AL HAYAT - News from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the world – 24 hours a day, seven days a week in seven languages

Riyadh -

IN THE NEWS

After long wait, Virgin Galactic begins commercial spaceflights

After long wait, Virgin Galactic begins commercial spaceflights

Virgin Galactic is set Thursday to finally begin commercial spaceflights, a major milestone for the company founded in 2004 by British billionaire Richard Branson.

Read more
Hollywood braced for 'double strike' as actors' deadline looms

Hollywood braced for 'double strike' as actors' deadline looms

Hollywood's summer of discontent could dramatically escalate this weekend, with actors ready to join writers in a massive "double strike" that would bring nearly all US film and television productions to a halt.

Read more
Turning over a new leaf, Colombian ranchers plant trees

Turning over a new leaf, Colombian ranchers plant trees

In Colombia's southern Guaviare department, on the doorstep of the Amazon, cattle ranchers are engaged in a practice that belies their jungle-wrecking reputation. They plant trees.

Read more
'Godfather of AI' urges governments to stop machine takeover

'Godfather of AI' urges governments to stop machine takeover

Geoffrey Hinton, one of the so-called godfathers of artificial intelligence, urged governments on Wednesday to step in and make sure that machines do not take control of society.

Read more
Smith sizzles in 200m backstroke, Weinstein shocks Ledecky in 200 free

Smith sizzles in 200m backstroke, Weinstein shocks Ledecky in 200 free

Regan Smith, shaping up for a World Championships showdown with Australian Kaylee McKeown, clocked a blistering 2min 03.80sec to win the 200m backstroke at the US swimming championships on Wednesday.

Read more
UN troops set to leave Mali, but how fast?

UN troops set to leave Mali, but how fast?

With the imminent end of the UN's Mali peacekeeping mission seemingly no longer in doubt, negotiations at the UN are still foundering over the timetable for their departure, which Bamako wants "without delay", according to diplomatic sources.

Read more
Verstappen aims for another record as Red Bull head home

Verstappen aims for another record as Red Bull head home

Runaway leader and defending double world champion Max Verstappen bids to become the most successful driver in Austrian Grand Prix history this weekend as Red Bull plan a poignant ‘century’ celebration on home ground.

Read more
Major search in Mexico for 16 kidnapped police employees

Major search in Mexico for 16 kidnapped police employees

A search operation involving hundreds of security personnel was under way in Mexico on Wednesday, a day after gunmen kidnapped 16 administrative employees of the police force, authorities said.

Read more
Astronomers reveal evidence of universe's 'background hum'

Astronomers reveal evidence of universe's 'background hum'

Astronomers across the world announced on Thursday that they have found the first evidence of a long-theorised form of gravitational waves that create a "background hum" rumbling throughout the universe.

Read more
Fresh unrest in France as anger simmers over police shooting

Fresh unrest in France as anger simmers over police shooting

Unrest erupted in France for a second night in a row as security forces deployed in the thousands to prevent more violent protests over the fatal shooting of a teenager by police.

Read more