RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp rise in the adoption of artificial intelligence tools, with 45.2 percent of internet users now using AI — more than double the rate recorded the previous year — according to the fifth edition of the Saudi Internet Report. The increase coincides with the Kingdom’s launch of the “Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026.” The report — issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) — showed differences in AI tool usage across demographic groups, with 52.8 percent of female internet users using AI tools compared with 39.4 percent of males. Usage was…
Author: Editorial Team
KYIV — Russia and Ukraine exchanged deadly strikes overnight, killing civilians and injuring dozens on both sides as Moscow continued large-scale missile attacks while Kyiv pressed its campaign against targets inside Russia. In Russia’s border region of Belgorod, Ukrainian drone attacks killed five people and injured about two dozen others, including a 4-year-old boy, according to the regional administration. In Ukraine, Russian missiles struck a high-rise apartment building in Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, killing two people and injuring 13, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said. Eight more people were injured in the Black Sea port city of Odesa after “dozens…
FIFA on Saturday (Aug 8) condemned “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the world game’s governing body and its president Gianni Infantino as the controversy over his now-shelved private investment plan rumbles on. Infantino has faced calls to resign and was also subject to allegations from a British newspaper on Friday that he paid off a lover while at European governing body UEFA. “Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President,” said the FIFA statement. Infantino served as secretary general of European football’s governing body from 2009 to 2016. According…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism is moving towards mandating a minimum number of employees for tourist hospitality facilities, based on the number of rooms and the establishment’s classification. This initiative is part of the scheme of “minimum staffing requirements for tourist hospitality facilities”, which was released for public consultation a few days ago. The aim is to ensure adequate workforce capacity, improve service quality, and enhance operational efficiency, in line with the significant growth witnessed in Saudi tourism. The draft requirements specify three employees per room for luxury five-star hotels, hotel villas, hotel apartments, and resorts; four employees per…
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza on Sunday, saying Israeli forces would not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed. “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting, setting out his clearest opposition yet to the latest framework for implementing Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The Israeli military “will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” Netanyahu said. Trump’s Board of Peace announced last month that an agreement had been reached…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia continues to lead the tourism transformation in the Middle East region, with strong growth expected in the travel and tourism sector over the next decade, driven by rising investments, major tourism projects, and realization of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in its latest report, titled “Economic Impact Research: Global Trends Report, stated that the Kingdom’s travel and tourism sector accounts for approximately 14.1 percent of GDP. Across the Middle East markets, governments are investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, connectivity, visitor experiences, and destination development as part of broader…
The second group of Umrah performers under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Umrah and Visitation, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, yesterday visited Jabal Uhud, the Martyrs of Uhud Cemetery, and Quba Mosque as part of the religious and cultural program prepared by the ministry for program guests during their stay in Madinah, before they travel to Makkah to perform Umrah. During their visit to Jabal Uhud and the Martyrs of Uhud Cemetery, the guests were briefed on the history of the Battle of Uhud, which took place in the third year…
LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to announce a series of measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures as he begins a nationwide tour focused on his long-term plan to improve living standards and revive high streets. Downing Street said the measures, expected to be rolled out in the coming days, would seek to “give people some room to breathe,” with a particular focus on consumer protections and everyday costs. “He thinks Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles — like hidden pricing and consumers being ripped off — must be accepted as part of…
RIYADH — The Saudi business environment witnessed increased momentum during the first half of this year, with establishing of 46,900 new companies. This reflects the continued growth of commercial activity and the expansion of the Kingdom’s business base, coinciding with government efforts to facilitate procedures for starting and operating businesses. The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center provided more than 2.9 million services to business establishments during the first six months of 2026. These services included the establishment of 46,900 companies, the registration of 86,800 establishments, and the verification of 3,500 online stores. This growth in the number of establishments coincided…
JEDDAH — The Milky Way will paint a striking band across skies in the Arab world during August, visible to the naked eye, particularly from dark locations away from light pollution. The absence of moonlight over the coming evenings will provide ideal conditions for observing the Milky Way with the naked eye. Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, explained that the hazy band stretching across the sky is an edge-on view of our galaxy, with summer nights offering prime viewing toward its dense core of stars, gas and cosmic dust. Source: Saudi Gazette