Author: Editorial Team

BUSAN, South Korea — UNESCO on Friday added the archaeological site of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and five historic castles in southern Lebanon to its World Heritage List, despite objections from Israel, which had urged the U.N. cultural agency to reject the nominations. Meeting in the South Korean city of Busan, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee also placed both sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger after considering the nominations under an emergency procedure because of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Earlier this week, Israel’s Foreign Ministry called on the committee to reject the nominations, accusing…

Egypt renewed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, affirming its unequivocal rejection and condemnation of the attack on a Saudi vessel and all attacks targeting civilian facilities and transport or threatening the security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and international waterways. In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt stressed the great importance of respecting, guaranteeing, and protecting freedom of international navigation in all straits and international passages in the region. It also emphasized the need to ensure the movement of international trade and global supply chains, in line with the provisions of international law…

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump returned Friday to the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, delivering a wide-ranging speech that mixed praise for some journalists with criticism of others, jokes about public figures and quips about serving a third presidential term. Trump’s remarks, which lasted just over an hour, marked his return to the annual event after it was postponed in April following a shooting outside the original venue that prompted its cancellation. Opening his speech, Trump said he had scrapped the sharper version of the remarks he had prepared for the original dinner. “That was going to be a…

PARIS — France prepared Saturday to deploy a specially adapted A400M military cargo aircraft to drop flame retardants on a massive wildfire threatening Bordeaux, as fires across France and Spain forced more than 250,000 people from their homes this week. French authorities have ordered evacuations from parts of Bordeaux’s western suburbs and nearby towns as the fast-moving blaze in the Gironde region advanced toward the city, fueled by shifting winds, extreme heat and dry conditions. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the A400M aircraft would join what he described as a “long and very difficult” battle against the fire, which was…

RIYADH — Internet speeds in Saudi Arabia increased to 216 Mbps, up from 203 Mbps the previous year, according to the fifth edition of the Saudi Internet 2025 report released by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST). Supported by the Kingdom’s expanding digital infrastructure, this icrease places Saudi Arabia among the top five G20 countries in this indicator. The report showed that the average monthly mobile internet data consumption per person reached 53 GB, which is approximately three times the global average. The median download speed on 5G networks reached 320 Mbps, while the median mobile internet latency was…

Saudi Arabia hosts 11 skink species, including the sandfish, spotted sand skink, and golden skink, adapting across dunes, oases, and plains with streamlined bodies and smooth, shiny scales.  Growing up to 14 centimeters long, these reptiles use clawed limbs and pointed snouts to navigate loose sand. The famous sandfish burrows up to 40 centimeters deep to evade predators and extreme heat.  By detecting prey vibrations under the sand to feed on insects, arachnids, and plant matter, skinks regulate pest populations and maintain ecological balance across the Arabian Peninsula. Source: Riyadh Daily

RIYADH — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Paksitani counterpart where they emphasized the need to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions. During the Prince’s call with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers reviewed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of continuing coordination and consultation. They also emphasized containing the region’s escalation, and ensure the security and safety of maritime routes in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, in a way that contributes to reaching peaceful and comprehensive solutions that…

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has taken action against 71 violators found marketing or selling unapproved peptide-based products for weight loss, the authority said in statements to Arabic daily Al Etihad. The action included 14 registered facilities that were cited for regulatory violations, while 14 social media influencers were referred to the National Media Authority for breaching rules governing the online promotion and sale of pharmaceutical products. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. The crackdown comes amid interest in weight-loss treatments in the UAE, with authorities warning residents against buying medicines from unlicensed…

ADEN — Airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in Yemen’s Marib and Al-Jawf provinces on Saturday as the internationally recognized government stepped up military preparedness amid growing battlefield tensions. Yemen’s state television reported that the strikes hit Houthi reinforcements in the districts of Al-Jubah, Majzar and Al-Safra, targeting missile launchers, a Katyusha rocket-launching base and weapons depots. The broadcaster said several Houthi fighters, including missile specialists, were killed. The latest attacks came days after Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi accused the Houthis of serving Iran’s agenda and warned the group against further escalation. The developments also follow the Houthi attack…

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continued implementing the water supply and environmental sanitation project in Al-Khawkhah District of Al-Hodeidah Governorate.  During June 2026, the project pumped 5,164,000 liters of water for domestic use and 1,334,000 liters of safe drinking water. It also carried out 565 waste removal trips from displaced persons camps, drained 79.20 cubic meters of stagnant water and sewage, maintained 16 latrines, and conducted one water quality test. These services benefited 80,553 individuals. Source: Riyadh Daily