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inDrive Obtains License to Operate in Saudi Arabia

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The company already has started to work in Jeddah and for the next 6 months charge 0% service fee from drivers

April 13th, 2025, Riyadh – inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has obtained a license to operate Ride-Hailing services in Saudi Arabia. The company already started operations in Jeddah and is planning to launch in full operational capacity. With offices in Riyadh and Jeddah, inDrive is considering expansion to the other cities of the country this year. Originally from Siberia, inDrive has quickly become one of the leading ride-hailing services in the MENA region and is ranked the second mobility app globally (according to the firm Sensor Tower) with 280+ million downloads. Saudi Arabia will be the 49th country in which inDrive will operate.
Abdulrahman Basallum, inDrive Country Manager in KSA: “The unique operational model of inDrive, where the driver and passenger determine the price, has been groundbreaking. This has allowed the company to challenge the dominance of large players who, taking advantage of their monopoly, charge exorbitant 25-40% commissions from drivers. The economy of Saudi Arabia is one of the central ones in the region, and thousands of people make daily trips, paying unclear fares, while drivers face huge service fees. We believe we have a great opportunity to provide residents and visitors of Saudi Arabia with excellent service at a fair price and with transparent conditions.”
The core idea of inDrive’s business model is the freedom of choice. Unlike traditional ride-hailing apps, inDrive users can choose not only the driver or passenger, based on ratings and reviews from previous riders, but also based on the price. inDrive provides a unique bidding model, where both driver and passenger negotiate the price directly. The passenger proposes a price first, and the driver can accept, reject, or adjust the offer without penalties. As a result, the final price is considered the fairest, as agreed upon by both parties involved in the ride.
inDrive charges the lowest service fee in all markets of operation, which is 2-3 times less than most of competitors, including large international companies that are able to set higher fees due to their strong market presence.
inDrive’s strategy has proven successful: fair prices and transparency in transactions, which plays a crucial role in the service’s popularity. Word-of-mouth has become one of the primary tools for promoting the service, enabling inDrive to outpace many global companies supported by major investment funds in multiple markets. According to the firm Sensor Tower, for a third year in a row, inDrive is the 2nd most downloaded mobility app in the world and is one of the leading travel apps in MENA (particularly number one in Morocco and Egypt). The company also operates successfully in Asia, Africa, and Latin America – 49 countries in total.
inDrive attracted investments for global funds such as Insight Partners, Bond Capital and General Catalyst. In the latest investment valuation in 2021, the company was valued at $1.23 billion. Since then, the company’s revenue has increased several times.
The mission of inDrive is to challenge injustice, and the company’s goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of more than 1 billion people by 2030. In line with this mission and goal, inDrive is developing a range of social initiatives in the areas of education, sports, culture, ecology, and gender equality. These initiatives are already actively developing in the MENA region, in Egypt and Morocco, and in KSA, as it also plans to follow its strategy by reinvesting a portion of its income into community empowerment.
inDrive remains an international leader in its industry, and, operating worldwide, the company places a strong emphasis on user safety. The company uses cutting-edge security technologies to verify drivers and to track rides, and prioritize critical requests handled by its 24/7 customer support service.

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Ruder Finn Atteline Bolsters MENA Leadership Team with Strategic Appointments

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• The integrated communications agency’s recent hires include an Executive Vice President alongside three Account Directors across multiple divisions
• The new leadership with strong integrated communications expertise supports Ruder Finn Atteline’s recent rebrand and overall growth strategy across MENA

MENA – 24 April 2025: Ruder Finn Atteline, a global integrated marketing and communications consultancy and the MENA arm of the Ruder Finn group, has strategically expanded its leadership team over the past year with four senior appointments. These hires support the agency’s ongoing efforts to expedite its regional growth strategy across the Middle East and North Africa, while also strengthening its Corporate Division and newly launched Automotive, Travel & Tourism, and Sports & Entertainment practices.
Sophie Simpson, Managing Director of Ruder Finn Atteline – MENA, commented: “Our evolution as Ruder Finn Atteline isn’t just about a new logo or a refreshed name. It’s about building an agency that reflects the region’s changing needs; one that’s creatively fearless, strategically sharp, and deeply collaborative. These appointments are a clear signal of where we’re headed. Each new leader brings unique strength to the table, and together, they’ll help us continue to push boundaries, raise the bar, and enhance communications in MENA.”
Radhika Mehta joins as Executive Vice President of Growth & Operations. With nearly two decades of experience in communications, her proven ability to accelerate business growth, tailor integrated brand solutions, and spearhead compelling storytelling-driven brand narratives for clients spanning international markets reinforces Ruder Finn Atteline’s focus on building future-ready systems and scaling with intention. Having managed cross-border campaigns across several business sectors, Radhika’s global perspective makes her a trusted advisor to both brands and teams. In her new role, she will focus on growing the agency’s MENA presence and integrated communication services.
Srishti Soni has been brought aboard as Account Director for the Corporate Division. Bringing nearly 15 years of experience across MENA and India markets, she is a seasoned communications consultant who has led award-winning PR and reputation campaigns across sectors including real estate, healthcare, education, oil and gas, and consumer tech. Before Ruder Finn Atteline, Srishti spent over six years in the MENA communications industry, overseeing corporate and financial advisory mandates for marquee clients. She will play a key role in furthering the agency’s corporate offering.
Shannon Hynes and Yara Nimer have been appointed Associate Account Directors to lead the integrated agency’s newly established Sports & Entertainment Division.
Shannon brings nearly a decade of experience in the Sports & Entertainment industry, having led high-impact campaigns for global platforms. Over the past two years, she has led Netflix MENA’s publicity efforts, managing talent relations and red-carpet events across key markets. With an aptitude for driving cultural relevance through strategic storytelling, Shannon’s ability to shape narratives that resonate on a global scale will guide the growth of Ruder Finn Atteline’s new division.
Yara will support the division in a similar capacity, leveraging a decade of experience in integrated communications and having led content and publishing strategies for both regional and global brands. With an integrated-first mindset and a cross-sector portfolio spanning entertainment, tourism, and sport, she has delivered award-winning campaigns recognised for their cultural relevance and strategic impact. A MEPRA award-winner for her work across consumer and influencer campaigns, as well as previously being named one of Campaign’s PR Faces to Watch, Yara is known for fusing strategy with storytelling that resonates deeply across the region. A passionate advocate for Arab women and purpose-driven communications, she draws on editorial instincts and a performance-led approach to craft narratives that connect brand purpose with real-world relevance.
These appointments mark a key milestone in Ruder Finn Atteline’s transformation journey, following the recent unveiling of its refreshed brand identity and visual language. Reflecting a new era for the agency in MENA, this leadership expansion bolsters its capabilities while reinforcing deeper integration with Ruder Finn’s global network. As the agency continues to grow its offerings — from scaling its Content Hub and Digital Division to strengthening its sectoral expertise — the addition of fresh leadership ensures the right minds are in place to deliver on the promise of “What’s Next.”

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نتفليكس تكشف عن الصور الأولى للموسم الثاني من المسلسل المنتظر “وينزداي آدامز”

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يُعرض الموسم الثاني من المسلسل حصريًا على نتفليكس في في 6 أغسطس و3 سبتمبر 2025

لمحة عن الموسم الثاني من مسلسل “وينزداي آدامز”

تاريخ العرض الأول للجزء الأول (الحلقات 201-204): 6 أغسطس 2025
تاريخ العرض الأول للجزء الثاني (الحلقات 205 – 208): 3 سبتمبر 2025

نبذة عن العمل: تعود وينزداي آدامز (جينا أورتيجا) من جديد لتجوب بخطواتها الغامضة ممرات أكاديمية “نيفرمور” ذات الطابع القوطي المهيب؛ لكن هذه المرة، كل شيء مختلف، وجوه جديدة، وأسرار مظلمة، وخطر أكبر يلوح في الأفق. في موسم تتشابك فيه العلاقات وتتقاطع فيه المصالح، تواجه وينزداي تحديات غير مسبوقة، بين أفراد عائلتها، وأصدقائها، وحتى أعدائها القدامى، لتخوض غمار عامٍ آخر من الفوضى الحالكة والكوميديا السوداء، ومن جديد تغرق وينزداي في عالم سري خارقٍ للطبيعة يحبس الأنفاس بغموضه. يأتي الموسم الثاني من تأليف ألفريد جوغ ومايلز ميلر، ويستمر تيم بيرتون في دوره كمخرج ومنتج تنفيذي
المزيد عن الموسم الثاني من مسلسل “وينزداي آدامز”

تاريخ العرض الأول للجزء الأول (الحلقات 201-204): 6 أغسطس 2025
تاريخ العرض الأول للجزء الثاني (الحلقات 205 – 208): 3 سبتمبر 2025

المؤلفون / المنتجون التنفيذيون / الكتّاب: ألفريد جوغ، ومايلز ميلر
المخرج/المنتج التنفيذي: تيم بيرتون
المنتجون التنفيذيون: ستيف ستارك، وأندرو ميتمان، وميريديث أفريل، وكارين ريتشاردز، وجيل بيرمان، وجوناثان جليكمان، وتومي هاربر، وكايلا ألبرت، وكيفن ميسيروتشي
المخرجون: تيم بيرتون (201، 204، 207، 208)، وباكو كابيزاس (202، 203)، وأنجيلا روبنسون (205، 206)
أبطال المسلسل: جينا أورتيجا، وإيما مايرز، وستيف بوسيمي، وكاثرين زيتا جونز، ولويس جوزمان، وإسحاق أوردونيكس، وجوي صنداي، وبيلي بايبر، ولوياندا أوناتي لويس نياوو، وموسى مصطفى، وجورجي فارمر، وفيكتور دوروبانتو، وإيفي تمبلتون، وأوين بينتر، ونواه تايلور، وهانتر دوهان
ضيوف الشرف: جيمي ماكشين، وجوانا لوملي، وجوناس سواتامو، وفريد أرميسن، وكريستوفر لويد، وثانديوي نيوتن، وهيذر ماتارازو، وفرانسيس أوكونور
الاستوديو: إم جي إم

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AlBaraka Forum and Spectreco to Launch Groundbreaking Shariah-Compliant ESG Index in June

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In a major step toward harmonizing Islamic finance with global sustainability goals, the AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy has joined forces with Spectreco, a global provider of ESG analytics and sustainability intelligence, to unveil a pioneering AI-enabled, Shariah-compliant ESG Index—scheduled for launch in June 2025 in Istanbul.

The announcement was made during the 45th AlBaraka Islamic Economics Symposium in Madinah, where thought leaders, scholars, and industry professionals gathered to explore the future of ethical finance. The newly developed index bridges Islamic financial principles (Maqasid al-Shariah) with internationally recognized ESG frameworks, offering a next-generation benchmark for values-driven investment.

Faraz Khan MBE, CEO of Spectreco, commented:
“We’re creating a transformative tool that fuses tradition with advanced technology. This index will help institutions in the Islamic world meet the growing demand for sustainable and principled investing, with Saudi Arabia leading the regional charge.”

The index applies robust Shariah-compliant screening—excluding impermissible sectors and evaluating financial ratios—alongside real-time, AI-powered ESG analysis. Built to meet increasing regulatory requirements, the platform offers transparency, traceability, and compliance support across multiple jurisdictions.

Sheikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the AlBaraka Forum, added:
“This is more than a product—it is a vision for the future of Islamic finance. As global finance turns toward sustainability, this index ensures our ethical values remain at the forefront of innovation.”

Initial rollouts will focus on Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, Southeast Asia, and select European markets—regions already seeing accelerated ESG mandates and a surge in interest for Islamic financial solutions that meet international benchmarks.

Khan noted that Spectreco’s platform offers an end-to-end sustainability intelligence system, integrating ESG risk metrics and compliance frameworks through a seamless, AI-supported interface designed specifically for Islamic financial institutions.

“Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s embedded in capital flows and regulatory frameworks. This index empowers Islamic economies to lead, rather than follow, in this transition,” Khan said.

According to Sheikh Khalawi, the Islamic economy is poised to reach $7 trillion by 2028, yet the Islamic finance sector still comprises less than 5% of global financial assets. He believes the index will catalyze the creation of new, innovative products that satisfy both Shariah and global ESG requirements.

“We envision a truly global tool—from Southeast Asia to West Africa—that brings Islamic finance into full alignment with today’s sustainability agenda,” he stated. “This initiative is a bold step toward a more ethical, equitable, and resilient financial future.”

With countries like Pakistan actively transitioning to full Shariah compliance by 2027, and ESG reporting becoming a regulatory imperative across key markets, the launch of this index positions Islamic finance to meet the evolving needs of global investors and regulators alike.

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