world

Saudi Arabia: No threat from Ethiopian volcano ash drifting toward Red Sea

The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has confirmed that the recent eruption of Ethiopia’s Haile Gobi volcano poses no direct threat to Saudi Arabia’s atmosphere, according to the Saudi Gazette.

The centre emphasised that ongoing monitoring shows no ash drift toward the Kingdom, ensuring that air quality and weather conditions across Saudi Arabia remain unaffected by the volcanic activity.

Continuous monitoring of ash movement

The Saudi Gazette reported that Hussein Al Qahtani, spokesman for the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), said the centre is tracking cloud movement and weather patterns around the clock using advanced national systems.

“Current indicators show no path of volcanic ash toward the Kingdom’s atmosphere. Weather conditions are continuously monitored and updated,” he added.

Preparedness and alerts

Al Qahtani confirmed that necessary measures will be taken if any impactful weather occurs, and the centre will continue to issue alerts or updates as required.

Ash drifts toward Yemen and Oman

A long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday morning, sending ash plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. The neighbouring village of Afdera was blanketed in dust. Local administrator Mohammed Seid said there were no casualties but warned the eruption could have economic impacts on livestock herders, as animals struggle to find food.

Tourism affected

The village near the Danakil Desert, a popular tourist site, remained ash-covered on Monday, leaving tourists and guides stranded.

Authorities shared photos and videos of a towering ash plume rising from the volcano, highlighting the eruption’s scale.

Gulf News

world

Macron wearing shades during Davos

During his address to global bigwigs at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, French President Emmanuel Macron came rocking sunglasses like a secret agent at a ski resort — and international media lost their minds over it.

Global headlines exploded: “Macron’s mystery shades!”

From CNN to BBC to The Hill, everyone zoomed in on the eyewear enigma while he roasted protectionism.

‘Harmless’

Media reports stated that he was first spotted January 15 at a French airbase with a bloodshot eye, he downplayed it as “completely harmless” and “l’oeil du tigre” (eye of the tiger), a Rocky III nod symbolising determination.

The aviator shades were likely Louis Vuitton Pilot Attitude with blue-tinted, mirrored lenses.

Macron stayed on indoors during his WEF speech on Tuesday (January 20), amid critiques of Trump’s tariffs and Greenland threats.

In his speech, the French head of state assailed Trump’s policies, accusing the US leader of actions that “openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe.”

Meanwhile, Macron’s office confirmed the accessory necessity “for a while,” painless and vision-unaffected, resolving in 1-2 weeks. It has no impact on vision, and is common from strain/sneezing.

Business

Japan tourist arrivals hit record 42.7 million in 2025

Tourists to Japan hit a record 42.7 million in 2025, exceeding 40 million for the first time, Japan’s Tourism Minister, Yasushi Kaneko, told a press conference.

Total spending by inbound tourists reached 9.5 trillion yen ($60 billion) over the year, also ‌a record high.

WAM

Culture

Oulu, Trenčín Named 2026 European Culture Capitals

The cities of Oulu in Finland and Trenčín in Slovakia have been selected as European Capitals of Culture for 2026.

The European Union annually names several cities as European Capitals of Culture to underline Europe’s cultural diversity and honour the cultural and artistic identity of each region.

The two cities replace Chemnitz in Germany’s Saxony and the Slovenian-Italian border twin cities of Nova Gorica/Gorizia.

WAM