Author: Editorial Team

MAKKAH — Saudi citizens as well as citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are permitted to perform Umrah rituals until Dhul Qada 15, corresponding to May 3. These Umrah pilgrims are exempted from obtaining a Hajj permit to enter Makkah to perform their rituals.The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had set Dhul Qada 1, corresponding to April 19, as the deadline for all pilgrims, who arrived on Umrah visas, to leave the Kingdom, as it coincided with the beginning of the annual Hajj season when Hajj pilgrims from aboard started arriving in Makkah and Madinah. Taking advantage of…

JEDDAH — The Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) session, held on Monday, reviewed the achievements of Vision 2030 and its updates, as it has established strong foundations for a diversified and growing economy following the implementation of the first and second phases. Building on this, the third and final phase (2026–2030) of the Vision will focus on accelerating delivery and maximizing impact, through sustained implementation, continued government capital spending, and a strengthened role for the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the National Development Fund in mobilizing domestic investment. The private sector will continue to expand its role in…

Omniconn, a UAE-based pioneer of AI-powered IoT solutions, has become the first company in the GCC to achieve UL 3115 certification, a new international standard introduced by UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science. The certification recognizes the safe, secure, and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence in safety-critical environments. The certification was awarded following an evaluation of Omniconn’s Platform 4.0, a centralized solution that integrates IoT devices, building management systems, and operational technologies into a single dashboard. Designed to work seamlessly with existing infrastructure, the platform unifies sensors, fire panels, HVAC systems, and other critical building technologies, enabling…

RIYADH — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Vision 2030 has maintained its development momentum and delivered major achievements despite global volatility and economic and political disruptions over the past decade. The Crown Prince, who also chairs the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, said the Vision’s progress was driven by strategic planning and disciplined fiscal policies built on flexibility and a proactive approach to future challenges and opportunities. His remarks came as the council reviewed the achievements of Vision 2030 on Monday as the national transformation strategy enters its third and final phase in 2026.…

SK Group recently entered into agreements with Vietnamese partners to build data centres and develop the country’s AI ecosystem. A move that is certain to expand the company’s AI strategy internationally. Through subsidiaries SK Telekom and SK Innovation, the conglomerate struck memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC) and the Nghe An Provincial government. The deals cover the potential buildout of an AI data centre project in Nghe An, Vietnam’s largest province located on the northern coast. SK Innovation will first assess feasibility around the facility’s energy supply, potentially exploring a link to the Quynh Lap…

ARAR— The Jadidat Arar Border Crossing in Northern Borders Region received on Sunday the first groups of pilgrims arriving from Iraq to perform Hajj 2026. This was under the supervision of Emir of Northern Borders Region Prince Faisal bin Khalid. Pilgrims’ entry procedures were completed smoothly and efficiently through integrated services provided by the relevant government entities at the crossing, ensuring orderly movement and swift processing.The relevant entities are also mobilizing their capabilities to serve pilgrims by providing health, security, and organizational services and supporting transportation and logistics, implementing the wise leadership’s directives to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals…

Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the signing of an agreement with the Environment Fund (EF), under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water & Agriculture. The agreement was signed by Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, Board Member and Acting CEO of the Environment Fund, and Tony Cripps, Managing Director and CEO of SAB, to provide credit facilities to beneficiaries of the incentives and grants program. The program aims to offer financing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-sized companies, and large corporates operating…

Google recently commenced construction work on its first data centre in Austria. The project is pitched as a boost for AI capacity and regional digital infrastructure, with heat reuse and water restoration initiatives baked into the project. The tech giant stated the data centre will support growing demand for Google’s AI capabilities and digital services including Search, YouTube, Maps and Workspace across Europe. Once complete, the site in Kronstorf will create 100 direct jobs, with thousands more expected through construction, suppliers and local businesses. The facility is being built heat recovery-ready, with a green roof and solar panels. Google explained…

In a significant advancement for the region’s healthcare sector, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Madinah has announced the launch of the first Radiation Therapy Center of its kind in the region. This milestone enhances access to advanced oncology care and eliminates the need for patients to travel outside Madinah for treatment.The establishment of this center addresses a long-standing gap in cancer care services, as patients previously had to seek radiation therapy in other cities—often facing considerable physical, emotional, and financial burdens alongside their families.The center is equipped with state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology, including the Varian TrueBeam LINAC linear accelerator, which…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has recorded significant progress in the healthcare sector over the past decade, reaching 97.5% beneficiary satisfaction with healthcare services, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). The figures, released alongside the Vision 2030 annual report as the Kingdom enters the program’s final phase, highlight key achievements across healthcare access, quality, and outcomes. Among the milestones, more than 3 million beneficiaries have been reached through early detection screening programs, contributing to 70% of cancer cases being diagnosed at early stages, while 6 million people have benefited from premarital screening programs. The Kingdom has also achieved notable reductions…