Author: Editorial Team

The Saudi national biology team secured six international medals at the 2026 Open International Biology Olympiad (OIBO), held in Sochi, Russia, from May 15 to 22.  Competing against nearly 100 elite students representing 17 countries, the win brings Saudi Arabia’s total historic tally in this prestigious competition to eight silver and four bronze medals. The Kingdom’s participation was spearheaded by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Giftedness and Creativity Foundation (Mawhiba) in an ongoing strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, highlighting the global competitiveness of the specialized training programs provided to gifted Saudi youth. Source: Riyadh Daily

Mina stands as the first of the holy sites visited by pilgrims, who head to the valley on the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhu Al-Hijjah) before returning on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Dhu Al-Hijjah) and the three days of Tashreeq.  Uninhabited throughout the year outside of the Hajj season, this 16.8-square-kilometer valley is located within the sanctuary boundaries between Makkah and Muzdalifah, roughly seven kilometers from the Grand Mosque.  Bordered by mountains and flanked by Jamrat Al-Aqaba on the Makkah side and Wadi Muhassar on the Muzdalifah side, the historic valley contains the three Jamarat pillars for…

Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance official Sultan Al-Mazrou inspected the Makkah accommodations for Sudanese pilgrims from the relatives of martyrs of operations Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope, arriving under this year’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.  The Sudanese pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership, praising the reception, organization, and comprehensive care provided since their arrival in the Kingdom. Source: Riyadh Daily

Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the world’s first standalone international organization focused on accelerating inclusive and sustainable digital economy growth, launched its report titled “Civilian Digital Ecosystems at the Core: Safeguarding During Crisis” as part of its efforts to advance international digital cooperation and support the development of trusted, resilient, and people-centered digital ecosystems.  The report examines the growing risks facing civilian digital ecosystems during crises, including the manipulation of emergency-related information, impersonation of official channels, the spread of AI-generated and misleading content, and cyber incidents targeting digital infrastructure. It also presents a framework for coordinated action aimed at strengthening the…

Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) CEO Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey conducted an inspection tour of several facilities within the SFDA’s jurisdiction in Makkah Region, as part of a comprehensive effort to evaluate the readiness of regulatory and field operations prior to the Hajj season 1447 AH.  During the tour, Aljadhey reviewed the preparedness of key regulatory procedures designed to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of all food, pharmaceutical, and medical products with Saudi Arabia’s standards.  Aljadhey’s inspection covered multiple food factories and warehouses, where he observed SFDA inspectors monitoring every stage of production—from initial preparation and manufacturing to…

The UAE’s health and emergency authorities have confirmed the country’s readiness to respond to any emerging health developments, including the Hantavirus. The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) made an important announcement, stating that authorities are “monitoring continuously and that all measures are focused on protecting the community and maintaining the highest readiness”. The authorities noted that the country’s health preparedness and monitoring procedures are continuously reviewed and updated in line with international best practices and approved standards to ensure the highest levels of public safety and health security.…

The third edition of the Hajj Media Hub has showcased the latest technological solutions, digital experiences, and artificial intelligence innovations transforming media coverage for the 1447 AH Hajj season.  Featuring broad participation from governmental, private, and non-profit entities, the forum highlights the high-quality services provided to pilgrims while empowering local and international media outlets to broadcast coverage with advanced professionalism.  Supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the event also features specialized workshops focused on utilizing modern tech and AI to accelerate information dissemination and elevate content creation standards across the media sector. Source: Riyadh Daily

MANAMA — US President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s commitment to ensuring security and stability in the Gulf region amid “continued Iranian violations of international law and regional aggression”. In a letter addressed to King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, the US leader also expressed admiration for the nation’s unity against Iran’s violations of international law, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The exchange highlights ongoing security coordination between Bahrain and the United States as part of their long-standing defense and strategic ties, BNA said. Bahrain’s air defenses have intercepted and destroyed at least 188 ballistic missiles and 477 drones launched…

BUNIA —An angry crowd set alight a section of a hospital at the heart of the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo on Thursday after family and friends of a young man thought to have died from the virus were prevented from taking his body away for burial. “They started throwing projectiles at the hospital. They even set fire to tents that were being used as isolation wards,” local politician Luc Malembe Malembe told the BBC about the scene he witnessed at Rwampara General Hospital. In the chaos, police fired warning shots to disperse the crowd. The arson attack in Rwampara…

With the Eid Al Adha break shaping up to be one of the most travel-friendly long weekends of the year, UAE residents are locking in quick escapes and doing it fast. With the official public holiday starting from Tuesday, May 27, to Friday, May 30, residents with a Saturday–Sunday weekend can easily turn it into a six-day break. And that’s not all. For those looking to stretch it even further, adding just one day of annual leave on the Monday before the holiday can turn it into a nine-day trip, making it ideal for those longer getaways. But this time…