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SPA MAKKAH, April 18 — Makkah marked World Heritage Day on Friday by highlighting efforts to preserve its historical, cultural and architectural legacy. Authorities continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting both tangible and intangible heritage through restoration and rehabilitation programs, as well as cultural events and interactive exhibitions. The city is home to historic districts, sites linked to early Islamic history, and museums and cultural centers that hel

QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY LONDON, April 18 — It could take about two years for Middle East energy output disrupted by the conflict in the region to return to pre-war levels, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said in an interview published on Friday. Birol told Switzerland’s Neue Zue

NEW DELHI, April 18 — India summoned Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi on Saturday after two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following reports of gunfire from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, according to a statement from India’s External Affairs Ministry. India’s foreign secretary conveyed New Delhi’s “deep concern” over the incident to the Iranian envoy, the ministry said. According to the statement, the Indian official also noted that T

PARIS, April 18 — The Israeli military said it carried out aerial and ground strikes in southern Lebanon after identifying what it described as several incidents in which militants violated the ceasefire by approaching areas near Israeli troops. In a statement, the military said the militants approached from the north toward what it referred to as a “Yellow Line,” a term it mentioned publicly for the first time. The 10-day ceasefire agreement announced by U.S. President Donal

PARIS, April 18 — A French soldier serving with the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon was killed and three others were injured in an attack on Saturday morning, French President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron identified the soldier as Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban. “Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,” Macron said in a social media post. France is demanding that Lebanes

RIYADH, April 18 — Saudi authorities recorded 14,487 violations of residency, labor and border security laws during inspection campaigns carried out across the kingdom between April 9 and 15, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the Ministry of Interior. The total included 7,911 residency violations, 3,588 border security violations and 2,988 labor-related violations. Border authorities also apprehended 1,382 people attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, including 38%

SPA RIYADH, April 18 — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part in a quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Antalya attended by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministers discussed the latest regional developments, including support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts and its push for a permanent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. According to the report, the efforts were aimed at helping de-esca

Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the start of the war causing chaos in global oil markets, would be opened for the remaining period of the ceasefire. In a social media post, Abbas Araghchi linked the announcement to the declaration of a 10-day truce in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday and came into force earl

Burj Al Arab stands, after an Iranian attack, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky DUBAI, April 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab hotel will shut its doors for an 18-month renovation — its first since opening in 1999 — a staff member confirmed on Wednesday, as the broader regional tourism sector grapples with the fallout from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The hotel's

BRUSSELS, April 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed on Thursday that the security of the Gulf region and Europe are inseparable, declaring the European Union’s full solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its member states in the face of what she described as unjustified Iranian aggression. Von der Leyen made the remarks following a meeting in Brussels with Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer RIYADH, April 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Israel's military told residents of southern Lebanon early Friday to remain north of the Litani River, as its forces held their positions in the country despite a ceasefire taking effect. Arabic-language military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that the deployment was a response to ongoing Hezbollah militant activity, whic

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium buried under damaged nuclear sites, a statement that would amount to a major concession from Tehran if confirmed, though neither Iran not intermediary countries have corroborated the assertion. Trump made the remarks to reporters before departing for Las Vegas, describing the materials as “nuclear dust” - his shorthand for

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer WASHINGTON, April 16 — A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could be extended by mutual agreement, while Israel retains the right to take what the United States described as necessary self-defense measures during the truce. The six-point memorandum of understanding is due to take effect at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. The statement describes the initial ceasefire as a gesture int

SPA TABUK, April 16 — A cultural evening was held in Tabuk to mark World Art Day, bringing together people interested in visual arts and culture in the region. The event, titled “The Alphabet of the Brush… When Color Becomes a Universal Language,” was organized by the Cultural Club in Tabuk, the literary partner of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. Discussions during the evening focused on visual art as a tool of cultural expression and its role in docume

SPA RIYADH, April 16 — Saudi Arabia welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a statement carried by the Saudi foreign ministry. The kingdom also praised what it described as the positive role played by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. In its statement, the foreign ministry renewed Saudi Arabia’s support for the Lebanese state in s

RIYADH, April 16 — Saudi Arabia has extended the term of an existing $5 billion deposit at the State Bank of Pakistan and announced an additional $3 billion deposit in support of Pakistan’s economy. The move comes under directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, SPA reported. Saudi Arabia said the assistance is intended to support Pakistan’s economic stability and strengthen resilience amid global economic cha

RIYADH, April 16 — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense is continuing a public awareness campaign on weather phenomena, urging residents to follow safety instructions and remain alert during changing weather conditions. The campaign, launched under the slogan “Important to Know,” is aimed at strengthening prevention awareness and improving community preparedness in dealing with climate-related fluctuations. Civil Defense urged the public to stay in safe places

SPA RIYADH, April 16 — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has approved its 2026-2030 strategy, setting out plans to focus on domestic sector development, long-term returns and continued support for the kingdom’s economic transformation. The strategy, approved by PIF’s board chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks a shift from a period of rapid growth to a phase focused on sustained value creation, investment efficiency and governance standards. Under the new pla

📷| SPA RIYADH, April 16 — Almarai signed two agreements aimed at helping localize Saudi Arabia’s fish and seafood processing sector, supporting domestic investment and economic diversification under Vision 2030. The agreements were signed with the Ministry of Investment and the Shareek Program Center. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley and Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif witnessed the signing ceremony, which was also attended by Almarai

SPA RIYADH, April 15 - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture opened the first edition of the Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday with a session focused on culture as a form of soft power and the role of the nonprofit sector in shaping the future, state news agency SPA reported. The opening session, held at the King Fahd Cultural Centre under the title "Culture as Soft Power: Redefining the Role of the Nonprofit Sector in Shaping the Future," featured Prince Tu