A cultural seminar on Islamic scripts and rock inscriptions was held with the participation of specialists in Islamic history, heritage, and archaeology, as part of the cultural program through which the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission is leading Saudi Arabia’s participation as guest of honor at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026. The seminar addressed the origins of Arabic script and the development of early Arabic writings in the Kingdom as among the oldest civilizational records documenting cultural and religious transformations in the Arabian Peninsula, alongside the characteristics and artistic aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy. It highlighted that Islamic rock…
Author: Editorial Team
GENEVA — Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence in shaping a more inclusive, productive, and sustainable future of work. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a plenary session at the 114th Session of the International Labor Conference (ILC), being held from June 1 to 12, in Geneva. Al-Rajhi heads the Saudi delegation attending the conference and the delegation includes representatives of the three production parties: governments, employers, and workers. The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment…
NEW YORK — Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil attended an event on the role of sport in promoting dialogue among peoples at UN headquarters in New York on Thursday. In his speech, Alwasil stressed that sport is a universal language that helps build bridges of understanding, strengthen ties, and promote the values of cooperation and peace among nations. He reviewed the qualitative progress achieved by Saudi Arabia’s sports sector under Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s growing presence on the international sports stage, citing its upcoming hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2034.…
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has called on establishments subject to withholding tax in the Kingdom to submit their May 2026 withholding tax forms by June 10, 2026. Submissions must be completed via the authority’s website at zatca.gov.sa to avoid a late payment penalty of 1% of the unpaid tax for every 30 days past the due date. The authority also invited business sector taxpayers seeking further information on withholding tax to contact its unified call center at 19993, available 24/7, or to reach out through X at @Zatca_Care, by email at info@zatca.gov.sa, or via live chat on…
DUBAI — The US military on Wednesday refuted Iranian claims that a US missile interceptor had damaged Kuwait International Airport were false, adding that Iran struck the civilian airport with drones in a “deliberate, calculated, and unjustified attack.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied responsibility for damaging the airport terminal, claiming the destruction was linked to a malfunction in the American-made Patriot missile defense system and not the result of an Iranian strike, the Tasnim news agency reported. Kuwait said on Wednesday Iranian attacks on its territory killed one person and wounded several others, as well as forcing its…
MADINAH — Prophet’s Mosque’s cooling system is enhanced by 117,000 square meters of white Thassos marble, according to the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The authority said the marble covers the rooftop and outdoor courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque, serving as both a prominent architectural feature and a key component of its environmental cooling system. Renowned for its bright white color and high reflective properties, Thassos marble helps reduce ambient temperatures while maintaining a cool surface, allowing worshippers to feel its cooling effect beneath their feet as they pray…
Payments Arabia LLC, operating as Friendi Pay, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sohar International Bank, marking another important step in Friendi Pay’s continued growth journey in Oman and its wider ambition to build a stronger, more connected digital financial services ecosystem. The MOU establishes a framework for strategic discussions and potential collaboration between Friendi Pay and Sohar International Bank across areas that may support Friendi Pay’s banking integration, operational capabilities, and customer experience over time. The agreement reflects the value of working closely with forward-thinking banking institutions as Friendi Pay continues to strengthen the foundations needed to serve…
Research company Sensor Tower recently released findings estimating that OpenAI’s ChatGPT had crossed 1 billion monthly active users (MAUs) on its app in May 2026. This news would make ChatGPT the fastest app in history to reach this number. In its State of Mobile Report 2026, Sensor Tower found ChatGPT beat the pace set by other popular apps including Google Maps, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube in hitting the 1 billion threshold, a milestone coming three years after launch. The number represents a win for OpenAI in the battle for AI chatbot supremacy, with ChatGPT competing with the likes of Anthropic’s…
ST. PETERSBURG — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman underscored the world’s pressing need for stability in the energy sector, affirming Saudi Arabia’s enduring role as a dependable energy supplier. “We are a resilient energy supplier; we have been and will remain so under all circumstances,” he said while addressing the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026. Saudi Arabia is the guest of honor at the four-day forum, which commenced on Wednesday. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman is leading a high-level delegation that includes senior government officials and representatives from major national institutions and companies, among them…
RIYADH — Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus signed a joint executive program to enhance nutrition services in primary healthcare centers and hospitals in Gaza Strip. The program was signed via a video conference held on Thursday. The program aims to improve the health and nutritional situation by providing treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases through distributing integrated SAM/PED medical kits, essential medical supplies, nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, special nutritional…