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Saudi Space Experiment to Increase Artificial Seeding

The Saudi astronauts aim to carry out 14 scientific research experiments in several fields during their mission to the ISS.
The Saudi astronauts aim to carry out 14 scientific research experiments in several fields during their mission to the ISS.
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Saudi Space Experiment to Increase Artificial Seeding

The Saudi astronauts aim to carry out 14 scientific research experiments in several fields during their mission to the ISS.
The Saudi astronauts aim to carry out 14 scientific research experiments in several fields during their mission to the ISS.

Saudi Astronaut Ali al-Qarni began an artificial seeding experiment in space, which will contribute to the development of the technology used on the earth and raise its efficiency by more than 50%.

His colleague, Rayana Bernawi, shared a video of the Grand Mosque in Mecca from the International Space Station (ISS), to which they arrived on Monday, where they joined seven other astronauts who are already on board.

The Saudi astronauts aim to carry out 14 scientific research experiments in several fields during their mission to the ISS, which will include human medicine, biomedicine, and physics.

Al-Qarni appeared in a video he posted on his Twitter account, carrying a green box inside the Columbus unit, which he said was an artificial seeding experiment and prepared by Saudis.

“The cloud seeding will help us to raise the artificial raining rate by 50%,” he stated.

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, headed by Dr. Ashraf Farhat, and in cooperation with the Saudi Space Authority, is supervising this experiment, which aims to simulate the cloud seeding process that is used in Saudi Arabia and many countries to increase precipitation rates.

The experiment aims to help scientists and researchers to devise new ways to provide conditions suitable for humans - including artificial rain - to live in space colonies on the surface of the Moon and Mars. It will also contribute to improving researchers’ understanding of rain seeding technology, which will help to increase rainfall rates.

Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance water resources, develop vegetation, and benefit from renewable sources through the artificial cloud seeding program, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in February 2020.

The operational work of the program, which already completed three phases, has achieved a success rate of more than 97 percent. Preliminary studies of rainfall point to precipitation amounts amounting to 3.5 billion cubic meters of water in the targeted areas, according to Dr. Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Center for Meteorology, the program supervisor.

For her part, Bernawi shared a video clip on Twitter showing the Holy Mosque of Makka from the ISS.

“After I finished my experiments for today, we happened to pass over Makka Al-Mukarramah,” she said.

On Thursday, Bernawi began her first scientific experiment, by testing the response of immune cells to infections using the live experiment box.

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Swiss Glaciers Lose Over 5% of Ice Volume in 2026 as Heatwaves, Low Winter Snow Accelerate Thaw

General view of the Fiescher Glacier near Fiesch, Switzerland, June 14, 2023. (AP)
General view of the Fiescher Glacier near Fiesch, Switzerland, June 14, 2023. (AP)
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Swiss Glaciers Lose Over 5% of Ice Volume in 2026 as Heatwaves, Low Winter Snow Accelerate Thaw

General view of the Fiescher Glacier near Fiesch, Switzerland, June 14, 2023. (AP)
General view of the Fiescher Glacier near Fiesch, Switzerland, June 14, 2023. (AP)

Glaciers in Switzerland – the home to the most in the Alps – lost 5.5% of their ice volume this year, the second-biggest percentage drop on record due to heatwaves and low winter snowfall, experts report.

“Alpine glaciers have no chance of surviving in the long term under such conditions,” the GLAMOS Swiss glacier monitoring service and Swiss Academy of Sciences said in a statement released Thursday.

The trend has worsened in recent years: Over the past five years alone, the volume of ice in Switzerland has declined by nearly a fifth, the experts say.

The report testifies to the latest concerns that global warming is wreaking havoc on Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent.

“The warming that we are experiencing now can be attributed 100% to anthropogenic climate change. It’s as simple as that,” said Matthias Huss, who heads GLAMOS. “Without human emissions or fossil fuels we wouldn’t have any warming at the moment.”

The record retreat of glacier ice in Switzerland came in 2022, when summer heat, low winter snowfall and an unusual smattering of reddish dust blown in from the Sahara darkened the glaciers and caused them to absorb more heat.

Huss said the snow cover in winter was important for two reasons.

“On the one hand, it protects the bare ice from melting. The longer you have snow, the longer you avoid the loss of old ice,” said Huss in an interview at the Federal Polytechnic Institute ETHZ, where he is a glaciology professor.

“On the other hand, the snow is important also for generating new food for the glacier. The more snow you have, the higher the potential to keep some of the snow at high elevation and to form new ice,” Huss added.

The great thaw in Europe’s legendary Alps is not alone: Experts say global warming helped to destabilize a Himalayan slope that collapsed in August and unleashed catastrophic and deadly flooding across Nepal. Satellites have shown vast shrinkage of glaciers in places like Greenland and Antarctica over the last half-century or so.

Percentage drop rises as overall ice volume falls

In Switzerland, in absolute terms, volume lost has been less than that in 2003, but the percentage decline this year is greater. That’s because the total volume today is roughly a third of that 23 years ago. Back then, the relative loss was 3.5% of total ice volume in Swiss glaciers.

Such accelerated ice melt has had an impact in Switzerland — the loss of 2.2 trillion liters (581 billion gallons) from July to September amounts to four times the annual consumption of water in the country of about 9.1 million people. Switzerland gets more than half of its electricity from hydropower.

But the impact of accelerated glacier melt ripples far beyond: Switzerland is the water tower of Europe, and feeds some of the continent’s most important rivers: The Danube, Po, Rhine and Rhone.

The experts say the “extreme melting” faced by Switzerland’s glaciers this year included a decline in the average thickness of individual glaciers between 2-1/2 to 4 meters (about 8-13 feet) and a reduction of up 10 meters (33 feet) on the tongue of some glaciers.

The expert teams have fanned out to assess runoff and crevices caused by the running water through the glaciers, in part by dumping red dye into the streams to track the water flows.

The Allalin, Clarident, Rhone and Aletsch glaciers — Aletsch being the largest in the Alps — were among the glaciers to experience their biggest melt on record this year.

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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role in International Water Efforts Ahead of Riyadh World Water Forum 2027

Saudi Arabia affirms that hosting the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 represents an important milestone in strengthening joint international action - SPA
Saudi Arabia affirms that hosting the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 represents an important milestone in strengthening joint international action - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role in International Water Efforts Ahead of Riyadh World Water Forum 2027

Saudi Arabia affirms that hosting the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 represents an important milestone in strengthening joint international action - SPA
Saudi Arabia affirms that hosting the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 represents an important milestone in strengthening joint international action - SPA

Saudi Arabia affirmed that hosting the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 represents an important milestone in strengthening joint international action and accelerating the transition from commitments and initiatives to practical solutions that contribute to water security and sustainability.

This came during the participation of Deputy Minister for Water at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani in a dialogue session held today as part of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum in Rome, with the participation of several ministers, senior officials, and international experts in the water sector, SPA reported.

Al-Shaibani said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the 11th World Water Forum from March 21 to 25, 2027, noting that the forum aims to enhance international partnerships, support actionable solutions, and link global commitments to clear programs whose impact can be measured and results monitored.

He highlighted that the World Water Forum in Riyadh will address six main themes and more than 30 topics, including water security, water finance, water for humans and nature, water governance and diplomacy, innovation for water, and the value of water. More than 20,000 participants from over 150 countries are expected to attend.

Al-Shaibani stressed that the Kingdom is working to ensure an inclusive preparatory process involving various stakeholders and reflecting the needs of different regions and countries, while enhancing the participation of youth, academic institutions, the private sector, international organizations, and river basin organizations.

He also called on the international community to actively contribute to preparations for the forum and provide initiatives, expertise, and partnerships that support practical and sustainable outcomes. He reiterated that the Kingdom looks forward to the forum serving as a platform that brings the world together for joint action toward a more water-secure and sustainable future.

Varieties

10 AlUla Hotels and Restaurants Featured in 2026 MICHELIN Guide

These recognitions underline the destination’s growth as a global hub for luxury and culinary discovery - SPA
These recognitions underline the destination’s growth as a global hub for luxury and culinary discovery - SPA
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10 AlUla Hotels and Restaurants Featured in 2026 MICHELIN Guide

These recognitions underline the destination’s growth as a global hub for luxury and culinary discovery - SPA
These recognitions underline the destination’s growth as a global hub for luxury and culinary discovery - SPA

AlUla’s standing as a world-class center for luxury hospitality and culinary excellence received renewed acclaim, with 10 hotels and restaurants featured in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide for Saudi Arabia.

This latest MICHELIN Guide recognition celebrates the exceptional quality, distinctiveness, and authenticity of AlUla’s hospitality offerings, with each reflecting the destination’s sense of place and deep cultural roots.

The renowned Dar Tantora The House Hotel was awarded One MICHELIN Key, a testament to its opulent offering rooted in heritage. Situated in AlUla Old Town and built from carefully restored historic mudbrick dwellings, the eco-boutique hotel provides guests with an authentic sanctuary in the heart of the historic area.

The Chedi Hegra was also awarded One MICHELIN Key, recognized for its location within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property preserves historic structures, ancient fort walls and the former AlUla railway station, weaving centuries of heritage into a modern luxury experience.

Banyan Tree AlUla maintained its coveted One MICHELIN Key, a prestigious mark of distinction recognizing remarkable hotel experiences. Set within the sandstone canyons of Ashar Valley, the resort pairs minimalist luxury with sustainable design, offering a secluded retreat rooted in nature.

Also featured in the hotel selection are Our Habitas AlUla, recognized for its wellness-led, environmentally conscious approach to desert hospitality, and Caravan by Habitas AlUla, which offers a vibrant, adventure-inspired stay under the stars.

In the dining selection, new addition Tofareya earned a Bib Gourmand for its outstanding Saudi cuisine. Situated in a traditional village house in AlUla Old Town, Tofareya highlights local ingredients, including AlUla oranges and dates harvested from the ancient oasis. It joins returning Bib Gourmand awardee Joontos at Dar Tantora The House Hotel, which is praised for its contemporary and inventive spin on traditional Saudi dishes.

Entering the guide for the first time was Somewhere, set within the AlUla Oasis and serving Middle Eastern dishes with creative contemporary twists amidst lush palm groves.

The 2026 selection also includes returning MICHELIN-selected destinations such as Harrat at Banyan Tree AlUla, recognized for its pan-Arabic cuisine, and Tama at Our Habitas AlUla, celebrated for its farm-to-table approach and locally sourced, seasonal menus.

With 10 venues featured in the MICHELIN Guide, AlUla has a high concentration of MICHELIN-recognized hospitality venues in the region, reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality and culinary destination in the Kingdom.

Together, these recognitions underline the destination’s growth as a global hub for luxury and culinary discovery, where visitors can enjoy world-class hospitality amid ancient landscapes.