MBC Group Inaugurates New Offices in Riyadh

The MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq AL-Awsat)
The MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq AL-Awsat)
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MBC Group Inaugurates New Offices in Riyadh

The MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq AL-Awsat)
The MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq AL-Awsat)

MBC Media Group inaugurated its new headquarters in Riyadh during a huge ceremony attended by Acting Minister of Media Majed al-Qasabi and several prominent figures, including media professionals and officials.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of MBC Group Waleed al-Ibrahim said during the ceremony that the Group now launches new headquarters from the homeland, adding that they have always carried this dream since Saudi Arabia introduced its first channel, MBC 1, in London in 1991.

He expressed his happiness over the remarkable development that Saudi Arabia is witnessing under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He also highlighted the unlimited support being extended by the leadership for the sectors of culture, creativity, media, and entertainment.

"We are working with all determination to make MBC Group one of the most prominent international media organizations in the world," he said, adding that the Group will be stronger in Saudi Arabia.

He announced that MBC will take its projects to the new levels it has always tried to reach.

Ibrahim thanked the UAE government and its people for their support during the Group's time in Dubai. He said the shifting of the headquarters is "moving from one home to another."

Referring to MBC's upcoming strategy, Ibrahim explained that in the previous stages, the Group sought to reach Arab viewers, and it is now looking forward to becoming one of the most prominent international media organizations.

"We are working with determination to make MBC Group one of the most prominent international media organizations. The coming years will witness global activities that draw their story from the Arab history."



Firefighters Battle a Wildfire Burning Out of Control on the Greek Island of Chios

A firefighting helicopter during firefighting operations on Chios Island, Greece, 24 June 2025. EPA/KOSTAS KOURGIAS
A firefighting helicopter during firefighting operations on Chios Island, Greece, 24 June 2025. EPA/KOSTAS KOURGIAS
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Firefighters Battle a Wildfire Burning Out of Control on the Greek Island of Chios

A firefighting helicopter during firefighting operations on Chios Island, Greece, 24 June 2025. EPA/KOSTAS KOURGIAS
A firefighting helicopter during firefighting operations on Chios Island, Greece, 24 June 2025. EPA/KOSTAS KOURGIAS

Hundreds of firefighters backed up by aircraft were battling a wildfire burning out of control for the third day on the eastern Aegean island of Chios Tuesday, with authorities issuing multiple evacuation orders.

Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on the island, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos, said the Associated Press.

By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support.

Emergency services have issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island’s main town. The fire department has sent an arson investigation team to Chios to examine the cause of the blaze.

“We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island — a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,” Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said Monday from Chios. Authorities, he said, were “very seriously examining the possibility of an organized criminal act, in other words arson.”

The minister said police forces on the island had been reinforced, while military patrols had been doubled.

“Whoever thinks that they can play with the lives of citizens and cause chaos with premeditated actions will be led to court,” Kefalogiannis said. “Arson is a serious crime and will be dealt with as such.”

Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.