WASHINGTON — The United States proposed a 48-hour ceasefire with Iran on April 2 through a third country, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Friday, citing an informed source. “The US, on April 2, proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through one of the friendly countries,” the source said. The proposal came amid escalating tensions and challenges faced by US forces in the region, according to the report. Fars said Iran did not respond in writing but instead replied “on the ground” by continuing heavy attacks. The report added that US diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have intensified, particularly following a…
Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — A total of 19,489 students across 47 cities in the Kingdom are participating in the second phase of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad (NSMO), which began on Saturday. The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) is organizing the event, in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Running from April 4 to 9, the second phase features intensive training programs led by 778 qualified teachers, providing six hours of daily instruction to prepare students for advanced competition. The qualifiers are distributed across mathematics, informatics, biology, physics, science, and chemistry, and will conclude the…
The Saudi Space Agency announced today the successful launch and initial communication with the Saudi satellite “Shams,” which was deployed aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) as part of the Artemis II mission. With this achievement, the Kingdom becomes the first Arab nation to participate in a space mission under the historic Artemis program, which aims to accelerate scientific innovation and foster high-impact international partnerships that contribute to shaping the future of space for humanity. Artemis II represents the second phase of the Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with international partners. The mission…
BAGHDAD — Iraq announced Saturday the suspension of trade and passenger movement at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after strikes on the Iranian side killed an Iraqi citizen. The attacks also injured five Iraqis, according to Lt. Gen. Omar Al-Waeli, head of the Border Ports Authority, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). Al-Waeli said the injured were transferred to a hospital inside Iran. He added that alternative routes remain available for the movement of goods, including the Safwan border crossing, along with other land ports across different provinces that continue to operate. The suspension followed an earlier…
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Friday proposed a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027, marking the largest military spending request in US history. According to White House budget fact sheets, the proposal includes $1.15 trillion in discretionary defense spending and an additional $350 billion in mandatory resources. At the same time, the administration is seeking a 10% reduction in discretionary non-defense spending, equivalent to about $73 billion, as part of efforts to scale back domestic programs. The proposed increase comes amid growing political pressure linked to the ongoing war with Iran. While Congress is not…
The 83rd Saudi relief plane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived at El Arish International Airport in Egypt, in a mission coordinated with the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Embassy in Cairo to provide essential support to the Palestinian people. The aircraft carried large quantities of food baskets destined for the Gaza Strip as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to alleviating the region’s difficult living conditions and humanitarian challenges. Source: Riyadh Daily
RIYADH — The Ministry of Education announced that registration for new students in primary and early childhood education will commence on Sunday. The ministry noted that students born during the COVID-19 pandemic period are eligible to enroll in formal education, provided they meet the approved age admission criteria. The ministry clarified that the eligible age groups for registration include children who had reached six years of age or older before August 24, 2020, falling under the first category for standard admission. The second category comprises children who are under six years of age by no more than 90 days, specifically…
RIYADH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) forecasts a drop in temperatures across northern Saudi Arabia. It noted the continuation of light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by active winds that may stir up dust and sand in parts of the Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and Madinah regions. The center added that moderate rainfall is expected in parts of the Makkah, Asir, and Jazan highlands. The NCM warned of moderate rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, near-zero visibility, flash floods, hail, and thunderstorms in Al-Baha city and the governorates of Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, Bani Hassan, Al-Aqiq, and surrounding…
Funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the ambulance unit of the Subul Al-Salam Social Association in northern Lebanon’s Miniyeh region completed 39 emergency missions last week, providing vital medical transport for both refugees and the local host community. The missions primarily involved transporting patients to and from local hospitals, ensuring continuous access to healthcare amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to support medical infrastructure and emergency services in Lebanon’s refugee-hosting regions. Source: Riyadh Daily
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the targeting of Al-Jabalain Hospital in Sudan’s White Nile State by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an attack that left several people dead and injured, including medical staff. In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such acts “cannot be justified under any circumstances” and constitute a “flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of Islam.” The Kingdom called for an immediate halt to these violations and urged adherence to the Jeddah Declaration on the Protection of Civilians in Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023. Saudi Arabia…