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Showing posts from March, 2025

PwC’s Saudi Suspension: A Sign of Shifting Priorities.

  Here’s a structured breakdown with further details on why Saudi Arabia has found attraction in PwC and the factors leading to its temporary ban: 1. Saudi Arabia’s Attraction to PwC and Foreign Consultancies A. Vision 2030 and Economic Transformation Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan aims to diversify the economy beyond oil , requiring expertise in regulatory frameworks , digital transformation , and economic restructuring. PwC , along with McKinsey, BCG , and others , played a key role in designing and executing policy reforms , corporate restructuring , and new sectoral initiatives . Foreign consultancies brought global best practices and strategic frameworks that Saudi institutions lacked , making them indispensable to government projects. B. High Compensation and Talent Attraction The Gulf region offers some of the highest compensation packages for consultants , often exceeding those in London or New York , making it an attractive market for firms li...

"“Five Babies in One Incubator” Violations of Pregnant Women’s Rights Amid Israel’s Assault on Gaza" Human Rights Watch. January 28, 2025. Key Points of the Report.

  Key Points with Important Highlights 1. Severe Malnutrition & Health Risks for Pregnant Women A Palestinian woman pregnant with triplets suffered from extreme anemia and malnutrition due to food shortages in a displaced persons camp in Rafah, Gaza (February 14, 2024). Food scarcity led to significant weight loss, dizziness, and fainting . Lack of medical care — clinics had no medicine, vitamins, or essential supplies for pregnant women. 2. Dangerous & Neglectful Childbirth Conditions The woman went into labor at 2 a.m . on May 5 but struggled to find transportation to a hospital. At the hospital, she received no medication or epidural and had to change her own pads post-delivery. No nurse or medical staff assisted her after childbirth, forcing her to leave within four hours. She had to find a ride back home while exhausted, carrying her newborn . 3. Emergency Obstetric Care Severely Limited As of January 2025 , only 7 out of 18 hospitals , 4 out of 1...

TESTIMONIES OF ISRAELI VETERANS WHO SERVED IN IDF IN GAZA, WEST BANK.

  The Organization Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran soldiers who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada and have taken it upon themselves to expose the public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories. We endeavor to stimulate public debate about the price paid for a reality in which young soldiers face a civilian population on a daily basis, and are engaged in the control of that population’s everyday life. Our work aims to bring an end to the occupation. Soldiers who serve in the territories witness and participate in military actions that change them immensely. Cases of abuse toward Palestinians, looting and destruction of property have been the norm for years, but these incidents are still described officially as “extreme” and “unique” cases. Our testimonies portray a different – and much grimmer – picture, in which the deterioration of moral standards finds expression in the character of the military order...

"Billionaire Miriam Adelson Spearheading Release of Israeli Hostages Shows How Rotten the System Is" Haaretz. Key Points.

  Yonna Gonen's article in Haaretz, titled " Billionaire Miriam Adelson Spearheading Release of Israeli Hostages Shows How Rotten the System Is," critiques the Israeli government's reliance on private individuals for critical national matters, highlighting systemic issues within the country's political and operational frameworks. Key Points: Private Intervention in National Affairs: Gonen underscores the problematic nature of billionaires like Miriam Adelson stepping in to address national crises, such as negotiating the release of Israeli hostages. This reliance on private citizens for governmental responsibilities indicates a failure within official state mechanisms. Influence of Wealth on Politics: The article discusses how substantial financial contributions from affluent individuals can lead to disproportionate influence over political decisions. Miriam Adelson and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, have been notable donors to political campaign...

ICJ Under New Leadership: What Judge Iwasawa’s Presidency Means for Israel’s Legal Battle.

  Mr. Yuji Iwasawa.  On March 3, 2025, Judge Yuji Iwasawa of Japan was elected as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), succeeding Nawaf Salam, who resigned to become Lebanon's prime minister. Background on Judge Yuji Iwasawa: Professional Trajectory: Prior to his ICJ appointment in 2018, Judge Iwasawa was a distinguished professor of international law at the University of Tokyo and chaired the United Nations Human Rights Committee. ICJ's Involvement in Cases Concerning Israel: Pending Legal Proceedings: The ICJ is currently addressing cases related to Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories. Notably, South Africa has initiated proceedings accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip, invoking the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Potential Implications of Judge Iwasawa's Presidency on the Case Against Israel: Judicial Impartiality: As President, Judge Iwasawa is expected to uphold the ICJ...

Israel Cuts Power to Two Gaza Desalination Plants – Thousands Deprived of Water

  Israel Cuts Power to Two Gaza Desalination Plants – Thousands Deprived of Water 1. Critical Water Supply Disrupted Israel has cut off power to the South Sea Desalination Plant and the Basra Desalination Plant in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza . These plants produce 20,000 cubic meters of desalinated water daily , supplying about 70% of the area's residents . Thousands of Palestinians now face severe water shortages as a result. 2. Escalating Humanitarian Crisis Maher Ashour Salem , Gaza’s Director General of Planning, Water, and Sanitation, warned that available water in the Strip is now less than 25% of normal levels . More than 70% of Gaza’s water infrastructure has been destroyed due to Israeli military actions. If Israel further cuts off the remaining 80% of the water supply , a humanitarian catastrophe is imminent. 3. Devastating Impact on Daily Life The loss of desalinated water will cripple hospitals, shelters, and homes , with no reliable alternatives. ...

Tatreez on the Red Carpet: The Palestinian Craft Basel Adra Wore to the Oscars.

  Resolute RGL: The Story Behind the Shoes Palestinian Filmmaker Basel Adra Wore to the Oscars At the 97th Academy Awards, Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra made a powerful statement by wearing handcrafted shoes from Resolute RGL , a brand he co-founded. His choice was not just about fashion—it was about heritage, resistance, and economic empowerment. Birth of Resolute RGL Resolute RGL was founded by Basel Adra and his parents   with a clear mission: to preserve Palestinian culture through fashion while supporting local artisans. The brand draws inspiration from Palestinian resilience and heritage , with each piece reflecting the struggle and beauty of their homeland. The name "Resolute" symbolizes the unwavering strength of the Palestinian people, while "RGL" (short for "Ragel") is derived from the Arabic word for "man," emphasizing dignity and perseverance . A Fashion Statement with a Deeper Purpose Tatreez embroidery —a centuries...

PwC Navigates Business Challenges in Saudi Arabia Amid PIF Suspension

  PwC Seeks to Mend Relations with Saudi Arabia Background and Context PwC is actively working to repair its relationship with Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The kingdom and PIF are major clients for PwC, with over 2,600 employees dedicated to projects in Saudi Arabia. Suspension of Business Ties Saudi Arabia has suspended activities between PwC and PIF’s holding company. However, portfolio companies of PIF are still allowed to engage PwC for consulting services. Bloomberg reported that PIF executives have been directed to halt awarding new projects to PwC until February 2026. PwC’s Response and Internal Communications PwC addressed the situation in an internal memo, stating that it was a “client” matter and not related to regulatory issues. A spokesperson for PwC in Dubai declined to comment, and PIF also refrained from making statements. Financial Implications Reuters could not determine the exact financial impact ...

"Transcript of President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress" Key Points.

  Common Sense Revolution : A global shift toward common sense policies is sweeping the world, and this change is irreversible. The speaker emphasizes the importance of never allowing things to go back to the way they were. Economic Priorities : A major priority is rescuing the economy and providing relief to working families, reversing the economic damage inherited from the previous administration, including inflation and high living costs. Inflation and Energy Costs : The previous administration's policies caused high inflation and energy prices. The speaker is focusing on reducing energy costs by expanding oil and gas production and reopening power plants. National Energy Emergency : A declaration of a national energy emergency was made on the first day in office, with a focus on tapping into the nation’s vast natural resources, including a massive gas pipeline project in Alaska. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) : A new department has been created, led...