News

Omar Yaghi Becomes Saudi Arabia’s First Nobel Laureate In Chemistry

The award marks a historic moment for Saudi science and underscores Vision 2030’s focus on research and innovation.

Published

10 months ago

October 14, 2025

omar yaghi becomes saudi arabia's first nobel laureate in chemistry

Professor Omar Yaghi has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the first Saudi citizen to receive the prestigious honor. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized him for founding the field of reticular chemistry and developing metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks — materials now used in clean energy, environmental technologies and clean water harvesting.

Yaghi’s discoveries have reshaped material science, allowing molecules to form complex, functional networks with applications from carbon capture to hydrogen storage. His frameworks have opened routes to new industrial materials and commercial uses, bridging basic chemistry and engineering. As a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, he has published more than 300 papers and been cited over 250,000 times, placing him among the world’s most influential chemists.

Dr. Munir Eldesouki, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), said the award “reflects the wise leadership’s vision of making the Kingdom a global center for science, knowledge, and innovation”. He added that Yaghi’s work on nanomaterials capable of pulling water from air “is a remarkable example of how science transforms passion into impact”.

Yaghi’s career has also brought him major international honors, including the King Faisal Prize in Science, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, and the Albert Einstein World Award of Science. His recognition extends across both academic and industrial sectors for advancing sustainability-focused technologies.

Also Read: Dubai Expands Content Creators Program To Health & Science

Recently granted Saudi citizenship, Omar Yaghi serves as co-director of the KACST-UC Berkeley Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications, advisor to the KACST president, and board member of the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority. His appointment aligns with the Kingdom’s push to attract global talent and strengthen research partnerships as part of Vision 2030.

His Nobel win anchors Saudi Arabia on the global research map, a signal of how far its science ambitions have advanced under Vision 2030.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.