Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam...
Arts & Culture
Huge crowds flock to Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral
Tens of thousands of mourners flooded into St Peter's Square on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, the champion...
Arts & Culture
Geostrategy
War affects Christmas festivities in southern Lebanon
Qlayaa, Lebanon - In the Lebanese Christian border village of Qlayaa, the priest urged his parish to keep the Christmas spirit...
- Despite the violence, the church has put up lights, a life-sized manger and is planning recitals and activities for the community's children.
- Residents along the border are used to "difficult times", said father Antonios Farah, "but we have decided... we will celebrate Christmas as usual".
Arts & Culture
Strategic investments accelerate KSA’s esports market
Vision 2030 is fueling Saudi Arabia's esports surge, with NEOM World Cup 2024 set to elevate its status as a...
- Vision 2030 is fueling Saudi Arabia's esports surge, with NEOM World Cup 2024 set to elevate its status as a global digital entertainment leader.
- With initiatives to foster inclusivity and address infrastructural challenges, Saudi Arabia is poised to reshape the future of competitive gaming.
Arts & Culture
7,000 digital marriage contracts delivered in Abu Dhabi since Oct
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has introduced a new service that allows marriage contracts to be...
- This is the first service of its kind and it enables the marriage contract to be sent directly to the spouses during the contract session.
- Customers can review the available times of the authorized officiants and receive the results of the suitors' medical examination automatically.
Arts & Culture
Middle East dish Harees inscribed on UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The popular traditional food Harees is now inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural...
- Harees is a porridge-like dish that is most often eaten during important family gatherings, such as weddings, as well as at national and religious holidays
- The addition marks the fifteenth element inscribed on behalf of the UAE on UNESCO's lists, continuing a series that commenced in 2010 with the inclusion of falconry
Strengthening cultural diversity key focus of Sharjah
“Our annual event agenda is packed with international activities that attract content creators and writers from around the world. This...
- The Sharjah Book Authority champions cultural diversity and Arab culture enrichment, says its chair Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi.
- 'Big Bad Wolf – Sharjah', the world's largest book sale event, features over 1 million books across various genres with up to 85% discounts.
Arts & Culture
Sharjah’s ‘Mleiha’ and ‘Al Dhaid’ added to Islamic World Heritage
Sharjah, UAE - The Islamic World Heritage Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) added the...
- The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has completed the nomination dossier of the Mleiha archaeological site titled "Mleiha: The Pre-Islamic Period in Southeast Arabia"
- The nomination highlights the historical and archaeological value of Mleiha and its archaeological and architectural elements that were unearthed during continuous excavations
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia’s Noor Riyadh festival sets 6 Guinness World Records
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Noor Riyadh Festival 2023 has secured six new Guinness World Records, making it its third consecutive...
- The records were set during the closing presentation of an art installation, after the 17 days of celebration, held from November 30 to December 16, 2023.
- Artist Christopher Bauder's artwork titled "Dialogue" set a record for "the most lights used in a temporary light and sound show".
Arts & Culture
UNESCO places Ramadan’s ‘iftar’ in intangible cultural heritage
Tehran, Iran - The UN cultural agency on Wednesday recognized iftar, the meal that breaks the daytime fast during the Muslim...
- The application for the sociocultural tradition was jointly submitted by Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to the UNESCO
- The age-old community tradition was recognized by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Science
Vaping: lighting up, stubbing out
Developed in 2003 by the Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, concerns are growing over the risk of teens becoming hooked on...
- The birth of vaping comes in the year that Ireland bans smoking in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants, sparking a global clampdown on smoking indoors.
- Many doctors welcome the devices, which are tar-free, as a potential lifesaver in the fight against cancer, heart disease, strokes and other diseases.
Business
Abu Dhabi-backed fund takeover of Telegraph triggers UK probe into sale
Dubai, UAE--The UK government has ordered a formal probe into the proposed sale of the Telegraph Media Group to an...
- Earlier this month RedBird IMI announced that it will take control of The Daily and Sunday Telegraph sister newspapers and The Spectator magazine
- The Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund said a $762-million "package of loans" will fully repay the debts owed, allowing the media group to be taken out of receivership
Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam...
Arts & Culture
Company News
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Born to help: Syria bikers deliver Ramadan meals
Arts & Culture
Iraqi date farmers fight drought to protect national treasure
Janājah, Iraq - Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and...
In the heart of Beirut, one family upholds a unique dessert tradition
Beirut, Lebanon - At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm,...
Arts & Culture
Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
Most Read
Saudi Arabia constitutes center for promoting moderate Islam: North Macedonia Mufti
Skopje – Islamic Union President and Republic of North Macedonia Mufti Sheikh Hafiz Şakir Fetahu stressed that Saudi Arabia has...
- He expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- The president praised the Kingdom's government for its significant and extensive services to the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims and Umrah performers
Israel top court rules ultra-Orthodox men must serve in army
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israel's top court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into military service,...
- The High Court of Justice's decision on the politically charged issue comes as calls grow for ultra-Orthodox men to enlist
- Ultra-Orthodox Jews adhere to a strict interpretation of Jewish custom and largely live in insular communities in Israel and elsewhere
Egypt to prosecute travel agents over hajj ‘fraud’: government
Cairo, Egypt - Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly ordered 16 tourism companies stripped of their licences and referred their managers to...
- The order came after countries whose citizens performed this year's hajj reported more than 1,100 deaths, many attributed to the oven-like summer heat in Saudi Arabia
- An AFP tally on Friday, compiling official statements and reports from diplomats involved in the response, put the toll at 1,126, more than half of them from Egypt