RIYADH: Valentine’s Day is here! Couples in Saudi Arabia can celebrate the day at some of these unique fine dining restaurants, or plan a romantic getaway.  Chotto Matte offers a captivating blend of Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine in a stunning setting at KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District). With breathtaking views and an atmosphere enhanced by live shows, it is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The special Valentine’s menu allows couples to savor innovative dishes while enjoying the city’s impressive skyline, making for an unforgettable evening.

Explore this curated list of romantic gifts for Valentine's Day, featuring exquisite options from Saudi brands. Ofa Jewelry A timeless classic reimagined, this handcrafted ring is made from 18k solid gold and adorned with pink sapphires (SR2,890). Kooheji Jewelry

RIYADH: With South Africa set to host this year’s G20, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mogobo David Magabe, commended the Kingdom’s visionary leadership, adding that there were lessons to be learned from Saudi Arabia’s presidency of G20 during the global outbreak of COVID-19.  “There are positive lessons that South Africa itself has learned from countries that have hosted the G20 before it, and one of them will be our strategic partner the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is redefining music, opening up new opportunities to create, innovate, and preserve cultural legacies. From composing new melodies to recreating the voices of late artists, AI sits at the intersection of technology and artistry. According to Alice Eldridge, Thor Magnusson, and Chris Kiefer in their paper, “Artificial intelligence in music and performance: A subjective art-research inquiry,” AI leverages machine learning to analyze patterns in music, enabling it to compose, mimic, or adapt musical styles.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday congratulated Greece’s erstwhile parliament chief Constantine Tassoulas on his election as the country’s new president. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), King Salman expressed his “best wishes for success” to the new president and also wished “the friendly people of Greece continued progress and prosperity.” The crown prince issued a similar statement.

JEDDAH: The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport’s Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, is hosting a unique event where the Kaaba’s complete Kiswa is being displayed for the first time outside Makkah. This exceptional experience at the biennale’s “Al-Bidaya” (The Beginning) section, offers visitors an opportunity to examine the aesthetics of Islamic craftsmanship, in particular the Kiswa’s gold and silver embroidery.

DHAHRAN: Nestled in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, Qatif is celebrated for its fertile soil, inviting climate, and rich agricultural heritage. One of the region’s most prized crops is the Ramsi tomato, which is native to Saudi Arabia. It is also the main product of Mohammad Al-Ghawy’s Ramsi Tomato Farm, which spans 45,000 sq. meters in Al-Awamiyah and produces other seasonal delights including local watermelon and cantaloupe.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry is increasingly adopting carbon capture technologies to reduce industrial emissions while enhancing oil recovery. This approach addresses environmental concerns while supporting global demand for cleaner, more reliable energy. Carbon capture technologies are methods to trap and store carbon dioxide — or CO2 — emissions before they reach the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gases from industrial processes, power plants and other sources.

RIYADH: Salman Khurshid, president of the India Islamic Cultural Center and his country’s former foreign minister, said Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia play a key role in relations between the two countries. He added that he and his team are working on implementing changes and reforms at the cultural center to improve the support and services it provides for all Indians, not only in India but in other countries.

RIYADH: Seasonal rains have turned some of Saudi Arabia’s otherwise dry lands into lush green expanse, providing breeders with abundant forage for their livestock and attracting tourists seeking a scenic escape. Among these places is Al-Hanakiyah governorate in the western region of Madinah, where the mountains and plains have blossomed into vibrant green scenery, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: Highlighting the shared artistic heritage of Saudi Arabia and Brazil, Eltiqa once again captured hearts in the Kingdom’s capital this weekend. Organized by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event featured Saudi and Brazilian traditional performances and arts at the King Fahd Cultural Center.

MAKKAH: The 10th International Military Qur’an Memorization Competition launched on Saturday in Makkah, attracting 179 participants from 32 countries. Organized by the General Administration of Religious Affairs of the Armed Forces under the patronage of Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the event promotes the significance of the Qur’an, encourages its memorization, and highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in serving Islam’s holy book and as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites.

PORT LOUIS: Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Temyat recently met with Rubna Daureeawo, member of the Mauritius National Assembly​, according to a post on the Saudi embassy’s account on X. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as other topics of common interest. In a separate meeting, Al-Temyat met with Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, speaker of the national assembly, and discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and Mauritius and ways to strengthen them.  

JEDDAH: Athr Foundation’s Bait Shouaib Arts Residency in Al-Balad district brought together a filmmaker, curator and two artists, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration over an eight-week program. The Moving Narratives cycle explored the theme of movement through diverse lenses and transformed the historic Bait Shouaib into an active participant in the creative process.

RIYADH: Women participation in the camel racing event at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival 2025 has increased by 100 percent compared to the first edition last year, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Encouraged by the significant development, the organizing committee has decided to add a second race, which includes 18 Saudi female camel riders. Organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, the festival's second edition kicked off on January 27 at the Janadriyah Camel Race Track in Riyadh. The competitions will conclude on Wednesday.  

RIYADH: Abdulelah Altokhais, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to UNESCO, presented his credentials to Audrey Azoulay, the organization’s director-general, at its headquarters in Paris on Sunday. The Kingdom’s mission to the UN-affiliated agency wrote on the X platform that Altokhias is “continuing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen joint cooperation with UNESCO and member states toward a better-shared future.”

JEDDAH: Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, the governor of Jeddah, received Nuno Mathias, Portugal’s ambassador Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah on Sunday. During the meeting, the two men discussed issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

MUHARRAQ: On a historical preservation tour around the Arabian Gulf region, the World Monument Fund recently visited the city of Muharraq in Bahrain before visiting Saudi Arabia. A historically rich city with a story that dates to the late 19th century, Muharraq is the cultural heart of Bahrain. Prior to gaining independence from British rule in 1971, Muharraq was Bahrain’s capital and center for public and governmental administrative, educational, and planning projects, before being replaced by Manama in 1923.

RIYADH: Ambassador of India to the Kingdom Suhel Ajaz Khan underlined that a mutual appreciation of culture was strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and India during the latter’s 76th Republic Day celebration in Riyadh. “A shared love for culture brings our countries together,” he said. “From Bollywood cinema to yoga, music, and food, we have continued to be inspired by each other.

RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Sunday attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding to launch the NovusCrete consortium, a global collaboration to develop and accelerate the adoption of sustainable and durable saltwater concrete. The consortium, led by the Kingdom's Oil Sustainability Program, also seeks to create standards for using seawater in concrete, promote sustainability in construction by recycling waste, extend infrastructure lifespan, and reduce environmental impact.

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation, through the Gamers Without Borders tournament — the largest virtual charity event for gaming and esports — in collaboration with Saudi aid agency KSrelief, donated over $1.7 million to UNICEF’s office in Burkina Faso. The grant aims to provide formal and non-formal education to more than 27,800 children, 50 percent of whom are girls, in areas affected by insecurity.

RIYADH: A new project bringing a range of entertainment offerings to seven Saudi cities has been announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. The City Hub project will begin its journey in Jazan on Jan. 23, followed by stops in Alkhobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al-Baha, Taif, and concluding in Tabuk in August after spending 14 days in each city. The project exclusively works with Saudi companies, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities in the Kingdom’s entertainment industry, according to organizers.

JEDDAH: The first school formally established in the Arabian Peninsula is poised for a new chapter as a museum, according to Ali Al-Sulimani, the managing director. The historical section of Al-Falah School building will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture for its transformation into a cultural landmark.

RIYADH: Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al-Marshad received the senior adviser and GCC Representative to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Khaled Khalifa, and an accompanying delegation in Riyadh on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance development cooperation between the Saudi fund and UNHCR, the former’s official account wrote on X. Al-Marshad also received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petreno and discussed bilateral cooperation during a recent meeting in Riyadh.  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, represented the Kingdom at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday. The princess passed on the congratulations of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Trump on the day of his second inauguration as US president. She also conveyed the hopes of the Saudi leadership that he will enjoy success in his duties, the Saudi Press Agency reported

RIYADH: A display of vintage and classic automobiles, some made more than 60 years ago, was a major draw for visitors at the Handicrafts Festival in Hail. Visitors and car enthusiasts from the Kingdom and abroad gathered to admire the eye-catching vehicles, Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Riyadh, the beating heart of Saudi Arabia, takes on a magical quality as the cooler months arrive, transforming into a playground of vibrant winter destinations. Whether you are looking for an immersive Wild West experience, serene luxury surrounded by nature, or retro charm under the stars, the capital offers a diverse tapestry of escapes.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty at the expanded ministerial meeting on Syria in Riyadh on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X. Meanwhile, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, ambassador-designate of Kenya to the Kingdom, in Riyadh on Sunday.  

JAZAN: Erth Village, a key highlight of the Jazan Winter Season, is attracting a significant number of visitors from both within and outside the region, establishing itself as a prominent cultural and tourist destination that showcases the rich diversity of Jazan's heritage.

RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2024 has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 16 million visitors, according to the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chief Turki AlalShikh. Launched in October, the Riyadh Season has captivated audiences with its diverse range of events and newly introduced areas, attracting visitors from the Kingdom and abroad.  Its exceptional success is attributed to a wide variety of offerings, including boxing and wrestling matches, international concerts, unique dining experiences, scenic gardens, and innovative entertainment zones.

RIYADH: Hundreds of Yemenis who lost limbs in the country’s civil war were given services through a Saudi-backed medical center in Aden Governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. With the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center provided 452 people with various services, including fitting, and rehabbing prosthetic limbs.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent. In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents. The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.

RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday. The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy. The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan. The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.

RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday. Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”