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King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles

King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles
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Recent conservation efforts in the reserve have supported the revival of this species. (SPA)
King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles
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Recent conservation efforts in the reserve have supported the revival of this species. (SPA)
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Updated 19 October 2024

King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles

King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles

RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority is actively working to protect the Arabian Sand Gazelle from extinction.

Recent conservation efforts in the reserve have supported the revival of this species, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Known for its grace, speed, and beauty, the Arabian Sand Gazelle is one of the rare species in the reserve, with its numbers significantly declining over the past century due to poaching.

The authority has observed that the gazelles have begun breeding within the reserve, and field teams are closely monitoring them to ensure their safety.

They emphasized that the successful breeding of these animals reflects the quality of the natural habitats and their suitability for wildlife.

The authority remains committed to protecting endangered species, with the goal of reintroducing them into their natural habitats, supporting self-reproduction, and promoting environmental balance and sustainability, SPA’s report noted.

These efforts are part of the authority’s broader mission to raise public awareness about the Arabian Sand Gazelle and to sustain biodiversity.

The reserve also aims to establish itself as a sustainable tourism destination, showcasing its rich environmental and biological diversity.

As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.

The reserve features diverse natural habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations. Recently, it has received several international environmental certifications, including being listed on the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making it the first Saudi reserve to achieve this recognition.

Additionally, five important bird areas have been designated based on global criteria, and the reserve has been acknowledged as the largest major biodiversity area in Ƶ according to international standards.


Hunna mentorship program hits right notes for women in MENA

Hunna mentorship program hits right notes for women in MENA
Updated 5 sec ago

Hunna mentorship program hits right notes for women in MENA

Hunna mentorship program hits right notes for women in MENA
  • Six participants paired with experts from across music industry
  • Workshops cover production, live performance, artist strategy, global positioning

RIYADH: The women-led music initiative, Hunna, has launched its 2025 mentorship program and workshop series.

Now in its third year, the program connects women across the region with mentors, resources and networks to help them grow professionally. It has more than 120 members from Ƶ, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and elsewhere.

This year’s program began in July, with six participants paired with professionals from various musical disciplines. They will each receive monthly one-on-one mentorship and tailored development plans as well as access to Hunna’s wider programming.

The culmination of their hard work will be a showcase at this year’s XP Music Futures in December.

Mentorship program manager Nadia Khan, who also founded the nongovernmental organization Women in Ctrl, said: “This year’s mentor-mentee pairings reflect the diversity of talent in the region and the global reach of the women guiding them.

“Having such inspirational and accomplished mentors means our mentees aren’t just receiving guidance, they’re learning directly from women who have carved their own paths in music, broken barriers and proven that it’s possible to thrive while staying true to your vision.”

This year’s pairings are: Tunisia-based Chaima Soudani with Celine Hitti, head of artist services MENA at Believe; singer Nadine Lingawi (Fulana) with Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel; Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and producer Martina Ashraf with Montreal-based experimental electronic artist Liliane Chlela; Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin with Nadin Al-Khalidi, lead vocalist of Tarabband; DJ and producer Lena Chercaoui  with Saudi DJ and producer Cosmicat; and Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi with singer-songwriter and visual creative Lina Makoul.

The pairings were chosen through an anonymized selection process led by Hunna committee members and former participants.

“Hunna is about creating a space of solidarity and community where women can grow in every part of the music industry,” Hitti said.

Al-Khalidi said: “I joined the Hunna mentorship program to share my journey and inspire others to tell their own stories through music.”

Workshops are a core part of the program. The first, “Introduction to Music Production,” will be held on Aug. 20 at Beast House in Riyadh.

Monthly sessions through November will cover production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning. They will be accessible to all members of the Hunna community.

Tanya Awad, head of music and experience at XP Music Futures and MDLBeast Foundation, which leads the Hunna initiative, said: “Our vision is clear: to see MENA women in every facet of the music industry.”


British Council expands English programs

British Council expands English programs
Updated 1 min 26 sec ago

British Council expands English programs

British Council expands English programs
  • Expansion, which builds on established operations in Riyadh, comes in direct response to rising demand from parents and educational communities across the Kingdom
  • Supports Vision 2030’s ambition to equip young Saudis with essential communication skills, global awareness and the confidence to succeed in a competitive world

RIYADH: The British Council is celebrating five decades in Ƶ by expanding its English language programs to Alkhobar and Jeddah, launching its first full academic year of courses for children and teenagers this September.

The expansion, which builds on established operations in Riyadh, comes in direct response to rising demand from parents and educational communities across the Kingdom.

It also supports Vision 2030’s ambition to equip young Saudis with essential communication skills, global awareness and the confidence to succeed in a competitive world.

“These courses are designed to build life skills, not just language ability,” a British Council spokesperson said.

“Students develop confidence, critical thinking and creativity — all essential for success in school and beyond.”

The program is delivered by qualified teachers using an international curriculum adapted to meet the needs of local learners. It offers:

  • Interactive and engaging lessons that make learning enjoyable and effective.
  • A safe and inclusive environment that supports all students.
  • Digital tools and at-home learning resources through the council’s online Learning Hub.
  • Regular progress updates and achievement certificates for parents.

For 50 years, the British Council has been a trusted partner for Saudi families and schools, recognized globally for its expertise in English language education.

Working in more than 100 countries and reaching 600 million people worldwide between 2021 and 2022, the organization has played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange, education, and mutual understanding between the UK and Ƶ.

To mark the anniversary, parents who register their children before Aug. 30 will receive a special discount of up to 25 percent on course fees.

Courses begin in September, with enrollment now open. For further details and registration, visit www.britishcouncil.sa.

The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

It builds connections, understanding and trust through work in arts, culture, education and the English language, contributing to peace, prosperity and skills development across the globe.


Tech company Humain to launch Allam, first Saudi-developed Arabic AI model

Tech company Humain to launch Allam, first Saudi-developed Arabic AI model
Updated 32 min 59 sec ago

Tech company Humain to launch Allam, first Saudi-developed Arabic AI model

Tech company Humain to launch Allam, first Saudi-developed Arabic AI model
  • Developers say it can converse in classical Arabic and Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese dialects, understands cultural and political nuances
  • The model will be available this month through Humain Chat, a free Arabic-language app similar to ChatGPT

LONDON: A new Arabic-language artificial intelligence model called Allam, created and trained in Ƶ, is set for launch this month, according to Tareq Amin, the CEO of the developer, tech company Humain.

He said it was built by a team of 40 Ph.D.-level researchers in the Kingdom, and described it as the best Arabic-language model yet developed for the 350 million people worldwide who speak the language, the majority of whom live in Arab countries.

“This is not just another large language model, it’s proof that the Arab world can innovate, train and deploy AI at a world-class level, according to our own standards,” Amin told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

Allam was designed to understand classical forms of Arabic and regional dialects, he added. It can converse in the Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese dialects, and understands cultural and political nuances.

The AI model will initially be available through Humain Chat, a free Arabic-language app similar to ChatGPT. Humain, which is part of Ƶ’s Public Investment Fund, said it has been tested for use in sensitive applications.

“ChatGPT will never have the datasets we do (to develop an Arabic AI),” Amin said. “I want the Arab world to start asking: Why don’t we build a coalition to create AI models that reflect our culture and values?”

The PIF established Humain to lead the Kingdom’s AI strategy, harnessing expertise from Aramco Digital and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority’s National Center for AI.

Amin said he views the launch of Allam as a starting point for ongoing improvement, fueled by user feedback from the Arab world. The company plans to create a marketplace through which developers and businesses can access the AI linguistic model, with a particular focus on government bodies and private-sector organizations in industries such as tourism and healthcare that rely heavily on Arabic for the provision of services.

“(Allam) is the spark that can shift the Middle East’s position in the global digital economy from consumer to creator of original platforms and products,” Amin said.

“We don’t yet have a complete AI ecosystem of developers and companies. We need to believe in our abilities, and the time is now.”

Amin considers AI as “the foundation upon which the entire” Saudi Vision 2023 plan for national development and diversification is being built across various sectors including tourism, healthcare and industry.

He praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to AI as “both visionary and pragmatic,” treating the technology “not as an optional tool but as a necessity for economic growth, citizen empowerment and sector-wide adoption.”

Amin added that Allam is Humain’s flagship model and ultimately the success of the tech company will primarily stem from the people who are part of it, in particular the rich pool of Saudi AI talent.

“Some doubted whether we had the capabilities,” he said. “I told them: come and see for yourself.”


Ƶ condemns Netanyahu comments supporting a ‘Greater Israel’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.
Updated 13 August 2025

Ƶ condemns Netanyahu comments supporting a ‘Greater Israel’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.

RIYADH: Ƶ on Wednesday strongly condemned statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in support of a so-called “Greater Israel.”

In an interview with i24 News on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he is “very attached” to the vision of a “Greater Israel.”

The term is understood to refer to an expansionist concept of Israeli territory that includes East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights and parts of other neighboring Arab countries.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said it completely rejected the “settlement and expansionist ideas and projects” adopted by Israeli authorities.

The ministry also said the Palestinian people had a historical and legal right to establish an independent, sovereign state on their lands, based on relevant international laws.

“The Kingdom warns the international community against the Israeli occupation’s persistence in flagrant violations that undermine the foundations of international legitimacy, blatantly violate the sovereignty of states, and threaten regional and global security and peace,” the ministry said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The approved plan for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel’s security cabinet called for the capture of the Palestinian territory’s largest city.Israel’s 22 month war on Gaza has killed more than 61,000 people and created dire humanitarian conditions.


World’s best: Riyadh hospital completes 10 kidney transplants in 48 hours

World’s best: Riyadh hospital completes 10 kidney transplants in 48 hours
Updated 13 August 2025

World’s best: Riyadh hospital completes 10 kidney transplants in 48 hours

World’s best: Riyadh hospital completes 10 kidney transplants in 48 hours
  • King Faisal Specialist Hospital sets record on World Organ Donation Day
  • Program ‘opens door’ for patients without suitable donor, it says

RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre this week set a world record by performing 10 kidney exchange transplants in just 48 hours.

The achievement coincided with World Organ Donation Day, which falls on Aug. 13 and aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Dr. Ehab Abufarhaneh, deputy executive director of the hospital’s Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, told Arab News: “KFSHRC performed the kidney exchange transplants over two consecutive days setting a global record. This happened with a great team led by Dr. Khaled Almashary and Dr.Tariq Ali of the department of kidney and pancreas transplant.

“This initiative opens a door for many patients who have no suitable donor.”

The KFSHRC said the record was for the highest number of such procedures conducted within a two-day span at a single center.

“This milestone reinforces the hospital’s position as a global leader in organ transplantation. It also reflects its high clinical readiness, the seamless coordination of its multidisciplinary medical teams and the advanced systems for managing donor-recipient matching, alongside its extensive experience in executing complex transplant procedures,” it said.

Paired kidney transplantation is an innovative approach where two or more incompatible donor-recipient pairs swap kidneys to achieve compatible transplants. The process significantly improves compatibility rates and offers hope to patients who face challenges in finding a suitable match within their families.

Last year, the KFSHRC celebrated another milestone with the completion of its 500th transplant since the program was launched in 2011. Since the creation of its organ transplantation program in 1981, it has successfully performed more then 5,000 kidney transplants, placing it among an elite group of global transplant centers.

Last year it conducted 80 pediatric kidney transplants, more than any other facility in the world for the period.

By leveraging its skilled workforce, advanced technologies and the integration of research and clinical programs, the KFSHRC aims to deliver world-class treatment while enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leader in organ transplantation.

In 2023 and 2024 it ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally on the list of the world’s top 250 academic medical centers and was last year recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East by Brand Finance rankings.

It also ranked among the world’s 250 best hospitals in 2024 and was included in Newsweek magazine’s list of best smart hospitals for 2025.