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More Than 85,000 Students Begin 2026/2027 Academic Year in Al-Baha | 📷SPA AL-BAHA, August 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — More than 85,000 students attended schools across Al-Baha Region on Sunday for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. The schools are overseen by the General Administration of Education in Al-Baha Region. Facilities and classrooms were prepared before students arrived, while reception and orientation programs were introduced for the first day. The pr

More Than 180,000 Students Begin New Academic Year in Hail | 📷SPA HAIL, August 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — More than 180,000 students began classes on Sunday at schools overseen by the Hail Education Department, marking the start of the 1448 AH academic year. The department said schools and educational facilities had been prepared before students returned. Educational and organizational requirements were also completed for the opening of the academic year. The measures

Buraidah International Dates Carnival Launches Tourism and Cultural Events Through September 10 BURAIDAH — The Buraidah International Dates Carnival 2026 has launched a wide-ranging programme of tourism, cultural and entertainment activities across the city, with events scheduled to continue through September 10. The programme, which began Thursday, is being staged at several locations, including the auction square at the National Center, the Events Tent, Al-Hait Center, Al-N

BREAKING: Heavy Rain, Flash Floods and Thunderstorms Expected Across Jazan Until 10 P.M. JAZAN — Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has issued a weather warning for moderate to heavy rainfall across the Jazan Region on Friday, with severe conditions expected to continue until 10 p.m. The alert includes strong winds, near-zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms across several governorates in the region. Areas covered by the warning include

China Rejects Trump’s Iran Sanctions Threat, Calls for Negotiations BEIJING — China has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s threat of sweeping economic consequences for countries continuing to trade with Iran, warning that sanctions and pressure will not resolve the confrontation and calling instead for a negotiated political settlement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing believes diplomatic engagement remains the appropriate route for addres

BREAKING: Dust, Strong Winds and Near-Zero Visibility Expected in Riyadh RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — August 21, 2026 — Saudi Arabia Breaking News: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned that Riyadh Region will be affected by dust, strong winds and near-zero horizontal visibility on Friday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The weather conditions are expected to persist from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., affecting Riyadh and surrounding governorates. The wa

Kuwait to End Exceptional Visa and Resident Absence Measures From September 1 KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait — August 20, 2026 — Saudi Arabia Breaking News: Kuwait will end temporary measures covering visit visas and certain residents staying abroad from September 1, returning to its standard immigration rules, according to the Ministry of Interior. From that date, exceptional renewal arrangements introduced earlier this year for visit entry visas will cease, and the normal validity per

AlUla Launches Photography Initiative Showcasing Natural and Cultural Heritage ALULA, Saudi Arabia — August 20, 2026 — Saudi Arabia Breaking News: AlUla has launched a photography initiative highlighting the region’s diverse landscapes, cultural heritage and historic sites through the work of professional photographers, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative, launched in conjunction with World Photography Day, which is observed annually on August 19, features work by

QB Festival Brings Gaming, Tech Challenges and Interactive Competitions to Riyadh | 📷SPA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, August 20, Saudi Arabia Breaking News: The QB Festival is bringing together competitive gaming, technology-driven experiences and interactive challenges at Boulevard City in Riyadh, offering visitors a packed entertainment program that goes beyond traditional spectator events. Running until August 29, the festival features electronic games, virtual reality experienc

Royal Order Transforms Ehsan Platform Into Independent Nonprofit Foundation RIYADH, August 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — A Royal Order has given Ehsan a new institutional structure, transforming the National Platform for Charitable Work into an independent non-profit foundation named the Ehsan Foundation for Charitable Work. The change follows more than five years in which the platform received over 440 million donations with a combined value of SAR17 billion. Under its n

Al-Ahsa Oasis Maintains Year-Round Produce Output Despite High Temperatures | 📷SPA AL-AHSA, August 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Al-Ahsa Oasis maintains year-round production of summer fruits and vegetables despite the region’s high temperatures. Demand for locally grown produce extends across markets in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, supporting the commercial value and market potential of the oasis’s agricultural output. Its fruit crops include figs, berries, pap

UK ambassador gets first close look at Saudi falconry at Malham auction | 📷SPA MALHAM, August 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Stephen Hitchen visited the International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham and attended part of its eighth night, during which six falcons sold for a combined SAR312,000. The visit gave Hitchen his first close experience with falcons in Saudi Arabia after spending a year in the Kingdom. The ambassador said he had known

NAUSS Opens Emergency Management and Civil Protection Seminar in Helsinki | 📷SPA HELSINKI, August 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) opened a three-day seminar in Helsinki on Wednesday focused on emergency management, civil protection, and preparedness for security and environmental risks. Organized in cooperation with Verona Shelters, the seminar brings together experts from Arab countries and representatives of relevant int

Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Reviews Madinah Schools’ Academic-Year Readiness MADINAH, August 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Madinah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz reviewed preparations across 2,631 schools before the start of the 1448 AH academic year. Madinah Region Director General of Education Nasser Al-Abdulkarim presented the readiness plan during a meeting with the deputy governor. The schools covered by the plan

Kingdom Photography Award Draws More Than 2,000 Submissions Across Three Editions | 📷SPA RIYADH, August 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — More than 2,000 photographic works have been submitted to the Kingdom Photography Award during its first three editions, reflecting nationwide interest in a program created to support Saudi photography talent and document the Kingdom’s visual diversity. Nearly 41 winners have been selected since the Visual Arts Commission launched the awar

Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan Outlines General Education System RIYADH, August 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan said the general education system would establish governance, resource and quality requirements for educational institutions while supporting students, teachers and families. Measures outlined by Al-Benyan include professional development for teachers, early childhood education, assistance for people with dis

Donald Trump Posts Map Labeling Strait of Hormuz ‘New US Territory’ RIYADH, August 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — US President Donald Trump published a map on Truth Social on Tuesday that placed the words “New US Territory” over the Strait of Hormuz. The image shows a circle drawn around the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Trump shared the map one day after describing the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory as a

Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Names Faisal Al-Atawi Spokesperson | 📷SPA RIYADH, August 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has named Faisal Al-Atawi its spokesperson, placing him in charge of official communication with the media and public. Al-Atawi is a Saudi communications professional with experience in media and horse racing. The appointment is intended to support the club’s media presence in Saudi Arabia and internationally while ensuring th

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Monday.Reuters RIYADH, August 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf presented four steps he said the United States must take before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen, according to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. IRNA said the conditions were the removal of the US blockade on Iranian ports, the release of Iran’s frozen assets, the lifting of sanctions

Thunderstorms and Hail Forecast Across Southwestern Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Aug 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Thunderstorms accompanied by hail and gusty winds are forecast across parts of Jazan, Aseer and Al-Baha regions, along with the southern highlands of Makkah Region, according to the National Center for Meteorology. Dust-stirring winds are also expected across Eastern, Riyadh and Qassim regions and parts of Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Tabuk, Madinah and Najran regions.