AL RIYADH

South Korea conducts second test of space rocket after initial failure

South Korea conducted the second test launch of its domestically produced Nuri space rocket on Tuesday (Jun 21), eight months after the first test successfully blasted off but failed to place a dummy satellite in orbit.

The rocket lifted off from Naro Space Center on the southern coast of South Korea at 4pm local time, and officials expected to know about an hour later whether it had successfully placed its payload in orbit.

North Korea abruptly stops importing COVID-19 containment goods from China

North Korea abruptly stopped importing COVID-19 prevention and control products from China in May, trade data released by Beijing showed, after the country bought face masks and ventilators from its neighbour in previous months.

Daily new cases of fever in North Korea, as reported by its state news agency, KCNA, have been declining since the reclusive country first acknowledged in mid-May that it was fighting a COVID-19 outbreak. But it has yet to reveal how many of those cases tested positive for the coronavirus.

NATO warns of long Ukraine war as Russian assaults follow EU boost for Kyiv

The war in Ukraine could last for years, the head of NATO said on Sunday, as Russia stepped up its assaults after the European Union recommended that Kyiv become a candidate to join the bloc.

Jens Stoltenberg said the supply of state-of-the-art weaponry to Ukrainian troops would boost the chance of freeing its eastern region of Donbas from Russian control, Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper said.

UK confident it can overturn legal ban on Rwanda plan

Britain pressed on with its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda on Wednesday (Jun 15) despite a last-minute intervention by European judges that grounded the first flight minutes before it was due to depart.

The government had been forced to fight a series of legal challenges in London courts, and believed it was ready to deport a handful of migrants on a charter plane to Rwanda on Tuesday night before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHO) stepped in.

Strike to ground quarter of flights at Paris airport

A quarter of flights will be cancelled at the main Paris airport on Thursday (Jun 9) as workers stage a strike to demand higher wages, airport operator ADP said, causing more travel chaos in Europe.

The strike comes as several European airports have struggled to handle passenger flows due to staff shortages as the travel industry bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden targets Latin America reset at summit marred by invite tension

When the United States said last year it would host the 2022 Summit of the Americas, officials had high hopes the event would help repair Trump-era damage to relations and reassert US primacy over China’s growing clout in Latin America.

But on the cusp of the coming week’s gathering in Los Angeles, US President Joe Biden faces a struggle to make a success of a summit plagued by problems before it even began.

At least 5 dead, including gunman, after mass shooting at medical centre in Oklahoma

At least five people were dead after a man armed with a rifle opened fire on Wednesday (Jun 1) inside a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the latest of a series of mass shootings in the United States.

Tulsa Police said on Twitter that five people were dead, including the gunman, in an “active shooter situation” at the Natalie Building on the St Francis Hospital campus.

Israel signs major trade deal with Gulf state UAE

Israel signed a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (May 31), its first big trade accord with an Arab state and a move aimed at boosting trade between the two Middle East nations.

The pact was signed in Dubai after months of negotiations.

Shanghai to gradually reopen schools in June as lockdown eases

Schoolchildren in Shanghai will gradually resume some in-person classes in June with daily COVID-19 tests, the local government said Thursday (May 26), as the Chinese metropolis gradually emerges from a lengthy lockdown that brought it to a standstill.

The country has been fighting its worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic, with the epicentre Shanghai banning its 25 million residents from leaving their homes for weeks.

As North Korea gears up for potential nuclear test, missiles get little domestic fanfare

North Korean state media has kept quiet about a recent flurry of missile tests amid an unprecedented coronavirus wave – perhaps to avoid overshadowing a potential nuclear test, analysts say.

North Korea launched three missiles on Wednesday (May 25), including its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the HS-17, prompting live-fire drills by the United States and South Korea and a renewed push for fresh UN sanctions.

Two decades of deadly gun violence in US schools

At least 19 students and two teachers were shot dead on Tuesday (May 24) when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at their Texas elementary school, the latest in the United States’ relentless cycle of school mass shootings.

Here are America’s deadliest classroom gun massacres in the last two decades.

Saudi Press: Saudi Arabia and the United States Have Strong Relations in Many Various Fields

Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international levels.

Al-Bilad newspaper reported in its editorial the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America have deep and strong relations in many varous.

Monkeypox cases something to ‘be concerned about’: Biden

President Joe Biden said Sunday (May 22) that recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States were something “to be concerned about.”

In his first public comments on the disease, Biden added: “It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential.”

More Russian oil going east squeezes Iranian crude sales to China

Iran’s crude exports to China have fallen sharply since the start of the Ukraine war as Beijing favoured heavily discounted Russian barrels, leaving almost 40 million barrels of Iranian oil stored on tankers at sea in Asia and seeking buyers.

U.S. and European sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 have pushed more Russian crude east, where China has snapped it up, cutting demand for oil from Iran and Venezuela, which are also both under Western sanctions.

KSrelief distributes 400 food baskets in Afghanistan

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) today distributed 400 food baskets to the needy people in Sarkhrud city, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, benefiting 400 families.

This comes within the framework of the relief and humanitarian efforts being provided by the Kingdom, represented by the Center, to many needy and affected countries and peoples.

Hisma Desert, 500 Million Years Old, Forms Open Museum of Rock Formations, Rare Gharameel

Hisma Desert with its red sands and sand mountains in the northwestern area of the Tabuk Region adds a natural beauty and geological dimension to this desert that has longstanding history, where this desert dates back to 500 million years.

Geological expert Professor Abdulaziz bin Labon attributed these unique rock contents to erosion factors that affected this area over years to make beautiful paintings that are rare in the world, stressing, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, that these formations are rocks of sand and some green and mud, where it includes reservoirs of ground water, noting that the age of these rocks and formations date back to 542 million years to 488 million years.

11 Languages to Reply to Visitors’ Questions through Guiding Robot at Grand Holy Mosque

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and Prophet’s Holy Mosque, represented by the questioners guidance department, has introduced a guiding robot that guides visitors on how to perform Umrah, provides ifta and reply to questions, with the possibility to add simultaneous interpretation for other languages and to communicate with sheikhs remotely, put several guidelines in more than one language through the remotely controlled robot.

The guiding robot supports 11 languages: Arabic, English, French, Russian, Persian, Turkish, Malawi, Urdu, Chinese, Bengali, and Hausa, where the robot includes a 21-inch touch monitor that can be useful for several services of interest to visitors of the Grand Holy Mosque for purposes of guidance and giving opinions.

UAE President Receives Delegation of Saudi Princes Who Offered Condolences on Death of Late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, received in the capital, Abu Dhabi, late yesterday, Saturday, Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy; Prince Dr. Hossam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Baha region; Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who offered their condolences on the death of late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

MWL Condemns Terrorist Attack on Security Point in North Sinai, Egypt

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a security point in North Sinai in Egypt, which resulted in the death and injuries of a number of Egyptian soldiers.

MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, condemned this heinous criminal attack, which confirms the urgent need to continue the joint international effort, on various fronts, to defeat extremism and terrorism and eliminate their sources, reiterating that these treacherous attacks will only increase Egypt’s determination to confront and eradicate terrorism.

UK Home Office Announces that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Join Other GCC States with Electronic Visa Waiver Status

The UK Home Office has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain will join other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states with electronic visa waiver status, as of June 1, 2022, which will contribute to deepening the partnership and strengthening diplomatic relations and economic prosperity.

In a statement issued today, the UK Home Office affirmed that “an electronic visa waiver allows the holder to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver for each visit. A small fee will be applied, and it is quicker than applying for a visa as there is no need to provide biometric information (photo and fingerprints), attend a visa application center or hand in your passport in advance of travel.”

Over 1.5 Umrah Performers Arrived in Madinah during this Year’s Season

The number of Umrah performers and visitors who arrived in Madinah through air, land and sea ports since the beginning of the Umrah season of this year totaled 1,542,960 Umrah performers, 1,300,380 have left and 242,580 are still in Madinah till yesterday, according to a report issued by the Agency of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the Affairs of Visit in Madinah.

The statistics showed the number of the top visitors to Madinah in terms of their nationalities during this Umrah season, where Iraqi Umrah performers topped nationalities with 313,815, followed by Pakistanis with 201,003, Indonesians with 171,898, and Egyptians with 95,907 Umrah performers who visited the Prophet’s Holy Mosque and performed prayers in it.

National Museum of Saudi Arabia Announces Visit Hours, Programs in May

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia has announced the visiting hours after Eid Al-Fitr holiday, where the museum will open its doors for visitors as of May 9. Visiting hours from Mondays through Wednesdays and on Saturdays will be between 9am and 7pm, and on Fridays between 2pm and 10pm, while the museum will be closed on Sundays.

The museum also revealed its programs for May, which were designed in a way that can meet the interests of visitors and offer a rich experience, including the “Design your card” program that will be held between May 9 and June 4. The program is an interactive activity that provides visitors an opportunity to get acquainted with decorations that were used in old ages and the Islamic decorations before designing their congratulation or gratitude cards with the use of decorations they like.

Muslim World League Condemns Terrorist Attack in Egypt’s Sinai

The Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the terrorist attack against west Sinai in the Arab Republic of Egypt, which claimed the lives and injured several members of the armed forces.

MWL Secretary General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa stressed that this terrorist attack will only increase Egypt’s determination and strength to face and eliminate terrorism.

Supported by KSrelief, Kidney Dialysis Center in Al-Ghidhah Continues Providing Medical Services to Beneficiaries

Generously supported by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Kidney dialysis center in Al-Ghidhah District in Al-Muhrah Governorate, Yemen, continued offering medical services to beneficiaries.

The Kidney dialysis center in last March received 110 patients, including 45 who received 402 sessions of kidney dialysis, 398 of which were scheduled sessions and four emergency sessions, while 65 patients received inspection and medical tests services in the kidney diseases clinic, where 73% of the beneficiaries were males and 27% females. Of the total beneficiaries, 89% were residents, 9% were displaced people and 2% were refugees.

KACST President: Saudi Arabia has taken great steps to harness science, technology and innovation; achieve sustainable development goals and sustainable recovery from Coronavirus epidemic

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated today in the ministerial session of the Seventh United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) being held in New York, which aims to innovate technical solutions to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and promote sustainable development.

The Kingdom was represented in the forum by the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), who supervised the founding team of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud El-Desouki.

Heavy rain and floods in Afghanistan kill 22, destroy hundreds of homes

Heavy rain and flooding has killed 22 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged crops in Afghanistan, which is already facing a humanitarian crisis, a disaster management official said on Thursday (May 5).

The Taliban government, struggling to cope with the disaster that has affected more than a third of its provinces, will approach international relief organisations for help, officials said.

Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Performs Eid Al-Fitr Prayer Together with a Group of Worshippers at the Grand Mosque, Receives Princes, Ulema, Scholars, Ministers & Senior Civil and Military Officials

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud performed in Makkah Al-Mukarramah today blessed Eid Al-Fitr prayer with a group of worshippers who crowded the courtyard of the Grand Mosque and its surroundings.

Upon arrival at the Royal Court in Al-Safa Palace, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was received by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdul Elah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense; Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; and Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior.

HRH Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from HH Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Who Congratulated him on BLessed Eid Al-Fitr

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, received a telephone call today from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during which he congratulated him on the blessed Eid Al-Fitr.

KSrelief Demining Project Removes 1,833 Mines in Yemen During the 4th Week of April

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) “Masam” demining project has managed during the fourth week of April 2022 to clear 1,833 mines planted by the Houthi militia in various Yemeni regions, including 1,195 anti-tank mines and 638 unexploded ordnance, it was reported today.

Masam’s team managed to clear 260 anti-tank mines and 75 unexploded ordnance in Harib district of Ma’rib governorate, while in Shabwa, the team cleared 158 anti-tank mines and 235 unexploded ordnance in the Ain district, in addition to 208 anti-tank mines in Usaylan district.

KSrelief Distributes 550 Ramadan Food Baskets in Chad

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed yesterday 550 Ramadan food baskets to needy groups in N’Djamena, Chad, benefiting 3,300 people, as part of the Ramadan feeding initiative for the year 1443 AH.

It is noteworthy that the project aims to distribute 14,046 food baskets in a number of Chadian provinces, benefiting more than 84,000 people.

China detects first human case of H3N8 bird flu

China has confirmed the first known human case of the H3N8 strain of avian flu, but health authorities say there is a low risk of widespread transmission among people.

H3N8 is known to have been circulating since 2002 after first emerging in North American waterfowl. It is known to infect horses, dogs and seals, but has not previously been detected in humans.

US vows to move ‘heaven and earth’ on bolstering Ukraine

The United States vowed on Tuesday (Apr 26) to move “heaven and earth” to help Ukraine win its battle against Russia’s unprovoked invasion, as allies from 40 nations met to bolster Kyiv’s defence against Moscow.

The meeting called by the US at its Ramstein Air Base in south-western Germany aims “to help Ukraine win the fight against Russia’s unjust invasion and to build up Ukraine’s defences for tomorrow’s challenges”, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as he opened the talks.

Global military spending reaches record levels

Global military spending rose again in 2021, setting new records as Russia continued to beef up its military prior to its invasion of Ukraine, researchers said on Monday (Apr 25), predicting the trend would continue in Europe in particular.

Despite the economic fallout of the global COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world increased their arsenals, with global military spending rising by 0.7 per cent last year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

KSrelief Delivers 100 Tons of Dates As Saudi Arabia’s Gift to Sudan

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has handed over 100 tons of dates as a gift from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sudan.

UK’s PM arrives in India for hard sell on anti-Russia action

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in India on Thursday (Apr 21) touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia.

Ukraine hopes to evacuate 6,000 women, children and elderly from Mariupol

Ukraine hopes to evacuate 6,000 women, children and elderly people from the besieged city of Mariupol on Wednesday (Apr 20) if a preliminary agreement with Russia holds, the city’s mayor said.

French government to resign if Macron wins

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said Tuesday (Apr 19) that his government would tender its resignation if Emmanuel Macron is re-elected president, in a bid to provide a “new impetus” for Macron’s centrist party ahead of parliamentary elections in June.

Explosions rock Ukraine, bodies line streets of Mariupol

Ukrainian authorities said missiles struck Lviv early on Monday (Apr 18) and explosions rocked other cities as Russian forces kept up their bombardments after claiming near full control of the strategic southern port of Mariupol.

Driven back by Ukrainian resistance in the north, the Russian military has refocused its ground offensive on Donbas, while launching long-distance strikes at targets elsewhere, including the capital, Kyiv.

HRH Crown Prince Congratulates King of Jordan on Successful Surgery

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has sent a cable of congratulation to King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the success of the surgery he recently undergone.

In his cable, HRH the Crown Prince congratulated the King of Jordan on the successful surgery and wished him constant good health.

Erdogan says Istanbul talks can pave way for Ukraine-Russia leaders’ meeting

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators began talks in Istanbul on Tuesday (Mar 29), and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told them that progress would pave the way for a meeting of the countries’ two leaders since the time had come for concrete results.

In a televised speech to the negotiators ahead of their first discussions in more than two weeks, Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the war that began last month when Russia invaded Ukraine.