Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — Saudi authorities arrested a combined 15 border security violators and two residents in separate anti-drug operations across regions, seizing 260 kilograms of khat and 22,417 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations. In Jazan, Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Daer Sector arrested eight Ethiopian border security violators for attempting to smuggle 160 kilograms of khat. Five Ethiopians were arrested in the Al-Rabwa Sector of Asir. In a separate operation in Asir, Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Rabwa Sector arrested five Ethiopian border security violators for attempting to smuggle 100 kilograms of khat. Meanwhile, in Riyadh, the General…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has approved the executive and regulatory provisions of its new General Education Law, marking one of the most significant overhauls of the Kingdom’s K-12 education system in recent years. The legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework governing public education from nursery through Grade 12, while introducing new governance structures, strengthening quality standards, expanding private sector participation, and aligning the education system with the goals of Vision 2030. Here is what the new law means. A new governing body for general education A key feature of the law is the creation of the General Education Affairs Council,…

The UAE’s Wadi Wurayah National Park was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List today, following a decision by the World Heritage Committee at its 48th session in Busan, South Korea. The park, spanning 225 square kilometres in the Emirate of Fujairah, is the UAE’s first site to be recognised for its ‘Outstanding Universal Natural Value’ and third from the country to make it to the list. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The announcement was hailed by Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE’s Minister of Culture. He took to…

MUSCAT — Oman on Thursday called for de-escalation in the Red Sea region after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis attacked two oil tankers in the area, as the Iran conflict widens. “The Sultanate of Oman is following with great interest the recent developments related to the situation in the Red Sea region,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry expressed the need to “avoid escalation and any threats that could exacerbate the situation and endanger freedom of navigation.” The Houthis, one of Iran’s principal allies in the region, have long warned they could take action to block the Bab…

Abu Dhabi – The National Experts Program’s AI Track (NEP-AI) launched its first technical learning phase today, in the presence of His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and His Excellency Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology.  32 Emirati experts will take part in NEP-AI Module 1, “AI Foundations and the AI Stack,” where they will be introduced to the technologies, infrastructure, and data that underpin modern artificial intelligence.  His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, said that investing in national talent is fundamental to strengthening the UAE’s long-term leadership in artificial intelligence and building a…

WASHINGTON — A group of Russian hackers has spent the last year targeting nuclear scientists, defense contractors, and government employees in a cyber-espionage campaign, CNN reported citing private-sector researchers and warnings from spy agencies released Thursday. Their targets suggested an interest in nuclear fusion technology and intelligence that may aid in the Kremlin’s war with Ukraine. US email security firm Proofpoint, which investigated some of the activity, said the hackers went after email servers used by “nuclear installations and the defense industrial base” in the US. The hackers were “targeting entities and users with an interest in nuclear fusion,” Proofpoint…

The UAE Federal Supreme Court has overturned an appeal court judgment that upheld the death sentence of a man convicted of murdering a woman and attempting to kill another man, ruling that the defendant’s right to defence had been compromised. The country’s highest court referred the case back to the Court of Appeal for a fresh hearing before a different judicial panel after finding that the appellate court failed to examine and respond to key defence arguments. According to court records, the Public Prosecution charged the defendant with three offences, including premeditated murder. Prosecutors alleged that he planned the crime,…

DHAKA — Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin is set to resign nearly two years before completing his term, as concerns grow that his former ally Sheikh Hasina will return to the country. A senior BNP leader said that Shahabuddin could step down soon, but did not provide further details. The possibility of his resignation emerged after several Bangladeshi media organizations reported that discussions were underway over appointing a new president. Speculation over his resignation has grown over the past two days, with several Bangladeshi media outlets reporting that the government is no longer comfortable with the president remaining in office. According…

Delegates at the first substantive plenary meeting of the UN Global Mechanism on ICT Security at UN Headquarters in New York. Forming part of broader capacity-building efforts, the program will equip delegates with the knowledge and skills to meaningfully engage in UN discussions on ICT in the context of international security New York – The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) announced their partnership to implement the United Nations (UN) Global Mechanism on ICT Security Delegate Training Program – a multistakeholder initiative that will equip official delegates with the knowledge and practical skills needed…

RIYADH — A Saudi official said Friday that the Saudi-owned commercial vessel NCC MASA was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, sustaining minor damage before safely continuing its voyage. In a statement, the official said the vessel suffered slight damage to its hull as a result of the attack. After confirming the safety of the ship and its crew, the vessel continued to its intended destination. The official described the continued targeting of commercial vessels as a violation of international laws and norms that guarantee the safety and security of commercial shipping and their crews. Source: Saudi Gazette