Riyadh: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday to discuss the latest regional and international developments, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. According to Emirates News Agency, during the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and explored ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The discussions underscored the ongoing commitment of both nations to address mutual interests and regional stability.

Kuwait city: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of recent proposals by Israeli occupation officials to expand Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank. The Ministry’s statement highlighted the expansion plans as a serious breach of international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions. According to Emirates News Agency, the State of Kuwait reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their quest to reclaim their legitimate rights. This support aligns with UN resolutions and the Arab initiative for peace, which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East

Sharjah: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, honoured the winners of the first edition of the Sharjah Sports Excellence Leadership Programme, launched by the Sharjah Sports Council, during a ceremony held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre on Wednesday evening. H.H. honoured Sharjah Classic Car Club and Sharjah Cultural Chess Club with the award for Best Leading Club among specialised clubs. Meanwhile, Sharjah Sports Club and Al Hamriyah Cultural Sports Club received the award for Best Leading Club among sports clubs. H.H. also honoured 12 employees from Sharjah’s clubs with the Unknown

Washington: In 2024, the United States consumed approximately 94 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of energy, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. According to Emirates News Agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Monthly Energy Review highlighted that fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, accounted for 82% of the total U.S. energy consumption in 2024. The remaining 18% of energy consumption was derived from nonfossil fuel sources, such as renewables and nuclear energy. Petroleum continued its dominance as the most-consumed fuel in the United States, maintaining its position for the past 75 years. Notably, nuclear energy consumption

Brussels: In 2024, the supply of renewable energy in the EU increased by 3.4% compared with 2023, amounting to around 11.3 million terajoules (TJ) in 2024, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. According to Emirates News Agency, the supply of coal continued to decrease. Brown coal supply decreased by 10% to 199302 thousand tonnes, while hard coal supply dropped by 13.8% to 110924 thousand tonnes. Both figures are the lowest recorded since the data series began. After a sharp drop in the EU’s natural gas supply in 2023, 2024 recorded a very

Abu dhabi: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has been awarded the prestigious LEED Gold certificate for sustainable buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the world’s most widely used green building rating system. This recognition highlights EAD’s efforts in implementing energy efficiency systems, environmental stewardship, and its commitment to sustainability in the management of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre building in Al Ain. According to Emirates News Agency, the Agency received this award by meeting all the necessary certification criteria, including a 75.1% reduction in energy consumption, a 53.49% decrease in water usage, and a 75.1% reduction

Sharjah: The 31st edition of the Hasad Volunteer Camp has officially commenced. Organised by the Sharjah Volunteer Centre, affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department, the camp is being held under the theme ‘We Volunteer for Sharjah.’ According to Emirates News Agency, the camp runs from 30 June to 24 July, aiming to encourage school students aged 6 to 12 years to take part in volunteer activities and make the most of their summer holidays in a way that benefits them both socially and personally. The camp includes a variety of volunteer programmes covering different fields and activities that help

Dubai: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tadweer Group to implement a pilot project for managing targeted product waste under the UAE’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative. The EPR is one of the key initiatives within the UAE Integrated Waste Management Agenda 2023-2026. According to Emirates News Agency, the signing took place during an event in Dubai, attended by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Engineer Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group. Several senior officials from both entities were