Jeddah, March 18, 2026, SPA -- The University of Business and Technology (UBT) has reached a significant scientific milestone, enhancing its reputation in the fields of innovation and research on an international level. Dr. Basma El Zein earned a gold medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions for her groundbreaking work on solar cells, utilizing low-pressure pulsed laser deposition technology to improve the nanostructure of ZnO material. This innovation has been registered as a patent and received recognition from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a United Nations agency. This acknowledgment underscores the scientific value of the innovation and its pot ......read full article

Buraidah, March 22, 2026, SPA -- Public parks and rural recreational areas in Qassim Region attracted large numbers of residents and visitors during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, amid moderate weather conditions in the region, which contributed to providing a suitable environment for spending enjoyable times with family and friends. The Qassim Municipality worked on preparing parks, recreational areas, walking tracks, and municipal plazas, and on raising their readiness to receive visitors during the days of Eid by equipping sites and intensifying maintenance and cleaning work. The number of walking tracks in Buraidah and the region’s governorates and centers reached 41 tracks, with tota ......read full article

Jizan, March 23, 2026, SPA -- Beaches in Jazan Region are among the preferred destinations for residents and visitors during the days of Eid Al-Fitr, offering moderate marine weather, coastal scenery, and facilities and services that meet the needs of beachgoers. Among these locations is the swimming beach, considered one of the region's most promising tourist destinations, where the municipality is working to provide modern facilities and exceptional services in line with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to create a distinctive recreational environment for residents and visitors. Since the first day of Eid, the beach has attracted large numbers of visitors of various age groups seeking t ......read full article

Buqayq, March 23, 2026, SPA -- Buqayq Governorate celebrated Eid Al-Fitr yesterday with a variety of festive events organized by the municipality, in an atmosphere filled with joy and happiness. The events witnessed a notable turnout and strong engagement from residents and visitors who came to participate in celebratory programs targeting various age groups, boosting social bonds and attracting visitors from within and outside the governorate in a comprehensive festive environment. The activities included a range of entertainment programs, featuring interactive theater performances, a dedicated children’s corner, a coloring area, and physical games aimed at bringing joy to child ......read full article

Jeddah, March 17, 2026, SPA -- As Eid Al-Fitr approaches, Historic Jeddah awakens with its rich cultural and human spirit. Its narrow alleys and old buildings, adorned with traditional wooden lattices, known as rawasheen, pulse with life, evoking scenes of the past deeply rooted in the memories of locals and visitors alike. The scene offers a window into centuries of social and cultural heritage that have shaped the district’s unique identity. In the final days of Ramadan, the area transforms into a lively hub reflecting authentic Hijazi architecture. Streets glow with traditional lanterns and lights, while the voices of artisans and vendors fill the air as they display their handcr ......read full article

Madinah, March 17, 2026, SPA -- Seasonal health centers and medical facilities near the Prophet’s Mosque provided comprehensive medical and emergency services to Umrah performers and visitors, benefiting 35,315 individuals of various nationalities through the 27th day of Ramadan. The Madinah Health Cluster reported that the figures include 12,544 beneficiaries from medical services provided by Al-Salam Endowment Hospital near the Prophet’s Mosque, as well as 10,459 beneficiaries from Al-Safiyah Center. Al-Haram Hospital also delivered a range of medical services to 6,190 beneficiaries, while 4,692 individuals received care at Bab Jibril Health Center. Additionally, 1,430 cases ......read full article

Hail, March 18, 2026, SPA -- The Hail Municipality has stepped up its preparations for Eid Al-Fitr by carrying out landscaping, beautification, and flower planting projects along several major roads, thoroughfares, and important locations in Hail. This initiative aims to create a festive atmosphere that reflects the joy of Eid and showcases the city's beauty. The work includes distributing seasonal flowers in public squares, parks, and intersections, as well as decorating main streets with vibrant color displays. These efforts enhance the urban landscape and provide residents and visitors with a delightful visual experience during the Eid holidays. The municipality explained that f ......read full article

Madinah, March 19, 2026, SPA -- The Madinah Region Development Authority announced that over 3.6 million worshippers utilized shuttle bus services to the Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan 1447 AH, a 125% increase compared to the previous year, with a fleet of 250 buses completing more than 70,000 trips. The surge in ridership highlights the growing reliance on public transport to manage peak crowds, particularly during the last 10 days of the holy month. ...read full article

CASIO G-SHOCK unveils the GA-2100K series, a bold interpretation of the iconic GA-2100 design inspired by the atmosphere of music-driven nightlife and the vibrant pulse of late-night culture. The series captures the shadowy thrill of nightclubs and music festivals, where laser lights cut through the rhythm of midnight sound. At the heart of the design is a newly developed surface finish on the dial, delivering a clean and modern look that enhances the streamlined silhouette of the GA-2100. A glossy finish and rich color scheme create a striking visual depth reminiscent of piano black, giving the watch a sleek and sophisticated presence. The design further comes to life through layer ......read full article

Abha, March 17, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Health branch in Aseer Region carried out an initiative to promote proactive compliance with health regulations in private hospitals in Abha and Khamis Mushait, with the aim of enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to beneficiaries and strengthening patient safety across private healthcare facilities. The initiative included awareness visits and meetings with facility management, during which educational materials and guidance were provided to strengthen compliance with health regulations before any violations are recorded. ...read full article

Arar, March 17, 2026, SPA -- Northern Border University achieved an international milestone at the 51st Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland, winning a silver medal and a bronze medal for two inventions developed by its faculty and staff. The inventions also received a special award from Europe France Inventors (EFI) in recognition of their innovative solutions in advanced technologies and the high level of research they represent. The university’s participation in this leading global exhibition highlighted projects focused on developing technological solutions and practical applications across sectors such as health technologies and artificial int ......read full article

Jizan, March 18, 2026, SPA -- Jazan Municipality and its affiliated municipalities completed preparations for Eid Al-Fitr through a comprehensive range of services aimed at enhancing the festive atmosphere and providing a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors across the region. Preparations included 26 event venues, hundreds of prayer areas and parks, along with decorative sculptures, congratulatory banners, and 50,000 gifts for visitors. The municipality intensified inspections of markets and shops, while preparing public facilities, enhancing decorative lighting, and planting flowers to improve the urban landscape. ...read full article

Makkah, March 18, 2026, SPA -- The Grand Mosque witnessed large crowds of worshippers on the 29th night of Ramadan, as visitors from across the Kingdom and around the world gathered to perform Tahajjud prayers on the night marking the completion of Quran recitation during the blessed month. The sacred space was filled with a deeply spiritual atmosphere of faith, humility, and devotion. The mosque’s corridors and courtyards were filled with worshippers who had arrived hours earlier, seeking the reward and blessings of this special night. Beautiful recitations of the Quran echoed throughout the mosque as worshippers stood in long rows, in a moving scene that reflected the unity of ......read full article

17 March 2026 (Geneva) -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Long‑Term Demand Projections (LTDP) for air travel, showing that global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Under the mid‑range scenario, demand is forecast to reach 20.8 trillion revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), based on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% (2024-2050) from the 9 trillion RPKs seen in 2024. A higher growth scenario would see a 3.3% CAGR with passenger demand reaching 21.9 trillion RPKs in 2050. A lower growth scenario would see 2.9% CAGR with passenger demand reaching 19.5 trillion RPKs by 2050. The different scenarios ar ......read full article

  Riyadh, March 16, 2026, SPA -- Saudi Electronic University won a gold medal and a bronze medal during its participation in the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2026, in an achievement that reflects the efficiency of its research system and its active role in promoting scientific innovation and developing innovative technological solutions. President of the Saudi Electronic University Mohammed Mardi highlighted the continuous and generous support the education sector receives from the Kingdom’s leadership, noting that this support has significantly enabled educational institutions to strengthen their international presence, expand participation in global scient ......read full article

Makkah, March 17, 2026, SPA -- The General Transport Center, one of the centers of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, strengthened the Makkah taxi fleet by receiving three licenses for companies operating Makkah taxi contracts. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser handed over the licenses to CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites Eng. Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed to support the Makkah taxi fleet, one of the products of the General Transport Center. Al-Rasheed stated that issuing the licenses will strengthen the regulation of the taxi sector in Makkah by introducing an advanced fleet equipped with tracking systems, interactive ......read full article

Riyadh, March 16, 2026, SPA -- As Eid Al-Fitr approaches, sweet shops across various cities and governorates in Saudi Arabia are experiencing increasing activity and notable turnout from shoppers. This reflects the joy of Saudi society on this happy occasion and the eagerness of families to prepare early, especially by securing Eid sweets, which are among the most prominent elements of celebration for children. Many families are keen to take their children to markets and sweet shops to choose their favorite varieties in an atmosphere filled with excitement and happiness. Eid sweets represent an essential part of the social heritage associated with Eid Al-Fitr in Saudi society, as they ......read full article

Riyadh, March 17, 2026, SPA -- Advisor at the Royal Court and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah held a virtual meeting yesterday with the United Kingdom's Minister of State for International Development Jenny Chapman. The meeting focused on mutual humanitarian interests and exploring avenues to strengthen bilateral partnership to support humanitarian work in countries in need. ...read full article