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RIYADH: King Salman has recovered after successfully completing medical tests for lung inflammation, Saudi Press Agency saidon Wednesday.
The royal court saidon Sunday evening that the king would undergo medical tests for a lung inflammation.
In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered reassurances about the king’s health.
SAKAKA: Ƶ's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority said Friday that 750,000 hectares of degraded land so far had been successfully rehabilitated under its restoration and greening programs.
In a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency on the occasion of World Agriculture Day, the authority also reported successfully planting 3,992,200 seedlings across the 130,700-square kilometer reserve.
To support the natural regeneration of forests and rangelands, workers at the reserve had dispersed a total of 7,500 kilograms of local seeds so far, including yarrow, artemisia and haloxylon, the authority said.
These projects are part of the wider Saudi Green Initiative launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 27, 2021, a comprehensive national plan aligned with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions, increasing afforestation, and protecting land and marine ecosystems.
At the royal reserve, restoration efforts are focused on reclaiming vast areas affected by desertification and overgrazing, thereby paving the way for the return of plant life, the authority said.
Named after the Kingdom's incumbent king, the reserve was established by royal order in June 2018, consolidating existing protected areas spanning the Kingdom's northern provinces in Tabuk, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, and Hail.
It is home to more than 550 plant species, representing significant environmental wealth that requires sustained protection to ensure the sustainability of its natural resources for future generations.
The reserve has so far relocated 1,235 wildlife species, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, Arabian gazelles, and Arabian leopards.
The reserve is also a vital hub for migratory birds. It serves as the Kingdom’s first stop for flocks arriving from Asia and Europe in the fall, and their last station before departing Africa in spring.
RIYADH: For years, gaming in Ƶ lived in the informal spaces of cafes, bedrooms and late-night Local Area Networks. Today, it resides on national stages.
With the Esports World Cup now anchored in Riyadh and a government strategy targeting tens of thousands of jobs, this is no longer just play — it is a career, forever changing what it means to be a gamer.
Few people have a better vantage point on this transformation than Faisal bin Homran, chief product officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation.
In an interview with Arab News, he traced a social shift that mirrors the sector’s rapid professionalization. He believes that for the average Ƶ gamer, the idea of working in esports is no longer a niche ambition.
“The perception of gaming has transformed dramatically over the last two decades. What was once seen purely as entertainment is now recognized globally as a viable profession,” he said.
“Early professional players often faced skepticism from parents, schools and the wider community who questioned whether gaming could provide stability or career longevity. But the industry has proven itself.”
That proof, he argues, is economic as much as cultural, with the industry sprouting jobs across the board, beyond just players.
“Today, gaming is a multimillion-dollar global industry that generates more revenue than music and Hollywood combined, with audiences that rival the biggest sporting events,” bin Homran said.
“Professional players train with the same dedication as traditional athletes, and careers now extend far beyond competition into coaching, event production, game design, content creation and broadcasting.”
Riyadh’s 2025 edition of the EWC drew headlines for its record-setting scale and payouts. But bin Homran is quick to stress that salaries and stability cannot be measured by prize money alone.
He says year-round stability increasingly comes from a combination of team contracts, sponsorships, content creation and programs that reinforce the ecosystem’s foundations.
“Prize pools are the headlines that capture attention, but the story of stability in esports is much broader,” he said.
“The $70 million plus offered at EWC 2025 shows the scale of opportunity at the very top level, but it is not the only way players and staff secure consistent income.”
He highlighted the EWCF Club Partner Program, which channels growth funding directly to organizations and their payrolls as a strong example of financial sustainability in the industry.
The EWCF has provided structured funding to help clubs grow their brands and expand their fanbase. In 2025, the initiative has grown to $20 million, offering up to $1 million in support to each of the 40 participating clubs from around the globe.
The intended outcome is real jobs that last beyond a tournament weekend.
“Through this model, esports can now be pursued as a full-time profession,” said bin Homran. “Players are supported by clubs that are more financially resilient, and staff are employed in long-term roles that go beyond the seasonal highs and lows of competition.”
Ƶ’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy is explicit about its labor ambitions, with an eye on building a domestic workforce for a rapidly internationalizing industry.
Launched in 2022 under the Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda, it aims to position the Kingdom as a global gaming hub by 2030 through a “whole-of-ecosystem” plan spanning talent, studios, events, and infrastructure.
The strategy targets 39,000 jobs by 2030, something that bin Homran believes feels much more achievable when one factors in the array of jobs available in esports.
“This is how the 39,000-job target becomes real,” he said. “By ensuring that esports careers extend beyond playing and into the broader ecosystem that supports the industry. EWCF’s role is to make Ƶ the hub where both players and professionals can grow and thrive.”
For some teenagers and their parents, the question may have already matured to be more practical: what does a pathway look like today? The map now exists, says bin Homran, from school leagues to academy contracts and university programs.
“For a young person in Ƶ today, the journey into esports is far clearer than it used to be,” he said.
“The first step is grassroots competition — joining school leagues, community tournaments, or online ladders supported by the Saudi Esports Federation. From there, players can progress into amateur and academy-level teams, where they gain structured training and exposure to scouts.”
And just as football academies feed pro squads, he sees clubs investing earlier in talent development.
“Increasingly, we see teams investing in youth development, much like traditional sports academies,” said bin Homran. “For those serious about pursuing esports, international competitions hosted here give them direct access to the world stage without leaving home.”
Crucially, he says the pathways are not just for star players.
“If a teenager is passionate about gaming but not necessarily as a competitor, there are now opportunities to explore careers in game design, broadcasting, coaching, event management and content creation,” he said.
“Universities and training centers are also beginning to introduce esports-related programs to prepare the next generation.
The message is simple: whatever your talent — whether on the stage competing or behind the camera producing — you can find a future in esports today.
“The infrastructure is being built, the ecosystem is growing, and the opportunities are real.”
The career ladder is being built by an increasing number of festivals and major competitions around the Kingdom, which are raking in viewership numbers in line with traditional professional sports.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, a game increasingly popular in the region, saw a 63 percent increase in live viewership compared to last year, while Honor of Kings surged by 182 percent at the most recent EWC.
Meanwhile, EWC broadcasts reached 750 million viewers worldwide, while arenas in Riyadh were sold out and packed with hundreds of thousands of fans.
Numbers of that magnitude capture attention but also raise expectations, said bin Homran. The challenge now for the industry is converting festival momentum into everyday employment and enterprise creation.
This includes luring producers to stay in Riyadh after the confetti settles, attracting coaches who sign long-term contracts, and onboarding analysts who build careers within clubs, and creators who parlay impressions into salaries.
JEDDAH: The third Saudi Fashion and Textile Expo, held at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Events Center, marks a new era for sustainable fashion and textile innovation in the region.
The event, which ends on Sunday, brings together designers, innovators and industry leaders from across the globe, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role as a hub for fashion and trade.
Filiz Karakul, managing director of international at Pyramids Group and one of the organizers, told Arab News that this was the first time the event had been held in Jeddah.
“Previously it was held in Riyadh but now our focus is on Jeddah because the market here has huge potential. Companies from Europe, Japan, Korea and other countries are showing strong interest in Ƶ. They are bringing innovative fabrics, yarns and sustainable fashion products,” she said.
All (our) production is done by my family. We only use Italian linen, a natural plant-based fabric. For Ƶ we have adapted lengths and styles. This is our first time here and we are excited by the positive response. People appreciate quality and sustainability, which is very important to us.
Ivan Mastro, Co-founder Casa Mastro Positano
“Sustainability is our key focus and it is becoming increasingly important as climate change affects all industries. Every step we take impacts the ecosystem, which is why we have emphasized sustainability in the designer area.”
Next year’s show would be even bigger, with major pavilions from Germany, Italy and Spain, she said.
“With the support of the authorities and growing international interest, we are confident that this expo will become an even more influential platform, aligned with Ƶ’s Vision 2030.”
The exhibitors are equally committed to the sustainability message.
Victoria Loze, sales manager at Sophie Hallette from France, said: “We have been producing sustainable articles since 1887. We make handcrafted lace using 19th-century machines, with five meters taking eight weeks from start to finish. Our customers include Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Saab and high-profile individuals like Kate Middleton and Beyonce.
“People in Ƶ have great taste. They know fabrics and appreciate high-quality, sustainable products. This is our first time participating and we are proud to be pioneers here.”
Ivan Mastro, co-founder of Casa Mastro Positano from Italy, said: “All (our) production is done by my family. We only use Italian linen, a natural plant-based fabric. For Ƶ we have adapted lengths and styles. This is our first time here and we are excited by the positive response. People appreciate quality and sustainability, which is very important to us.”
Sourabh Jain, export marketing manager at Indian firm Siyaram Silk Mills, said his company was showcasing fabrics designed for hot climates.
“We manufacture menswear fabrics focusing on natural, sustainable materials. Bamboo fabric is a plant-based fiber that naturally cools the body. Linen is another natural fabric that offers comfort and breathability,” he said.
“The Saudi market is very promising and with Vision 2030 we see huge potential for innovative fabrics and new fashion trends.”
Issie Ninomiya of Uni Textile from Japan, said: “We have 3,000 items in stock, including polyester, cotton, nylon and rayon fabrics. Sustainability is growing and we are producing recycled polyester and organic fabrics. We aim to expand business in Ƶ, which is an emerging market for high-quality, eco-friendly textiles.”
Saudi fashion designer Hana Alhaddad said: “I established my brand, Eeliiite, with a focus on sustainability and uniqueness. I create my designs by recycling waste materials into distinctive pieces. People really appreciate the designs for their originality; most don’t even realize they are made from recycled materials but they love the unique look.”
The expo is showcasing a diverse lineup of designers, from emerging Saudi talent to established names from Switzerland, Tunisia and Morocco.
The event opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by diplomats, cultural representatives and business leaders, including Consul General of Turkiye in Jeddah Mustafa Unal, General Consul of France Mohammed Nahhad and representatives from Jordan, Syria, India and Tunisia.
The event attracted more than 550 exhibitors from 25 countries and over 10,000 visitors, including designers, entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts.
Among the highlights is the Vision Fashion Show, featuring leading and emerging designers, seminars exploring sustainability, smart fabrics and digital innovation, and a B2B zone hosting more than 480 meetings to foster partnerships and trade opportunities.
“As a business owner, I see immense opportunity here,” said Mohammed Rayyan, who runs a textile business.
“The expo brings together designers, innovators and suppliers from around the world, giving me a chance to discover new fabrics, sustainable solutions and potential partnerships that I can incorporate into my business.
“It’s the perfect platform to connect with international expertise while keeping up with the latest trends in the market.”
NEW YORK: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks on Thursday with Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, culminating in the signing of a bilateral political consultation agreement.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for political consultation between the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defense, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Both ministers looked at opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors while exchanging views on current international developments and diplomatic initiatives to address issues.
Ƶ is focusing on boosting ties with European countries at all levels.
RIYADH: The oldest architectural settlement in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to the pre-pottery Neolithic period of 10,300-11,000 years ago, has been discovered near Tabuk, Ƶ’s Ministry of Culture announced on Thursday.
Dr. Ajab Al-Otaibi, director general of the Heritage Commission’s antiquities sector, said the find was “among the oldest settlements in the world.”
Archeological excavations at the Masiyon site northwest of Tabuk, were carried out by the commission in partnership with Japan’s Kanazawa University, and in collaboration with Neom.
Although the area has been listed on the National Antiquities Register since 1978, studies in December 2022 revealed it to be the earliest known example of human settlement in the Arabian Peninsula.
Four excavations seasons were conducted up to May 2024 using advanced methods such as documenting stratigraphic layers, classifying artifacts, and analyzing organic samples to establish absolute dating.
Semi-circular granite structures were uncovered — including residential buildings, passageways, hearths and storage areas — suggesting a functional layout supporting hunting and early grain cultivation.
Other finds included stone tools such as grinding stones, knives and arrowheads, along with decorative objects, ceramics, agricultural tools, beehives and human and animal skeletons. Stones engraved with geometric patterns were also unearthed.
The commission described the discovery as a landmark in understanding the origins of human settlements in Ƶ’s northwest and the Kingdom’s wider history.
Al-Otaibi said the findings “highlight the pivotal role of the Arabian Peninsula in the emergence of human civilization.”
They also support the theory that the northwest was a natural extension of Mesopotamia, the Levant and Southern Anatolia — otherwise known as the Fertile Crescent — and that it was home to humanity’s early transition from nomadism to settlement.
