Update
![Abbas urges Hamas to free Gaza hostages as Israeli strikes kill 25]( "Abbas urges Hamas to free Gaza hostages as Israeli strikes kill 25")
- “Hamas has given the criminal occupation excuses to commit its crimes in the Gaza Strip, the most prominent being the holding of hostages,” Abbas said
- “Every day there are deaths. Why? Because they (Hamas) refuse to hand over the American hostage,” Abbas said of Edan Alexander
Update
![Local residents wait in a park in Istanbul on April 23, 2025, following an initial quake at 0949 GMT followed by three others.]( "Local residents wait in a park in Istanbul on April 23, 2025, following an initial quake at 0949 GMT followed by three others.")
- Quake started at 12:49 p.m. during a public holiday when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets of Istanbul
- “Due to panic, 151 of our citizens were injured from jumping from heights,” the Istanbul governor’s office said in a statement
- Wildlife included sand gazelles, oryxes, wild hares, steppe eagles, and Black kite
- NCVC team documents birth of rare Arabian oryx in Qassim National Park
- The expectation is that whoever holds that role would be the front-runner to succeed Abbas — though it’s unclear when or exactly how it would be filled
- Zelensky posted on X that he would meet Ramaphosa as well as other political and civil representatives
- South Africa, which maintains good relations with Russia, has remained neutral in the conflict which began in 2022
- The flight from London Heathrow to King Khalid International Airport marks start of carrier’s daily service to the Kingdom from the UK
- Airline also announces new service to South Korean capital Seoul, which will begin in March 2026
- Platform reveals that Saudi-based channels earning 7 figures or more increased by 40 percent year over year, with total reach of 20 million adults
- YouTube says it remains committed to the region and its content creators as it enters third decade
Print Edition
Infographic
Decoders
Laheq Island
Located off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, Laheq is being developed with a focus on residences rather than tourism, bringing resort-style living and homeownership to Saudi Arabia. Laheq is part of an archipelago surrounded by one of the world’s largest barrier reefs that are home to over 2,000 rare and unique marine species.
Rub Al-Khali
Also known as The Empty Quarter, Rub Al-Khali is one of the world’s largest deserts, covering nearly 650,000 sq. km, mostly in Saudi Arabia, with dunes reaching 250 meters. A recent study has revealed that Rub Al-Khali was once much more hospitable, with a big lake emerging during the “Green Arabia” period, from 11,000 to 5,500 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, a sharp decline in rainfall resulted in arid conditions that forced nomadic populations to migrate to more hospitable areas.
Social media
In-Focus
- Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday
- Both Arsenal and Palace have huge cup semifinal games looming – Arsenal in the Champions League at home to Paris St. Germain next Tuesday and Palace this Saturday at Wembley against Aston Villa in the FA Cup
Recommended
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.