Saudi Culture Minister Discusses Aspects of Cooperation with South Korea’s SM Entertainment

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan during his meeting with the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan during his meeting with the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man. (SPA)
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Saudi Culture Minister Discusses Aspects of Cooperation with South Korea’s SM Entertainment

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan during his meeting with the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan during his meeting with the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has held talks with the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man, in Seoul.

Prince Badr concluded on Thursday a two-day visit to South Korea aimed at strengthening cooperation with Korean cultural authorities, and discussing ways to develop them.

Both sides reviewed aspects of joint cooperation in the cultural fields, including music education and training, organizing music events and festivals, and promoting joint production.

The ministry also signed a framework cooperation agreement with South Korea's CJENM Ltd. to enrich the cultural sector in the Kingdom.

The agreement included the formulation of a framework for joint cooperation in the film and music sectors and in cultural events.

It also explores opportunities for cooperation in various cultural projects, including cinematic and musical activities and cultural centers that present elements of Saudi and Korean heritage in music, art, food, theatrical arts, heritage, films and architecture.

The agreement is in line with efforts led by the Culture Ministry to develop the cultural sector in the Kingdom and enrich it with successful global experiences and expertise in various cultural fields, support and empower Saudi creators in their various specializations, and provide qualitative cultural options for the Saudi public, to achieve the goals of Vision 2030.



GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the repeated Iranian attacks on ADNOC tankers belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

He underscored that such deliberate and brutal attacks constitute an unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of the security and safety of maritime navigation.

The GCC Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for Iran to immediately cease all hostile actions that threaten regional and international security and stability. He also called on the international community to exert pressure on Iran to end these hostilities and uphold the safety and freedom of maritime navigation.

He concluded his statement by reiterating the GCC's full and unwavering solidarity with the UAE, standing by its side and supporting all measures it takes to protect its security, territorial sovereignty, and interests.


Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
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Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)

Oil pollution is affecting about 12 kilometres (7.46 miles) of coastline near Oman's Ras Madraka, while Masirah Island remains unaffected, state news agency ONA said on Saturday after efforts to tackle a spill from a leaking tanker have made progress.

Oil began reaching Oman's coast on Wednesday after spreading at sea for weeks, Reuters reported.

The Environment Authority said response operations were under way and the offshore slick was moving towards open waters.


ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported.

This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull on Friday. It was not immediately clear if it was the ADNOC vessel.

Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28.