Author: Editorial Team
BEIRUT — Israel has ordered the forced displacement of all residents living south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon as it expands its invasion of the country before a possible assault on the city of Nabatieh. The warning came shortly after the army confirmed it had taken Beaufort Castle, a strategic point on a high ridge above the Litani river. In a post on the social media platform X on Sunday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee instructed residents to move immediately north of the Zahrani River, warning that anyone who remained in the area risked being killed. Israel had…
MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia started issuing Umrah visas and the entry of pilgrims into Saudi Arabia from Sunday, Dhul Hijjah 14, corresponding to May 31 for the new Umrah season. According to the Umrah season calendar1448 AH, released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently, pilgrims will be able to enter Makkah and obtain Umrah permits through the Nusuk application beginning Monday, June 1. The last day for issuing Umrah visas has been set for 1st Shawwal, 1448, corresponding to March 9, 2027, while the final date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom is 15th Shawwal 1448 corresponding to…
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), in partnership with the General Directorate of Public Security at the Ministry of Interior, has developed the smart “Roya” platform, which leverages artificial intelligence, remote sensing technologies, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support security and operational activities in the holy sites, enhancing response speed and decision-making accuracy during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The platform provides advanced technical services, including the analysis of satellite imagery and geospatial data to study traffic movement and monitor crowd density, while also delivering field indicators that support security authorities in efficiently managing critical locations.…
SINGAPORE — Japan’s defense minister has rebutted Beijing’s claim that his country is engaging in a “new militarism”, criticizing China for its military expansion and lack of transparency. Speaking on the last day of a defense summit in Singapore, Shinjiro Koizumi said it was actually China and its “huge arsenal” of weapons that was of “serious concern” to the international community. “Japan’s door to dialogue is always open” to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines,” Koizumi said in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries…
CARACAS — Venezuela’s opposition candidate who was recognized by the United States and others as the actual winner of the 2024 election against Nicolas Maduro, called on Saturday for a new vote. Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the 76-year-old former diplomat living in exile in Spain, threw his support behind Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who wants fresh elections in the oil-rich South American nation. In a video message posted on social media, Gonzalez voiced solidarity with fellow opposition leader Machado, who is also advocating for new elections. “A few days ago in Panama, Maria Corina Machado…
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi of Sharjah opened a joint exhibit over the weekend that invited artists from the UAE and Poland to visually recreate stories from each other’s folk traditions, creating a “cultural dialogue beyond geographical borders and linguistic differences.” “Folktales Reimagined” was generated in collaboration between the UAE Board on Books for Young People and the Polish Section of the International Board on Books for Young People. It debuted in Warsaw’s National Library of Poland. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The exhibit let a dozen Emirati and Polish artists…
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, represented by the Holy Makkah Municipality, has announced the successful execution of its operational plan for the 1447 AH Hajj season, maintained by a specialized workforce of over 22,000 personnel and supported by 3,000 pieces of equipment and machinery operating around the clock across Makkah and the holy sites. Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al Rasasimah stated that cleaning and environmental sanitation efforts resulted in the removal of over 250,000 tons of waste in Makkah since Dhu Al-Qadah 15, averaging more than 6,000 tons daily. Additionally, over 16,000 tons of waste were cleared from the holy…
PARIS — Police on Saturday detained nearly 300 people in Paris after violent clashes erupted when thousands poured onto the streets following the victory of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League final against Arsenal. Some 22,000 police were deployed across France for the game, including 8,000 in Paris, after unrest marred PSG’s win in the competition last year. Paris tram lines were halted, several metro stations shut and bus traffic halted in places in a bid to minimize disturbances. Fireworks and flares were set off, while several police officers were injured in the fray. Police fired tear gas to…
WASHINGTON — The US military has fired a missile into the engine room of a merchant vessel trying to break through its blockade of Iranian ports, the Central Command said on Saturday. The Gambia-flagged cargo ship Lian Star ignored more than 20 warnings from US forces overnight as it tried to enter an Iranian port, the military said. The ship remained adrift in the Gulf of Oman and US forces have not boarded it, said a US official with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity. With the latest action, US military has stopped six ships trying to…
People living with multiple sclerosis (MS), their caregivers, and employers now have access to a new set of practical support resources launched in the UAE as part of a nationwide World MS Day campaign. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has introduced a patient guide to help individuals navigate conversations around an MS diagnosis, a dedicated resource for carers, and an HR guide designed to help employers create more inclusive workplaces for employees living with the condition. The resources form part of the society’s fourth annual World MS Day campaign, which is being rolled out across healthcare facilities, workplaces, and…