In Saudi Arabia’s coastal city of Yanbu, the bright white rendering and dark wooden screens of a recently restored house stand out in a row of tumbledown neglected buildings.
The house is famous for its former resident: British intelligence officer Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, who lived in the old town of Yanbu at some point between 1915 and 1916 at the beginning of the Great Arab Revolt.
Lawrence's former home is the first to benefit from the Saudi tourism ministry's restoration project for Yanbu’s old quarter.
Over the past century, the once elegant two-level home became a ruin, crumbling down despite calls from historians to protect the site, restore the house and open it to the public, says Ahmed Al Mahtout, the local mayor.
"We just finished the first phase of restoration and hope by the end of the year we have it fully ready for visitors," he told The National. "The residence derives its value from its history and a lot of foreign tourists [would] like to stand in the home of the British intelligence officer."
But the long-abandoned house is also the focus of a persistent local rumour that after Lawrence left, the building was inhabited by ghosts that haunted anyone who approached.
Mr Al Mahtout denied that the house was haunted and said it was not a factor in the area's neglect.
“I heard that fear of ghosts has led to the neglect and I am telling you it is not true. The house is now a registered part of the Yanbu’s historical heritage and tourists will be able to visit it.”
The Great Arab Revolt came at the end of the First World War as the Ottoman Empire sided with Germany against the British and French. Lawrence, an intelligence officer based in Cairo, was dispatched to help the Arabs rise up and overthrow their Turkish rulers.
"Thomas Edward first arrived in Yanbu in November 1916, after his appointment as a liaison officer between the British and Arab forces at the beginning of the last century, just before the outbreak of the Arab revolution," said Saleh Al Sayed, a historical researcher.
Lawrence met with Faisal bin Al Hussein, the third son of the Sharif of Makkah Hussein bin Ali, who then led the Arab forces against the Ottoman army.
"From Sharif Faisal bin Al Hussein's camp in the village of Al Hamra in Wadi Al Safa [70 kilometres away], he sent with around 14 men from the troops of Sharif Abdul Karim bin Bedaiwi to drive Lawrence to Yanbu."
Although the details are vague, the historian said Lawrence spent three or four days at the guest house of Abdul Qadir Al Abdo, then governor of Yanbu. The house is now owned by a well-known local family, Mr Al Sayed said.
Yanbu is known for its rich history, dating back at least 2,500 years. Its earliest history places Yanbu as a staging point on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and on to the Mediterranean. During the revolt, the city served as a supply and operations base for Arab and British forces fighting the Ottoman Empire.
Today, Yanbu is a hub of major industry with three oil refineries. But the city's white sandy shores and stunning blue waters of the Red Sea also make it a popular destination for beachgoers, swimmers and scuba divers.
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All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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