in November. Talking to media after a three-hour meeting of his MPs in Wellington on Wednesday, the embattled leader said he had the full support of his party. “There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting, and I have the full support of our caucus,” Luxon said. “Our caucus is united, and it is determined to win this election.” The confidence vote on Wednesday was held afterhis…

Summer in the UAE means reaching for a cold drink more often than usual, but increasingly, the options go beyond juices and conventional soft drinks. From probiotics and electrolytes to collagen and matcha, a growing number of beverages are being positioned as drinks that offer something extra alongside refreshment. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Whether you’re looking for a fizzy alternative to your usual soda, something to sip after a workout, or simply want to try one of the latest wellness drinks, here are some options available in the UAE this summer.…