Saudi Arabia's festivals are currently acting as the tourism gateway for the Middle Eastern country but it won't be too long before the Kingdom expands its offerings further. That's good news for visitors who'll have plenty to see from ancient archaeological sites and the rock-hewn tombs of the Nabataeans to natural springs and a Red Sea coastline that's waiting to be explored.
Al-Ahsa Oasis
Home to more than 2.5 million date palms, Al-Ahsa Oasis is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest oasis on Earth. Sandwiched between Riyadh and Dammam and stretching over the Empty Quarter, it was added to Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites last year. While rainfall there is scarce, the area is extremely verdant, thanks to a huge natural underground aquifer that turns the land into fertile soil, so the oasis produces five tonnes of some of the best dates in the world every day. There are also more than 60 natural springs, a huge lake, historical buildings and ancient archaeological sites where history buffs can trace details all the way back to the Neolithic period.
Al Hijr Archaeological Site
If it's ancient ruins in a Bedouin land that you seek, then Al Hijr is a must-visit. Also known as Madain Saleh, in 2008 it became the first Unesco World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia. If Jordan's Petra represents the northern capital of the Nabateans, then Al Hijr represents the south. It is nicknamed "the capital of monuments", no mean feat given that Saudi Arabia has some 4,000 archaeological sites. Wander this one site and discover rock carvings, ruins and more than 100 monumental tombs. Thanks to its location as an important crossroads in travel and trade routes for many years, many of the detailed facades are also inscribed with a medley of languages, scripts and art forms.
Historic Jeddah
A point of great importance for traders and pilgrims for centuries, Historic Jeddah was traditionally the gateway to Makkah for all Muslims arriving in the Kingdom by boat. Nestled on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, this site was added to the World Heritage list in 2014 and is a world away from the modern metropolis that we know the city of Jeddah to be today. Wander the labyrinthine streets and twisted cul-de-sacs of the old town to discover traditional architectural styles peppered with influences from all over the world. It is known for its imposing tower houses – multistorey structures built by the merchant classes that are unique in the region. They showcase large wooden window enclosures, intricate stonework and no lack of marble. As one of the best preserved examples, Naseef House is worth a visit.
Rock art in the Hail Region
Once upon a time, in the hills of Al Hail, ancient civilisations made use of freshwater resources to feed animals, raise families and grow crops. The societies later vanished, but what they left behind is fascinating. This Unesco site is spread across two areas, one at Jebel Umm Sinman Jubbah and the other 250 kilometres south of Hail at Jabel Al-Manjor and Jabal Raat at Shuwaymis. Between them, they offer an amazingly intricate selection of rock art, one of the world's oldest continuously practised art forms. Well-preserved carvings of people and animals, including camels, ibex, ostriches, and oryx, depict a detailed record of the world from days gone by.
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
France v Fiji
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Pathaan
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)
Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
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Rating: 4.5/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo
Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 28
Sector: Financial services
Investment: $9.5m
Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors.
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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More on animal trafficking