Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed to Iran on Sunday its commitment to continuing its regional role in promoting security and stability in a way that serves the shared interests of all countries and peoples in the region. The message came during a phone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The two ministers reviewed the latest regional developments and discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions. Prince Faisal also held separate telephone conversations with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and…

Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive Officer, M42. Dimitris Moulavasilis explains the clinical safeguards and ambitions behind M42’s AI-powered kidney health assistant Dubai — Kidney.com, launched by M42 and Diaverum in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2026, marks a shift in healthcare AI from general-purpose generative tools toward specialised, condition-focused platforms built to understand medical nuance and strengthen patient engagement. Combining M42’s AI capabilities with Diaverum’s 35 years of renal care expertise, the assistant offers trusted, personalised kidney health education at no cost, launching first in the UAE, France, Germany, Portugal and the UK, with further markets to follow. More than…

BRUSSELS — European Union member states will hold emergency talks on Tuesday to address the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following a mass influx of migrants and growing divisions over the bloc’s border policies. The meeting comes after 22 EU member states signed a joint letter calling for coordinated action and stronger protection of the bloc’s external borders after around 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from neighboring Morocco. The letter warned against “hybrid threats” that create the perception illegal entry into the European Union is possible, arguing such developments could encourage further crossings and undermine confidence in…

BURAIDAH — The Buraidah International Dates Carnival opened on Saturday near the Palm Center south of Buraidah, drawing farmers, traders and importers from within Saudi Arabia and abroad. Held under the patronage of Qassim Emir Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal and organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the carnival will run for 75 days until Oct. 14. Recognized as one of the world’s largest dates markets and listed in the Guinness World Records, the annual event serves as a major economic platform for the Kingdom’s dates industry, attracting participants and visitors from across the region. The carnival…

Ryan Kalember, Chief Strategy Officer at Proofpoint. Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, recently announced that it has been selected to join the OpenAI Daybreak Cyber Partner Program, a collaborative initiative designed to help trusted cybersecurity organisations integrate advanced AI capabilities into defensive security operations, products, and services on behalf of their customers. As cyber threats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, security teams face growing pressure to investigate incidents faster, analyse larger volumes of data, and respond effectively to increasingly complex attacks. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a critical tool for defenders, helping security teams improve operational…

CAIRO, 2nd August, 2026 (WAM) — Emirates NBD Egypt S.A.E., a 100% owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.), today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the retail banking business of HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E., an indirect subsidiary of HSBC Holdings PLC. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. As part of the transaction, Emirates NBD Egypt will acquire HSBC Egypt’s retail banking portfolio along with the associated branch and ATM network, customer base and relevant employee base. The transaction is expected to enhance Emirates NBD Egypt’s market positioning as a leading retail…

RIYADH — Irish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Gerry Cunningham paid a farewell visit to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El Khereiji on Sunday at the ministry’s headquarters, marking the end of his tenure in the Kingdom. During the meeting, El Khereiji expressed his appreciation for Cunningham’s efforts to strengthen and deepen relations between the two friendly countries and wished him continued success. Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi Arabia’s national health regulator has approved the registration of Foundayo (orforglipron) on Sunday, August 2, 2026, to help reduce excess body weight, as oral medications to fight obesity gain more popularity in the Gulf region. In a statement, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) stated that the decision improves the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom in alignment with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Programme, one of the key initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030. According to the latest data shared by the Saudi Ministry of Health, the obesity rate among adults in the Kingdom (18 years…

SEOUL — South Korea recorded its hottest day since modern weather observations began in 1904, with temperatures soaring to 42.5C (108.5F) on Sunday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The record temperature was measured in the southeastern city of Yangsan, about 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, surpassing all previous national records. Yangsan has endured temperatures above 40C (104F) for five consecutive days, fueling concerns that temperatures could climb even higher. In nearby Gyeongju, temperatures reached 40.2C (104.4F), marking the first time this year the city has exceeded the 40C threshold. The South Korean government activated a Level 2 emergency response…

JEDDAH — Thundery rain showers are forecast to persist across several regions of Saudi Arabia through the end of the week, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). The forecast is based on the Saudi Numerical Model displayed in an animated weather map released by the NCM. According to the map, light to moderate rain is expected to affect southern parts of Jazan and Asir from late Sunday afternoon until the evening. No rainfall is forecast overnight, although light showers are expected near Najran city on Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, light showers will return to southern Najran and…