Riyadh financial hub earns Guinness Record for 15.46 km pedestrian skyway
Riyadh financial hub earns Guinness Record for 15.46 km pedestrian skyway/node/2607113/saudi-arabia
Riyadh financial hub earns Guinness Record for 15.46 km pedestrian skyway
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Mbali Nkosi, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, presents the award to Faddy AlAql, chief asset delivery officer at KAFD Development and Management Co. (SPA)
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The network spans 15.46 km, linking 95 buildings through 42 climate-controlled skywalks, allowing year-round pedestrian access. (SPA)
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The network spans 15.46 km, linking 95 buildings through 42 climate-controlled skywalks, allowing year-round pedestrian access. (SPA)
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The network spans 15.46 km, linking 95 buildings through 42 climate-controlled skywalks, allowing year-round pedestrian access. (SPA)
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Updated 17 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
Riyadh financial hub earns Guinness Record for 15.46 km pedestrian skyway
Elevated above ground and connected to Riyadh’s metro, the skywalks help workers, visitors, and residents move easily
Updated 17 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh was awarded a Guinness World Record on Sunday for the world’s largest continuous pedestrian skyway network.
The network spans 15.46 km, linking 95 buildings through 42 climate-controlled skywalks, allowing year-round pedestrian access.
Elevated above ground and connected to Riyadh’s metro, the skywalks help workers, visitors, and residents move easily through the district while avoiding traffic and weather.
Built with 30,000 sq. meters of glass and more than 3,000 tonnes of steel, the project required more than 5 million safe work hours from 1,200 personnel.
The skywalks connect offices, homes, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, making it easier to walk between work, home, and leisure.
“This recognition by Guinness World Records affirms KAFD as a platform for urban development,” said Faddy AlAql, chief asset delivery officer at KAFD Development and Management Co.
“The skywalk network reflects a mobility strategy that connects assets, enhances walkability, and supports our goal of delivering a smart city experience.”
Mbali Nkosi, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, said: “First set in Minneapolis in 2016, this record has now been redefined by KAFD. In an era where sustainability drives innovation, KAFD’s skyway network sets a new benchmark for walkable urban design.”
The district hosts more than 90 international and local companies and 19 regional headquarters, including Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, and PepsiCo.
Qassim region is abuzz as the early date harvest begins, yielding more than 50 varieties and filling local markets. (SPA)
Updated 11 sec ago
Arab News
Qassim shines as date harvest fills local markets
Qassim contributes more than 390,000 tonnes annually to ֱ’s total date production
Updated 11 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: Qassim region is abuzz as the early date harvest begins, yielding more than 50 varieties and filling local markets, reaffirming the region’s role as a major center for date cultivation and marketing in the Kingdom.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Qassim contributes more than 390,000 tonnes annually to ֱ’s total date production.
This output strengthens its leadership in food security and boosts Saudi agricultural exports, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
With more than 11 million palm trees, Qassim produces popular varieties such as sukari, barhi, saggi, ajwa, khalas, mabroom, safawi and anbari.
This abundance supports local food security and supplies dates to more than 100 countries worldwide, the SPA added.
Date farmer Abdulaziz Al-Baridi praised the support farmers receive from the ministry branch in Qassim, including education on irrigation techniques and pest control, and preparation of markets for date trade.
As the harvest gains momentum, preparations are underway for the Buraidah Dates Festival. It is expected to boost economic activity, raise nutritional awareness, and strengthen market links between farmers and consumers.
The festival aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by promoting agricultural sustainability and diversifying the economy.
Islamic coalition hosts training program in Riyadh
Updated 19 min 53 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition launched a specialized training program titled “Collection Management” on Sunday at its Riyadh headquarters.
This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to support and build the capacities of nominees from coalition member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program aligns with ֱ’s goal to enhance integration and cooperation among member states in the fight against terrorism.
It targets 25 nominees from 14 member states, providing theoretical knowledge and practical skills in collection operations, data analysis, and supporting decision-makers in counterterrorism and anti-extremism.
The five-day program, supervised by military and information experts, includes training sessions, simulations, and workshops to improve institutional readiness and capacity for current security challenges.
This training is part of a broader coalition effort, now comprising more than 46 specialized programs covering areas like ideology, terrorism financing, military coordination, and media engagement.
JEDDAH: The Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, highlighted the importance of supporting small livestock farmers across ֱ to boost productivity and investment.
The program reviewed last year’s efforts in digital management of intensive livestock farms, including the first implementation of the Saudi Smart Flock system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Majed Al-Buraikan, Reef Saudi spokesperson, said the Saudi Smart Flock is a digital system that uses smart technology, including facial recognition, to manage both traditional and intensive livestock farms. It is the first of its kind to be applied to small ruminants and has been tested on six small farms.
Al-Buraikan said that the system, which identifies animals by their facial features, also monitors productivity, provides health updates, and manages animal records through its platform. It reduces losses, improves quality, and supports decision-making with accurate data.
The small livestock sector is a key focus of Saudi Reef, aiming to increase productivity, raise farmers’ income, improve livelihoods, and develop traditional production systems while supporting food security.
Traditional handicrafts, some involving ancient Bedouin techniques, have captivated visitors at the fourth Bait Hail Festival.
Updated 41 min 57 sec ago
Arab News
Visitors drawn to heritage pavilions at Hail festival
Visitors and tourists alike were drawn to pavilions showcasing cultural heritage and the artistry of ancestors who integrated the crafts into daily life
Updated 41 min 57 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Traditional handicrafts, some involving ancient Bedouin techniques, have captivated visitors at the fourth Bait Hail Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Visitors and tourists alike were drawn to pavilions showcasing cultural heritage and the artistry of ancestors who integrated the crafts into daily life.
Wicker (Al-Khoos) crafting uses palm fronds to make bags, mats, brooms and more by weaving dry, cleaned and dried fronds.
The fronds are bundled, soaked until soft, then sewn together, with limbs trimmed and thorns removed, ready for painting and tool-making.
Wicker products are sold in shops and traditional markets across the region, and many Hail residents still use them today, the SPA added.
Meanwhile, several Sadu weavers stood out, showcasing authentic artworks and helping revive the hand-sewn craft after years of decline. The skilled artisans have spent years mastering and producing intricate pieces.
Sadu weaving uses natural materials like camel hair, goat and sheep wool, crafted with tools such as a spindle, needle and wooden pegs, according to the SPA.
In some cases, sadu weaving is combined with wickerwork, producing distinctive pieces that blend traditional techniques.
‘Lion King’ roars into life with Ithra live orchestra in Dhahran
Family favorite is part of Ithra’s Disney in Concert series along with ‘Frozen’
Updated 05 July 2025
Jasmine Bager
DHAHRAN: Nearly three decades after it first captivated global audiences, Disney’s “The Lion King” dazzled new and older generations at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran this week by offering a chance to watch the film anew with a live orchestra.
“We hope that it will bring goosebumps and tears,” conductor Erik Ochsner told the crowd before the show. “This is a live performance, and so we would beg of you to please just enjoy it live.”
“The kids have seen the movie multiple times; we’ve all seen the movie multiple times. (Supplied)
As it has done in previous experiences, such as the 2019 and 2022 live orchestra showcases of several “Harry Potter” films in concert series, Ithra brought a full orchestra to perform Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning score while the animated film played in the background on a large screen.
For the experience, the film was stripped of the music while all the original audio, including dialogue and songs, remained untouched. The orchestra played those musical parts, breathing new life into the scenes without burying the essence of the nostalgic original.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Joining conductor Erik Ochsner was the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Sergey Smbatyan.
• For the experience, the Disney film was stripped of the music while all the original audio, including dialogue, remained untouched.
• ‘We hope that it will bring goosebumps and tears,’ Ochsner told the crowd before the show.
People clapped and sang along when the popular “Hakuna Matata” tune came on.
Originally released in 1994, “The Lion King” quickly became one of Disney’s most iconic films, celebrated for its powerful storytelling, memorable characters, and stirring soundtrack.
People clapped and sang along when the popular “Hakuna Matata” tune came on. (Supplied)
The animated film follows Simba, a young lion prince navigating the trials of loss, betrayal, and self-discovery on his journey to reclaim his rightful place in the animal kingdom.
At Ithra, this emotional arc was heightened by the rich, resonant sound of the live symphony orchestra, turning each moment— whether turbulent or triumphant— into an unforgettable experience.
Ithra brought a full orchestra to perform Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning ‘The Lion King’ score while the film played on a large screen. (Supplied)
Joining Ochsner was the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Sergey Smbatyan.
Known for their emotionally charged style and refined sound, the orchestra has built a reputation as a cultural ambassador of Armenia, regularly performing in major concert halls worldwide, including Ithra.
“The kids have seen the movie multiple times; we’ve all seen the movie multiple times. And we thought it would be nice to see it through a live orchestra,” audience member Ahmad Hassan told Arab News during the 20-minute intermission.
Hassan brought his extended family along, including his two children.
“It’s one of my favorite films,” Hassan’s nine-year old daughter Tia told Arab News. She gave the show a thumbs-up.
Her 12-year-old brother, Bakr, said he had watched the film “at least five times” — the first when he was about two or three — but was excited at this new way of appreciating the story.
“I like the show so far. It’s really good. Why? Because you get to see how the music is made instead of it just coming out of the speaker,” he said.
“After watching the show, I’d like to play the piano,” Tia added.
The concert is part of Ithra’s cinematic symphony series, which also includes an upcoming presentation of Disney’s “Frozen,” giving families the chance to relive favorite films in a whole new way.
Tickets are priced at SR200 ($53), and each of the Disney-Ithra performances will run for two days only.
