RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved a 69 percent phaseout of ozone-depleting substances over the past five years, as of the first half of 2026, underscoring its commitment to the Montreal Protocol and the gradual elimination of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, according to the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

BURAIDAH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission is participating in the Buraidah International Dates Carnival by showcasing its publications, including the book “Buraidah,” as part of efforts to introduce the Kingdom’s culinary heritage and highlight its connection to local products.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed military and defense cooperation with director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, First Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, on Thursday. The two officials reviewed Saudi-Iraqi relations in the military and defense fields and discussed regional developments, Prince Khalid said in a post on X.

NEW YORK CITY: Yemen’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdullah Al-Saadi, told the Security Council on Thursday that Saudi Arabia’s sustained political, economic and humanitarian support has been essential in keeping state institutions functioning, even as he delivered a sweeping condemnation of the Houthis and their backers in Iran.

JEDDAH: The Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition has finalized key arrangements to activate its command structure, and preparations began to integrate officers and personnel from member states into its command, maritime operations and intelligence structures, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said on Thursday. The announcement was made during the third planning meeting of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah, attended by representatives from 39 countries.

GENEVA: The president of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, met with UNESCO Director General Khaled El-Enany in Geneva. The meeting took place during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held on the sidelines of the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. The two reviewed strategic cooperation between the Kingdom and UNESCO in AI and discussed ways to strengthen international partnerships in developing ethical policies for the technology.

JEDDAH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Helen McEntee in Jeddah on Tuesday.  The ministers reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across a range of sectors to expand the Saudi-Irish partnership and advance shared interests, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.

RIYADH: The Kingdom strongly condemned Iran on Tuesday for targeting the Saudi tanker Wedyan as it transited the Strait of Hormuz. It also condemned Iran for targeting Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al-Rekayyat and said these “unacceptable attacks” constitute an assault on the security and safety of international navigation and on the security of global energy supplies. Saudi Arabia said it held Iran fully responsible for the attacks and their repercussions.

RIYADH: Saudi ministers discussed various regional and national issues during a Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Council of Ministers discussed Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Counter-Terrorism Week at the UN last week, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to cooperating with international organizations to eradicate terrorism and dry up its sources of financing, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: The UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia on empowering women in cybersecurity during its 62nd session on Tuesday, drawing praise from the Muslim World League and other Islamic organizations. The resolution builds on the “Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity” initiative launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2020.

RIYADH: An unforgettable evening of music and cultural friendship unfolded in Riyadh this weekend at a musical evening, “Desert Harmony — Sitar Melodies,” hosted by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarter.

JEDDAH: Red Sea Global has completed the modernization of Al-Wajh International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region, increasing passenger capacity and enabling it to accommodate larger commercial aircraft. The airport has resumed operations and is currently served by Saudia flights, with three weekly flights from Riyadh and two from Jeddah. International flights are expected at a later stage. According to Red Sea Global, the upgraded airport can now handle up to 500,000 passengers annually, up from 100,000 previously.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributed 24,500 hot meals to Palestinian families in the central and southern Gaza Strip on Sunday as part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts. KSrelief established a central kitchen in late February in central Gaza and has since provided hundreds of thousands of meals for Palestinians living under harsh conditions after more than two years of Israeli war in the territory.

AL-JOUF: Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf received Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmad Farooq in Sakaka on Monday. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Farooq noted the development taking place across various sectors in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Jouf region.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a royal order on Monday in which he appointed or promoted 212 judges at various levels within the Ministry of Justice. Walid Al-Samaani, acting president of the Kingdom’s Supreme Judicial Council and the minister of justice, said the aim of the appointments was to improve service efficiency, enhance the beneficiary experience within the judicial sector, and elevate the quality of its outcomes.

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday, where ministers condemned the “treacherous targeting” of the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. The cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Gulf states and the measures they are taking to protect their security and stability, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: Riyadh-based Filipino nurse Dinah Sevilla has been named among the top 10 finalists, out of 134,000 applicants, for a $250,000 global nursing award. The overall winner of the 2026 fifth Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award will be announced at an event in India later this year. Sevilla, representing Saudi Arabia, highlights the quality of healthcare professionals working in the Kingdom, with their impact on patient care, innovation and community health, according to Aster.

RIYADH: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two officials reviewed cooperative relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Issues of common interest were also discussed during the meeting.

TOKYO: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Binzagr has met former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as part of efforts to strengthen strategic dialogue. Their meeting carried special significance within the framework of the Saudi-Japanese Strategic Partnership, with the two sides holding in-depth discussions on the development of bilateral relations and prospects for future cooperation, the Saudi Embassy said on X on Tuesday.

LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone discussions on Tuesday with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. The calls addressed recent developments in the region and the continuation of coordination and consultations with Qatar and Jordan, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Faisal also met Yvette Cooper, the British foreign secretary, in London on Tuesday.

RIAYDH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the latest regional developments with his Iranian and Pakistani counterparts in separate calls, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Prince Faisal spoke on the phone with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed “the latest developments related to Pakistani mediation efforts and the ongoing diplomatic talks between Iran and US,” the ministry said. The foreign minister also called his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has opened applications for nonprofit organizations to join its “Support for Performance Program.” The program offers eligible entities the opportunity to apply for six financial support products aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s nonprofit cultural sector.

DAMMAM: Eastern Region Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has received in Dammam the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom Andy Rodriguez Duran. The parties enjoyed cordial exchanges and discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.  Meanwhile, Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh has received the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Saudi Arabia Akram Karimi. The meeting took place at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh. The parties discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them.  

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in the United Kingdom on an official visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. During the visit, Prince Faisal is scheduled to meet with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper to discuss Saudi-British relations and regional and international developments. The visit comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer struggles to fight off growing demands to step down after devastating local election results for his Labour Party.

GAZA CITY: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has recently provided 24,000 hot meals to vulnerable people displaced by conflict in Gaza’s central and southern areas. A central kitchen was established by KSrelief in Gaza in February to provide the food. In Khan Younis, 820 food baskets were delivered, benefiting 4,920 people. This aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to assist the people in the Palestinian enclave.

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has welcomed the US government’s decision to designate the Sudan branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The minister expressed his support for the decision during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement issued by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. During the call, Prince Farhan said the Kingdom supports Washington’s measures that strengthen regional stability and security.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing leadership in global AI adoption, and reaffirming AI as a top priority by supporting the nation’s AI ambitions in line with Saudi Vision 2030. With the Kingdom emerging as a global hub for data and AI, driven by the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the move was underscored by the Saudi Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday.

JEDDAH: During Ramadan, the city of Jeddah takes on a different spirit. Neighborhoods and house entrances are decorated with bastat (street stalls) that recall the charm of traditional markets and the authentic character of Hijazi culture. Spread across the city, these stalls form a vibrant social and cultural scene that reflects the identity of the community and the depth of its heritage.

RIYADH: In the Samhaniya neighborhood, a pocket of Diriyah, old mud-brick houses have been restored and repurposed into small shops and studios. Throughout Ramadan, the neighborhood sees a familiar surge: longer nights, busier walkways, and more spending tied to hosting, gifting, and evening gatherings. At Artisana, a Saudi brand specializing in handmade crafts, that shift is reflected in customer interest and purchasing.

RIYADH: A new art exhibition has opened at King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, as the country celebrates Flag Day, which fell on Wednesday. The event, titled “In Love with Green,” is being held in collaboration with the Saudi Art Association and features 20 fine art paintings inspired by the Saudi flag, as well as other cultural and contemporary images and landmarks.

RIYADH: The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen and the governor of Hadramout laid the foundation stone in Al-Mukalla city on Monday for a series of power plant projects, which will have a total capacity of 100 megawatts for the Hadramout coast. SPDRY is funding the project and is part of a tripartite cooperation that includes Yemen’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy and Gulf Power International, which is implementing it.

MAKKAH: The “Read” exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Endowment in Makkah offers an interactive knowledge experience, raising awareness of the Qur’an and its sciences through modern methods. Held in partnership with the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque and the Bayan Association for Teaching the Holy Qur’an, it highlights the educational role of the Two Holy Mosques in line with digital transformation.

RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud recently met with Chief of Staff to the President of South Korea Kang Hoon-sik in Riyadh. The two sides explored avenues for enhancing cooperation across the energy sector and discussed efforts aimed at supporting the stability and reliability of energy supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Al-Qahtani met with Abdullah Al-Harthi, head of the educational mission, the Embassy said in a post on X on Monday.

ARAR: Ma’ila National Park in the Northern Borders region, spanning more than 25 million sq. meters, is undergoing major development to become a key natural destination. Led by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the project promotes sustainable environmental development.

RIYADH: The National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development recently led participants from nine countries in the first phase of the GSR Hackathon, organized by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. The center oversaw the agriculture track for the Global Student Research event, which included designing challenges, technical supervision and virtual judging, ensuring practical and sustainable solutions.