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OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery
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OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest, a Saudi Arabian not-for-profit foundation, announced its official launch in Jeddah on Monday. Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, OceanQuest is poised to usher in a new era of deep-ocean discovery and collaboration.

OceanQuest is on a mission to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation, and foster international cooperation while engaging the public. By cultivating partnerships that advance multidisciplinary ocean research, the foundation aims to benefit humanity, enhance ocean literacy, and elevate public awareness.

OceanQuest Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan stated: "As a nation rooted in progress and innovation, we are committed to unlocking the mysteries of the deep ocean for the benefit of humanity."

"This initiative exemplifies our Kingdom's ambition to lead in science and discovery, foster global collaboration, and create opportunities for future generations. Through this collective effort, OceanQuest will drive solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time," he added.

OceanQuest will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions by spearheading innovation in ocean exploration, nurturing global partnerships, and advancing sustainable development. The foundation is set to contribute to the Kingdom’s national research, development, and innovation (RDI) targets by providing SAR3 billion in research and development funding by 2050 and supporting more than 150 scientists annually.

In addition, OceanQuest will help achieve the Kingdom’s goal of protecting 30% of its marine habitats by bolstering the biotech and pharmaceuticals strategy, identifying sensitive marine ecosystems, enabling sustainable projects along the Red Sea, and leveraging deep-sea corals as natural carbon sinks to support Saudi Arabia’s decarbonization efforts.

The Board of Trustees of the foundation consists of Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan (Chairman of the Board), Advisor to the Royal Court Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Toonsi, Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Advisor to the Royal Court Abdulaziz bin Ismail Tarabzoni, CEO of NEOM Aiman Al-Mudaifer, CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Prof. Edward Byrne, and Raymond Thomas Dalio.

Based at KAUST campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, OceanQuest is committed to unveiling the wonders of the ocean and exploring its secrets for the benefit of humanity. Its mission is to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation in the field, support global cooperation, and engage the public. OceanQuest and its global partners will launch a new era of deep ocean exploration and knowledge sharing.

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Massive Asteroid Set to Pass ‘Close’ to Earth

The rare asteroid is expected to “safely pass” within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029 (Shutterstock)
The rare asteroid is expected to “safely pass” within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029 (Shutterstock)
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Massive Asteroid Set to Pass ‘Close’ to Earth

The rare asteroid is expected to “safely pass” within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029 (Shutterstock)
The rare asteroid is expected to “safely pass” within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029 (Shutterstock)

An asteroid named after a god of chaos is heading toward Earth — but there is no need to panic just yet, according to The Independent.

The massive rock is arriving for a historic flyby rather than a disaster, according to NASA. The encounter is still a few years away, but when it finally arrives, it will be so close that spotting it won’t even require a telescope.

Known as 99942 Apophis, the rare asteroid is expected to “safely pass” within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029, representing one of the closest approaches ever recorded for a celestial object of this size.

“Even though Apophis does not pose any immediate risk to Earth, an asteroid of its size passing so close to our planet is a very rare event,” NASA astronomers stated. “Scientists across the globe are excited to use this opportunity to study Apophis in detail.”

At roughly 1,115 feet wide, the asteroid will pass closer to Earth than the satellites orbiting in geosynchronous altitude, according to NASA.

It will be the closest approach of an asteroid of this size that humans have ever been aware of in advance, according to the European Space Agency.

The rare timing of the flyby — falling on Friday, April 13, in many parts of the world, has already sparked a mix of excitement and superstition across social media.

The asteroid was named after the ancient Egyptian god of evil and destruction. The name was proposed by its discoverers — astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi of the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona — because Apophis is the Greek name for the Egyptian god known as Apep.

NASA reports that an asteroid of this scale passes this close to Earth only once every few thousand years on average, making it a potentially unprecedented event in recorded human history.

Varieties

Elusive Wolf in South Korea Captured, Returned to Zoo after 9 Days on the Run

In this photo provided by Daejeon Municipality, a veterinarian examines the condition of the male wolf, named Neukgu, at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality via AP)
In this photo provided by Daejeon Municipality, a veterinarian examines the condition of the male wolf, named Neukgu, at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality via AP)
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Elusive Wolf in South Korea Captured, Returned to Zoo after 9 Days on the Run

In this photo provided by Daejeon Municipality, a veterinarian examines the condition of the male wolf, named Neukgu, at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality via AP)
In this photo provided by Daejeon Municipality, a veterinarian examines the condition of the male wolf, named Neukgu, at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality via AP)

A wolf that escaped from a zoo in the South Korean city of Daejeon was recaptured on Friday after nine days on the run, bringing to a close a saga that gripped the public as the elusive animal evaded earlier capture attempts.

After a number of sightings following the escape of the 2-year-old male wolf, the animal, named Neukgu, was spotted near a highway interchange about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the zoo on Thursday, according to a zoo official.

A search team then successfully recaptured Neukgu at 12:44 a.m. on Friday (1544 GMT on Thursday) using a tranquilizer gun operated by a veterinarian, Reuters reported.

Neukgu was ⁠transported back to ⁠the O-World zoo and was undergoing a health check, the official said, adding his vital signs were normal though vets found and removed a fishing hook from his stomach.

The zoo and an associated theme park were closed after his escape and will take some time to reopen, the official said.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo ⁠welcomed the wolf's safe return and thanked the search party, pledging in a Facebook post to "prepare measures for animal welfare and civil safety in the process of reorganizing (the zoo)."

Neukgu's escape in Daejeon, about 170 km (105 miles) south of the capital Seoul, had captured the nation's attention.

South Korean online message boards were abuzz with news of the recapture, with some posts calling Neukgu an "honorary ambassador for the zoo" and vowing to visit him once it reopened.

Neukgu appeared to have slipped out of the zoo last week ⁠by burrowing under ⁠a fence, a zoo official said at the time.

A nearby elementary school was closed as a precaution, while more than 100 personnel searched for the animal, in an effort that included the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.

The episode even spawned a cryptocurrency meme coin named "Neukgu", which appeared on decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges a week ago.

President Lee Jae Myung also weighed in on the social media platform X last week, urging authorities to ensure a safe outcome.

Born in 2024, Neukgu is part of a program to restore the Korean wolf, a species considered extinct in the wild.

 

Varieties

Madinah Tops Saudi Cities in Hotel Occupancy in 2025

The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025. (SPA)
The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025. (SPA)
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Madinah Tops Saudi Cities in Hotel Occupancy in 2025

The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025. (SPA)
The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025. (SPA)

The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025, ranking first among cities in Saudi Arabia in hotel occupancy rates, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

The figures reflect growing demand for the destination and the continued growth in tourism activity associated with visits to the Prophet’s Mosque and the region’s historical landmarks.

The growth is supported by continued development in tourism infrastructure and increased investment in accommodation.

It also reflects ongoing efforts to enhance the experience of visitors and Umrah performers, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop the tourism sector and improve service quality for pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.