Herders in Ethiopia forced to give up their nomadic existence

WASHINGTON: The United States and its allies imposed further sanctions on Myanmar on Tuesday, marking the two-year anniversary of a military coup with curbs on energy officials and junta members, among others.Washington imposed sanctions on the Union Election Commission, mining enterprises and energy officials, among others, according to a Treasury Department statement. Details of the … Read more

Calls mount on Indonesia to rescue hundreds of Rohingya stranded at sea

JAKARTA/NEW DELHI: Activists called on the Indonesian government on Saturday to rescue hundreds of Rohingya refugees who have been adrift for weeks on boats in the Indian Ocean, amid reports of the passengers dying onboard broken vessels. Two boats carrying refugees, including women and children, entered Indonesian waters near the northernmost province of Aceh on … Read more

Indonesia soccer disaster trial begins for 5 charged

A police officer stands guard inside a court room before a trial in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia,...

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court began trial Monday against five men on charges of negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people after police fired tear gas inside a soccer stadium, setting off a panicked run for the exits in which many were crushed. The deadly crowd surge Oct. 1 in East Java’s … Read more

Indonesia lifts all COVID curbs, shifts to endemic approach

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Almost three years after officials announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Indonesia, the country’s leader said Friday they are lifting all coronavirus-related restrictions nationwide. President Joko Widodo said Indonesia’s COVID-19 situation is under control after observing improvements over the past 10 months, allowing the country to abandon the large-scale … Read more

Saudi aid agency scheme repairs 2 schools in Yemen

JEDDAH: While 2022 was a year of stagnation and setbacks for many countries, for Saudi Arabia it was a time of achievements and optimism. Saudis breathed a collective sigh of relief early in the year as many of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions were eased. In March, social distancing and the wearing of face masks outdoors was … Read more

Saudi Arabia ranks first globally among donor countries in offering relief assistance

RIYADH: The Saudi comedy “Sattar” received high praise at its exclusive premiere here earlier this month, and the producers are hopeful that it will be part of the ongoing love of local content by the Kingdom’s citizens. The movie was made by Telfaz11’s new production house Al-Shimaisi Films for the premiere on Dec. 22 at … Read more

Saudi Arabia determined to protect, preserve its vegetation cover

JEDDAH: The Saudi government is determined to curb activities that threaten the environment to protect its vegetation cover, reduce desertification, combat climate change and improve quality of life and protect the planet for future generations.   However, many locals, especially those living in relatively cold areas, are fond of spending a few hours at night in … Read more

Saudi Islamic affairs minister meets heads of Indonesian universities on sidelines of ASEAN conference

RIYADH: Peruvian-American artist Grimanesa Amoros reveals the unseen beauty of everyday spaces and objects through that most ephemeral and fleeting of mediums — light. Her “Golden Waters” installation in Scottsdale, Arizona, explored the human response to bodies of water, while “Golden Array” in India focused on cable lines in Mumbai’s upmarket retail district. Now Amoros … Read more

Riyadh’s Boulevard World presents planet’s rich cultural diversity

JEDDAH/RIYADH: Christmas shopping in Saudi Arabia is unrecognizable compared to just a few short years ago, reflecting both the growing culture of religious tolerance and the speed and scope of the social transformation underway in the Kingdom. Nowadays, festive gifts and decorations can be found easily in many of the Kingdom’s markets and malls, with Christmas … Read more

How Madinah’s sustainable smart-lighting project will complement holy city’s unique identity 

MADINAH: For hundreds of years, Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Madinah, known as the city of lights, has been a beacon of knowledge, peace, and enlightenment. Today, the city of the prophet aims to enchant visitors and inhabitants with a brand new smart lighting system. Architect Ziad Tariq Darwish Daiwali, the project’s studies and design director, … Read more