New Kingdom

Saudi Arabia has declined to rule out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a new report picked up by outlets including The New Arab and Fox News. The kingdom has long hinted it could pursue nuclear capability if regional rival Iran obtains a bomb, and the latest comments add to concerns about proliferation in the Middle East as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme continue.

A new report citing US officials says Saudi Arabia is weighing the development of a nuclear weapon. The claim, published by Haaretz, would mark a major shift for the kingdom, which has long pushed for civilian nuclear capabilities amid regional rivalry with Iran. US officials' comments on the matter are drawing close attention given the strategic ties between Washington and Riyadh.

Coinbase has introduced USDC lending for customers in the United Kingdom, with loans backed by Bitcoin and Ether collateral. The service lets UK users borrow against their crypto holdings without selling, expanding the exchange's presence in the British market. Crypto observers are tracking the rollout as a sign of Coinbase deepening its lending products outside the US.

A rare life-size petroglyph has been discovered in Sudan, and archaeologists believe it may portray an ancient Nubian king. The carving is unusual for its scale, as most rock art in the region is far smaller, making it a significant find for understanding Nubian royal imagery and the region's rich archaeological heritage. Coverage has highlighted how such discoveries shed light on the Kingdom of Kush and Nubia's often overlooked history.

A newly examined ancient Egyptian fortress is shedding light on how soldiers lived and operated during the New Kingdom period. Findings from the site offer rare detail on military organization, daily routines and defensive architecture of ancient Egypt's imperial era, drawing attention from archaeologists and history enthusiasts worldwide.

A major genome study claims to reveal the evolutionary origins of bats, dating their emergence to roughly 65 million years ago. By analyzing genomic data, researchers say the work clarifies how bats diverged from other mammals and developed traits such as flight and echolocation, offering new insight into one of the most distinctive orders in the animal kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is expanding investment in desalination as it seeks to secure fresh water supplies for a growing population and economy, according to market analysis. The push is creating opportunities for companies developing new water treatment and desalination technologies, as the Kingdom positions itself as one of the world's largest desalination markets amid broader economic diversification plans.