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Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village

Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village
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Nestled amid Al-Dahna Desert, the tents provide breathtaking views of the natural surroundings. (SPA photo)
Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village
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Nestled amid Al-Dahna Desert, the tents provide breathtaking views of the natural surroundings. (SPA photo)
Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village
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Nestled amid Al-Dahna Desert, the tents provide breathtaking views of the natural surroundings. (SPA photo)
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Updated 11 January 2025

Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village

Saudi nature reserve unveils winter retreat near historic Laynah village
  • Laynah Camp, designed for nature lovers and desert enthusiasts, is located adjacent to the Al-Dahna Desert
  • The initiative is part of the Darb Zubaydah Winter festival, which aims to promote sustainable ecotourism

RAFHA: A winter season retreat close to the historic Laynah village in the Northern Borders Region is now open to holidaymakers.

Designed for nature lovers and desert enthusiasts, the wilderness retreat, Laynah Camp, was unveiled this week by the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority as part of the Darb Zubaydah Winter festival, which aims to promote sustainable ecotourism and preserve the region’s cultural and historical heritage.

Laynah Camp “offers a serene atmosphere where wildlife beauty blends with the desert’s charm, providing visitors with inspiring and adventurous moments,” a Saudi Press Agency report said.




The camp extends fully equipped accommodation units created for relaxation and tranquility. (SPA photo)

Set against the backdrop of the Al-Dahna Desert, the fully equipped tent accommodation provides breathtaking views of the natural surroundings. To add to the experience, activities such as exploratory trips and upscale camping are on offer, the report added.

Laynah village itself has its own attractions, particularly its ancient water wells, which makes it one of the most important historical sites in the Kingdom.

In a previous SPA report, researcher and heritage and antiquities expert Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri was quoted as saying Laynah village was known to be one of the oldest settlements in the Arabian Peninsula.

“Located on the ancient trade route between Najd and Iraq, it has throughout history provided traveling caravan convoys with respite from harsh desert conditions,” the report said.


Madinah airport road renamed in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Madinah airport road renamed in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Updated 16 September 2025

Madinah airport road renamed in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Madinah airport road renamed in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
  • The 13 km-long road leads to the Prophet’s Mosque, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport and the Royal Terminal
  • It is vital for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims arriving at Madinah’s airport, providing access to one of Islam’s holiest cities

RIYADH: King Salman directed on Tuesday that the major airport road in the city of Madinah be named “Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road.”

The 13 km-long road connects the Prophet’s Mosque to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Road, leading to Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport and the Royal Terminal.

The newly named roadway is vital for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims and visitors traveling between the Prophet’s Mosque and the Madinah airport, providing access to one of Islam’s holiest cities.

The governor of the Madinah region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, emphasized the crown prince’s pivotal role in launching development initiatives and strategic projects throughout ֱ, significantly impacting various regions, including Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road will connect to the three main highways in Madinah: King Faisal Road (1st Ring), King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Road (2nd Ring), and King Khalid Road (3rd Ring), according to SPA.

Several projects are underway along the road, including the development of vehicle and pedestrian tracks and a rehabilitation project for Wadi Qanat, an essential valley in Madinah.


ֱ welcomes Syrian announcement of roadmap for restoring calm in Sweida province

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.
Updated 16 September 2025

ֱ welcomes Syrian announcement of roadmap for restoring calm in Sweida province

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.
  • Kingdom reiterated its support for “all steps taken by Syria to achieve security and stability and preserve its capabilities and territorial integrity”

RIYADH: ֱ on Tuesday welcomed an announcement by the Syrian Arab Republic of a roadmap for restoring calm in Sweida province, Saudi Press Agency reported.

It also commended the efforts made by Jordan and the US to support the roadmap for restoring stability in the south of the country.

The Kingdom reiterated its support for “all steps taken by Syria to achieve security and stability, preserve its capabilities and territorial integrity, and contribute to building state institutions and implementing the law.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said that Washington, “in consultation with the Syrian government, will work to reach security understandings with Israel concerning southern Syria that address the legitimate security concerns of both Syria and Israel.”


ֱ welcomes UN commission of inquiry report saying Israel committing genocide in Gaza

A man carries the body of Palestinian girl Amal Zakot, who was killed in an Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City.
A man carries the body of Palestinian girl Amal Zakot, who was killed in an Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City.
Updated 16 September 2025

ֱ welcomes UN commission of inquiry report saying Israel committing genocide in Gaza

A man carries the body of Palestinian girl Amal Zakot, who was killed in an Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City.
  • The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said that the report “clearly demonstrates the crimes and violations suffered by the Palestinian people”

RIYADH: ֱ on Tuesday welcomed a report issued by United Nations investigators which concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which does not speak on behalf of the world body, found that “genocide is occurring in Gaza,” commission chief Navi Pillay said. “The responsibility lies with the State of Israel.”

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said that the report “clearly demonstrates the crimes and violations suffered by the Palestinian people.”

“The Kingdom renews its call on the international community to take serious steps to enforce international resolutions, implement the two-state solution, and end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, which was created four years ago, has repeatedly documented alleged human rights abuses and violations in Gaza and other Palestinian areas since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel led by Hamas.

The deeply documented findings by the three-member team are the latest accusations of genocide against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as Israel carries on with its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people.

The report calls on the international community to end the genocide and take steps to punish those responsible for it.


Saudi Ministry of Human Resources wins communications awards

Saudi Ministry of Human Resources wins communications awards
Updated 16 September 2025

Saudi Ministry of Human Resources wins communications awards

Saudi Ministry of Human Resources wins communications awards
  • The ministry in 2022 won two Sharjah Government Communication Awards recognizing its excellence in women’s empowerment and communication systems initiatives

RIYADH: ֱ’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development recently won several Sharjah Government Communication Awards, bringing to six the total number of awards celebrating its institutional excellence.

The ministry was recognized in the categories of “Best Campaigns to Positively Influence Youth Awareness and Practices” and “Best Integrated Communication System.”

In a statement, the ministry said that its national “Wa’ad” training program is one of its key achievements, providing more than 1.3 million training opportunities.

Previously, the ministry has achieved a 5-star rating in the European Excellence Model for 2023, making it the first Arab ministry in the Middle East to do so.

It also ranked first among ministries in the Digital Transformation Index, received the Gold Shield of Merit in the Accounting Merit Pioneers Program, and received certificates of excellence in areas including the use of emerging technologies and services for people with disabilities.

The ministry in 2022 won two Sharjah Government Communication Awards recognizing its excellence in women’s empowerment and communication systems initiatives.

 


Specialized libraries conference begins in Jeddah

The conference runs for three days at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah. (SPA)
The conference runs for three days at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah. (SPA)
Updated 16 September 2025

Specialized libraries conference begins in Jeddah

The conference runs for three days at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah. (SPA)
  • The conference runs for three days at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah, featuring more than 70 scientific papers, 18 workshops, an exhibition of information systems, and a cultural program that includes a tour of historic Jeddah and traditional arts performances

JEDDAH: The 28th annual conference and exhibition of the Special Libraries Association-Arabian Gulf Chapter began on Tuesday in Jeddah.

Organized in collaboration with the Libraries Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the event is themed “Towards the sustainability of knowledge and the preservation of culture and heritage: Managing rare documents, manuscripts and heritage materials in the era of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.”

Attendees included CEO of the Libraries Commission, Dr. Abdulrahman Alasem, and president of the SLA/AGC, Dr. Hassan Al-Sereihi.

Al-Sereihi said that this was the conference’s first event in the Kingdom, highlighting its origins at Aramco and subsequent move to Bahrain.

He praised the commission’s efforts and emphasized the need to address modern developments in content and information management, particularly in artificial intelligence.

The conference runs for three days at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah, featuring more than 70 scientific papers, 18 workshops, an exhibition of information systems, and a cultural program that includes a tour of historic Jeddah and traditional arts performances.