Author: News Desk

Muscat : The Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Centre data indicate that GCC countries recorded a 3% annual decline in groundwater extraction over the past nine years, alongside an increase in the share of renewable water reaching 25.5% in 2024, in an indicator reflecting growing attention to the implementation of sustainable water resource management policies. The Centre said GCC member states continue to implement strategic directions to enhance the sustainability of water resources and achieve water security for future generations, by reducing reliance on groundwater and increasing the share of renewable water within the overall water resources system. It noted that…

Kabul : Twenty people, including 12 children, were killed and 33 others injured when a truck overturned in eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province, local authorities said. Abdul Malik Niazi, spokesperson for Laghman province, said the truck was carrying Afghan families returning from Pakistan when the accident occurred at a junction leading to the highway linking Jalalabad and Kabul. The victims included 12 children, five women, and three men. Traffic accidents are frequent in Afghanistan due to poor road infrastructure, unsafe driving practices, and weak enforcement of traffic regulations.

Budapest : Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the final at Puskás Arena in Budapest. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Arsenal taking the lead through Kai Havertz in the fifth minute before Ousmane Dembele equalised for the French side from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. Paris Saint-Germain secured the title in the penalty shootout to claim the European crown.

Manama : Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, inaugurated Al Qaryah Park in Block 551, Northern Governorate. The event was attended by MP Dr. Munir Ibrahim Suroor; Shaikh Mohammed Ahmed Alkhalifa, Undersecretary of Municipalities Affairs; Dr. Sayed Shubber Ebrahim Al Wedai. Chairman of Northern Area Municipal Council; Zaina Jassim Ali, Vice Chairwoman of the Council and representative of the Seventh Constituency; and Mohammed Saad Al Sahli, Director General of Northern Municipality. Minister Al Mubarak said the ministry will continue developing parks and public facilities, expanding tree-planting projects and increasing green spaces to support environmental sustainability…

Manama : The Ministry of Labour has announced that Ministerial Decision (5) of 2026 regulating the summer midday work ban will come into effect from 15 June to 31 August. Work in direct sunlight will be prohibited between 12pm and 4pm during the ban period. The measure is aimed at maintaining a safe working environment, protecting workers from heat stress, sunstroke and other summer-related health risks, and reducing workplace accidents during the hottest months of the year, when temperatures and humidity levels rise significantly. The ministry has allocated the hotline 17873921 for reports and enquiries from 7am to 4pm throughout…

Mina : Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Environmental Compliance, in cooperation with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, deployed satellite imagery and artificial intelligence (AI) during the 1447 AH Hajj season to enhance environmental monitoring in Makkah and the holy sites. The system combines daily satellite imagery with AI-based analysis to detect environmental changes and identify potential violations across monitored areas. According to the centre, more than 50% of environmental alerts recorded during the season were generated through the programme, which analysed 176 satellite images across 31 locations. The technology supports real-time monitoring and enables field teams to take…

Beijing : China’s Shenzhou-22 return capsule landed safely at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia on Friday, carrying three astronauts following the successful completion of their space mission. Astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang were all in good health and that the Shenzhou-21 mission was a complete success. During their mission, the crew carried out scientific and operational tasks, including experimental data processing and supply transfer operations.

Manama : Ebrahim bin Hasan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works, reviewed progress on the sewerage network project serving Block 1016 in Al Lawzi and Block 1203 in Hamad Town. Shaikh Meshaal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Works Undersecretary and Fathi Abdulla Al Farea, Assistant Undersecretary for Sanitary Engineering, were present. The minister said the project forms part of the ministry’s efforts to expand and enhance sewerage infrastructure in line with urban development and growing demand for services across the Kingdom. The project, which has reached 70% completion, will provide a new sewerage network serving 968 properties. It includes the installation of…

Kinshasa : The Democratic Republic of Congo has identified 1,028 suspected Ebola cases, up from 906 reported on Thursday, while the number of confirmed cases has reached 225, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said.

Jakarta : Indonesia has signed four trade agreements worth $3.5 billion with France covering energy security, trade, and defence cooperation, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani said.  According to a statement issued by Indonesia’s Presidential Secretariat and cited by local media, the agreements stemmed from high-level talks between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday. Roeslani added that the two leaders also witnessed the establishment of a high-level France-Indonesia Business Council, which will serve as a platform for dialogue between business stakeholders and is expected to advance strategic cooperation, particularly in investment and trade, for the…