Author: Editorial Team
TEHRAN — Senior Iranian official Ali Akbar Velayati said Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is “firmly in our hands,” underscoring Tehran’s stance following failed talks with the United States in Islamabad. “Today the Strait of Hormuz is firmly in our hands,” Velayati said in a statement posted on X, adding that Iran’s diplomatic approach is centered on protecting national sovereignty and strategic interests. The remarks came after US and Iranian delegations concluded their latest round of Pakistan-mediated talks without reaching an agreement. US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations failed despite extended discussions. “We have not reached an agreement…
RIYADH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) monitored rainfall activity across parts of the Kingdom for 24 hours, with the Asir and Riyadh regions recording the highest precipitation levels with a combined total of 107.8mm of rain. The recorded rainfall occurred from 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, with multiple monitoring stations registering measurable rainfall. The Asir region recorded the highest precipitation, with Abhia Airport station recording 65.6mm. Following Asir, which recorded the second-highest rainfall, the King Khalid Reserve in Riyadh reported 42.2mm of rainfall. Al-Qadisiyah District of Dammam in…
The red-throated pipit (Anthus cervinus), a striking small bird observed across the Kingdom’s open environments such as meadows, marshes, and irrigated fields, is notable for its seasonal color variations, with adult birds displaying reddish-brown or pink tones on their face and breast during fall, which gradually fade in winter. Distinguished from similar species by its high-pitched flight call and bold, dark striping on its rump and flanks, this bird is primarily a diurnal ground-feeder that forages in damp, muddy, or sparsely vegetated areas. Its diet consists of insects like flies, beetles, and caterpillars, as well as spiders, worms, and grass…
Siemens recently outlined a plan to launch its private 5G offering in the U.S., Canada and six new European countries. The company is seeking to meet rising demand for high grade connectivity in order to better support industrial AI adoption. The addition of Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Norway, Poland, the U.S. and the UK take the company’s private 5G footprint to 15 countries across Europe and the Americas. U.S. availability is scheduled for the coming months through a dedicated CBRS-band radio unit designed for on-premises deployments. Siemens noted the broader expansion is supported by two new radio units covering the…
RIYADH — The East-West pipeline and affected energy facilities have been fully restored following the recent attacks, the Ministry of Energy announced on Sunday. In a statement, the ministry said the rapid recovery efforts — following the attacks on April 9— have enhanced supply reliability. The statement recounted that the Kingdom’s energy sector had lost approximately 700,000 barrels per day of pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline, in addition to a reduction in production at the Manifa field by about 300,000 barrels per day, and an impact on output at the Khurais field by roughly 300,000 barrels per day. The…
TEHRAN — Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Sunday that it is up to the United States to prove it can build trust with Tehran, following the latest round of talks that ended without an agreement. Qalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation in negotiations with Washington in Islamabad, said Iran entered the talks with goodwill but remained cautious based on past experience. “It is now for the United States to decide whether it can earn our trust,” he said, adding that Iran will pursue diplomacy alongside efforts to safeguard its national rights. He noted that the Iranian side presented forward-looking…
The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, hosted a field day in Al-Jouf Region focused on seasonal fodder. The event, attended by local farmers and industry stakeholders, aimed to enhance production efficiency and refine harvesting and baling techniques to improve quality and reduce resource losses. The program featured scientific and practical presentations on technical cultivation practices and productivity mechanisms, alongside various field applications. These efforts are part of the center’s fodder localization project, which seeks to develop local production, optimize supply chains, and empower farmers with modern,…
According to a recent Bloomberg report, SpaceX confidentially filed IPO paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signalling preparations for a potential public listing which could value the company at up to $1.75 trillion. SEC rules allow private companies to submit IPO filings confidentially up to 15 days before marketing their shares, enabling them to address regulator feedback out of public view. Bloomberg reported SpaceX is on track for a listing in June, ahead of IPOs by OpenAI and Anthropic. Reuters reported SpaceX is aiming to raise $75 billion and has assembled 21 banks to manage the offering,…
Al-Aan Palace, a premier heritage destination in Najran distinguished by its traditional mud architecture and iconic white crenelations, was built in 1100 AH atop Mount Al-Aan and offers panoramic views of the Najran Valley, historic Raum Castle, and the surrounding palm groves. The palace’s unique design features small ventilation windows and internal rooms that showcase the region’s historical social life. It functions as a cultural museum, housing collections of traditional tools, heritage costumes, and antique household items. To enhance the visitor experience, tour guides are available to share details of the palace’s three-century history. Currently, the site is undergoing comprehensive…
Ranjith Kaippada and Laxmi Nageswari. Dubai — Cloud Box Technologies, a leading systems integrator and IT services specialist in the Middle East, announces its AI-first strategy with the introduction of a focused three-pillar framework led by Laxmi Nageswari as the Chief AI Officer (CAIO). This highlights how the company has evolved from a traditional IT infrastructure provider into a full spectrum digital transformation partner including AI, automation and cybersecurity. The new role of Chief AI Officer establishes that Cloud Box Technologies is incorporating AI into the core of its offerings. Laxmi will guide the strategy, innovation, partnerships and capability development where AI is an integrated layer in all its offerings and not just a standalone service. The company’s AI…