Author: Editorial Team
Ultra Gobi, one of China’s most established outdoor endurance races, will stage its first international event in January 2027 with the launch of Ultra Gobi AlUla, bringing its established race formats to the historic oasis destination in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The 21st edition of the original Ultra Gobi takes place in the Gobi Desert in October 2026, followed by Ultra Gobi AlUla from January 12 to 20, 2027. The announcement marks the first time in the series’ 20-year history that Ultra Gobi will take place outside China. Located approximately 300 kilometres north of Madinah, AlUla lies along the ancient Incense Road and…
RAFHA — Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve recorded the birth of 15 Arabian oryx calves during the first quarter of 2026. The new births reflect continued improvement in vegetation cover and biodiversity within the reserve. They also highlight the effectiveness of environmental programs aimed at preserving wildlife and increasing their populations to support ecosystem sustainability and strengthen the region’s natural balance. This reflects the success of wildlife conservation programs and efforts to restore ecological balance. The programs are part of the reserve’s efforts to protect endangered species and reintroduce them into their natural habitats. The Arabian oryx is distinguished…
RIYADH — Qiddiya Investment Company and Google Cloud are jointly establishing a foundation for one of the world’s largest entertainment projects powered by AI. Qiddiya— through strategic systems integrator Master Works — will deploy Google Cloud’s data and AI technologies as the digital enabler for the city’s operations, providing instant insights into construction milestones, visitor demand patterns, and real-time operational efficiency, allowing Qiddiya to operate as a fully responsive smart city, reducing time-to-insight from weeks to minutes. Chief Technology Officer at Qiddiya Investment Company, Abdulrahman Alali, said: Our goal is a seamless digital experience that connects Qiddiya City with our…
The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM Bank) recorded growth in its credit facilities during the first quarter of 2026, reaching SAR13.23 billion, up 20.8% from SAR10.95 billion in Q1 2025. This increase reflects the bank’s ongoing efforts to support Saudi non-oil exports and enhance their competitiveness in international markets. The credit facilities were allocated across a variety of financing and export credit insurance products. Export financing totaled SAR4.33 billion in Q1 of 2026, marking an increase of 0.6% compared to SAR4.31 billion in Q1 2025. Additionally, exports covered by export credit insurance rose to SAR8.90 billion, up 33.9% from SAR6.65 billion…
RIYADH — Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani inaugurated the unified framework for general courts during a visit to the Riyadh General Court on Sunday. During the visit, the minister examined a number of initiatives and development projects associated with the unified framework for general courts, including mechanisms for developing case management and case preparation, activating written pleadings and preparatory sessions, and enhancing the role of judicial support centers. These measures are designed to shorten litigation timelines, boost performance efficiency, raise the quality of judgments and judicial outcomes, and improve institutional work efficiency in general courts. The minister stressed that developing…
MAKKAH — Deputy Emir of Makkah and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Saud bin Mishaal conducted on Monday a field visit to assess the readiness of facilities at the holy sites to receive pilgrims for the upcoming annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The deputy emir was accompanied by Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah; Musaed Al-Dawood, mayor of Makkah; Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, director of Public Security; and a number of senior officials from relevant agencies. The field visit started with a visit to the Shumaisi checkpoint on the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway.…
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed a cooperation agreement with the Charity Committee for Orphans Care (Ensan) to implement a sacrificial meat (udhiyah) purchase and distribution project in Yemen for Eid Al-Adha. KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs Engineer Ahmed Al Baiz signed the agreement with Ensan General Manager Mohammed Almuharib. Under the project, 4,140 udhiyahs will be purchased and distributed during Eid Al-Adha to some of the most vulnerable groups in the Yemeni governorates of Hadhramaut, Al-Mahra, Marib, and Aden. The initiative aims to strengthen food security, ease the suffering of beneficiary families, and bring joy to…
BAKU — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail inaugurated on Monday the Saudi pavilion taking part in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22 under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” The pavilion includes more than 20 government, private, and nonprofit entities representing an integrated ecosystem working to develop the municipal, housing, and urban development sectors in the Kingdom. Participants include the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of…
BEIJING — China awarded on Monday its Outstanding Diplomat Medal to Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi. The award was presented during a ceremony held in Beijing and attended by several ambassadors accredited to China and senior officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The medal is awarded as a distinguished honor recognizing ambassadors for their contributions to strengthening cooperation and friendship between nations and supporting international partnerships. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Al-Harbi expressed gratitude and appreciation for the support he received from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed…
The retractable domes and giant canopies at the Prophet’s Mosque play a vital role in creating a comfortable atmosphere for worshippers and pilgrims during the Hajj season. These features are part of a comprehensive service ecosystem overseen by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, designed to ensure the comfort of visitors and enable them to perform their rituals with ease, devotion, and tranquility. Standing as one of the most prominent architectural hallmarks of the site, the retractable domes combine Islamic geometric beauty with advanced operational technology. Constructed during the major…