The Japan consulate in Jeddah marked the upcoming birthday of Emperor Naruhito with a formal reception on Thursday evening, underscoring deepening cultural and economic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. The event, hosted at the residence of Consul General Daisuke Yamamoto, drew senior Saudi officials, diplomats, business representatives and members of the local community. Among…
Ukraine talks in Geneva are set to resume on February 17-18, the Kremlin confirmed Friday, as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war continue without a clear breakthrough. According to Russian officials, the upcoming negotiations will follow the same trilateral structure involving representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov…
Spain’s swine fever outbreak has widened beyond its original containment zone in the northeastern region of Catalonia, marking the first time the virus has been detected outside the restricted area since it resurfaced late last year. Regional authorities confirmed that additional cases of African swine fever have been identified in wild boars, including infections discovered…
Trump’s decision to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East marks a significant escalation in U.S. military positioning as Washington intensifies pressure on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile activities. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has been ordered to depart from the Caribbean Sea and…
Germany’s rules-based order warning took center stage at the Munich Security Conference as Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the international system that has shaped global stability for decades is no longer functioning in its previous form. Speaking before dozens of world leaders and senior policymakers, Merz said the global framework built on shared principles and…
Sohar: A specialised medical team at Sohar Hospital has successfully carried out the hospital’s first anterior and posterior anatomical repair of wrist ligaments. The patient, who had been suffering from a chronic wrist injury for over a year, underwent the advanced procedure following thorough clinical and radiological evaluations. The surgery, which employed modern anatomical techniques,…
Muscat: Oman’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting has announced that Thursday, 19 February 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH. Based on confirmed astronomical calculations, the crescent moon will not be visible on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (29 Sha’ban 1447 AH), in any governorate of the Sultanate, making its sighting astronomically impossible….
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s banking sector outlook remains stable, supported by stronger non-oil economic growth and solid capital buffers, Moody’s Ratings said, forecasting continued expansion despite liquidity constraints. The credit rating agency noted that the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP is projected to grow by 4.2 percent this year, up from 3.7 percent in 2025, reinforcing banks’ lending…
France’s highest court has refused to reopen an investigation into the 2016 death of Adama Traore, a young black man who died in police custody, upholding an earlier decision to dismiss the case against the three officers involved. The Court of Cassation’s ruling effectively closes the case nearly a decade after the 24-year-old’s death in…
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have announced that 2029 will be celebrated as the Saudi-British Cultural Year, marking a major cultural partnership between the two countries. The announcement was made on Wednesday and coincides with Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week, underscoring the long-standing relationship between the two nations, which spans more…
