Author: Mahdeehassan

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has provided more than $3.4 billion for 1,289 food security projects in 88 countries, the Kingdom’s aid chief has said. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, was speaking during a recent high-level panel discussion on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The session, titled “United Against Hunger: Reorienting Global Action to Address Food Crises in Times of Turmoil,” was jointly organized by Germany, the UN World Food Programme and the Global Network Against Food Crises. Al-Rabeeah said conflict was the leading cause of acute food insecurity in many countries and called for…

Riyadh: The fourth Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity will return to Riyadh on Nov. 24-25 with more than 200 speakers, as organizers expand the program to support the growth of the Kingdom’s creative marketing industry and highlight Saudi talent globally. This year’s speakers will include Princess Lamia bint Majid Al-Saud, secretary-general of Alwaleed Philanthropies; Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital; designer and television personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen; Huib van Bockel, former Red Bull marketing head and founder of TENZING Natural Energy; and Markus Prosser, CMO of the Atlassian Williams F1 Team, alongside Saudi, regional and international voices.…

BURAIDAH: Specialized falcon molting facilities across the Qassim region provide tailored environments for raptors shedding old feathers and growing new plumage between March and September, preparing them for the upcoming hunting and competition seasons. Enclosure owners receive falcons after the hunting season, beginning with comprehensive veterinary examinations and a mandatory quarantine of one to 10 days. During isolation, birds receive necessary medical treatment and targeted nutrition to regain weight lost during field activities before entering the main facility. Throughout their stay from five to seven months, falcons remain undisturbed and under continuous 24-hour camera surveillance. Facilities maintain strictly regulated conditions,…

RIYADH: The capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and AI Authority has begun applying the Data and AI Training Program Standards Framework to specialized training programs. In cooperation with the Technical and Vocational Training Corp., the framework was launched last week in Riyadh at the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. It aims to improve training quality and align program content with labor market needs, professional requirements and national regulations. It also covers AI ethics and raises awareness of the risks associated with AI use. In its first phase, the sector evaluated 10 programs for nonspecialists,…

Speaker of the Council of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam praised the deep-rooted history, strong fraternal ties, growing cooperation, and shared destiny that characterize Bahraini-Saudi relations, fostered by the leadership of both countries. Marking Saudi National Day, Al-Musallam said the Council of Representatives is committed to strengthening parliamentary cooperation with the Saudi Shura Council and to continuous coordination in regional and international parliamentary forums, in the interests of both countries and in support of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), SPA reported. He praised the comprehensive development Saudi Arabia is achieving across all sectors under Saudi…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day on September 23, 2026, commemorating the unification of the country under the leadership of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in 1932. This year’s celebration comes amid a remarkable national journey marked by transformation and achievements across a wide range of sectors, including the economy, tourism, entertainment, media, sports, and technology, alongside the Kingdom’s growing presence on the international stage. This year’s celebr…

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah provides access to authorized booking platforms and comprehensive packages that may include visas, flights, hotels, meals, transportation, and assistance. RIYAD, September 15, 2026 — Pilgrims located in Saudi Arabia and those traveling from abroad can book their Umrah packages online through Direct Umrah, a digital service launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Ministry provides both groups with a unified booking journey, giving them access to packages from approved service providers through authorized travel platforms. Participating platforms include ShareTrip, Wakanow, Bookme, Wego, and Almatar. Users can browse Umrah and visit packages and…

Jeddah, September 22, 2026, SPA — The Saudi national football team continued preparations Monday evening for its 27th Arabian Gulf Cup group-stage opener against Kuwait on September 23 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The team trained at the sports city’s training grounds under Head Coach Georgios Donis. The session included possession drills, attacking tactical exercises, and finishing drills. The team will conclude its preparations with a training session Tuesday evening…

Madinah, September 22, 2026, SPA — Taibah Valley, the investment arm of Taibah University in Madinah, offers a range of specialized pathways to support innovators and idea owners based on the stage of development of their ideas and the type of protection required, with the aim of enabling them and supporting their growth opportunities. The pathways include intellectual property consultations, patent drafting, and support for registering industrial designs and trademarks, helping beneficiaries s…

Washington, September 22, 2026, SPA — In a joint statement, leaders of more than 20 countries called for binding safety measures for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. They warned that the systems could develop faster than they can be regulated and controlled. The statement cited serious risks to safety and security that could arise from misuse of these systems, as well as recent cases in which AI programs bypassed testing safeguards and gained unauthorized access to real-world syst…