Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU to Develop Digital Economy

 Saudi Arabia and Oman signed an agreement for cooperation in the digital economy on Wednesday in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia and Oman signed an agreement for cooperation in the digital economy on Wednesday in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU to Develop Digital Economy

 Saudi Arabia and Oman signed an agreement for cooperation in the digital economy on Wednesday in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia and Oman signed an agreement for cooperation in the digital economy on Wednesday in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Saudi Arabia and Oman signed on Wednesday an Agreement of Understanding in the field of digital economy and a cooperation agreement to launch a joint initiative for digital skills.

This came during a meeting in Riyadh between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, and an Omani delegation, headed by Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al-Maawali, and the Sultanate of Oman’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Faisal bin Turki Al Said.

The meeting discussed enhancing aspects of cooperation between the two sides in the digital economy, e-government, cyber-security, mail and innovation.

The MoU will enhance communication between the two sides on the exchange of information in the field of communications and information technology, as well as strengthening cooperation in a number of areas, including government digital transformation, the development of communications infrastructure, capacity building and training, and joint investment in the postal sector.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and his Omani counterpart launched the Saudi-Omani Digital Skills Initiative, which aims to exchange best practices and experiences, and implement joint programs and initiatives, in addition to developing digital skills to meet the requirements of the labor market in the sector communications and information technology to keep pace with the accelerating digital revolution, and contribute to increasing job opportunities.

The initiative, which aims to qualify 1,000 trainees by 20252, includes several training programs on data and artificial intelligence, software design and development, cyber security, financial technologies, technical project management, digital marketing, and user experience.

The Omani side will cooperate in raising digital awareness through the dissemination of educational digital content and the provision of technical training courses online through the Digital Giving Webinar, targeting by 2025 to reach 25,000 beneficiaries.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.