Author: Editorial Team
MAKKAH — With millions of pilgrims arriving annually to perform Hajj, Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority (RGA) has developed an extensive road network linking the Kingdom with neighboring countries to facilitate smoother journeys to the Two Holy Mosques. While pilgrims have access to railways, ports, and airports, the Kingdom has also established 10 main overland routes designed to ensure efficient and safe travel from across the Arabian Peninsula. The routes are built in line with international standards and are equipped with integrated safety systems to maintain traffic flow and safeguard pilgrims. From the east, pilgrims from Gulf countries are served…
Ujitsu, a global platform connecting athletes, coaches, and academies across the jiu-jitsu community, has integrated with ADI Chain to enable blockchain-backed verification of belt promotions Published: Tue 14 Apr 2026, 3:40 PM The integration addresses a persistent gap in the sport. Despite jiu-jitsu’s rapid global growth, now spanning tens of millions of practitioners across more than 100 countries, there is still no unified system to verify belt promotions across academies, countries, and organizations. Athlete records, including belt promotions, are typically stored within individual gyms or platforms, making them difficult to validate independently and, in some cases, vulnerable to loss or…
TEHRAN — Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping, linking the move to the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the waterway is now “completely open” for all commercial vessels, adding that the decision was made “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon.” He noted that passage will remain open “for the remaining period of the ceasefire” along coordinated routes designated by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization. A senior Iranian military official told state media that military vessels remain barred from transiting the strait, with only non-military ships permitted to pass through approved…
The Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum, organized by the Ministry of Culture at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh, witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) among several government entities, nonprofit cultural associations, universities, and private sector entities. This comes as part of efforts to strengthen partnerships, empower nonprofit cultural organizations, and support sustainability pathways in the cultural sector. The signed agreements and MoUs covered a range of areas, including supporting university student clubs, developing the visual arts, empowering translation, supporting theater and performing arts, as well as preserving and developing architectural heritage. They…
Cisco today released its inaugural State of Wireless Report, revealing that wireless has evolved into a strategic growth engine in the UAE, where a single network investment drives compounding returns across operational efficiency, employee productivity, customer engagement, and revenue. Abdelilah Nejjari, Managing Director for Gulf and Levant at Cisco, believes that if enterprises adopt a more strategic approach to wireless technology then it will in turn drive better outcomes for their business. Based on findings from Cisco’s State of Wireless Report in the UAE, organizations across the country are reaching an inflection point in connectivity demand, and those that prioritize…
RIYADH — Hervé Renard has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team, less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 57-year-old Frenchman had returned for a second spell in charge at the end of 2024, having previously led Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2023, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “That’s football… Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me,” Renard told AFP. “And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the…
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for full maritime passage. “Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The statement followed remarks by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the strategic waterway is now “completely open” for all commercial vessels, linking the move to a ceasefire in Lebanon. Araghchi said the decision was made “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon,” referring to a 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon…
Long before its closure for restoration for 18 months, it was the place where tennis was played in the sky, planes touched down mid-air, and fireworks lit up one of the world’s most recognisable silhouettes. For 26 years, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab has been more than a hotel; it has been a stage for spectacle, a symbol of Dubai’s ambition, and a backdrop to moments that travelled far beyond the UAE. As the landmark shuts its doors temporarily, here’s a look back at the moments that defined its global status. 2004: Tiger Woods takes golf to the skies Before the…
The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme successfully performed an emergency surgery today to separate Saudi female conjoined twins at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital at King Abdulaziz Medical City, affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh. The operation was conducted in six stages, lasted six and a half hours, and involved 23 consultants, specialists, and technical and nursing staff. Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, and Head of the Medical and Surgical Team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah…
Burj Al Arab is finally taking a day off — well, 18 months off — for a large scale restoration. The city’s best‑known icon, which has doubled as a status symbol, afternoon‑tea backdrop and Instagram trophy since 1999, will be wrapped up and worked on while designers refresh its interiors and public spaces. For travellers who built an itinerary (and a budget) around that ‘seven‑star’ stay, the obvious question is: now what? The good news is that in a city like Dubai, there’s always plenty of choice. The Emirate has spent the last few years building a new generation of…