RIYADH: Riyadh’s cultural landscape is undergoing a quiet transformation, where the love of coffee meets the timeless allure of literature. Book cafes are carving out a niche as spaces where readers, thinkers, and coffee enthusiasts converge. These havens of creativity and reflection offer retreats for the mind and soul, providing a sense of community in an increasingly fast-paced world.

RIYADH: Residents of Saudi Arabia were warned on Wednesday that the country could be hit by thunderstorms and flash floods between now and Sunday. The General Directorate of Civil Defense advised people to remain sheltered and stay away from canyons. Many regions can expect medium-to-heavy rain, hail or strong gusts of wind, with a high risk of flooding. Forecasters predict Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Baha, Asir and Jazan will be among the affected regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize 2025 laureates were announced at a ceremony in Riyadh on Wednesday night. Two King Saud University professors, a Canadian scientist who achieved a breakthrough in cellular therapy and a Japanese scientist doing pioneering work in carbon nanotubes were winners of the most coveted prize in the Arab world.

DAMMAM: Al-Qaisariya Souq, renowned for its historic architecture, narrow covered walkways, and diverse shops, remains a beloved destination for shoppers and heritage enthusiasts, standing as one of the most famous traditional markets in the Arabian Peninsula and a prominent landmark.  Located in central Hofuf in Al-Ahsa Governorate, the market draws residents from across the region and Gulf countries, as well as tourists from around the world, attracted by its unique atmosphere and cultural significance. 

AL-BAHA: Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Al-Baha transforms into a stunning landscape in winter, with gardens and parks adorned in shades of white and pink blossoms of almond trees.  This year, the almond blossom season in the region is remarkable amid ideal weather conditions fostering dense, vibrant flowers. Local farmers are optimistic about the upcoming harvest, carefully tending to the trees to ensure optimal yield. 

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is poised to play a transformative role in Saudi Arabia’s urban development, event management and visitor experiences, particularly as the Kingdom prepares to host major global events like the FIFA World Cup 2034. AI technologies are already central to the Kingdom’s megaprojects, including NEOM and Qiddiya, and are positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovation and smart city development.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are united in their commitment to safeguard regional and global waters, using decades of naval collaboration to confront threats and foster stability. This enduring partnership will take center stage at AMAN-2025, a multinational exercise in Karachi aimed at promoting peace and enhancing cooperation among regional and global navies.

RIYADH: The craft of Al-Sadu is alive across the Kingdom — not only in the depths of the Badia, where the art originated, but also in cities, houses, festivals, exhibitions, events, and art and creative galleries. Al-Sadu is a popular cultural and civilizational symbol that embodies the distinction of the people of the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula. The “traditional weaving of Al-Sadu” was included in 2020 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A new logo inspired by Al-Sadu has been launched for the Riyadh Expo 2030.

JEDDAH: Czech President Petr Pavel arrived in Jeddah on Thursday as part of his official visit to the Kingdom. The leader was welcomed at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah province. The welcoming committee also included Ali bin Mohammed Al-Qarni, deputy secretary of Jeddah governorate; Maj. Gen. Suleiman bin Omar Al-Tuwaireb, director of Jeddah Police, and Ahmed Abdullah bin Dhafer, director-general of the Royal Protocol Office in Makkah.

ARAR: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region is characterized by an abundance of seasonal and annual pastoral plants which helps to fight desertification, increase vegetation cover and biodiversity, and stabilize soil.   Estimated at 104,000 sq. km, the region has many species of trees, shrubs and pastoral plants, most notably the evergreen shrub Salsola, which is eaten predominantly by camels, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.  

RIYADH: Diriyah Season’s “Enduring Resilience” exhibition highlights the life of ruler Imam Turki bin Abdullah in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Second Saudi State. “I enjoyed the exhibition. I honestly think that exhibitions like this are so important because they show Saudi history and the bravery of important people of the past, such as Imam Turki bin Abdullah,” said Maha Al-Aamri, a Saudi visiting the exhibition being held at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace with her friends.

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language unveiled the Camel Lexicon, a comprehensive source compiling authentic information related to camels in Arabic, on Thursday. According to Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, KSGAAL secretary-general, the Camel Lexicon is a continuation of KSGAAL’s efforts in the field of lexicography. It offers a rich linguistic resource, including terms and expressions specific to camels, such as their breeds, descriptions, species, colors, life stages, as well as diseases and defects they may encounter.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a new economic support package for Yemen worth $500 million and aimed at bolstering the government’s budget, stabilizing the Central Bank of Yemen, and fostering the development and stability of the Yemeni people. The latest assistance includes a $300 million deposit into the Central Bank of Yemen to improve economic and financial conditions, alongside $200 million to address the Yemeni budget deficit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday denounced the burning of a Gaza hospital by Israeli forces and the forced removal of patients and medical staff from the facility. Hospital officials said that Israeli troops raided Kamal Adwan Hospital on Friday, gathered staff outside the facility, removed their clothes, and took them to an unknown location.

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its charitable work in Yemen and Afghanistan, with the provision of medical services and shelter kits to individuals in need. In Yemen, the Al-Ja’dah Health Center clinics in the Midi District of Hajjah Governorate continued to treat beneficiaries from Aug. 21 to 27 through KSrelief’s support.

RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said that more than 12 million people have attended Riyadh Season so far this year. The diverse range of offerings at Riyadh Season, which began in October and lasts to March 2025, continues to captivate audiences. Recent additions, including The Groves and Souq Al-Awaleen, have further enhanced the visitor experience. The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience.

RIYADH: The Saudi Interior Ministry conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between Dec. 12-18 to ensure compliance with residency, labor and border security laws. During this period, 20,159 violations were recorded, including 11,302 for residency violations, 5,652 for border security violations, and 3,205 for labor law violations.

ROME: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, met Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, in the Pope’s Vatican office recently. During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual cooperation and common interest, the Muslim World League wrote on X on Saturday. The CEO of the league in the US and UK, Muath Alamri, wrote on X: “This meeting serves as an excellent example of religious diplomacy. Faith leaders should collaborate more effectively to promote understanding and tolerance among communities.”  

RIYADH: The agricultural landscape of the Najran region, historically a cultural and economic anchor, now stands at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s push for food security, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality, according to a report from the Saudi Press Agency published on Saturday.

RIYADH: Henry Moores, a British influencer, has made an unusual journey to Riyadh for the high-profile boxing rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, having walked across Saudi Arabia from the UAE. Describing the trip as an opportunity he “simply couldn’t afford to miss,” Moores told Arab News: “Riyadh has long been on my radar for many years, and when the opportunity presented itself through the Fury fight, everything aligned perfectly.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned and denounced the Israeli government’s approval of a plan to double the population of the occupied and annexed Golan Heights. Israel’s government “unanimously approved” the $11 million “plan for the demographic development of the Golan... in light of the war and the new front in Syria and the desire to double the population,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is holding the fourth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from Jan. 13-16 under the patronage of King Salman. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Pilgrim Experience Program, will host a conference gathering ministers, ambassadors, academics, experts, diplomats, and representatives from private and public institutions across 87 countries.

RIYADH: Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) signed a resolution on Sunday to rename the organization to the Arab Energy Organization (AEO), the Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudi Arabia had proposed renaming and restructuring the organization during the 113th ministerial meeting in Kuwait this week. Saudi Arabia's proposal aimed to enhance OAPEC's charter and promote stronger cooperation among its members as part of a larger reconstruction initiative, the SPA added.

RIYADH: Jeddah Governor Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi attended a reception on Sunday to commemorate Qatar’s national day, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event, arranged by the country’s consulate in Jeddah, was attended by several Qatari officials from the diplomatic corps who welcomed the prince.  

DUBAI: Japan is “delighted” with the rising interest from Saudi Arabia travelers in the Asia nation’s tourism offerings, according to a leading official on Monday. Daisuke Kobayashi, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization’s office in Dubai, said that JNTO’s first event in Riyadh, titled “FEEL YOUR FOUR SEASONS,” allowed the organization to share the diverse attractions of his country.

RIYADH: Misk Art Week is underway in the Kingdom’s capital with workshops, markets, and showcases curated around the theme of art and technology. As the country accelerates to new horizons, 20 local and international participants have revealed their perspectives of Riyadh and its ever-changing nature at the “Seeing Riyadh” exhibition.

RIYADH: Ahead of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to the Kingdom, Arab News reviews recent bilateral developments between the two kingdoms. Forging alliances that transcend borders, Saudi Arabia and the UK have emerged as powerhouses of collaboration, driving innovation and reshaping global landscapes in the fields of energy, technology, and sustainable infrastructure.

RIYADH: The International Desalination and Reuse Association selected Saudi Arabia on Monday to host a global conference to discuss water challenges and desalination projects. Saudi Arabia will host the 2026 IDRA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse Solutions. Riyadh was selected during the current IDRA 2026 congress in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. It is held under the theme “Addressing water scarcity,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from the president of Equatorial Guinea, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.  The message from Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo concerned relations between his country and the Kingdom.  It was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue in Riyadh.  The two ministers reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields.

RIYADH: Israel’s decision to seize Syrian-held areas in a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and its attacks on Syrian territory confirm continued Israeli violation of international law, Saudi Arabia said on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday he had ordered the army to “seize” the demilitarised zone in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights after militants swept Syrian president Bashar Assad from power.

RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron visited the historic At-Turaif district in Diriyah on Tuesday during his official trip to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reported. Hosted by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the visit highlighted the district’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Saudi state and its UNESCO World Heritage status. Macron and his delegation explored At-Turaif, attended a horse show, and toured the Diriyah Museum, SPA added.

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir met UK Minister for Climate Kerry McCarthy and UK Special Representative on Climate Rachel Kyte at COP16 in Riyadh, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X on Tuesday. During the meeting, they discussed strengthening bilateral relations on the environment, climate and desertification. They also discussed key topics on the conference agenda. UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton was among the officials present during the meeting.  

RIYADH: The Saudi-French Investment Forum that took place in Riyadh on Tuesday marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars. Held to coincide with the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the event brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future.

RIYADH: The world is facing mounting challenges in the water sector, including rising drought rates that lead to multiple crises represented by a shortage of usable water, the exacerbation of desertification, and the subsequent threat to human life and societies, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday. He was speaking while inaugurating the One Water Summit in Riyadh in the presence of several presidents and top officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the One Water Summit held in Riyadh on Tuesday. Prince Mohammed met with French President Emmanuel Macron and heads of top French companies. They discussed efforts to combat desertification, exchanging expertise and innovative technologies, and enhancing research and development to address water challenges and ensure the sustainability of water resources.