RIYADH: The use of generative artificial intelligence in efforts to foster a university environment that stimulates innovation and creativity among students was one of the topics discussed on Tuesday at the inaugural Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Saudi Universities.

RIYADH: Saudi cities have shown a significant improvement on the international stage, underlining the rapid pace of transformation the Kingdom is witnessing under its Vision 2030. The Global Cities Report by management consultant Kearney has highlighted the remarkable progress in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah and Dammam, thanks to sustained investment in infrastructure, innovation, and livability.

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Sanae Takaichi as she become Japan’s first female prime minister, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Wednesday. Japan’s parliament elected Takaichi on Tuesday and she underlined her commitment to boosting Japanese defense as she prepared to host visiting U.S. President Donald Trump next week.

LONDON: Central Saint Martins college in London hosted an arts and culture symposium on Tuesday that explored the cultural transformation in Saudi Arabia, and its influence across the wider region.

RIYADH: In the heart of Al-Watan Park, in the historic district of Al-Futah, stands a familiar yet overlooked silhouette: the Burj Al Khazzan. This 61-meter-tall water tower, built in the 1970s by Swedish architect Sune Lindstrom, long served a crucial role: storing water for a rapidly growing capital. Today, as Riyadh redefines its urban identity under Vision 2030 and the Green Riyadh initiative, the Burj may soon begin a new life — cultural, ecological, symbolic.

RIYADH: At the upcoming “Jewels of the World” exhibition, on-site value added tax refunds will be available to international visitors through a partnership with Global Blue. The event is scheduled to run from Oct. 3-7 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh with over 100 international brands participating. It will then move to the Jeddah Hilton from Oct. 11-14. A development at this year’s event is the availability of these on-site VAT refunds.

KABUL: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributed shelter aid in eastern Afghanistan this week as part of the emergency response project to assist earthquake victims in the country. This aid included 2,000 shelter kits, 2,000 tents, 10,000 blankets, and 2,000 kitchen utensil kits. KSrelief also distributed 4,633 emergency shelter kits to the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan regions of Pakistan.

MEXICO CITY: Saudi Arabia and Mexico have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in accounting, auditing, and professional oversight, marking a new chapter in their relations. The agreement was inked in the Mexican capital by Hussam Al-Angari, president of the Saudi General Court of Audit, and David Colmenares Paramo, head of Mexico’s Supreme Audit Institution. The signing ceremony was attended by Fahad bin Ali Al-Manawer, the Saudi ambassador to Mexico.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports, in cooperation with the Saudi Falcons Club, has launched a special stamp for the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025. The exhibition is being held at the headquarters of the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham (north of Riyadh) from Oct. 2 to Oct. 11, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event is expected to attract 1,300 exhibitors and brands from more than 45 countries.

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan headed the Kingdom’s delegation in Kuwait at the 124th meeting of the GCC’s Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee. The ministers looked at topics related to enhancing cooperation among the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, and followed up on developments to achieve this goal.

DAMMAM: The Eastern Region Municipality has scooped Silver Level for Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Gulf Sustainability Awards. Eastern Province Mayor Fahad Al-Jubeir recognized the work of the municipality’s digital transformation agency in winning the honor.

HAIL: The Hail camel auction has begun in Al-Qaid, drawing enthusiasts from across the Kingdom for the 10-day event. The auction showcases rare and distinctive camel breeds and is considered one of the largest events of its kind in the region owing to the high number of camel owners attending. The event features a diverse range of heritage, cultural, and social activities designed to engage visitors of all ages.

LAHJ: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently distributed educational supplies to support displaced children and host communities in Yemen. The donation, centered on the Tuban district of Lahj, comprised school uniforms, bags and hygiene kits for 1,589 students, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A wider project, covering the Lahj, Abyan, Al-Dhale and Taiz regions, includes equipping schools with blackboards, training more than 600 teachers in active learning methods and raising awareness about the importance of education.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Greece are pursuing new cultural initiatives in education, handicrafts and the culinary arts, building on the success of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, according to a Greek diplomat. Maira Myrogianni, secretary-general for Greeks abroad and public diplomacy, said: “There is very good momentum between the two countries … the diplomatic relations are at an excellent momentum and also we have a lot of signed agreements in the last years, in cultural, economic and different (fields).”

RIYADH: Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar and Egypt expressed support for a peace plan to end the war in Gaza unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Monday. He announced his proposal during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following talks between the two leaders at the White House. The Arab and Muslim ministers issued a joint statement in which they welcomed Trump’s “sincere efforts” and voiced confidence in his ability to “find a path to peace” in the region.

RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the 38th Moscow International Book Fair from Sept. 3 to 7. The event will showcase the growth of the Kingdom’s cultural sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Abdullatif Alwasel, the commission’s CEO, said the fair is an opportunity to present Saudi Arabia’s literary and creative talent to an international audience.

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, known as Weqaa, held a forum on plant health in Buraidah, focusing on the sustainable management of palm trees. The forum aimed to promote a sustainable future for the palm sector, recognizing it as a key pillar for food security and the national economy, in line with Vision 2030.

RIYADH: Rural tourism in Hail is thriving and offers visitors tranquility, natural beauty, and the authentic experience of Saudi country life. The region’s farms have been preserved by their owners, allowing guests to connect with traditional agriculture and heritage, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

ALKHOBAR: As Vision 2030 accelerates Saudi Arabia’s health transformation, experts say success will depend on blending investment, innovation and patient-centered care. The Kingdom’s healthcare sector is at a crossroads. Rising rates of chronic disease, surging patient numbers, and a shortage of medical professionals are straining capacity. Billions of riyals are being poured into new hospitals and clinics, but leaders say bricks and mortar alone will not be enough.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s most famous resident Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of a new Saudi Tourism campaign to showcase the Kingdom’s packed events calendar as the country grows into an attractive sporting and cultural destination for foreign and domestic travelers. Branded “Unreal Calendar,” the marketing campaign features a short video narrated by Ronaldo, who plays for Riyadh side Al-Nassr.

RIYADH: Vibes AlUla, an entrepreneurship and innovation hub launched in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, has opened registration for a sustainable tourism hackathon, set for Aug. 10 to 12. The hackathon is aimed at empowering national talent and fostering innovative solutions to support AlUla’s tourism sector, according to a Saudi Press Agency report. Participants will benefit from a comprehensive training program, including specialized workshops, mentoring sessions, and expert guidance in innovation, tourism, and entrepreneurship.

MADINAH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has empowered the nation’s authors and publishers at the fourth Madinah Book Fair, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The week-long event, held from July 29 to Aug. 4, hosted more than 300 local and international publishing houses and agencies across more than 200 exhibition booths. Abdullatif Alwasel, the commission’s CEO, thanked the Kingdom’s leaders for their continued support of the nation’s arts and culture sector.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh received Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh. The officials discussed various topics related to Islamic affairs and ongoing cooperation between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Speaking to the media after the meeting, the envoy praised the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting Islamic causes and promoting the values of tolerance and moderation globally, particularly in Sri Lanka.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at NEOM Palace on Monday. The two officials reviewed the historic relations between their countries, aspects of bilateral cooperation, and ways to enhance and develop it in various fields. They also exchanged views on a number of topics of common interest, Saudi Press Agency reported. The prime minister left the Kingdom on Monday evening.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has launched an empowerment program for nonprofit organizations, offering 26 specialized workshops across 11 regions of the Kingdom. The program aims to enhance civil associations’ operational efficiency and strengthen their developmental role in line with Vision 2030, according to a Saudi Press Agency report. The ministry said that eight workshops will be held in Riyadh, eight in the Eastern Province and Makkah region, and four in Madinah and Asir.

RIYADH: Manga Arabia, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group, has signed a licensing agreement with leading Japanese manga publisher HERO’S Inc. to deliver compelling content for manga fans across the Arab world. Through this collaboration, Manga Arabia will license, translate, and publish several prominent Japanese manga titles in Arabic, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The agreement includes rights to “Akari,” “Gin no Kun,” and “Grendizer U,” a remake of the iconic series by Japanese artist Go Nagai.

RIYADH: The Raghadan Historical Market in Baha has opened with a lineup of vibrant cultural and entertainment programs under the auspices of Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the region’s governor, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Running daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the market features folk performances, historical artifacts, and programs portraying traditional life in the region.

JEDDAH: Jeddah Summer Season is in full swing, offering a mix of entertainment, sports, shopping, and cultural experiences that continue to attract locals and tourists despite the summer heat. Running until Aug. 31 under the “Color Your Summer” initiative by the Saudi Tourism Authority, the season features a rich lineup of events that highlight Jeddah’s coastal charm, family appeal, and commercial energy.

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud in Riyadh on Monday. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the EU, as well as regional and international developments of common interest, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,559 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. The total included 1,513 unexploded ordnances, 45 anti-tank mines and one anti-personnel mines, according to a recent report. Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 504,295 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018. The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

RIYADH: As part of Saudi Arabia’s Year of Handicrafts, a traditional handmade leather container used to store food before the advent of refrigeration is making a comeback in the Northern Borders region. For generations, Al-Samil played a vital role in desert life as a simple storage container for food and water.

RIYADH: As Riyadh sizzles under peak summer heat, residents are turning to the city’s new metro system for a faster, cooler way to get around, proving that public transport can thrive, even when temperatures soar. Arab News spoke to Riyadh residents about why the summer sun is no issue when it comes to commuting. For the past couple of months, Rashid Alikhan has opted to use the metro to get to work, hopping on at SABIC Station and getting off at King Abdullah Financial District.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has maintained its position as the top-ranked country in global cybersecurity, according to this year’s edition of the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook. The cybersecurity indicator ranking reflects what officials describe as continued support from the country’s leadership, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Officials added the leadership’s national digital transformation strategy has helped propel the Kingdom to the forefront of international benchmarks.

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,139 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. The total included 1,080 unexploded ordnances, 56 anti-tank mines, two improvised explosive devices and one anti-personnel mine, according to a recent report. Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 498,683 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018. The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

RIYADH: The Film Commission announced its membership in the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives, a step aimed at supporting its work in audiovisual archiving. The association includes members from 70 countries and represents institutions that preserve materials such as visual content, musical works, historical and literary recordings, and oral histories. According to the Saudi Press Agency, this membership supports the commission’s efforts to preserve Saudi Arabia’s audiovisual heritage.