Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed a SAR 6.4 billion bilateral financing agreement with AlBawani, one of the companies in which the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ultimately holds a stake, and which stands among the major integrated national entities whose operations span across the sectors of construction, technology, utilities management, and infrastructure. The agreement reflects SAB’s continued role in enabling strategic infrastructure and development initiatives across the Kingdom, while further strengthening the bank’s diversified corporate portfolio. The partnership underscores the shared commitment of SAB and AlBawani to advancing Saudi…
Author: Editorial Team
Landmark partnership marries 110 years of industrial domain expertise with Claude’s frontier AI to accelerate the safe, enterprise-scale deployment of physical AI across critical infrastructure worldwide. Dubai — Hitachi, Ltd. has announced a strategic partnership with Anthropic PBC, the AI safety company behind the Claude family of models, to strengthen its Lumada 3.0 business model and accelerate the safe deployment of frontier AI across mission-critical industries. Announced jointly from Santa Clara and Tokyo, the alliance unites Hitachi’s 110-plus years of domain expertise in IT, operational technology, and products with Anthropic’s frontier AI capabilities. The companies will focus on advancing system…
MAKKAH — Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel inspected a number of healthcare facilities at the holy sites operated by the private sector. During the inspection tour, the minister reviewed the readiness of health facilities, the efficiency of healthcare services, and the level of preparedness for the 2026 Hajj season. The inspection aimed to ensure the provision of integrated, high-quality healthcare services to pilgrims, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both derived from Saudi Vision 2030, enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals in good health and peace of mind. The minister’s…
RIYADH — There has been a 10.2 percent year-on-year increase in Saudi Arabia’s operating revenue index during March 2026 compared to March 2025. This was revealed in the short-term business indicators bulletin, released on Wednesday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). On a monthly basis, the index rose by 8.1 percent compared to February 2026, supported by growth across several activities, including a 4.4 percent increase in manufacturing, a 38.6 percent surge in mining and quarrying, a 0.2 percent rise in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair, a 2.6 percent increase in financial and insurance activities, and a…
The UAE has become the third country to approve Miebo, a new eye drop that treats the dry eye disease, after the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) cleared the medication for use in the country. The treatment, developed by Bausch + Lomb, is aimed at treating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can impact visual comfort and quality of life. Miebo contains an active substance called perfluorohexyloctane and is the first prescription eye drop designed to directly target tear evaporation, one of the leading causes of the dry eye disease.…
Civil Defense forces for Hajj have intensified their field operations in Muzdalifah as part of their plans to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the 1447 AH Hajj season. The Civil Defense forces conducted inspection tours, supported field operations, and monitored Civil Defense centers, units, and field teams to enhance response speed and operational efficiency. The forces also employed advanced technologies in monitoring and field protection operations, in coordination with relevant entities, to safeguard pilgrims and provide a safe environment for performing their rituals with ease and peace of mind. Source: Riyadh Daily
Moataz BinAli, CEO, Magna AI. The enterprise technology landscape has long been shaped by Global System Integrators (GSIs) such as Accenture, Deloitte, IBM, Capgemini, TCS, and Infosys, built on a clear value proposition of integrating complex, multi-vendor systems at scale. For decades, this model delivered results, helping enterprises design, implement, and manage increasingly sophisticated technology environments. But as the pace of innovation accelerates, the limitations of this approach are becoming harder to ignore, and the model is beginning to fracture in a more fundamental way. AI is at the center of this shift. It is not simply another layer to…
RIYADH — The Sports Boulevard Foundation has appointed OVG Middle East as the operating partner for the Global Sports Tower, marking a strategic step toward delivering one of Riyadh’s most ambitious sports and lifestyle destinations. In a statement issued Monday, the foundation said the partnership aims to ensure operational excellence and long-term commercial sustainability for the tower, which is set to become the world’s tallest sports tower. The Global Sports Tower is designed to combine sport, wellness and community experiences within a single vertical destination, reflecting the broader vision of the Sports Boulevard Foundation to integrate active living into everyday…
MAKKAH — The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that the Arafat sermon during this year’s Hajj will be translated into 35 languages and broadcast via its digital platforms and affiliated channels. This aimed to deliver the sermon’s themes to Muslims worldwide and convey Islam’s message of moderation, according to Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency. Sheikh Al-Sudais said that the translation initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims and highlights the leadership’s care for pilgrims. It also helps maximize the global impact of the Hajj season through modern…
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international health emergency over a rare strain of Ebola that has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but stopped short of calling the outbreak a pandemic on Sunday. The WHO said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency but said countries sharing land borders with DRC are at high risk for further spread. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. “WHO…is hereby determining that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of…