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Fifth Saudi Media Forum Concludes with Awards Ceremony and Global Participation

The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World". (SPA)
The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World". (SPA)
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Fifth Saudi Media Forum Concludes with Awards Ceremony and Global Participation

The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World". (SPA)
The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World". (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary attended on Wednesday the closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World,” alongside the accompanying Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX).

The ceremony also included the announcement of the winners across the Forum’s award tracks, in the presence of several distinguished officials and media professionals from within the Kingdom and abroad.

President of the Saudi Media Forum Mohammed Al-Harthi expressed appreciation to all supporters, partners, and participants, affirming that a culture of gratitude and appreciation reinforces the values of recognition and acknowledgment of efforts.

He noted that the forum attracted around 300 speakers from countries around the world, and that the strong turnout enriched discussions and helped transform the event into a global media platform.

Al-Harthi said FOMEX achieved broad global participation, with more than 250 companies taking part and showcasing the latest content-creation technologies.

He emphasized that media today is a key partner in development, a contributor to awareness-building, and a driver of change.

The Saudi Media Forum announced that it had set a new global record, with 65,603 visitors in attendance, earning a Guinness World Records certificate and underscoring its rising profile among international media events.

During the closing ceremony, the winners of the Forum’s awards for its fifth edition were announced. Khalid Al-Badr won the news report award, Abdulhadi Habtoor received the journalistic interview award, while Lama Al-Suhali won the academic research award.

In the visual and audio media category, the winner of the AI-generated content award was announced. The “Rachid Show” from Morocco won the social talk shows track award, while the Ministry of Culture received the podcast and radio talk shows track award for its podcast "1949".

The Tourism Development Fund won the best media work for National Day award, while the Ministry of Defense won the best media work for Founding Day award for the film “Al-Awja.”

Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the global competitor award, while Dr. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi won the column writing award. The Saudi Vision 2030 account was awarded the best media work for Flag Day award.

During the ceremony, the media personality of the year award was presented to Dr. Hussein Najjar in recognition of his distinguished media career.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, commemorative photos were taken of the winners with the minister of media, who honored the forum’s partners and sponsors.

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Varieties

'I Thought I Would Perish': Everest Survivor Recounts Ordeal

Medics and rescuers carry mountaineer Dawa Sherpa upon his arrival at the HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu on June 4, 2026. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT / AFP)
Medics and rescuers carry mountaineer Dawa Sherpa upon his arrival at the HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu on June 4, 2026. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT / AFP)
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'I Thought I Would Perish': Everest Survivor Recounts Ordeal

Medics and rescuers carry mountaineer Dawa Sherpa upon his arrival at the HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu on June 4, 2026. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT / AFP)
Medics and rescuers carry mountaineer Dawa Sherpa upon his arrival at the HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu on June 4, 2026. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT / AFP)

A Nepali mountaineer who survived nearly a week on Mount Everest said he "chewed ice" to stay alive, as he recovered in a hospital after a miraculous rescue that stunned the climbing community.

Dawa Sherpa, 57, disappeared in brutal conditions on the upper slopes of the world's tallest mountain on May 30 during one of the final climbs of the spring season.

With few climbers still on the peak and his oxygen exhausted, relatives had given up hope and begun ritual mourning prayers, believing he had died on the mountain.

"I didn't think I would be alive," he told BBC Nepali on Friday from his hospital bed.

"I thought I would perish this way. I didn't get lost. As the oxygen ran out, I fell behind. After the oxygen finished, I couldn't walk."

Left stranded in freezing temperatures near Everest's "death zone", where oxygen levels are critically low, Dawa Sherpa said he survived for days with almost no food or water.

"I didn't eat anything for the first two days. Then I began chewing ice. It hurt my teeth. I chewed the ice hard," AFP quoted him as saying.

He survived on a few chocolates and snacks he found in his pockets.

"I soaked them in water and had them," he said.

Dawa Sherpa, also known as "Hillary" after legendary climber Edmund Hillary, had told others after his rescue that at one point he fell into a crevasse before managing to climb out.

"Stepping on the snow, I stood up and looked above... It felt I could get out from there," he said.

"I then looked for ropes and found one. Then I held on to it and walked... eventually I came down."

He said he walked day and night towards base camp until finally encountering people almost a week later.

He was found crawling towards the base camp on the morning of June 4 by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), a Nepali team that helps set routes on Everest and clean up waste left behind.

"Boys from SPCC were going up to collect the waste. I met them. They carried me down."

He was flown to Kathmandu for treatment for frostbite, severe dehydration and a fractured thigh bone, doctors said.

"He is doing well. We had a chat," his daughter Mendo Lhamu Sherpa told AFP.

His survival has sparked celebration among fellow climbers, but also anger from family members who accused rescue teams of failing to locate him sooner.

Nepal Mountaineering Association President Fur Gelje Sherpa called the survival extraordinary but said the incident highlighted serious concerns over climber safety.

"It is irresponsible and inhumane to leave a person behind," he said. "I believe that an investigation committee must be formed to hold the responsible people accountable for this."

Everest guide Rinji Sherpa, who comes from the same village as Dawa Sherpa, said the climber was highly experienced and familiar with the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering.

"He is very lucky, he has had several close calls before but he has survived," he said.

At least five climbers -- two Indians and three Nepalis -- died during this year's Everest season.

More than 1,000 climbers reached Everest's summit this season, according to preliminary Nepali government figures, making it the busiest season on record.

Varieties

Shark Attack Kills Man Off Western Australia Coast

A shark swims close to a diving cage during a shark cage diving experience off the coast of Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
A shark swims close to a diving cage during a shark cage diving experience off the coast of Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
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Shark Attack Kills Man Off Western Australia Coast

A shark swims close to a diving cage during a shark cage diving experience off the coast of Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
A shark swims close to a diving cage during a shark cage diving experience off the coast of Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

A man has died after being attacked by a shark while fishing off the coast of Western Australia state, police said on Saturday, the third fatal shark attack in Australia in three weeks.

The 35-year-old was attacked on Saturday morning while spearfishing with family off the state's south coast at Michaelmas Island, close to ⁠the town of ⁠Albany, about 388 km (241 miles) south of state capital Perth, police said.

Reuters said he was taken ashore where he was treated by paramedics but died of his ⁠injuries.

A 4.5 meter (14.8 feet) shark, of an unknown species, was spotted by a member of the public near Michaelmas Island, a nature reserve that receives few visitors, on Saturday, state authorities said.

On May 24, a 39-year-old man died after being attacked by a shark while fishing on ⁠the ⁠Great Barrier Reef. The death followed that of a 38-year-old mauled off an island near Perth 10 days earlier.

There are around 20 shark attacks in Australia every year but the vast majority are not fatal, according to data from conservation groups. Far more people drown on the country's beaches.

Varieties

Excitement and Joy at Ljubljana Zoo after Birth of 3 Siberian Tiger Cubs

A visitor watches the Siberian tiger cubs with their mother on a screen at the zoo in Ljubljana. AP
A visitor watches the Siberian tiger cubs with their mother on a screen at the zoo in Ljubljana. AP
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Excitement and Joy at Ljubljana Zoo after Birth of 3 Siberian Tiger Cubs

A visitor watches the Siberian tiger cubs with their mother on a screen at the zoo in Ljubljana. AP
A visitor watches the Siberian tiger cubs with their mother on a screen at the zoo in Ljubljana. AP

A zoo in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has presented its newest residents: three Siberian tiger cubs who were born there under two weeks ago.

The Siberian tiger is one of the world’s most endangered big cat species, with experts estimating that about 500 remain in the wild. Their survival is threatened primarily by habitat loss and poaching.

Zoo workers said the cubs were born to mother Arisa and father Ussuri, which arrived in Ljubljana in 2004, after careful planning and much hoping, The Associated Press reported.

“We were not really expecting, but hoping, working on it because we have a good breeding pair,” she said. Though the couple were introduced to each other at the right time “we weren't completely sure,” she added.

“So we were also a bit surprised and of course very happy,” Strus said.

Breeding wild animal species in enclosed spaces is known to be hard and often does not succeed.

The cubs, born on May 27, are highly vulnerable and need to be isolated from others except their mother, but zoo staff and visitors have been able see them on a screen streaming live video footage.

Visitors could be seen smiling as they watched the mother with her babies on the screen. Barbara Gallaido, from San Francisco, said the sight was “really fabulous.”

“I’ve seen tigers in the wild in India, but not like this, not with cubs,” she said. “It was really great.”

Arisa is a first-time mother at the age of 4, Strus said. She appears to be doing very well so far.

“She is constantly licking them (cubs,) breastfeeding them and they are resting together,” she said. “So far so good. But ... we still need to wait and see what will happen.”

According to Strus, tiger cubs open their eyes and begin hearing about two weeks after birth. She said the mother is expected to bring them out of the den for the first time when they are one month old.