News related to
ARABIAN POST SPECIAL

By Dr. Gyan Pathak Ban order on caste based political rallies issued by the Uttar Pradesh government on September 21, 2025 has significantly raised the political heat in the state, since it is likely to impact all political parties and political alliances,.. Nevertheless, the BJP led government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has opted for […]

The article Ban On Caste Based Political Rallies Raises Political Heat In Uttar Pradesh appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nantoo Banerjee Few will disagree that India should keep investing substantially in both onshore and offshore oil search as the country is becoming increasingly dependent on the import of petroleum crude to meet its energy needs. Currently, almost 86 percent of India’s annual crude petroleum needs are being met through imports. During his recent […]

The article Higher GST Will Hurt Oil-Starved India’s Exploration Drills appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

By T N Ashok The Trump administration’s latest immigration directive has stunned employers, foreign workers, and higher-education leaders alike: a $100,000 surcharge on each H-1B visa application, announced by executive order on 19 September 2025. What might appear on the surface as a routine adjustment to visa fees is, in reality, a dramatic escalation in […]

The article Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Redefines U.S. Liberal Immigration Policy appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

United Arab Emirates holds between 40 and 45 per cent share of the Middle East and Africa space market, which is estimated at US$18 billion, according to a report from the Boston Consulting Group. The UAE invested approximately US$443 million in civil space activities in 2024—nearly half of all government space spending across MEA.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar follow with civil space investments of about US$220 million each. Saudi Arabia accounts for an estimated 20–25 per cent of MEA government space spending, while Qatar contributes about 5 per cent.

Downstream services—such as satellite communications, navigation, and Earth observation—comprise roughly 70 per cent of the global space industry. The UAE is positioned to capture more than half of the downstream services market within MEA, while Saudi Arabia aims for over 20 per cent. Qatar’s role remains modest in downstream services, at just under 5 per cent.

All three countries are expected to grow at or above the global space economy’s compound annual growth rate of 5 per cent through 2033.

The report identifies several flagship programmes in the UAE—MBZ-SAT, the Hope Probe, and Arab 813—that are likely to generate returns of roughly 3-4 times the investment. These initiatives illustrate how long-term strategic planning, public-private partnerships, risk-tolerant policy frameworks, and global cooperation are central to the UAE’s leadership in the sector.

Saudi Arabia is expanding its international partnerships, including with NASA and Axiom, while Qatar’s Es’hailSat is strengthening its role in regional satellite communications. Digital policy integration—especially in satellite broadband, low Earth orbit constellations, and Earth observation—is emerging as a key success factor.

By D Raja The Twenty-Fifth Congress of the Communist Party of India will convene in Chandigarh from September 21, 2025, at Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy Nagar (Kisan Bhawan). We gather at a moment of extraordinary circumstances. Punjab is reeling under devastating floods. Fields are submerged, homes are damaged, and livelihoods are disrupted. Yet, our comrades in […]

The article Why The 25th Congress Of CPI On September 21-25 In Chandigarh Is Significant In Indian Politics? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

By Sushil Kutty Ahead of the expansion of SIR to the rest of the Union of States, the Election Commission of India has rejected Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s fresh charge on Thursday against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as ‘baseless’. “Allegations made by Shri Rahul Gandhi are incorrect and baseless. No deletion of any vote can […]

The article CEC Officially Refutes Fresh Allegations By Rahul Gandhi Against Him On Vote Chori appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

/India Press Agency/

By Nitya Chakraborty Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped into his 75th year on Wednesday, September 17.His birthday is being celebrated by the BJP nationally. The significance is much more as PM’s 75th birthday celebrations have coincided with the centenary programmes on the founding of the RSS in 1925.On October 2 this year, Vijaya Dasami […]

The article Decoding Prime Minister Narendra Modi As A Political Leader On His 75th Birthday appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

Dubai Future Foundation has sealed a Memorandum of Understanding with XSOLLA, a global video-game commerce company, under the framework of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. The agreement seeks to reinforce Dubai’s position as a gaming innovation hub, drive thought-leadership in the sector, and deliver economic impact with goals of 30,000 new jobs and an additional US$1 billion in GDP by 2033.

DPG33, launched in November 2023 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, aims to place Dubai among the world’s top ten gaming hubs over the next decade. The XSOLLA deal was inked during Dubai’s participation in Gamescom 2025 in Germany, where the DFF-led pavilion showcased local developers and gaming initiatives.

Under the MoU, the partners will co-operate on generating thought leadership initiatives and spotlight key activities in content, monetisation, infrastructure, and talent development. DFF also will use its platform to attract investment and cultivate a supportive ecosystem for game developers.

Local game studios have already been gaining traction. Dubai-headquartered iBLOXX secured US$5 million in funding to further develop its online game Strayshot, and Artisan Studios’ Lost Hellden drew over 15,000 wishlist additions on Steam plus more than 300,000 views of its promotional video across platforms such as IGN, PlayStation and Nintendo of America during the Gamescom showing. These examples illustrate growing visibility for indie development as well as commercial promise in Dubai’s gaming sector.

Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of DFF, said that the level of local and international interest in Dubai’s gaming sector reveals “a real appetite to explore and partner with one of the industry’s most promising markets.” He emphasised Dubai’s advantages in infrastructure, investment, and competitive advantages under DPG33.

The economic projections tied to these initiatives rely heavily on success in three arenas: scaling game creation and publishing, enhancing monetisation capabilities, and developing skilled talent. The MoU with XSOLLA is expected to assist especially in the monetisation and scaling end, leveraging XSOLLA’s global commerce tools and developer support services. Analysts note that aligning global platforms like XSOLLA with local innovation programmes is a strategy used in other leading gaming hubs, helping to bridge gaps in market access, revenue optimisation, and international distribution.

Regulatory and infrastructure support remain under scrutiny, as talent attraction—both local and international—depends not only on capital and tools, but also on clarity in regulation, availability of education and training, creative incentives, and digital and physical infrastructure. Dubai’s gaming strategy, via DPG33, aims to address many of these pain-points through government partnership, industry collaboration, and ecosystem development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 today amid widespread greetings and the launch of a two-week “Sewa Pakhwada” campaign aimed at welfare and outreach efforts across India. State and central leaders as well as ordinary citizens extolled his leadership, while a slate of new programs for women, children and tribal communities were rolled out, especially from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.

President Droupadi Murmu hailed Modi as “an exemplar of hard work” who has inspired the nation to set and pursue large goals. She wished him health and joy, emphasising how his leadership has helped shape India’s progress globally. Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and BJP president J. P. Nadda echoed these sentiments, pointing to Modi’s role in promoting self-reliance, elevating India’s international stature, and executing reforms across sectors.

The “Sewa Pakhwada” initiative has been structured as a fortnight of activity ending on 2 October, coinciding with the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Under the campaign, programmes such as health check-ups, cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, environmental awareness efforts, promotion of indigenous products, exhibitions, and sports events will take place. BJP youth wings are staging runs and community events in dozens of cities to mark the milestone.

From his birthplace town of Vadnagar in Gujarat to distant corners of the country, celebrations have taken on local flavour. In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, special welfare initiatives for women, children and tribal populations were unveiled. Across India, schools and public spaces have hosted rangoli displays, devotional prayers, and cultural performances. Special Ganga Aarti ceremonies have been organised and major state capitals are seeing visual tributes such as large-scale posters and tricolours.

Political reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with opposition voices largely restrained or offering measured praise. Chief ministers from various states, as well as senior figures within BJP and allies, emphasised continuity of governance and commitment to delivering public services. Some messages focused on Modi’s global diplomatic presence, while others lauded domestic schemes and grassroots infrastructure projects.

Analysts see the birthday observances and accompanying welfare push as both symbolic and strategic. The scale of the celebrations and outreach efforts suggests an aim to reinforce popular support ahead of upcoming elections. The use of service initiatives spans across regions and social groups; the focus on tribal welfare and women’s health is being viewed as an attempt to address longstanding development gaps. Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister has already witnessed significant policy moves in defence, infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital governance, boosting India’s international profile even as challenges such as inflation, unemployment and rural distress persist.

A leading real estate industry association in Hong Kong has pressed the government to establish a HK$20 billion fund to buy up distressed properties, arguing that failing to act risks allowing systemic financial risks to spread through the banking and property sectors.

The proposal arrives as banks in the territory are increasingly exposed to loans tied to properties that are losing value. Major lenders such as Hang Seng Bank and HSBC are among institutions flagged for having substantial loan exposure to property-linked assets that are showing signs of stress. The association contends that a support fund could help stabilize the market by acquiring distressed assets before they trigger wider defaults.

Estate developers and property investors have seen rental yield decline and vacancy rates rise in commercial properties, especially in central business districts. The decline in demand for office space, retail frontage, and hotels, combined with rising borrowing costs, has squeezed cash flows and made it difficult for many property firms to service debt.

Smaller and mid-sized developers are under particular pressure. According to data, these firms together hold over HK$170 billion in real estate debt. Some banks are tightening refinancing requirements, demanding stronger collateral and stricter repayment terms.

Private credit funds have begun to fill some financing gaps, launching new funds and offering loans to both high-quality developers and those in distress. These firms are attracting interest from investors seeking higher yields. However, analysts warn that private credit may only provide a partial solution, since valuation mismatches between lenders and borrowers continue, and property asset prices in many sectors have dropped steeply since their peaks.

The proposed HK$20 billion fund would be used to purchase properties under foreclosure or receivership, thereby removing some of the non-performing assets from bank balance sheets and easing potential contagion. The government has not yet formally responded. Critics of the plan worry about moral hazard: purchasing distressed assets could encourage risk-taking if developers assume they will be bailed out. Others highlight the challenge of determining fair market value for assets in distress, especially when transactions are few and discounted.

Regulators are monitoring the situation closely. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has reported that exposure of major systemically important banks to the property sector has grown significantly in recent years. Some banks have already increased their provisions for bad loans, though those remain modest compared to potential losses if property values decline further.

Abu Dhabi will become the base for a new production venture aiming to create large-scale action films, as Emirati actor-producer Mohamed F. Mostafa joins forces with British filmmakers Neil Marshall and Jadey Duffield.

The trio plan to produce under the UK company Art of Action, with two projects already in development: Marshall’s Skeleton Coast, a desert survival thriller, and Duffield’s Blackout, described as a whodunnit in the style of Knives Out crossed with The Raid. Mostafa is establishing a production company in Abu Dhabi to ensure that Emirati talent is deeply involved both in front of and behind the camera.

Abu Dhabi’s film incentive scheme is a cornerstone of the plan. Productions can receive up to 50% cashback on qualifying spend, provided they meet criteria including hiring local cast and crew and investing in local infrastructure. This enhanced rebate framework is intended to attract big-budget shoots while developing the skills of the domestic film workforce.

Marshall, known for directing episodes of Game of Thrones such as “Blackwater” and “The Watchers on the Wall”, described action as a genre with worldwide appeal. He and Duffield emphasise that their films will draw on regional fighting styles and action choreography seldom seen in global cinema, aiming to push what local crews can do alongside their work.

Mostafa said the timing is opportune, asserting that the Emirati entertainment sector has abundant talent that has so far lacked full exposure. He hopes this partnership will showcase that local crews and performers can deliver action content with international production values.

Abu Dhabi has over time hosted major international productions including Dune, Mission: Impossible, and Star Wars-related work. But Mostafa, Marshall and Duffield see potential beyond serving as a filming location: their goal is to make Abu Dhabi a creative base for action filmmaking with staying power.

Duffield emphasises translating external expertise into local growth, especially in areas like stunt and action design, with “knowledge transfer” baked into the structure of their planned films. The idea is not merely to import crews but to train and promote domestic specialists.