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Warner Bros. World Yas Island wins Best Theme Park in the World at 2026 Liseberg Applause Award — first Middle East park to receive accolade in 46-year history | Photography: WAM ABU DHABI, May 21 — Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, has been named Best Theme Park in the World at the 2026 Liseberg Applause Award, Miral said. The recognition makes Warner Bros. World the first theme park in the Middle East to receive the award. The Applause Award recognises theme parks f

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives ahead of a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in central London, Britain, March 31, 2026. JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS PARIS, May 21 — Syria will attend the G7 summit in France next month as a guest nation and will be represented by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, three sources familiar with the matter said. The June 15-17 summit will be held in Evian-les-Bains in southeastern France. One Syrian offic

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha greets her royalists as she leaves a religious ceremony to commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn, known as King Rama V, at The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, October 23, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK, May 21 — Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s medical condition has worsened after multiple infections affected several organs, the Royal Palace said on Thursday. The 47-year-old princess, the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongk

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on military base in Chad RIYADH, May 21 — Saudi Arabia condemned an attack on a military base in Chad that killed and injured several security personnel, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed the kingdom’s rejection of terrorism and extremist acts targeting the security and stability of Chad. Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with the government and people of Chad and extended condolences to the famili

Diriyah's UNESCO-listed At-Turaif District hosts International Museum Day with palace storytelling, architectural sketching and museum conservation workshops | Photography: SPA RIYADH, May 21 — The Diriyah Gate Development Authority concluded its International Museum Day celebrations at At-Turaif Historical District, with cultural programmes and activities focused on heritage, architecture and museum practices. The events included “Tours and Stories from Diriyah’s Palaces,” a

Saudi tax authority urges businesses to file April VAT returns by May 31 RIYADH, May 21 — Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority urged businesses subject to value-added tax with annual supplies exceeding SAR40 million ($10.7 million) to file April VAT returns by May 31. The authority said businesses should submit returns through its website or smartphone application to avoid late-filing penalties ranging from 5% to 25% of the unpaid tax amount. Value-added tax is app

Saudi Civil Defense urges safe use of electrical appliances during Hajj RIYADH, May 20 — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense urged pilgrims and Hajj campaign operators to use electrical appliances safely in accommodation facilities at the holy sites, SPA reported. The directorate warned against overloading electrical circuits, saying it could cause short circuits or fires. Civil Defense urged pilgrims and operators to follow safety instructions issued through

U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind protective glass as he delivers the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, U.S., May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON, May 20 — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States could carry out further strikes against Iran if no agreement is reached over Tehran’s nuclear programme. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump said during a commencement address at the U.S. Coast G

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst ANKARA, May 20 — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Donald Trump in a call on Wednesday that he welcomed the extension of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, the Turkish presidency said. Erdogan said he believed a reasonable solution to disputed issues between Washington and Tehran w

Saudi Fashion Commission signs MoU with Italy’s MinervaHub RIYADH, May 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh with MinervaHub, an Italian group specialized in production and innovative manufacturing in the fashion and luxury sector, establishing a framework for developing advanced industrial expertise and supporting the growth of the fashion sector in the Kingdom. “Out partnership with MinervaHu

Diriyah Art Futures launches Art Futures Camp for teenage digital artists | Photography: SPA RIYADH, May 20 — Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) has launched the inaugural edition of Art Futures Camp 2026, a three-week programme focused on digital art and new media for teenage creatives, SPA reported. The camp, scheduled to run from June 28 to July 16 in Riyadh, will bring together 14 Arabic-speaking participants aged between 14 and 18 to explore digital art under the guidance of indu

Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Introduces Sharjah Design Council and New Global Design Initiative | Photography: WAM SHARJAH, May 20 — Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Head of the Sharjah Creative Quarter, has issued a decision establishing the Sharjah Design Council, WAM reported. The council will be followed by the launch of Sharjah Design Days, a specialised platform bringing together designers, creatives and specialists from around the wor

Saudi business revenue index rises 10.2% year-on-year in March RIYADH, May 20 — Saudi Arabia’s operating revenue index rose 10.2% year-on-year in March 2026, the General Authority for Statistics said in its short-term business indicators bulletin. The index increased 8.1% from February, supported by growth across several economic activities, GASTAT said. Mining and quarrying recorded the strongest monthly increase, rising 38.6%, while manufacturing grew 4.4%. Financial and in

U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia opens visa appointments for World Cup ticket holders RIYADH, May 20 — The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia said it has opened applications for visitor visa appointments for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders under the FIFA PASS programme. The programme allows fans in Saudi Arabia who bought tickets directly from FIFA to schedule B1/B2 visa interview appointments in Jeddah ahead of the tournament, the embassy said. The embassy urged applicants to revie

Etihad to double A380 Paris service this summer ABU DHABI, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Etihad Airways will increase its Airbus A380 service to Paris Charles de Gaulle to double daily from July 1, WAM reported. The expansion will raise Etihad’s Abu Dhabi-Paris route to three daily flights overall. The schedule will include two daily A380 services from Zayed Abu Dhabi International Airport, with morning and afternoon departures. A third daily Boeing 787-9 service will

Bahrain suspends entry for non-citizens from three African countries over Ebola outbreak MANAMA, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs suspended entry for non-Bahraini travellers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda over the Ebola outbreak, BNA reported. The suspension applies from Tuesday, May 19, and follows World Health Organization updates on the outbreak and worsening conditions in the affected countr

Riyadh Air opens public sales for Riyadh-London flights | Photography: SPA RIYADH, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Riyadh Air announced the launch of full public ticket sales for flights between Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and London Heathrow, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The route will begin operating with Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from July 1, 2026. Tickets are available through the Riyadh Air app, the airline’s website and a

UAE says drone that hit near Barakah plant was launched from Iraq ABU DHABI, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The United Arab Emirates said six drones had been launched against the country from Iraq over the past 48 hours, including one that caused a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, Reuters reported. The UAE Defence Ministry said it intercepted all but one of the drones. Three of the drones had been targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the Arab