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Al-Ahsa Named World’s Largest Date Palm Oasis by Guinness

Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Al-Ahsa Named World’s Largest Date Palm Oasis by Guinness

Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader Bin Abdallah Bin Frahan announced today, Thursday, that Al-Ahsa Governorate has been registered in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest date palm oasis.

According to Guinness’s website, the oasis includes more than 2.5 million palm trees feeding on a vast aquifer through 280 artesian springs, extending over an area of more than 85.4 square kilometers (32.9 square miles).

The Heritage Commission turned the global encyclopedia’s attention to Al-Ahsa Oasis, a Saudi Arabian site registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, alongside Al-Hijr in Al-Ula, the Al-Turaif neighborhood in historic Ad Diriyah, historic Jeddah, and rock art site Jubbah and Shuaimis in Hail.

In addition to its rich environment and natural wealth, Al-Ahsa also has a deep history and rich civilization. Many civilizations settled in it and used it as a strategic bridge connecting them to the rest of the world. It includes many heritage sites and some of the globe’s oldest human settlements. Its date-palm oasis is the largest palm oasis surrounded by sand in the world.

The Guinness World Records had recently registered Maraya Concert Hall as the world’s largest mirror-clad building. Alongside other records, they have contributed to Saudi Arabia becoming the second most featured Arab country in the Guinness World Record.

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Gulf

Int'l Coalition to Defeat ISIS Welcomes Syria as a Member, Ready to Work Closely with it

Members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Int'l Coalition to Defeat ISIS Welcomes Syria as a Member, Ready to Work Closely with it

Members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meet in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS welcomed on Monday Syria as its newest member, saying it was ready to work closely with it.

The coalition convened in Riyadh, bringing together senior diplomatic and defense officials. Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji opened the meeting, which was co-chaired by US Special Envoy for Syria Ambassador Tom Barrack.

Participants expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia's continued role in supporting regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and promote stability.

They welcomed the comprehensive agreement between the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces, including the permanent ceasefire and arrangements for the civil and military integration of northeast Syria.

They noted the Syrian government's stated intention to assume national leadership of counter-ISIS efforts and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the SDF in the fight against ISIS. Participants also thanked the Iraqi government for its continued leadership in the fight against the extremist group.

The participants reiterated their priorities, including the swift transfer and safeguarding of ISIS detainees, third-country repatriation, the dignified reintegration of families from al-Hol and Roj camps in Syria to their communities of origin, and continued coordination with Damascus and Baghdad on the future of the ISIS campaign in Syria and Iraq.

Moreover, the participants welcomed the Syrian government as the 90th member of the coalition. They underscored their readiness to work closely with Damascus and encouraged members to provide direct support to Syrian and Iraqi efforts.

Officials commended Iraq’s efforts to securely detain ISIS fighters and welcomed Syria’s assumption of responsibility for detention facilities and displacement camps housing ISIS fighters and their family members.

They also reiterated the need for countries to take responsibility for and repatriate their nationals from Iraq and Syria.

Coalition members expressed their gratitude to Iraq for its leadership and recognized that the transfer of detainees into Iraqi custody is essential to regional security. They stressed their shared commitment to defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria, pledging continued support to both governments in securing ISIS-affiliated detainees.

Gulf

Mohammed bin Salman Takes Prince William on Tour of Diriyah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Mohammed bin Salman Takes Prince William on Tour of Diriyah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, took on Monday Britain’s Prince William on a tour of Diriyah in the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Prince William had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday for a first official visit, aimed at deepening economic cooperation. 

He was greeted at the airport by the deputy governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The trip, which will wrap up on Wednesday, aims to celebrate growing trade, energy and investment ties ahead of the two nations marking a century of diplomatic relations. 

William, a keen environmentalist, is also set to visit the historic city of AlUla, where he will learn about conservation efforts, according to Kensington Palace. 

Gulf

World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia Committed to Building Advanced, Competitive Defense Industry

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
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World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia Committed to Building Advanced, Competitive Defense Industry

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA

The World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, which is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), entered its second day on Monday with a strong focus on innovation and defense integration, supporting national industrial development and the advancement of future capabilities.

GAMI Governor Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali delivered keynotes reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to building an advanced, globally competitive defense industry.

He stated that Saudi Arabia continues to invest in a defense industry built on innovation and partnership, ensuring an integrated approach to defense and security.

According to SPA, he added that WDS 2026 reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to lead globally through technologies that enhance readiness, strengthen supply chains, and support localization under Vision 2030.

Following these remarks, senior Saudi defense leadership led a series of high-level discussions framing the strategic direction of the Kingdom’s defense transformation. Chief of the General Staff General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili delivered an address highlighting the priority of building a future-ready, integrated defense and discussing how global operational trends shape the Kingdom’s approach.

Across the wider venue, the Content Theater Program officially opened, bringing together senior Saudi and international speakers for high-level discussions on industrial development, aerospace growth, defense investment, and supply-chain strengthening. These sessions underscored the Kingdom’s strategic direction and its commitment to building a future-ready defense ecosystem. Parallel to the leadership program, activity across the Future Defense Lab and the Saudi Supply Chain Zone continued to facilitate expert engagement and industry dialogue, serving as additional platforms to support collaboration and capability development.

CEO of World Defense Show Andrew Pearcey said: “Day Two demonstrated the Kingdom’s growing influence in shaping the future of defense technologies and industrial capability. Through strong participation, forward-looking programs, and strategic leadership, WDS continues to serve as a global meeting point for innovation and collaboration.”

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains. This year’s edition brings together 1468 exhibitors from 89 countries, with participation from defense leaders, innovators, and investors contributing to Saudi Arabia’s long-term industrial transformation.