Saudi Arabia’s National Afforestation Program has identified more than 165 native plant species suitable for afforestation projects in the Asir region, underscoring the area’s rich environmental diversity and its role in the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability strategy. The initiative forms part of national efforts to increase vegetation cover, reduce land degradation, and support environmental objectives aligned…
Oman has launched a five-year plan to expand its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, aiming to boost private-sector growth while consolidating recent fiscal gains and maintaining its newly restored investment-grade status. The 2026–2030 SME Sector Implementation Plan, announced by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada), seeks to improve market access, enhance SME…
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to drive a significant surge in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) debt maturities over the next five years, with total regional maturities projected to reach $500 billion, according to a recent analysis by Kamco Invest. The report estimates that Saudi Arabia’s fixed-income maturities will total $174.5 billion between 2026…
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide contracted accommodation to pilgrims, the ministry announced on Sunday. The ministry said the company violated regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques, noting that several pilgrims arrived in the…
Amina Al-Anzi, a falconer from the Northern Borders of Saudi Arabia, has shared her experiences raising and training falcons, highlighting the Kingdom’s enduring connection to its ancestral traditions. Her journey reflects a transition from childhood fascination to disciplined expertise grounded in patience, learning, and incremental skill-building. Al-Anzi told local authorities that her interest in falcons…
The Saudi Fashion Commission has launched an executive master’s program in collaboration with the Institut Français de la Mode, one of the world’s leading fashion institutions, marking a new milestone in specialized education for the sector. The 15-month Executive Master’s in Fashion and Luxury is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership and managerial…
YouTuber Rajab Butt was physically assaulted at a sessions court in Karachi on Monday during a hearing in a case filed against him over allegations of hurting religious sentiments. Butt appeared before the sessions court (Central) following the expiry of his interim bail, which had been granted on December 20. The proceedings were disrupted when…
Thailand’s military has accused Cambodia of breaching a recently signed ceasefire agreement, raising fresh concerns over stability along their shared border after weeks of deadly clashes that displaced nearly one million people. In a statement issued on Monday, the Royal Thai Army said it detected more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles flying from the Cambodian…
The man who disarmed one of the gunmen responsible for killing 15 people at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach has spoken about the moments that led him to intervene, saying his sole intention was to prevent further loss of innocent lives. In verified footage from the attack, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney shop owner…
China has begun large-scale military drills around Taiwan, simulating the seizure and blockade of key areas of the island, in what Beijing described as a warning against “separatist forces”. The exercises involve China’s army, navy, air force and rocket force and include live-fire drills, according to the Chinese military. The operation, codenamed “Justice Mission 2025”,…
