Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a national program to revitalize heritage towns, a step aimed at breathing new life into villages and historical sites and transforming them into cultural, tourist, and economic destinations. This initiative aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 and promotes the sustainability of architectural heritage, Al-Arabiya reported.Data indicates the existence of approximately 562 privately owned heritage towns and villages across Saudi Arabia. This reflects the diversity of the architectural heritage and the vast range of investment opportunities associated with it, as well as the challenges related to its protection and rehabilitation.The Heritage Commission…

RIYADH — Emir of Madinah Prince Salman bin Sultan received Director of Civil Defense in Madinah Region Maj. Gen. Ali bin Abdullah Al-Qarni and other senior Civil Defense officials at his office in Madinah on Sunday. During the meeting, the Emir reviewed the Civil Defense Directorate’s annual report, including performance indicators and efforts pertaining to safety and prevention, development initiatives, and service improvement. The meeting also covered ongoing preparations for 2026 Hajj season, including field plans and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The Emir affirmed the importance of enhancing readiness and raising the level of coordination among…

Barcelona continued their march towards the LaLiga title with a 2-0 victory at Getafe on Saturday, as goals from Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford secured them a ninth consecutive league win. The result moved Barcelona to 85 points, 11 ahead of second-placed Real Madrid with five rounds remaining, following Real’s 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Friday. Getafe are sixth with 44 points. While Barcelona sought to maintain momentum with the title within reach, Getafe, competing for European qualification, kept the visitors at bay for much of the first half. The breakthrough arrived for Barcelona just before the interval as…

There won’t be ‘street vendors’ any more on Saudi streets. Instead, they will be replaced by ‘mobile merchants’! Source: Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reiterated that strict adherence to official Hajj permits is a fundamental requirement for ensuring the security and safety of all pilgrims. The ministry urged all prospective pilgrims to verify the authenticity of their permits before making any travel arrangements. It reaffirmed that the “No Hajj without a permit” policy is the primary guarantee for a secure and spiritual experience for every visitor to the Two Holy Mosques. By following these regulations, pilgrims are empowered to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. “This contributes significantly to the smooth flow of movement and…

As Saudi Arabia’s retail and e-commerce landscape continues to evolve at a fast pace, Feedback Market Research and AccuPanel have announced an exclusive partnership to launch an AI-powered FMCG consumer panel in the Kingdom—designed to deliver real-time, high-frequency insights into consumer purchasing behaviour across both physical and digital channels. With rising consumer expectations, intensifying competition, and the rapid growth of e-commerce, FMCG brands in Saudi Arabia are under increasing pressure to respond quickly to shifts in pricing, promotions, and purchasing behaviour. Traditional research models, often reliant on delayed or fragmented data, struggle to keep pace with the speed of market…

DAMASCUS — Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and former political security chief in Daraa, appeared Sunday before the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, marking one of Syria’s first transitional justice trials. Al-Ikhbariya broadcast footage showing Najib inside the defendant’s cage after being brought to court in the Syrian capital. An unnamed judge said the opening transitional justice proceedings included Najib in custody and several defendants being tried in absentia. Those listed as fugitives included Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, former Defense Minister Fahd Jassem al-Freij, former military intelligence chief in Daraa Laith al-Ali, and…

MANILA — Two Americans were among 19 suspected communist guerrillas killed in clashes with Philippine troops earlier this week in the central province of Negros Occidental, authorities said. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said Saturday that the two U.S. nationals were killed alongside 17 suspected members of the New People’s Army during a series of armed encounters on April 19 in the coastal town of Toboso. The task force identified the Americans as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. According to the statement, both arrived in the Philippines in March 2026. The agency said the…

The judging committee for the second Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Competition for the Memorization of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah continues its sessions in Dakar, Senegal, where participants from 53 African nations are competing in memorizing the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah in an event organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. On the first day, the committees evaluated 50 contestants in the Quran categories and 12 in the Prophetic Sunnah divisions. The high caliber of performance highlighted the rigorous selection processes conducted by the participating countries. As one of Africa’s most prestigious academic…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved record growth in date exports in 2025, with their value reaching SAR1.938 billion, a 14.3% increase compared to 2024 and a significant 59.5% surge since 2021. This milestone highlights the rising global demand for Saudi dates and the sector’s enhanced production efficiency, directly supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the national economy and increase the agricultural sector’s contribution to the GDP. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Palms and Dates Abdulrahman Alfadley attributed this success to the leadership’s support and effective…