1 week ago
The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has released 140 wild animals into the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve as part of ongoing programs to reintroduce endangered species. The initiatives aim to enhance ecological balance and restore biodiversity in natural habitats. The release, carried out in cooperation with the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, included 30 Arabian oryx, 70 reem gazelles (sand gazelles), and 40 houbara bustards. The initiative forms part of efforts to reintroduce species to their natural habitats and establish stable, self-sustaining wildlife populations capable of breeding, contributing to improved ecosystem functioning and sustainability. The NCW continues to implement its strategic plans for wildlife development, with the total number of animals reintroduced through its specialized programs now exceeding 10,000. This milestone reflects significant progress in the management and governance of wildlife across the Kingdom, supporting the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Also Read : Ramadan Working Hours in UAE for Public and Private Sectors Explained
1 week ago
Madinah Region Development Authority announced the launch of a shuttle bus service at various stations during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan to facilitate the movement of worshipers and visitors to and from the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque. The authority said the service aims to enhance the experience of worshipers and visitors, reduce congestion around places of worship during the holy month, and provide organized transportation that ensures the comfort and safety of all.
1 week ago
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday launched the Camel Passport initiative, a new regulatory and digital tool aimed at organizing the camel sector, documenting ownership and identity, and enhancing service efficiency and market credibility. The project was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti and forms part of the ministry’s efforts under the National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector. The initiative seeks to unify regulatory and digital frameworks for the camel sector by documenting camel data, ownership, breeds and health records, creating an officially recognized reference that supports veterinary response, market transparency and regulatory oversight. According to the ministry, the camel passport serves as a comprehensive identification document, containing a microchip number, passport number, camel name, date of birth, breed, gender, color, place of birth, date and place of issuance, as well as photographs of the animal from both sides to ensure precise identity verification. The passport also includes a dedicated vaccination record, detailing veterinary immunizations and certified with the name, signature and stamp of the attending veterinarian. The ministry said the initiative will regulate sales and trading activities by organizing transport, ownership transfers and official documentation, protecting owners’ rights and increasing confidence […]
1 week ago
Marking World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, the Saudi Health Council highlighted its most prominent efforts to develop and regulate healthcare services for cancer patients in the Kingdom. The council published 27 national reports on cancer incidence rates, which contributed to the Kingdom ranking among the top 10 G20 countries in survival rates for the most common types of cancer. The survival rate for breast cancer reached 76 percent, prostate cancer 82 percent, and colorectal cancer 61 percent. These high rates resulted from the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided to cancer patients, as well as from the registry’s role in monitoring and analyzing cancer data. The council issued a number of important decisions that contribute to supporting efforts in the field of cancer control, most notably the establishment of the National Cancer Center under the umbrella of the council, the development of quality standards and the evaluation of oncology services, centers, and departments, and the creation of a dedicated fast-track pathway for the admission of acute leukemia cases across all government health sectors. The council’s international efforts in the field of cancer included the Kingdom’s accession as a member of the International Agency for Research on […]
1 week ago
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife Development has recorded a rare sighting of a critically endangered leatherback sea turtle in the Red Sea, about 30 kilometers off Al-Qunfudhah Governorate, within the recently designated Blue Holes Marine Reserve. The Center said the sighting is among the very few documented observations of the species in the Red Sea. The leatherback is the world’s largest sea turtle, weighing up to 900 kilograms, capable of diving to depths of around 1,000 meters, and distinguished by its black, leather-like skin and five longitudinal ridges along its back. According to the Center, the species undertakes long-distance migrations spanning thousands of kilometers in search of food, primarily jellyfish. The nearest known populations are located in the Indian Ocean off South Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as nesting sites in India’s Andaman Islands, all far from the Red Sea. The Center noted that there are no recorded nesting sites for leatherback turtles in the Red Sea, suggesting the individual likely entered the region through the Bab al-Mandab Strait while foraging, a rare journey given the navigational precision required. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List classifies the leatherback as critically endangered in the Indian Ocean […]
1 week ago
The Holy Qur’an Museum at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is showcasing a monumental handwritten copy of the Holy Qur’an, recognized as the largest Qur’an of its kind in the world. The manuscript measures 312 by 220 centimeters and comprises 700 pages, earning the museum recognition from Guinness World Records for displaying the world’s largest Qur’an. The manuscript is a magnified reproduction of a historic Qur’an dating back to the 10th century AH (16th centuryAD). The original copy measures 45 by 30 centimeters with the chapters written primarily in Thuluth script, while Surah Al-Fatiha was penned in Naskh, reflecting the refined artistic choices and calligraphic diversity of that era. The Qur’an is a unique example of Arabic calligraphy, gilding, and bookbinding, showcasing features of Islamic art through intricate decorations, sun-shaped motifs on the opening folio, and frontispiece and title pages, reflecting the high level of artistic mastery of that era. The manuscript was endowed as a waqf in 1300 AH (1883 CE). Its original version is currently preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, remaining a lasting testament to Muslims’ enduring reverence for the Qur’an and the richness of the Islamic arts associated with it across the […]
1 week ago
Jazan police, in coordination with the General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking, arrested Ibrahim Mohammed Mohsen Jabran, a Saudi citizen, for sexually harassing a woman. Jazan police said that the man was referred to the Public Prosecution after taking the legal procedures. Since its establishment approximately a year ago, the General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking at the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with regional police forces, has launched a comprehensive campaign to combat all forms of immoral acts and refer those involved in such crimes to the Public Prosecution. The Anti-Harassment Law stipulates that anyone who commits a harassment offense shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and a fine not exceeding SR100,000, or one of these two penalties. According to the law, the penalty is increased to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years, and a fine not exceeding SR300,000, or one of these two penalties, in the case of recidivism, or in other cases, such as committing it in a public place, or against a child, or a person with special needs. Also Read : Dubai Gold Retreats Again, Easing From Record January Levels: Is […]
2 weeks ago
Hundreds of “sneakerheads” gathered at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit this week to peruse a collection of rare athletic footwear, as the global Sneaker Con show passed through the coastal city from Feb. 1-3. After a successful second event in Riyadh, Jeddah’s first taste of the so-called “greatest sneaker show on earth” drew sneaker culture fans of all ages, coming together to buy, sell and trade the latest and rarest sneakers from Air Jordans to Yeezys. For three days, 100 local sneaker vendors from Jeddah and as far away as Florida, Houston, San Antonio, Ohio, Mexico and Puerto Rico came to showcase their inventory from as early as the 1980s. Jay Stavola and David Grails, owners of Fair Town Sneakers from Florida, brought some rare examples to the convention. “We are showcasing a large number of sneakers but the very rare one we have for example is the Timberland sneaker, which was part of collaboration between Jimmy Choo and Swarovski; they put out 50 pieces only worldwide,” Stavola said. “Another one was made by Swarovski for the F1 racer, Lewis Hamilton.” He told Arab News that each pair of sneakers cost $15,000. Jorge Andres, a prominent sneaker influencer and reseller from […]
2 weeks ago
The King Fahd Causeway Authority announced on Monday the launch of new packages for travelers using the Causeway app, offering discounts of up to 40 percent on toll fees, effective from February 18, 2026. The launch of the new packages comes following the announcement of the authority on Sunday to make an increase in toll fees effective from February 18, 2026. According to the new tolls, cars and motorcycles will cost SR35, minibuses SR55, large buses SR70, and trucks SR7 per ton. The increase will not be applicable to students, persons with disabilities and daily frequent travelers. According to available data, the bridge crossing fee is currently SR25 for small cars, after the authority raised it from SR20 at the beginning of 2016. This was for the first time the fee had been raised since the bridge was opened in 1986. The authority explained that the new packages include three options. The Frequent Traveler Package offers a discount of up to 40 percent on toll fees and is designed for travelers who cross the bridge daily or almost daily. The package costs SR850 and is valid for one month or after 40 crossings (one way or return), whichever comes first. […]
2 weeks ago
Under the patronage of Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi Arabia’s Public Security on Monday celebrated the graduation of the eighth cohort of the Basic Individual Qualification Course for female recruits, with 328 graduates completing their training at the Women’s Training Institute. The ceremony was attended by Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami. [Saudi female security recruits take part in ceremonial drills as 328 graduates complete the Basic Individual Qualification Course] During the training period, the recruits underwent intensive theoretical and practical programs covering the skills required for their assigned security duties, along with instruction on security regulations and operational procedures. [Graduating female soldiers demonstrate discipline and readiness during drills at the ceremony marking the completion of their training with Saudi Arabia’s Public Security] The training aims to enhance the readiness of female security personnel and equip them to carry out their responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, according to the Interior Ministry.