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Saudi Sabha prayer beads remain symbol of heritage, identity across generations | 📷SPA RIYADH, June 26 — The Sabha, or prayer beads, continues to hold a prominent place in Saudi society as a symbol of male identity, heritage and social belonging, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Passed down through generations, the Sabha is commonly carried by men during formal gatherings and social occasions. While it retains its religious function as a tool for counting supplications and

UAE expands visa-on-arrival programme to six more nationalities ABU DHABI, June 26 — The United Arab Emirates has expanded its visa-on-arrival programme to include nationals of six countries and their accompanying family members, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said. The decision, effective from July 25, applies to nationals of Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa who hold ordinary passports. Eligible travellers must also hold a valid residenc

Saudi, Qatari ministers discuss regional stability, U.S.-Iran MoU | 📷SPA MANAMA, June 25 — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional stability, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the joint ministerial meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the United States. The two m

Saudi, Omani Foreign Ministers Discuss U.S.-Iran Agreement, Gulf Stability | 📷SPA MANAMA, June 25 — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi in Manama on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties, Gulf cooperation and regional developments, SPA reported. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the joint ministerial meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the United States. During the talks, the two minister

Saudi Arabia launches ETA service for UK citizens starting July 1 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization service for UK citizens, easing entry procedures for visitors to the Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ETA will allow UK citizens to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times and stay for up to 180 days, either consecutively or across several visits within one year. The authorization covers visits for tourism, s

King Salman sends congratulatory message to Qatar’s Amir on accession anniversary RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a message of congratulations to Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the anniversary of his accession to power. King Salman wished Sheikh Tamim continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Qatar further progress and prosperity. He also praised the distingui

Jazan Culture House holds pottery workshop for young participants | 📷SPA JAZAN, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Jazan Culture House organized the “Little Potter” workshop as part of the Hiraf Cultural Club’s activities, targeting participants aged 10 to 18. The workshop aimed to develop young people’s creative skills and introduce them to traditional crafts as part of the region’s cultural heritage. Participants received hands-on training in clay shaping and pottery making, beginnin

Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Venezuela after deadly earthquake RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Saudi Arabia expressed condolences and sympathy to Venezuela after an earthquake struck coastal cities west of the capital Caracas, causing deaths, injuries and missing persons. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom extended its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Venezuela. The ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia’s soli

Saudi national team holds final Austin training before Houston trip | SPA AUSTIN, Texas, June 25 — The Saudi national football team continued preparations in Austin, Texas, ahead of its match against Cape Verde on Saturday in the third round of Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The players trained at Q2 Stadium in their final session before traveling to Houston, which will host Saudi Arabia’s final group-stage match. The team will complete its preparations on Friday evening

Cast member Angelina Jolie poses for pictures on red carpet for the premiere of "Couture" during the Rome Film Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, Italy, October 18, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casill PARIS, June 25 — Angelina Jolie said she turned personal pain into performance for the French film Couture, in which she plays a filmmaker diagnosed with breast cancer. The Academy Award-winning actor plays Maxime Walker, a fictional American filmmaker producing a film

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steven Butler, charge d'affaires ad interim of the U.S. embassy in Kuwait, attend a flag raising ceremony at the U.S. embassy during Rubio's visit to the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 24, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee KUWAIT CITY, June 25 — The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations on Wednesday during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mont

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain during Rubio's visit to the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Manama, Bahrain, June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee MANAMA, Bahrain, June 25 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Bahrain officials on Thursday on the final leg of a Gulf tour aimed at promoting the Trump administration’s preliminary

Saudi weather center issues heat warning for Eastern Region, rain alert for Al-Baha DAMMAM/AL-BAHA, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology issued weather alerts for the Eastern Region and Al-Baha on Thursday. The center warned of a heat wave accompanied by active winds in parts of the Eastern Region, including Buqayq, Al-Udayd, Dhablotin, Al-Ahsa, Al-Hijr and affiliated areas. The conditions are expected to raise dust and reduce horizontal visib

Kuwait Amir Sheikh Meshal meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on regional developments KUWAIT CITY, June 24 — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday for talks on regional developments and bilateral relations. The talks focused on Kuwait’s historic relationship with the United States and efforts to advance cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also discussed current developmen

KAUST ranks among world’s top 50 in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 24 — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has ranked among the world’s top 50 universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 for the first time. KAUST placed 48th among more than 1,600 universities from 130 countries and territories. The rankings measure universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across

Arabian Travel Market 2026 to be held in Dubai from September 14 to 17 DUBAI, UAE, June 24 — Arabian Travel Market 2026 will take place from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together the international travel and tourism industry at a key time for the sector. The revised dates are aimed at providing exhibitors, buyers, visitors and partners with greater flexibility and confidence to participate, while supporting attendance and business engagement. Organ