Author: Editorial Team
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football on Friday after Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland ended the Desert Foxes’ FIFA World Cup campaign in the Round of 32. “There were good times and difficult times as well, of course. That’s part of a career,” Mahrez said after the match. “But representing Algeria has been a dream of mine ever since I was young, to play for my country. It’s been an immense honor and a great source of pride. “It is the new generation’s turn to play.” As he left the pitch following the final…
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to President Aleksandr Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus on his country’s Independence Day. HRH the Crown Prince wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Belarus steady progress and prosperity. Source: Riyadh Daily
OpenAI is reportedly evaluating a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump to hand the government a 5% equity stake. This news comes at a time the company is seeking to build political support by distributing the financial gains from AI. According to the Financial Times (FT), the proposal centres on giving the public a financial stake in AI through government ownership after CEO Sam Altman argued it is the best way to share the technology’s economic upside. The plan would involve other leading US AI developers also allocating 5% of their equity, though it remains unclear whether they would support…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework governing property ownership by non-Saudis, setting out detailed requirements for foreign individuals, companies and non-profit entities while creating a unified digital platform for all ownership transactions. The executive regulations for the Foreign Ownership of Real Estate Law establish standardized procedures for acquiring property and real estate rights in the Kingdom, strengthen disclosure requirements, introduce electronic transaction mechanisms, and set penalties of up to SR10 million for violations. The regulations complement the recently approved geographical zones where non-Saudis are permitted to own property and are aimed at enhancing transparency, improving market…
RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 208,836 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through Al Hadithah border crossing. ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered during customs inspection of a truck entering the Kingdom after officers used advanced security screening technologies and detector dogs. The amphetamine pills were concealed inside a shipment of agal cords, he said. Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of two individuals who were awaiting the shipment inside the Kingdom. Al-Harbi said ZATCA remains committed to…
ASIR — Authorities are investigating the cause of an amusement ride accident at a festival in Abha after emergency teams responded immediately to the incident and provided medical care to those injured. In a statement posted on X, the Asir governorate said the competent authorities began their response as soon as the incident was reported, handling the situation on site and ensuring that the injured received the necessary medical treatment. According to Saudi TV’s Al Ekhbariya channel, the incident injured 23 people. No fatalities were reported, and three of the injured have been discharged from hospital after receiving the necessary…
Qassim Region continues to reinforce its position as one of the Kingdom’s leading agricultural regions, with grapes emerging as a promising crop that contributes to diversifying agricultural production and enhancing economic returns, supported by the region’s favorable natural conditions that promote the sustainability of the agricultural sector. Suitable soil and favorable climatic conditions have contributed to the successful cultivation of grapes and the production of high-quality fruit. Vineyards are concentrated across several governorates, making grapes one of the region’s leading fruit crops. Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Qassim Region Eng. Salman Al-Suwaina said…
SpaceX is reported to have finished development on a prototype handset-like device aimed at changing how people interact with AI. The reported device was shown to investors and other stakeholders during a roadshow ahead of SpaceX’s since-completed IPO. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the device has a sleek design slimmer than an iPhone and would run on a proprietary operating system while integrating AI technology from Elon Musk’s xAI. Sources told the WSJ the device would use a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. SpaceX told some investors the project remains at an early stage, with the design subject to change and…
RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has begun constructing three bridges as part of the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road Development Project at its intersection with the Northern Ring Road. RCRC said the current phase of the project will increase the road’s capacity to accommodate more than 200,000 vehicles per day, strengthening connectivity between major routes in northern Riyadh, reducing travel times, and improving the overall travel experience. The section currently under development extends more than three kilometers and includes road widening, upgraded lanes, and the implementation of advanced traffic solutions aimed at enhancing the…
TEHRAN — Official delegations from several countries arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday to attend funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian media. Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, triggering weeks of war and escalating tensions across the region. Among the senior officials arriving in Tehran were Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and his parliamentary delegation, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Uzbek Parliament Speaker Nuriddin Ismoilov, Anadolu news agency reported citing Iran’s…