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Discoveries from the Roman Era Made in Saudi Arabia's Farasan Island

Excavations by a joint Saudi-French team in cooperation with the University of Paris 1 ended with the discovery of several architectural structures and artifacts
Excavations by a joint Saudi-French team in cooperation with the University of Paris 1 ended with the discovery of several architectural structures and artifacts
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Discoveries from the Roman Era Made in Saudi Arabia's Farasan Island

Excavations by a joint Saudi-French team in cooperation with the University of Paris 1 ended with the discovery of several architectural structures and artifacts
Excavations by a joint Saudi-French team in cooperation with the University of Paris 1 ended with the discovery of several architectural structures and artifacts

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission on Thursday announced new discoveries at archaeological sites at Farasan Islands located around 40 kilometers away from Jazan city.

Excavations by a joint Saudi-French team in cooperation with the University of Paris 1 ended with the discovery of several architectural structures and artifacts dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The excavations were part of the Commission’s efforts to survey and excavate heritage sites in Saudi Arabia and preserve them as a cultural and economic resource.

The works of the scientific team unveiled rare pieces, including a Roman folded armor made of copper ingots and another kind of armor known as “Lorica squamata”, which is the most frequently used during the Roman era between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. In addition, the team discovered an inscription of garnet for “Genos”, a famous Roman figure in the Eastern Roman Empire, as well as the head of a small stone statue.

A Saudi-French team had made reconnaissance and exploratory trips to Farasan Island in 2005 and identified locations with archaeological indicators, before surveys started on the island in 2011. Previous explorations conducted between 2011 and 2020 led to several architectural and archaeological discoveries that showed that these sites date back to almost 1400 BC.

The exploration works at Farasan Island locations contributed to several archaeological discoveries and unveiled significant sites. This provided important insights into the civil role of the historical ports in the southern part of the Kingdom as well as their role in controlling the Red Sea trade and the ancient marine routes.

The archaeological discoveries also highlight the depth of civil life on the Farasan Islands and the importance of Saudi Arabia and its strategic location as a hub of various civilizations.

The Heritage Commission continues intensified efforts to protect and maintain cultural sites, in addition to benefiting from them in the sustainable development process by formulating suitable strategies and broad partnerships at both local and international levels.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Dr. Suleiman Al-Deeb, a Cultural Advisor at the King Faisal Research Center, explained that the Farasan Island in southern Saudi Arabia played a distinguished role in shaping the culture of the region and that continuing to conduct archaeological visits and surveys- and making them precise and comprehensive- was required to unearth the island's mysteries and enhance our understanding of the economic ties and trade that linked its inhabitants with other politics.

“This new archaeological discovery, as well as other previous discoveries, demonstrate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was right to draw attention to the need to benefit from our shores, look for investment opportunities in them, and tell their history, he said.

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France Pushes Back Plastic Cup Ban by Four Years

(FILES) An illustration photograph taken in Paris, on July 31, 2019 shows disposable plastics cups. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
(FILES) An illustration photograph taken in Paris, on July 31, 2019 shows disposable plastics cups. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
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France Pushes Back Plastic Cup Ban by Four Years

(FILES) An illustration photograph taken in Paris, on July 31, 2019 shows disposable plastics cups. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
(FILES) An illustration photograph taken in Paris, on July 31, 2019 shows disposable plastics cups. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

The French government on Tuesday postponed a ban on plastic throwaway cups by four years to 2030 because of difficulties finding alternatives.

The ban was meant to start on January 1. But the ministry for ecological transition said the "technical feasibility of eliminating plastic from cups" following a review this year justified pushing back the deadline.

It said in an official decree that a new review would be carried out in 2028 of "progress made in replacing single-use plastic cups". It added that the ban would now start January 1, 2030, when companies would have 12 months to get rid of their stock.

France has gradually rolled out bans on single-use plastic products over the past decade as environmental campaigners have stepped up warnings about the impact on rivers and oceans.

A 2020 law set a deadline of 2040 to eliminate all single-use plastics. A ban on plastic bags for loads of less than 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of 30 fruit and vegetables was introduced in 2022 and has dramatically changed supermarket habits.

But the government's DGCCRF consumer protection agency said in a report released last year that almost a fifth of about 100 companies it checked in 2023 were breaching regulations on the production or use of single-use plastic items.

Its investigators said some marketed plastic-free products that in reality contained plastic, and some changed the name of the item in a bid to get around the ban.

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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.

But resolutions, lofty as they may be, can turn daunting quickly with all the advice and sometimes contradicting information coming at you from news reports, advertisers, influencers, friends and even politicians.

But they don't have to be.

This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads. The good news is that the experts mostly say to keep it simple.

As 2026 arrives, here's what you can skip, what you should pay attention to and how to get credible information when you are inevitably faced with more confusing claims next year.

Protein and fiber are important, but you probably don't need to pay more When it comes to your diet, experts say most people can skip the upcharge. If you're eating enough, you're probably getting enough protein and don't need products that promise some big boost.

And it's true that most people could use more fiber in their diets. But, please, ditch the “fiber-maxxing” trend. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

A good skin care routine is not expensive or complicated That 20-step skin care routine and $200 serum some TikToker sold you on? Dermatologists say you really don't need it. Stay away from the beef tallow and slather on a good sunscreen instead (yes, even if you have darker skin ), they say.

And the same rule for simplicity applies to that hourlong “everything shower." The best showers are simple and short, dermatologists say, no "double cleansing" required.

There are many simple ways to get that workout in If the gym and all its equipment feel intimidating, you can drop the illusion that a good workout requires either. This year, the comeback of calisthenics put the focus back on no frills, bodyweight workouts you can do in the comfort of home. Research shows calisthenics helps with muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. You may eventually need weightlifting or other equipment, but it is a great place to start to build consistency and confidence.

Be wary of wellness fads and treatments — they are often too good to be true Even if you imbibe too much this New Year's Eve, doctors say you can do without “ IV therapy ” which have vitamins you can get more easily and cheaper in pill form — if you even need more, which is unlikely if you have a balanced diet. You're pretty much just paying for “expensive urine,” one doctor said.

Same for “wellness” focused products like microbiome testing kits that generate information that doctors can't actually act on. And if you don't have diabetes, there's scant evidence that you need a continuous glucose monitor.

To improve your health, go back to the basics The idea of a panacea pill, product or routine can be enticing. But science already knows a lot about how to improve mental and physical health, and they are tried and true:

1. Whether you're in the city or the country — walk more. Research shows walking is great for physical and mental health. It's so good for you, doctors are literally prescribing time in the outdoors to their patients.

2. Take steps to get certain health metrics under control, likehigh blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed and is known to cause a range of health problems down the road. Prioritize getting enough sleep, and make sure your family does too. Don't just eat right — eat slower.

3. Give your mind some care too. Set better boundaries with your technology andregain and retrain your attention span. Build out your social networks and invest inall forms of love for the people around you.

These lifestyle changes don't just make you feel better in the moment. Research shows they impact your life for years to come, by lowering the risk of dementia and many other health issues.

Don't know who to trust? Start with your doctor It can be tough to know who to listen to about your health, faced with compelling personal stories on social media from people who swear something worked from them, or clever marketing and advertising from companies that scare you or promise an easy fix.

Doubts have been raised this year about established medicine, including the safety of food dyes, fluoride dental treatments,hepatitis B shot for newborns, and hormone therapies for menopause.

While the medical system is not perfect, your doctor remains the best person to talk to about prevention, health concerns and potential treatments.

If you can't get to a human doctor and turn to Dr. Google instead, be sure to follow these tips and never use it to diagnose yourself. When you do get that doctor's appointment, you can make the most of it by bringing a list of written questions — and don't hesitate to ask for any clarification you need.

Varieties

Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA

The citrus harvest season has officially begun in AlUla Governorate, which is renowned for its agricultural production, according to SPA.

Citrus groves in AlUla cover approximately 654.57 hectares and contain around 261,826 trees, yielding about 6,545.65 tons of fruit annually.

The governorate produces a variety of delicious and nutritious citrus fruits, most notably navel oranges, citron, and sweet lemons. The citrus harvest season typically runs from December to March.

These fruits are distinguished by their high quality, attributed to the governorate's unique climate and fertile soil, resulting in exceptional flavor and high nutritional value.

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event that highlights the diversity of the governorate's agricultural production. It also plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activity and promoting local products in the marketplace.