The provided text is a collection of news articles and announcements from a Saudi Arabian newspaper, Al Riyadh. The articles cover diverse topics including: political events, such as Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the formation of a new Lebanese government; economic developments, such as the establishment of a car manufacturing complex and Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments; social initiatives, including a coastal cleanup project and technological advancements; and sports news, featuring updates on various football matches. Finally, some sections include legal notices and advertisements.

Comprehensive Study Guide: Analysis of “20685.pdf”

Short Answer Quiz

What is the main position of the Saudi Kingdom regarding the Palestinian issue according to the article? The Saudi Kingdom firmly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the borders of June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They believe a lasting peace will only come from a two-state solution.
What was discussed in the phone call between the Saudi Foreign Minister and his Ukrainian counterpart? The phone call covered the bilateral relations between the two countries, the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and other topics of mutual interest.
What was announced regarding investments at the LEAP 2025 conference? Aramco Digital announced an investment of $1.5 billion in Groq, a company specializing in AI-powered cloud computing.
What is the significance of the Israeli army withdrawing from Netzarim? The withdrawal from Netzarim is part of an agreement to cease fire in Gaza and exchange hostages. It is also tied to the larger issue of the ongoing conflict.
What are the main objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in relation to the automotive industry? Saudi Vision 2030 aims to develop a local car manufacturing industry by attracting investment, utilizing local resources and materials, and reducing imports while increasing exports in the sector.
How is the Public Investment Fund (PIF) described in the article? The PIF is described as more than just an investment arm, but as a major driver in reshaping the global economy through its strategic investments in diverse sectors. It has become a major global player attracting partnerships from across the globe.
According to the article, what are the three main sectors that typically finance research activities? The main sectors that finance research activities are the government sector, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. Each plays a unique role in advancing knowledge.
What are some concerns highlighted in the article about the global oil market? The article notes continued concerns about the impact of the war on the oil market, potential trade wars between the US and China, and potential stricter US sanctions on Russian oil.
What were the main topics of discussion and showcased at the “LEAP 2025” conference? This conference showcased the latest technological advancements and innovations in various sectors, with specific focus on space technology and the development of the knowledge-based economy using digital technologies.
According to the article, what is the current situation in Sudan? The article notes that the head of the Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan announced the formation of a new “war government” to continue efforts to subdue rebel forces, particularly the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while also highlighting the ongoing military conflict, humanitarian crisis, and related international concerns.

Answer Key

The Saudi Kingdom firmly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the borders of June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They believe a lasting peace will only come from a two-state solution.
The phone call covered the bilateral relations between the two countries, the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and other topics of mutual interest.
Aramco Digital announced an investment of $1.5 billion in Groq, a company specializing in AI-powered cloud computing.
The withdrawal from Netzarim is part of an agreement to cease fire in Gaza and exchange hostages. It is also tied to the larger issue of the ongoing conflict.
Saudi Vision 2030 aims to develop a local car manufacturing industry by attracting investment, utilizing local resources and materials, and reducing imports while increasing exports in the sector.
The PIF is described as more than just an investment arm, but as a major driver in reshaping the global economy through its strategic investments in diverse sectors. It has become a major global player attracting partnerships from across the globe.
The main sectors that finance research activities are the government sector, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. Each plays a unique role in advancing knowledge.
The article notes continued concerns about the impact of the war on the oil market, potential trade wars between the US and China, and potential stricter US sanctions on Russian oil.
This conference showcased the latest technological advancements and innovations in various sectors, with specific focus on space technology and the development of the knowledge-based economy using digital technologies.
The article notes that the head of the Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan announced the formation of a new “war government” to continue efforts to subdue rebel forces, particularly the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while also highlighting the ongoing military conflict, humanitarian crisis, and related international concerns.

Essay Questions

Analyze the various regional and international reactions to the statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Palestinian issue. What are the key arguments and concerns raised by different countries and organizations?
Discuss the strategies outlined in the article regarding Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its efforts to diversify the economy away from oil, specifically focusing on the development of the automotive industry.
Evaluate the role of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Saudi Arabia’s broader economic strategy. How does the PIF impact both local and global economic landscapes, according to the article?
Explore the interplay between different sectors (government, private, and non-profit) in funding research and development in Saudi Arabia, as highlighted in the article. How do their roles and contributions shape the research landscape?
Examine the complexities of the geopolitical factors influencing the global oil market, as portrayed in the article, including conflicts and sanctions. What are the potential implications for various countries and regions?

Glossary of Key Terms

Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia’s strategic framework to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.

PIF (Public Investment Fund): Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, focused on making strategic investments to diversify the Saudi economy and transform global investment landscapes.

Two-State Solution: A proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that involves the establishment of two independent states, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians, coexisting peacefully.

Netzarim: A location in Gaza from which the Israeli army has withdrawn as part of a cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement.

LEAP 2025: A technology conference in Saudi Arabia showcasing the latest advancements in various sectors, focusing on the development of the knowledge-based economy.

Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan involved in the ongoing conflict, challenging the authority of the established military government.

BRICS: An acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

“Shadow Fleet”: A term used to describe a network of ships used to transport Russian oil in order to bypass sanctions and price caps imposed by Western countries.

“Project 2025”: A plan developed by American conservative groups designed to transition the U.S. Federal Government should they return to power.

East Jerusalem: The eastern part of Jerusalem, which Palestinians seek as the capital of their future state and a key factor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Saudi Arabia in 2025: Vision, Politics, and Progress

Okay, here is a detailed briefing document summarizing the main themes, ideas, and facts from the provided sources.

Briefing Document: Analysis of “20685.pdf”

Date: October 25, 2023 (Based on date in article header).

Source: Excerpts from the Saudi Arabian newspaper “Al Riyadh,” Issue 20685, dated February 10, 2025 (corresponding to 11 Sha’ban 1446H).

Overview: This document provides a snapshot of various news and opinion pieces from a Saudi Arabian daily newspaper. The content covers a range of topics, including regional politics (particularly the Palestinian issue), domestic economic development, technological advancements, and cultural events. It reflects the Kingdom’s priorities, challenges, and aspirations.

I. Key Themes and Ideas

The Centrality of the Palestinian Cause:The unwavering Saudi support for the Palestinian cause is a prominent theme. The article highlights the Kingdom’s historical stance, beginning with King Abdulaziz in 1935.
The Kingdom’s commitment to a two-state solution with a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital is reiterated.
There’s a strong rejection of Israeli actions, especially the recent conflict in Gaza, which is described as nearly extinguishing all hope.
There is firm denunciation of statements by the Israeli Prime Minister that call for transferring Palestinians from their land.
Quote: “Since the beginning of the Palestinian issue, the Kingdom has taken a firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause…The Kingdom will not cease its tireless efforts towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state…”
Economic Diversification and Vision 2030:The newspaper emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil. This is demonstrated through investments in the automotive industry, technology, and renewable energy.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is highlighted as a major player in reshaping the global economy and achieving Vision 2030.
Quote: “The Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is no longer merely an investment arm of the Kingdom, but has become a major engine in reshaping the global economic scene.”
The focus on technological innovation and AI is clear, exemplified by the LEAP conference and investments in AI technologies.
The development of the King Abdullah Economic City and its role in attracting manufacturing companies is a central theme.
The importance of local manufacturing, especially in the automotive sector, is highlighted with the goal of producing 300,000 cars annually by 2030.
Technological Advancement and Innovation:The LEAP conference serves as a focal point for technological innovation, highlighting the Kingdom’s focus on digital transformation, AI, and cybersecurity.
The Saudi government is making significant investments to achieve a knowledge-based economy, especially with AI and cloud computing.
The use of digital technologies to enhance public services and the citizen experience is a priority, evidenced by the launch of new digital services by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The article mentions the efforts to develop the research and development sector to achieve 2.5% of GDP by 2040.
Quote: “The Kingdom aspires to increase annual spending on research and development (RDI) to 2.5% of GDP by 2040”.
Regional and International Relations:The article notes the Saudi Foreign Minister’s engagement with his Ukrainian counterpart on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, reflecting the Kingdom’s active role in international diplomacy.
There is also mention of a meeting with the Argentinian Minister of International Trade and Religions, emphasizing the broadening of diplomatic ties.
Cultural and Social Developments:The article covers cultural events, such as the Jazan Book Fair, showcasing the Kingdom’s promotion of literature and the arts.
There’s a mention of a series of outdoor cinema screenings in Jeddah, highlighting the focus on enhancing the quality of life and cultural experiences for citizens.
Environmental Initiatives:The article references an environmental initiative to improve the coastal environment, showcasing an awareness of sustainability.
The Role of the Third Sector:The article discusses how the third sector (non-profit organizations) is becoming increasingly important for funding research with a social impact and engaging in community development.
It highlights the efforts to support non-profit organizations and improve their ability to engage in the public sector.
There is an emphasis on the role of universities and research centers in supporting these initiatives.

II. Significant Facts and Events

Automotive Industry Development: The Kingdom aims to produce 300,000 cars annually by 2030. The King Abdullah Economic City is set to become a major hub for automotive manufacturing.
LEAP Conference: This technology event showcased significant investments in AI and digital technologies, with Aramco Digital investing $1.5 billion in Groq for AI-powered cloud computing.
Palestinian Issue: The article states that Saudi Arabia maintains its firm stance of calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Red Sea Fund: The article mentions that the Red Sea Film Fund has expanded its range of support to include projects from the Asian continent as well as Arab and African countries.
Withdrawal from Gaza: The Israeli military is reported to have begun withdrawing from the “axis of death” in Gaza, as a part of a ceasefire agreement.
Sudan: The article notes that a transitional government is being formed in Sudan, with the aim of ending the military conflict there.
Lebanon: A new government has been formed in Lebanon that is prioritizing reform and the implementation of UN resolution 1701.

III. Noteworthy Quotes

On Palestinian Rights: “The brotherly Palestinian people will always remain rooted (in their lands), and no one can take it away from them, no matter how long it takes…”
On PIF’s Global Impact: “We do not just aspire to be the biggest, but also the most influential in reshaping the global economy through quality investments in future sectors.”
On Saudi Arabia’s commitment: “The Kingdom reaffirms its absolute rejection of such heinous crimes, (referring to) the successive statements made by the Israeli occupation towards the brothers in Palestine.”
On the importance of non profits: “Non-profit organizations and charities have begun to realize the value of supporting research to address community issues.”

IV. Conclusion

This collection of articles presents a multi-faceted view of Saudi Arabia in 2025. The Kingdom is actively pursuing its Vision 2030 objectives through economic diversification, technological innovation, and a strong emphasis on local production. Simultaneously, it remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian cause, while actively participating in regional and international diplomacy. These sources paint a picture of a nation in transition, working to assert its influence on both the global economic and political stage while also focusing on local initiatives to improve the lives of its citizens.

This document captures the major points from the provided text. It will be useful to understanding the primary concerns and objectives in Saudi Arabia at the time of the publication.

Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030 and Beyond

Okay, here’s an 8-question FAQ based on the provided sources, formatted with markdown:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s consistent stance on the Palestinian issue, and what specific actions has it taken?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has maintained a firm position supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the 1967 borders, and with East Jerusalem as its capital. This stance dates back to the 1930s. The Kingdom actively works towards this goal through continuous diplomatic efforts, supporting international resolutions, and condemning actions that undermine the Palestinian cause, such as the recent statements regarding displacement of Palestinians and any violation of their sovereignty. This commitment is shown by the consistent condemnation of actions against the rights of the Palestinian people and the efforts for a two-state solution.
What are some key objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and how is the country working to achieve them?
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy away from its reliance on oil, foster innovation and sustainable development, and become a global hub for technology, tourism, and other industries. To achieve this, the Kingdom is investing heavily in sectors like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and the automotive industry. This includes creating special economic zones like the King Abdullah Economic City, attracting foreign investment, and developing local manufacturing capabilities. There’s a major focus on technology and digitalization, supported by national funds and major events like the LEAP technology conference. Additionally, there are clear goals to increase local production in sectors like automotive manufacturing to decrease reliance on imports.
What is the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and what role does it play in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation?
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which has become a key driver in reshaping the global economy. It’s no longer just an investment arm of the kingdom, but a major force in strategic investments. The fund has a bold investment strategy, not only locally but across the globe, with a focus on sectors of the future. PIF makes major investments in diverse fields including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles, with the goal of not just maximizing returns but becoming a key player in reshaping global markets. It serves as a tool for driving the economic transition toward innovation and sustainable practices while attracting global partnerships.
How is Saudi Arabia developing its automotive industry, and what are the strategic goals?
Saudi Arabia has identified automotive manufacturing as a strategic sector for diversification, aiming to reduce its reliance on imports and to become a regional and global hub. This involves attracting foreign manufacturers and creating a domestic ecosystem for the automotive industry. Key strategies include the development of the King Abdullah Economic City, and incentives for foreign companies to set up operations in the country. The focus is on the manufacturing of both traditional and electric vehicles, as well as developing local supply chains, to serve both local consumption and export markets. There’s a very clear goal of decreasing reliance on imports by increasing the local output of vehicles.
What is Saudi Arabia’s position regarding international conflicts, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Saudi Arabia maintains a neutral and diplomatic approach to international conflicts. It is actively involved in discussions and consultations with various parties involved to find peaceful solutions. This involves direct engagement with both sides, like discussions between Saudi foreign ministers and Ukrainian counterparts. The country is also focused on addressing the humanitarian implications of these conflicts. Saudi Arabia emphasizes the importance of respecting international laws, treaties, and sovereignty of all nations as a core principle in navigating conflicts.
What steps are being taken to enhance research, development, and innovation (RDI) in Saudi Arabia, especially within the non-profit sector?
Saudi Arabia aims to significantly boost its spending on research, development, and innovation with a national goal of allocating 2.5% of its GDP towards RDI by 2040. To achieve this, the country is focusing on empowering its non-profit sector, including charities and foundations, to play a greater role in funding and conducting socially relevant research. The non-profit sector is encouraged through initiatives to increase their capacity, form partnerships, and improve operations. Furthermore, universities are increasingly important as partners, being urged to allocate some resources to funding such research, to increase efficiency and output of said research while focusing on community-relevant research with easily understood results.
What are some of the cultural and entertainment developments happening in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is actively promoting its cultural heritage while developing a vibrant entertainment sector. This includes organizing major events like the Jazan Book Fair, which aims to promote the Saudi publishing industry and cultural exchange. Additionally, there is a clear emphasis on film, with the Red Sea Film Festival expanding its support for both regional and international talent, with an emphasis on up-and-coming filmmakers in Asia and Africa. In the realm of general entertainment, existing luxury destinations like “Via Riyadh” are being developed and enhanced in order to meet the expectations of their clientele.
How is Saudi Arabia working to combat smuggling and other illicit activities, and how is it also addressing health and humanitarian emergencies?
Saudi Arabia is actively combating smuggling activities by employing enhanced customs checks, and the use of advanced technologies to monitor imports and exports. They work in partnership with relevant agencies to detect and seize illegal items, including weapons, drugs, and other contraband. There is also a strong commitment to public safety with established channels for the public to report suspicious activity to the authorities. The country also prioritizes rapid response to health and humanitarian crises, as highlighted by the fast response to a medical emergency at an airport, showcasing the efficiency of local emergency services.

This should provide a comprehensive overview of the key themes and ideas in the provided sources.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification and Global Role

The sources provide information about the Saudi economy, including its diversification efforts, investments in technology, and its role in the global oil market.

Diversification and Technology:

Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy beyond oil, with a focus on technology and innovation.
The Kingdom aims to be a hub for technology and innovation in the Middle East and Africa, with investments in digital skills, tech startups, and attracting leading tech companies.
There are significant investments in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and advanced manufacturing.
The Saudi Vision 2030 plan aims for a sustainable, innovative economy based on AI.
The country is making large investments in technology, including a 1.5 billion dollar investment with Groq for cloud computing.
The Kingdom is also investing in manufacturing and technology centers, such as a one billion dollar investment by Lenovo and Alibaba Cloud.
The Saudi government is supporting the growth of the technology sector.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is investing in various sectors to promote economic diversification, including electric vehicles, advanced technology, and supply chain development.
The PIF is working to create a logistics hub that includes housing, workplaces, and educational facilities.
The Saudi government is also aiming to increase annual spending on research, development, and innovation to 2.5% of the GDP by 2040.
The Kingdom is investing in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and has partnered with companies like Lucid Motors and Hyundai Motors.
The PIF is also working to localize technologies and develop local talent in sectors like the automotive industry.

Oil and Global Markets

Saudi Arabia is a major player in the global oil market.
The country’s oil trade is affected by global events and sanctions, such as those related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russia’s oil exports are being impacted by sanctions which is leading to changes in trade routes and refining processes.
There is discussion about the role of the US dollar in the global economy and some countries’ desire to reduce their dependence on it.

Other Economic Activities:

The Kingdom is investing in tourism and developing modern cities to improve the quality of life.
The Saudi government is working to develop the local content and supply chain
There is also a focus on developing the local date industry and promoting it globally

Investment and Finance:

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is making substantial investments in various sectors, both domestically and internationally.
The PIF is also focused on supporting the development of the local workforce.
The Kingdom is aiming to be a major investment destination by making it a center for logistics and supply chains.
The Saudi government is working to enhance transparency and build trust with investors.

Overall Economic Goals:

Saudi Arabia aims to create a sustainable, diverse, and innovative economy, less reliant on oil.
The country is also working to improve the quality of life for its citizens and residents.
The Kingdom is positioning itself as a major player in the global economy, particularly in technology.

The sources provide insight into the Saudi economy, with a focus on its diversification, technological advancements, and its continued role in the global oil market.

Saudi Arabia’s AI Investments

The sources highlight Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of its broader economic diversification and technological advancement goals.

Key aspects of AI investment in Saudi Arabia include:

Strategic Importance: AI is considered a key component of the Kingdom’s vision for a sustainable and innovative economy as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. The country aims to become a leader in AI, not just in the region but globally.
Specific Investments:The Kingdom is investing in cloud computing infrastructure to support AI development. For example, a 1.5 billion dollar investment with Groq was made to expand cloud computing capabilities, specifically in the realm of AI.
The country is also investing in manufacturing and technology centers that rely on AI and robotics.
There is also an effort to promote AI by developing national talent and forming partnerships to train workers in the area.
Focus on Talent Development: Saudi Arabia is actively working to train its workforce in AI and related technologies. This includes partnerships with academic institutions and technology companies. For instance, Alibaba Cloud is collaborating with local academies to train national talent in AI.
Integration Across Sectors: AI is being integrated into various sectors beyond technology itself, including healthcare, where AI is being integrated into applications for patient care and other fields, as well as for national security.
Government Support: The Saudi government is actively supporting the growth of the technology sector, including AI, through funding and strategic initiatives. This is done through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Data and Innovation: There’s an emphasis on using data and AI to address local and global challenges. The Kingdom seeks to use AI to create innovative solutions and enhance economic growth.
Partnerships: The Kingdom is forming partnerships to advance its AI capabilities, for example, with companies such as Lenovo, Alibaba Cloud, and Groq.

Overall, the sources indicate that Saudi Arabia is making substantial investments in AI, viewing it as a crucial element for future economic growth and diversification, moving away from its reliance on oil. The investments are not only financial but also focus on developing local talent, building infrastructure, and integrating AI across various sectors.

Palestinian Conflict: Arab and Islamic Perspectives

The sources discuss the Palestine conflict, focusing on the rejection of displacement of Palestinians, the centrality of the Palestinian cause for Arab and Islamic nations, and the condemnation of Israeli actions and statements.

Key Points of the Palestinian Conflict:

Rejection of Displacement:There is a strong rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, with assertions that Palestinians are the rightful owners of their land and not newcomers or immigrants.
Statements from the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the potential displacement of Palestinians have been met with condemnation.
Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have explicitly stated their opposition to the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, viewing such actions as a violation of international law and human rights.
Centrality of the Palestinian Cause:The Palestinian cause is recognized as central to Arab and Islamic nations.
Many countries, including Saudi Arabia, emphasize the importance of the Palestinian issue for Arab and Islamic nations.
There is a shared sentiment among Arab and Islamic countries to support the Palestinian people’s right to their land.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions and Statements:There is condemnation of the actions of the Israeli occupation forces and the repeated crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.
Statements made by Israeli officials are viewed as a violation of international law and the charter of the United Nations.
The sources accuse the Israeli government of ethnic cleansing.
There is an explicit rejection of any statements that aim to undermine the rights of Palestinians, including the right to an independent state.
The continuous occupation, settlement construction, and seizure of Palestinian land are condemned.
Support for a Two-State Solution:The sources suggest that a lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution.
There is an emphasis on the need for a Palestinian state with full sovereignty.
The idea of peaceful coexistence is endorsed as a way to resolve the conflict.
International Law:The sources frequently refer to international law, the UN charter, and the need to abide by these legal frameworks.
Many actions of the Israeli occupation forces and statements by Israeli officials are cited as breaches of international law.
Rejection of Normalization:Some parties in the region are trying to impose new ideas regarding the Palestinian issue, but the core belief remains that there is no resolution without an independent Palestinian state, no relinquishing of legitimate rights, and no peace without ending the occupation.
The Role of Extremist ThinkingThe sources suggest that extremist thinking is a barrier to peace and that those who espouse these views are the same ones preventing a two-state solution and peaceful co-existence.

Overall, the sources portray a strong Arab and Islamic consensus against the displacement of Palestinians and a firm commitment to their right to self-determination and an independent state. There is condemnation of Israeli actions and statements, emphasizing the need to adhere to international law and seek a peaceful resolution through a two-state solution. The Palestinian cause remains a central concern for the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation

The sources discuss various aspects of digital services, primarily within the context of Saudi Arabia’s economic and technological development. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

Digital Transformation as a National Priority: Saudi Arabia is committed to digital transformation across various sectors, viewing it as a crucial component of its economic diversification and modernization efforts. The Kingdom aims to be a leader in digital technologies, not only regionally but also globally.
Government Support and Initiatives:
The Saudi government is actively promoting digital transformation through various initiatives, including the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which aims for an innovative and sustainable economy based on technology.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is playing a key role in this transformation, organizing events like the “LEAP” conference to showcase technological advancements.
Government entities like the National Development Fund are also involved in promoting digital solutions and innovation.
Key Areas of Digital Service Development:
Cloud Computing: The Kingdom is investing heavily in cloud computing infrastructure, recognizing its importance for various digital services. For instance, there’s a 1.5 billion dollar investment with Groq to expand cloud computing capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is a key focus area with significant investments in its development and application across sectors. There’s also a focus on developing local talent in AI.
Mobile Technology: There’s mention of 5G technology and its role in meeting the evolving needs of businesses and governments. The sources also point to investment in network infrastructure.
E-commerce: There is also mention of the development of e-commerce platforms to promote sales, logistics, and customer service.
Digital Education and Skills: The sources emphasize the importance of digital skills development, with initiatives to train the workforce and promote digital literacy.
Digital Services in Specific Sectors:
Healthcare: Digital technologies are being used to improve healthcare services, as seen in the Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s participation in LEAP 2025 to showcase their tech solutions.
Logistics: Digital services are playing a key role in improving logistics and supply chain management.
Tourism: Digital infrastructure to support tourism is under development.
Culture: The Ministry of Culture is using digital technologies to showcase Saudi culture and provide access to knowledge and learning resources.
Public and Private Sector Collaboration: There’s a strong emphasis on collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving digital transformation, with partnerships between government entities, tech companies, and local businesses.
Cybersecurity The sources discuss the importance of cybersecurity and data protection as part of the digital infrastructure.
Enhancing Citizen Experience: The sources indicate that improving the digital services provided to citizens and residents is part of the overall goal of improving the quality of life in Saudi Arabia.

Overall, the sources suggest that Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in developing a comprehensive digital services ecosystem, driven by both government initiatives and private sector investments. The focus is on leveraging digital technologies to diversify the economy, improve public services, and enhance the country’s position as a global technology hub. The emphasis on infrastructure, talent development, and integration across sectors demonstrates a holistic approach to digital transformation.

Saudi Arabia’s Automotive Industry Diversification

The sources discuss car manufacturing primarily within the context of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and technological development goals, and they also mention the global car market and some of the geopolitical factors that impact it. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Strategic Importance: Car manufacturing is seen as a key sector for Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, moving away from its reliance on oil. The country aims to develop local manufacturing capabilities and become a regional hub for car production.
Investment and Partnerships:
Significant investments are being made in the automotive sector.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is playing a major role by investing in car manufacturing, both in the local market and globally. For example, the PIF has invested in Lucid Motors, an electric car manufacturer, which is seen as an important move towards technological advancement and the development of electric vehicles.
The Kingdom is also seeking partnerships with international companies in the car manufacturing sector. For example, the sources mention joint ventures with international companies in the manufacturing of cars and related industries. This is intended to support local manufacturing and the transfer of knowledge and technologies.
These investments aim to foster innovation, create jobs, and enhance local expertise within the automotive sector.
Focus on Electric Vehicles: There is a strong emphasis on developing capabilities in electric vehicle manufacturing, as evidenced by the investment in Lucid Motors. This aligns with a global trend toward sustainable transportation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Supply Chain and Local Manufacturing:
There is a focus on enhancing local supply chains and developing the infrastructure needed for car manufacturing.
The Saudi government is keen to support the manufacturing of car components and related industries within the country.
Global Market Context:
The sources also touch on the broader global car market, mentioning how companies like Lucid Motors have surpassed others in terms of driving range.
The sources mention that Russia is seeking to secure supplies of fuels and alternative fuels in response to sanctions resulting from the war with Ukraine.
Geopolitical Factors: The sources discuss how global political and economic factors, such as sanctions on Russia, are affecting energy markets, which have an indirect impact on the car manufacturing sector, including the shift to alternative fuel sources and the search for new supply chains.
Technology Transfer: A key goal is to transfer technology and knowledge to Saudi Arabia through these partnerships and investments. This will help build local expertise in the automotive industry.

In summary, Saudi Arabia is strategically investing in car manufacturing, particularly in electric vehicles, as a means of economic diversification and technological advancement. The focus is on attracting foreign investment, forming partnerships, developing local capabilities, and creating a sustainable automotive industry. This is occurring within the broader context of global shifts in the automotive industry and the need for energy transition.

GCC Condemnation of Israeli Statements on Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom’s Sovereignty is a “Red Line”

Israeli Statements… A Threat to the Security and Stability of the Region and the World

Capitals – SPA

His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli statements against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its demand to build a Palestinian state within its territory.

His Excellency said in a statement: These dangerous and irresponsible statements confirm Israel’s approach of disrespecting international and UN laws and treaties and the sovereignty of states.

He stressed the firm and steadfast position of the Kingdom and the GCC countries to support the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights, and the great and valuable efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries in regional and international forums to support the Palestinian cause, represented in the necessity of the two-state solution, supporting the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the return of refugees, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions. His Excellency renewed his call to the international community to stand seriously and decisively against these aggressive Israeli statements, which pose a threat and danger to the security and stability of the region and the world as a whole. The United Arab Emirates also expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the statements of the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing its categorical rejection of these statements, which constitute a blatant violation of the rules of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. His Excellency the UAE Minister of State, Khalifa Shahin Al Marar, expressed his country’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and its standing with it in one line against any threat to its security, stability and sovereignty, stressing that the Kingdom’s sovereignty is a “red line” and that his country does not allow any country to cross or encroach upon it. He also stressed his country’s categorical rejection of any infringement on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and any attempt to displace them, calling for the necessity of halting settlement activities that threaten regional stability and undermine the chances of peace and coexistence, urging the international community, the United Nations and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities and put an end to illegal practices that contravene international law. He reiterated the UAE’s historic and firm position towards preserving the rights of the Palestinian people, and the necessity of finding a serious political horizon that leads to resolving the conflict and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, stressing that there is no stability in the region except through a two-state solution. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Kuwait’s strong condemnation and rejection of the statements condemning the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation forces against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing its firm support for the Kingdom in confronting everything that threatens its stability and sovereignty. In a statement issued yesterday, it affirmed its rejection of any attempts to displace the brotherly Palestinian people, praising all the efforts made by the Kingdom and other countries to restore the brotherly Palestinian people all their legitimate rights, including the establishment of their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemned and denounced the irresponsible Israeli statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing them as a flagrant violation of the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter. The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed in a statement the Kingdom of Bahrain’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its support for its security, stability and sovereignty, stressing that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East depends on preserving the rights of the Palestinian people, not displacing them from their lands, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty. The State of Qatar also condemned in the strongest terms the provocative statements of the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, considering them a blatant violation of international law and a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed, in a statement yesterday, the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and at the same time called on the international community to firmly confront the Israeli provocations.

The Ministry reiterated the State of Qatar’s categorical rejection of calls for the forced displacement of the brotherly Palestinian people, warning that such calls would hinder the chances of peace and renew confrontations in the region, stressing that a just and sustainable peace will not be achieved unless the Palestinians are able to impose their sovereignty over their lands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Sultanate of Oman expressed its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its rejection of the Israeli Prime Minister’s statements regarding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its territorial integrity. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it affirmed its firm and supportive position for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on all its sovereign territories in Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital and on the 1967 borders in accordance with international resolutions and the principles of international law, in a manner that ensures the achievement of permanent stability in the region. For his part, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, condemned in the strongest terms the statements of the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation state regarding the transfer of Palestinians to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that the logic on which it is based is unacceptable, in addition to the fact that it reflects a complete disconnect from reality. Aboul Gheit stressed that the Palestinian state will only be established on the land of Palestine that was occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Yesterday, the Republic of Iraq expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the provocative statements made by the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation, Benjamin Netanyahu, against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement its categorical rejection of these statements, which it considered a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom and an assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, as well as a violation of the rules of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. She expressed Iraq’s full solidarity with the Kingdom, its security and territorial integrity, affirming its firm position in supporting the security and stability of countries and its rejection of any infringement on the national sovereignty of any country.

Yesterday, the Jordanian government condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli statements hostile to the Palestinians’ right to establish their independent and sovereign state on their national soil, and the aggressive calls to establish it on the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as they are condemned provocative calls that represent a flagrant violation of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the sovereignty of states. The official spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sufian Qudah, explained that the Israeli government continues its provocative policies and statements that undermine the sovereignty of states and the rules of international law, stressing Jordan’s absolute rejection of these provocative statements that reflect an exclusionary, provocative, anti-peace ideology and push towards further escalation in the region. He affirmed Jordan’s full support and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling on the international community to condemn and denounce these irresponsible statements. He said: “The Israeli government will not succeed in covering up the fact that the continuation of the occupation and the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people are the basis of the conflict in the region,” stressing that the Palestinian people are clinging to their land and their right to establish their independent and sovereign state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, without which security, peace and stability will not be achieved. He stressed the necessity of halting all Israeli escalatory measures in the occupied West Bank that perpetuate the occupation through dangerous and continuous incursions, settlements and the confiscation of Palestinian lands. The Arab Republic of Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the irresponsible and utterly rejected statements issued by the Israeli side that denounce the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and demand the establishment of a Palestinian state on the Kingdom’s territory. In a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it affirmed its complete rejection of these reckless statements that affect the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty, stressing that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and respect for its sovereignty are a red line that Egypt will not allow to be violated, and its stability and security are at the core of the security and stability of Egypt and the Arab countries, and there is no tolerance for them.

It stressed that these Israeli statements towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia constitute a reprehensible transgression and an infringement on all established diplomatic norms, and an assault on the sovereignty of the Kingdom and on the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on all their national soil in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem according to the lines of June 4, 1967. Egypt also affirmed its full support for the Kingdom against these statements, calling on the international community to condemn and denounce them completely. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in the strongest terms the racist Israeli statements calling for a Palestinian state on the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing the State of Palestine’s permanent support for the Kingdom in confronting the Israeli incitement campaigns that attempt to undermine its security and stability. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement: “These statements constitute a flagrant violation of international law, UN resolutions and its charter, and an aggression against the sovereignty, security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all Arab countries,” calling on the international community and all countries to condemn these anti-peace statements. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned in the strongest terms the rejected and irresponsible statements of the Israeli Prime Minister in which he called for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the lands of the Kingdom, and considered it an incitement against the Kingdom and a violation of its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, in a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It stressed that these racist statements come within the framework of the continued denial by Israel – the occupying power – of the historical, political and legal rights of the authentic Palestinian people in their homeland, and a desperate attempt to circumvent the national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return, self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on their national soil. It renewed its rejection and condemnation of the plans and attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, and considered it ethnic cleansing, a crime and a flagrant violation of international law. At the same time, the organization called on the international community to redouble efforts to end the illegal Israeli colonial occupation and settlement in the Palestinian territories, and to reaffirm the sovereignty of the State of Palestine over the territories occupied since 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation appreciated the firm historical positions and tireless efforts made by the Kingdom in providing all forms of support to the Palestinian people and their just cause, and mobilizing international efforts to implement the two-state solution based on relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Kingdom appreciates the rejection by sister countries of Netanyahu’s statements regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people
The Palestinians have a right to their land and are not intruders or immigrants who can be expelled
The owners of extremist ideas prevented “Israel” from accepting peace
Riyadh – SPA
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciated what the sister countries announced of condemnation, disapproval and complete rejection of what Benjamin Netanyahu explained regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land, indicating that this extremist occupying mentality does not comprehend what the Palestinian land means to the brotherly Palestinian people and their emotional, historical and legal connection to this land. This came in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as follows:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciates the condemnation, denunciation and complete rejection announced by sister countries regarding what Benjamin Netanyahu explained regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land. The Kingdom also appreciates these positions that confirm the centrality of the Palestinian issue to Arab and Islamic countries.

In this regard, the Kingdom affirms its categorical rejection of such statements that target the honor of looking away from the successive crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza, including the ethnic cleansing they are subjected to.

The Kingdom points out that this extremist occupying mentality does not comprehend what the Palestinian land means to the brotherly Palestinian people and their emotional, historical and legal connection to this land, and does not consider that the Palestinian people deserve life in the first place; it has completely destroyed the Gaza Strip, and killed and injured more than (160) thousand, most of whom were children and women, without the slightest sense of human or moral responsibility. It affirms that the brotherly Palestinian people have a right to their land, and are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes. It indicates that the proponents of these extremist ideas are the ones who prevented Israel from accepting peace, by rejecting peaceful coexistence, rejecting the peace initiatives adopted by the Arab countries, and systematically practicing injustice towards the Palestinian people for more than (75) years, without caring about the right, justice, law, and values established in the Charter of the United Nations, including the right of man to live in dignity on his land. The Kingdom also affirms that the right of the brotherly Palestinian people will remain inalienable, and no one will be able to take it away from them no matter how long it takes, and that lasting peace will not be achieved except by returning to the logic of reason and accepting the principle of peaceful coexistence through the two-state solution.

The Emir of Riyadh receives the “Infrastructure” report

… and receives the Dominican Ambassador

Riyadh – SPA
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of the Riyadh Region, was briefed on the details and objectives of the infrastructure projects in the region.

This came during His Highness’s reception in his office at Al-Hakim Palace, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Secretary of the Region, and the CEO of the Infrastructure Projects Center, Engineer Fahd Al-Badah.

His Highness also listened to a presentation about the center, which is one of the strategic projects that aims to coordinate and plan infrastructure projects in the Riyadh region, in addition to the high level of supervision, monitoring and coordination in the work of various projects, which aims to enhance the quality of life of the region’s residents and visitors, and promote sustainable development in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. His Highness received a copy of the center’s report for the year 2024. Finally, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, received in his office yesterday the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom, Andy Rodriguez Duran.
And my neighbors are imagining the future, exchanging friendly conversations

The Emir of the Eastern Province launches the “Zabna Beach” initiative
Dammam – Salem Al-Subaie
His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Eastern Province, received in his office at the Emirate’s Diwan yesterday, the Director of the Eastern Province Police, Major General Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Wathinani, accompanied by Major General Sattam bin Ziyad Al-Otaibi, on the occasion of his appointment as Deputy Director of the Eastern Province Police.
Here, His Highness congratulated Major General Al-Otaibi on this occasion, wishing him continued success and guidance in his work duties.
Major General Al-Wathinani and Major General Al-Otaibi expressed their thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Emir of the Eastern Province for his congratulations and sound directives.
On the other hand, the Emir of the Eastern Region launched, in his office at the Emirate Diwan yesterday, the “Zabna Beach” initiative, which is organized by the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in the region, and which is being held from February 9 to 11 in partnership with the Eastern Region Council for Social Responsibility (ABSER), the region’s education, and the region’s border guards. In its first phase, it targets more than 750 male and female students from schools and universities to participate in cleaning the beach, removing waste, and implementing environmental awareness campaigns aimed at promoting a culture of preserving the coastal environment. The initiative will also witness the implementation of more than 1000 volunteer hours, with the participation of community members and volunteers from various entities, with the aim of achieving a tangible and sustainable environmental impact. The Director of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in the Eastern Region, Engineer Youssef Suleiman Al-Badr, said that the initiative is in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing environmental sustainability and supporting volunteer work, in addition to raising environmental awareness among future generations. Al-Badr added that the initiative reflects the commitment of the concerned parties to protect coastal environments and enhance the role of society in environmental sustainability, noting that cooperation with the region’s border guards, the Ministry of Education and the Abser Council will contribute to achieving a sustainable impact by integrating environmental awareness with practical and field application. The initiative is being implemented in several stages to ensure long-term results that contribute to improving the quality of life and protecting natural resources. On the other hand, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region, congratulated the male and female students of the Eastern Region on the occasion of their achievement of the largest number of awards at the Kingdom level in the final rounds of the Creativity Exhibition for Science and Engineering, by obtaining (17) honorary awards, (20) special awards, and (57) awards in various tracks. His Highness asked God for the male and female students to continue to succeed and excel in serving the nation under his wise leadership – may God protect it.

Prince of Qassim launches the scientific website and comprehensive application of Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
Buraydah – Saleh Al-Jahni

Royal Emir Dr. Faisal bin

Mus’al bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Al-Qassim Region, in his office in the Emirate, the acting Governor of Unaizah, Saad Al-Saleem, and the Director of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Religious Affairs in the Qassim Directorate, Abdullah Al-Juwairi, and the President of the Islamic Foundation, Muhaimid bin Uthaymeen Charitable Foundation in Unaizah, Abdullah Al-Uthaymeen and Khayal Al-Liqa, His Highness launched the developed scientific website of Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthaymeen – may God have mercy on him – which is characterized by advanced search engines that facilitate access to his works, in addition to It provides multiple translations of it, which contributes to spreading his knowledge globally and making it available to researchers and students of knowledge in various languages. His Highness also launched the comprehensive application, which includes all the applications developed by the Foundation, to enhance the benefit from the Sheikh’s scientific legacy through the latest digital technologies. His Highness Prince Faisal bin Mas’al praised the efforts of the Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthaymeen Charitable Foundation in spreading the knowledge of the Sheikh and making it available through the latest technical means, stressing that these initiatives contribute to transferring the sciences of the Sheikh to future generations, and expanding the circle of benefit from them at the global level. His Highness also appreciated the role of the Foundation in employing technology to serve Islamic sciences, secretly. This development reflects a modern vision in facilitating knowledge standards and making it easier to access. At the end of the meeting, His Highness thanked the Foundation for its blessed efforts in preserving the Sheikh’s scientific legacy and disseminating it in modern ways, calling for the continuation of these initiatives that contribute to serving science and its students locally and internationally.

Turki bin Talal sponsors the closing ceremony of the “No Difficult Challenge” Hackathon
Abha – SPA
His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Asir Region, Chairman of the Region Development Authority, sponsored the closing ceremony of the “No Difficult Challenge” Hackathon and honored the top winners in the three competition tracks,
at the Al-Hayari Center in the province of Muhayil Asir.

At the beginning of the ceremony, His Highness the Emir was briefed on the contents of the Innovation Exhibition, which included 475 innovations, in the “Global Responsibility – Tourism – Education” categories.
In the “Education” track, the (Kima Friis) team won first place, while the (Oliu Alinihi) team won second place, and the (Aleem) team won third place. In the “Tourism” track, the (Tamsi) team won first place, while the (Qimma) team won second place, and the (PathMakers) team won third place. In the “Social Responsibility” track, the (Eternal Age) team won first place, while the (Yaqizia) team won third place, while the (Basma Age) team won third place. The “Earth Challenge” hackathon aims to attract creative and innovative people from the MENA region to develop ideas. Effective initiatives, which can overcome the challenges facing the

ministries, are an opportunity for them to develop their ambitions and their deep belief in their capabilities and energies.

The Emir of the Northern Borders receives the statistics report

Arar – SPA
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Northern Borders Region, received in his office yesterday, the Director-General of the General Authority for Statistics branch in the region, Saleh Al-Nadheer.

His Highness received the meeting’s report on the General Authority for Statistics for the year 2024 AD, and was briefed on the efforts made to provide population and housing statistics at the level of the Kingdom, with a focus on the Northern Borders Region, its governorates and affiliated centers.

He also listened to an explanation of the Authority’s role in providing vital statistical data to support the development of the region, emphasizing the role it plays in supporting the development process and decision-making. His Highness noted the interest of the wise leadership in developing and advancing all regions of the Kingdom, stressing the importance of statistical data and indicators in future planning for economic, demographic and political development work, as they contribute to achieving the national development goals. For his part, the Director of the General Authority for Statistics branch in the region offered his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Emir of the Borders Region for his continuous support and constant interest in the Authority’s work in the region.

Saud bin Bandar receives the Director of the Eastern Province Police and his Deputy
Dammam – Salem al-Subaie

The Royal Emir, Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Province, in his office at the Emirate’s headquarters, the Director of the Eastern Province Police, Major General Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Yuthani, and his companion, Major General Sattam bin Ziad al-Otaibi, on the occasion of his appointment as Deputy Director of Police in the region.

His Highness congratulated the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Province, Major General al-Otaibi, on this occasion, wishing him continued success in performing his duties.

For his part, Major General Al-Wathnani and Major General Al-Otaibi expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Deputy Emir of the Eastern Region for his continuous support and wise directives.

Deputy Emir of Hail commends leadership support for health sector

Hail – SPA
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Hail Region, received in his office, Director of the Ministry of Health in the region, Sultan al-Musaieed, and his team.

His Highness was briefed on the performance of the Ministry’s branches in the region and the most prominent figures and works implemented during 2024, as well as the efforts of the branch in the region.

During the reception, Prince Faisal bin Fahd commended the leadership’s wise support for the sector with the follow-up of His Excellency the Minister of Health, noting the role played by the Ministry’s branches in the region.

Al-Musaied appreciated the continuous support of His Highness the Emir of the region and his deputy and the follow-up of His Excellency the Minister of Health, stressing the continuation of efforts to raise the level of performance and develop the medical services provided to patients and what contributes to raising the level of public health in Hail.

Minister of Human Resources launches digital services
His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, launched yesterday, as part of the activities of the fourth edition of the “LEAP 2025” technology conference, a group of digital products and services to enhance the digital transformation in the ministry and improve the quality of services provided to beneficiaries. His Excellency stressed that these launches come within the framework of the Ministry’s strategy for digital transformation, aiming to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, through developing digital services, facilitating beneficiaries’ access to services in a safe and innovative manner, and supporting and enhancing technology and innovation in the Kingdom. The launches included a group of digital products, including the “Virtual Branch,” which enables beneficiaries to complete the ministry’s services electronically without the need to visit branches. It aims to facilitate access to government services through an effective digital experience, reduce time and effort, and enhance the efficiency of operational processes. The launches also included the “Child Care Digital Platform”, which provides parents with smart solutions that allow them to access accurate and transparent information about child care centres, including ratings, geographic location, activities, and programmes offered. The platform contributes to supporting families by providing flexible and high-quality child care options. Within the framework of supporting the social development sector, the Ministry launched the “Social Development Facility”, which is one of the sectoral facilities that aims to meet the needs of beneficiaries of the development sector, and helps in enhancing transparency and efficiency, and facilitating access to the necessary resources; to achieve sustainable development. It also provides a single digital station for cooperative societies, which contributes to eliminating the need to visit branches, stimulating the participation of members and society, and expanding the provision of services to individuals and government agencies in the sector. It is noteworthy that these launches come within the strategy of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to enhance digital transformation and provide more efficient and flexible services to beneficiaries, as the Ministry has succeeded in automating more than 1,000 services and conducting services for more than 32 million beneficiaries.

The Royal Guard celebrates the graduation of security and protection courses Under the patronage of the Chief of the Royal Guard, Lieutenant General Shahail bin Shaqr Al-Mutairi, the Royal Guard Presidency celebrated the graduation of security and protection courses and the conclusion of the second sports league for the Presidency formations, the four-a-side shooting championship, and the third infantry competition. The ceremony was held in the presence of Their Excellencies and a number of senior Royal Guard officers and personnel, where it witnessed sports parades and competitions in various games, in addition to displaying shooting and infantry skills, which reflected the high level of readiness and efficiency of the participants. At the end of the ceremony, the Chief of the Royal Guard honored the winning teams in the Athletics League and the Shooting Championship, in addition to honoring the top performers in the pedestrian competition. He also honored the graduates of the security and protection courses, who successfully completed their training programs, to be a distinguished addition to the Royal Guard Forces in the service of religion, then the King and the country. At the end of the ceremony, he stressed the importance of these events in enhancing the spirit of competition, discipline and professionalism among the members of the Royal Guard, praising the level shown by the participants in the various competitions and trainings. This celebration comes within the framework of the Royal Guard Presidency’s efforts to develop the combat and sports skills of its members, and enhance their permanent readiness to carry out the tasks assigned to them with efficiency and professionalism.

Robot to perform obesity surgeries
The Deputy Emir of the Eastern Province, Turki bin Abdullah Al-Tamimi, opened yesterday the 8th International Conference of the Saudi Society for Obesity Medicine and Surgery, which showcases the latest advanced robotic technologies and devices that contribute to performing obesity surgeries.
During the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Society for Obesity Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Ayes Al-Qahtani

A speech in which he stressed that the conference is an opportunity for Saudi doctors, medical practitioners and medical students to train on robotic devices to perform dental surgeries. This is the first time that training on robotic devices is taking place at the conference.

The head of the organizing committee for the conference, Dr. Ahmed Al-Qarzai said that what distinguishes this eighth conference is the practical training for practitioners and surgeons on the use of robots in bariatric surgery, in addition to an advanced workshop on laparoscopic interventions for the stomach and the Lahsami device with the latest technology. The conference chairman, Dr. Sultan Al-Tayyat said that the medical field enjoys great support from the wise leadership – may God support it – which contributes to raising the level of the Saudi doctor by using robots in surgical operations, including conducting remote operations, which are more accurate and safer for the patient. At the end of the ceremony, the Undersecretary of the Eastern Province honored the participants in the conference and supported

Review of housing projects in Hail

Hail Region Security Eng. Sultan bin Hamed Al-Zaidi reviewed, at the Secretariat headquarters, the CEO of the National Housing Company, Eng. Mohammed bin Shalabi
A number of housing development projects in the region, and the most prominent developments in construction work and achievement in development projects, infrastructure and treatment of human deformities implemented by the Secretariat and municipalities. The CEO of the National Housing Company toured the Azdhar Cities Center, which is concerned with enhancing the quality of life according to modern cities indicators and developing the urban and urban landscape of the city according to the municipal and public sector system, reviewing the center’s experience and areas of coordination with government agencies related to the region to develop the visitor experience, improve the quality of services provided, and enhance the competitiveness of the city of Hail as an urban and investment destination.

The launch of the 2025 Dental Caravan in Jazan
The President of Jazan University, Dr. Mohammed bin Hashen Abu Rashan Sabah yesterday, the 2025 Dental Awareness Caravan in its fifth edition, in the presence of the university’s vice-rectors and staff, and the participation of the College of Practice and Health Sciences represented by the Department of Clinical Nutrition, the College of Arts and Humanities, the Deanship of Student Affairs, the Community Service Department, the Dental Medicine Club, and the College’s Community Service Unit, in the university’s administrative lobby. The President of the University praised the patronage and interest of His Highness the Emir of Jazan Region, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, and his patronage of the awareness-raising dental caravan and all the university’s activities that it provides to serve the community, stressing the importance of the cooperation and integration of the efforts of the various administrations, colleges and departments of the university to make this caravan a success, wishing everyone success. The university president toured the exhibition prepared for the convoy, listening to an explanation from the head of the Community Service Unit at the College of Dentistry, Dr. Moshe Shabir about the caravan, which is organized by the college, and includes an exhibition corners introducing the College of Dentistry, remote consulting services, an introduction to the Dental Medicine Caravan, an introduction poster about drugs, smoking, dental health, pregnancy, and dental problems, in addition to an introduction corner about dental implants and beautification, and educational information about nutrition and dentistry with the participation of the head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Bushra Muzaffar, in addition to two clinics for screening Dentistry.

The Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Nisreen Al-Bar, indicated that the convoy will last for four months, with the participation of more than 202 students and interns, as it aims to visit 52 educational, health, and non-profit governmental institutions, in addition to visiting 84 schools. For his part, Dr. Moshe Shabeer said that the caravan provides distinguished therapeutic and awareness services to individuals in the community, with the aim of raising awareness about dental diseases and ways to prevent them, promoting a culture of volunteer work among students, and preparing a generation of creative dentists in the field of volunteer work.

The Kingdom’s Relief Support… Without Limits

Yesterday, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center delivered the gift of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, which included 25 tons of dates.

The aid was delivered – on behalf of the center – by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Vietnam and non-resident in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Muhammad bin Ismail Dahlawi, to the Prime Minister in charge of the Special Mission for Islamic Affairs and Special Envoy to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Ukanha Datok Osman Hassan, in the presence of a team from the center.

This gift of dates comes within the humanitarian role carried out by the Kingdom through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to reach the neediest families around the world. Yesterday, the center also delivered the first gift from the Kingdom to Sierra Leone, which is 25 tons of dates. The aid was delivered – on behalf of the center – by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Sierra Leone, Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Hajji, to the Sierra Leonean side, in the presence of the center’s team, in the capital, Freetown. In a related topic, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributed shelter aid yesterday, for the first time, in the Samoun camp in the Al-Sahar district in the Hadhramaut governorate, as part of the emergency shelter project in Yemen. This aid comes as an extension of the relief and humanitarian efforts provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to help countries and peoples wherever they are with various forms of relief support. The center also distributed 4,450 shelter bags in the Jacobabad and Khairpur districts of Sindh province, Rajinpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts of Punjab province, and Upper Stral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, benefiting 33,036 individuals from the most needy families in flood-affected and cold-weather areas, as part of the project to distribute shelter materials and shelter bags in Pakistan for the year 2025. On the other hand, 500 food baskets were distributed in the areas of Tang Road, Feni Sadr and Feni in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, benefiting 2,500 individuals, as part of the project to distribute food baskets to those affected by floods and cyclones in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The Fifth Preachers Forum is held in Asir
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Dr. Saud bin Alibi Al-Ghamdi, opened the activities of the “Fifth Preachers Forum” which is being held at the Al-Hasari Center in the province of Muhayil Asir, in the presence of the Director General of the branch in the region, Sheikh Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Khairy. Dr. Al-Ghamdi stressed, at the opening of the meeting, the importance of the role of the preacher in society, and that preaching is not just a religious message, but rather an effective tool in building awareness and promoting positive values, reviewing the pivotal role of the preacher in enhancing the psychological health of members of society, and his influential role that is a helpful factor in alleviating psychological pressures and building confidence and hope through purposeful sermons. Which focuses on faith and positive values. Dr. Al-Ghamdi provided practical advice for preachers on how to prepare a sermon professionally, listing 6 basic steps to prepare it in the most complete manner, including: choosing an appropriate topic, researching and verifying information, organizing ideas, using clear language, taking into account the needs of the audience, and training for delivery, explaining An effective orator needs to possess multiple skills, including confident delivery, the ability to communicate with an audience, use body language effectively, and be insightful and wise in conveying a message. Regarding the role of the preacher in times of crisis, he stressed the importance of the preacher’s role in being a role model in dealing with the public, by providing correct and quick guidance, planting reassurance in people’s souls, and avoiding unjustified exaggeration or trivialization. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance concluded his speech by emphasizing that the preacher should be a role model in his behavior and words, as society looks to him as an example to be emulated, which requires him to have high morals and to be committed to what he calls for. This forum comes within the plans of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance to enhance the skills of public speaking and develop the performance of preachers, in a way that contributes to achieving their preaching message in the best possible way.

Article

Tahani Abdullah Al-Khayal

How did the “PIF” change the rules of the global economic game?

Imagine a sovereign fund that manages trillions of riyals, that does not limit itself to investing locally, but rather expands its influence to include global markets, and becomes a major partner in the most important economic and technological projects around the world. It is the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is no longer just an investment arm of the Kingdom, but has become a major driver in reshaping the global economic landscape.

The tremendous success of the Saudi Public Investment Fund was not a coincidence, but rather the result of an ambitious vision led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who made PIF the cornerstone of achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Through a bold investment approach, the fund did not stop at developing its assets, but also became a major player in vital sectors such as technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism. But more importantly, its influence was not limited to the Kingdom, but extended to the global arena, where major countries and companies began seeking to conclude partnerships with it, and even draw inspiration from its model. The Fund’s Governor, Mr. Yasser Al-Rumayan, confirmed in recent statements: “We aspire not only to be the largest, but also to be the most influential in reshaping the global economy through qualitative investments in future sectors.” This vision is evident in PIF’s strategic investments, which are not limited to traditional sectors, but also include artificial intelligence, electric cars, clean energy, and tourism entertainment, reflecting a new philosophy in sovereign wealth management. The Fund realizes that the future lies in innovation and technology, which is why it has made huge investments in global companies, such as Lucid Motors, which has developed an electric car that has outperformed all other electric cars in terms of driving range. It has also invested in SofBank, the Vision Fund, which supports emerging companies in the fields of advanced technology, and Magic Leap, a leader in augmented and virtual reality technologies. These investments are not just financial deals, but part of the Kingdom’s strategy to transform into a global center for technology and innovation, which strengthens its position as a key driver in the economy of the future. In terms of energy, the fund has not only invested in fossil fuels, but has also become a driving force in renewable energy projects, through huge investments in solar and wind energy, and is leading the development of green hydrogen technologies, a clean energy source that could change the rules of the game in the global energy sector. In the field of infrastructure and tourism, the fund has invested heavily in projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea, and Qiddiya, which are qualitative projects aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a global investment and tourism destination. In the world of economics and investment, successful models are a source of inspiration for countries and companies alike. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has become an exemplary model globally, thanks to its ambitious strategy and future vision. In a remarkable step, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 to establish a US sovereign fund, inspired by the experience of the Saudi fund. Trump stated: “Saudi Arabia has a large sovereign fund, and we will try to catch up.” This step reflects the extent of the global influence achieved by the PIF, and how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has begun to reshape the global economic landscape, even in the most advanced countries. As the Kingdom continues to implement its ambitious strategies, it seems that the Public Investment Fund will not remain a mere player, but will become a force that redraws the rules of global investment. Today, the fund is no longer just an investment vehicle, but a major driver of economic transformation, redefining the role of sovereign funds in sustainable economic growth. The tremendous success achieved by the PIF would not have happened without the vision of our wise leadership, who realized early on that investment is the real key to a strong and sustainable economy. We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who was and still is a symbol of wisdom and sound leadership, and a supporter of the economic transformation process that has made the Kingdom a global model in development and investment. We also commend the bold and ambitious vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who has been able to transform dreams into reality and chart a stronger and more promising economic future. In light of this exceptional vision, the most important question remains: To what extent will the Public Investment Fund change the future of the global economy?

King Salman Automotive Complex enhances the Kingdom’s position in localizing the sector Riyadh – Mohammed Al-Haider

The announcement by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to name the area designated for automotive manufacturing activities, located in the special economic zone of King Abdullah Economic City in the west of the Kingdom, “King Salman Automotive Complex,” represents a true success for a giant project, to make the place, time and location our home for manufacturing cars of various types and global brands, and a center for Economically, this industry, through the availability of an equipped infrastructure for these promising national industries, and the investment incentives offered to major local, regional and international companies. This step embodies strategic political, economic and commercial goals to strengthen the ties between large national industries and feeder industries, on which small and medium enterprises are based, and then create new generations of skilled and trained craftsmen, so that these products become a logistics center that launches into global horizons, by developing the capabilities of the automotive sector, accelerating the growth of the Kingdom’s capabilities in manufacturing, research and development, enhancing the efficiency of supply chains, and linking with Regional and international markets, providing long-term solutions for the automotive industry, through commitment to environmental safety standards, creating ideal investment opportunities for the private sector, and developing promising sectors in the Kingdom, contributing more than 92 billion riyals to the non-oil GDP by 2035. Achievements are not just wishes, but the Kingdom is taking practical, well-studied steps to achieve its ambitions in the automobile industry, by making the best use of its vast potential, whether in the availability of minerals that go into the automobile industry, or the size of the automobile market in it, as the Kingdom imported 700,000 cars last year, and aims to cover the local demand for cars and export to Abroad, this is an important stage to reduce the import bill. It is nice to plan to manufacture more than 300,000 cars annually in the Kingdom by 2030, according to what was announced by the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef, during his laying of the foundation stone for the Lucid Company factory in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh last May, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy in accordance with the goals of “Vision 2030.” 2030

For these ambitions, the Kingdom has prepared an attractive, stimulating and protective infrastructure for local and foreign investments, in addition to the model infrastructure, which will make King Abdullah Economic City attractive to global car manufacturing companies.

It is a good economic idea to choose the locations of economic cities, and from this, King Abdullah Economic City occupies the ideal location to link the East and the West;

It is a sophisticated port on the Red Sea coast, capable of receiving the largest ships in the world, and the city can be reached within one hour from Jeddah, Mecca and Medina thanks to the new network of roads and railways. King Abdullah Economic City is one of five special economic zones that have benefited from the approval of regulations and legislation supporting investment under “Vision 2030,” to provide an investment environment that contributes to achieving the goals of developing the non-oil economy and investing in new sectors with competitive incentives, creating an attractive environment for investors, and consolidating the Kingdom’s position. To become a logistics center, in addition to enabling supply chains, as it includes a special economic zone with an area of 60 square kilometers, making it the largest in the Kingdom, and providing integrated options for work and housing with advanced basic facilities, most notably the industrial valley, housing, and educational institutions. Hence, the “King Salman Complex” constitutes a major center for local and international companies in the automotive sector, most notably the “Seer” factory, the first Saudi brand for electric cars, and “Lucid Motors,” which opened its first international factory in King Abdullah Economic City in 2023, in addition to many of the Fund’s joint projects with global manufacturers, including “Hyundai Motors” to establish a highly automated factory to manufacture cars in the Kingdom, and the joint project agreement with Pirelli to establish a tire factory in the Kingdom. Of course, the King Salman Automotive Complex will benefit from the investment-friendly environment provided by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the investment incentives offered by the King Abdullah Economic City’s special economic zone and its logistics infrastructure, and its connection to the advanced port in a vital location for global trade, in order to provide opportunities for the local and international private sector.

Trade war fears erase 2025 oil price gains

US pledge to boost output raises oversupply risks

Jubail Industrial City – Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi

Oil prices have given up all of their 2025 gains

as trade war fears continue to weigh on both Brent and WTI crude.

Brent futures reversed all their gains for 2025 and fell back to the same point where they started this year as global fears of a potential trade war between the United States and China became the main talking point in markets. The US president reiterated his enthusiasm for increasing US production, adding another bearish tone to the overwhelming sentiment, paving the way for a $2 per barrel decline on a weekly basis and the stability of Brent crude on the Intercontinental Exchange in the first week of February at just under $75 per barrel. The US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on several individuals and oil tankers that it claims helped Tehran move millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil annually to China, in line with US President Trump’s pledge to apply maximum pressure on Iran and reduce its exports. US oil industry executives have warned that growth in US Permian Basin oil production will slow by at least 25% this year, rising by about 250,000 barrels per day after an increase of 380,000 barrels per day in 2024, which has reduced the impact of “small drilling” policies. Venezuelan oil exports rose 15 percent month-on-month to 867,000 barrels per day in January, driven by Chevron Corp. raising its daily volume to 294,000 barrels, its highest since it received a sanctions waiver, and higher flows to the world’s main buyer of crude, China. The Barbados Ship Registry said that by the end of the month it would have asked a total of 46 ships to remove the country’s flag as a result of the British sanctions. Fourteen of those ships are also subject to sanctions from the United States. Separately, the Panama Ship Registry said earlier this month that it had begun delisting 68 ships that are subject to U.S. sanctions. Although all ships are likely to find new flags, many of those serving Moscow’s interests have repeatedly had to switch to non-standard service providers since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This is a sign of the disruptive impact that sanctions can have on the sprawling logistics operation that helps keep the country afloat. Russian oil flows and the war machine is running. The latest moves follow the most sweeping sanctions on Russian exports yet earlier this month. Sailing under the Barbados flag was a coup for Russian shipping because it is one of the world’s most reputable ship-registering nations. Flag states play a key role in ensuring maritime safety standards, and Russia has often had to turn to lesser-known industrial nations when it has lost access to premium services. However, Giovanni Cigniglio, chief executive of the London-based Barbados Ship Registry, said the country had no sanctions against Russia but was following UK rules because of the good relationship between the two countries. As a result, Barbados will not remove ships sailing under its flag that have been sanctioned by the United States unless the United Kingdom also imposes sanctions. According to the Equatix Maritime Database, some Barbados ships have already been re-registered with other countries, including Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire. 68 SHIPS CANCELLED
Panama said it had begun scrapping 68 ships after adopting a rule late last year that brought the country into compliance with sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United Nations. The United States has imposed its toughest sanctions on Russian producers and tankers to choke off revenues from the world’s second-largest oil exporter over its war in Ukraine. Many of the recently targeted ships, part of a so-called shadow fleet that seeks to circumvent Western restrictions, have been used to ship oil to India and China. Refiners in those countries have benefited from cheap Russian imports that were blocked in Europe after Moscow invaded Ukraine. Chinese and Indian refiners are seeking alternative fuel supplies as they adapt

Article Dr. Batala Al-Suwaian
The Third Sector
and Sustainability of Research and Development
Research has always been a cornerstone of the progress of societies. Research activities are usually funded by three main sectors:

government, the private sector, and the third sector. Each of these sectors plays a unique role in promoting knowledge and driving development. The government is often the main funder of research in the country, especially basic research and research that serves the public interest, which may not have direct commercial value but is essential for growth. Social and economic in the long term.

On the other hand, the private sector focuses largely on applied research that aims to generate marketable products, services and technologies that enhance profitability and competitiveness. In contrast, the third sector, represented by non-profit organizations, associations and charitable foundations, contributes to funding research of a socially urgent nature such as health care, education and environmental sustainability research. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious goal of increasing annual spending on research, development and innovation (RDI) to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2040. Achieving this goal requires a significant increase in the contribution of each sector, and since the government currently bears the largest burden, there is a need for both the private sector and the third sector to enhance their contribution. In this article, I want to focus on the third sector, as in recent years the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made great progress in qualifying the sector as part of the Vision 2030 framework. The government has adopted a number of initiatives aimed at empowering non-profit organizations, associations and charitable institutions. This empowerment includes increasing funding for third sector entities, implementing regulatory reforms to streamline their operations, and strengthening partnerships with public and private entities. All this is aimed at enhancing the sector’s ability to play an effective role in national development. Indeed, one particularly promising development is the emergence of research-based initiatives within the third sector agenda. Non-profit organizations, associations and charitable foundations are beginning to realize the value of supporting research to solve societal problems and improve the quality of life. However, the growth and success of these initiatives depend largely on universities and research centers, which are essential partners in this movement. It is important for universities and research centers to support the third sector’s drive to divert a portion of grants and donations to finance research. This is achieved by these universities adopting the highest standards of transparency and efficiency in managing research activities. Universities must ensure that their financial resources are used efficiently, reducing waste and maximizing benefit. In addition, these institutions must become more dynamic in their operations, quickly adapting to emerging challenges, opportunities and developments in their field. They should also provide clear periodic reports on their achievements and work to show the direct and indirect outputs of their research activities. Moreover, universities and research centers should focus on translating these outputs into understandable terms that are easy to publish and accessible to the public. All of this helps the public understand how research contributes to building society, in addition to contributing to building public confidence in these entities, and thus enhancing community participation and attracting donations, which is the basis of the third sector movement. *Research Mark

Investor Relations and Financial Disclosures.. When Numbers Turn into a Story

Faris Ayed Al-Harbi

In the world of finance and business, the language of numbers is the mother tongue in evaluating companies and making decisions, but they alone are not enough to convey the complete picture about the companies’ performance and future. Financial disclosures are not just a mandatory requirement, but rather a story that companies tell to investors, a story that reveals their performance, challenges, and growth prospects.
Here comes the role of the investor relations team, who play a pivotal role in translating these numbers into clear messages that answer shareholders’ inquiries and enhance mutual understanding between the company and its investors. Often times we see that some companies achieve results that are less than expected, even though the opinions of the experts were completely opposite, but we are surprised that these negative results were not clearly reflected in the performance of the company’s shares, which raises some controversy for some shareholders, especially individuals. This cannot be reduced to positive or negative numbers, but rather the way in which these numbers were presented, and how they were explained and placed in their correct context. Shareholders, in the end, are not looking for abstract numbers, but rather want to understand what these results mean, and what their implications are for the company’s future. After Announcing the Results… The Role of Investor Relations in Communication

Every time a company announces its financial results, a new phase of communication begins, as the matter is not limited to issuing a financial report only, but also requires discussing this report and looking into the folds of these numbers in order to clarify the company’s future strategies and to reassure shareholders as well. Here comes the role of the investor relations team in organizing several meetings which in turn facilitate the company to discuss these results with its shareholders. These meetings take different forms, as some companies prefer to organize a call with investors on the day of announcing the results, while others hold a private conference or an extended meeting with financial analysts. In these meetings, the primary role of the investor relations team is to present the financial data in a smooth manner and in a language that is understandable to both individual investors and large financial institutions. The forms of these meetings may vary, some are limited to organizing a call for shareholders, which is often held on the same day as the results are announced, and others hold a press conference. In these meetings, the investor relations team has the opportunity to perform one of their most important roles, which is to remove the ambiguity from the financial data, and present it in a language that everyone understands, from individual investors to large financial institutions. These meetings are held in an atmosphere of anticipation and interest, where analysts and investors sit and listen to the company’s management explain the details of financial performance and answer questions. Sometimes, the questions are more important than the numbers themselves, as the way the company responds and interacts with inquiries reflects a lot about its credibility, its readiness to face challenges, and its confidence in its future strategy. Beyond the numbers: Building trust and enhancing transparency Through these dialogues, not only are the numbers explained, but the relationship between the investor and the company is reshaped. An investor who feels that he is receiving clear and straightforward answers, even in difficult times, is more inclined to give the company his trust and continue to support him. On the other hand, when transparency is absent or communication seems weak, rumors spread, and investors begin to lose confidence, which is quickly reflected in the performance of the stock. Therefore, financial disclosure is not just a regulatory obligation, but rather an opportunity to manage the company’s mental image and build a relationship based on transparency and trust with investors. Just as the numbers reflect financial performance, the way they are presented reflects the maturity and professionalism of the company. Ultimately, investors are not just looking for financial returns, but for companies they can trust, companies that know that the most important long-term investment is not just in assets or projects, but in their relationship with those who support them and believe in their vision.

Article
The Dollar and the Global System
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsen Al Faraj

The artificial intelligence -GPT and DeepSec – was asked about the fate of the dollar, and its answer was: Replacing this currency with another is not possible before 50 years. Indeed, no one wants to replace the dollar, as long as its use provides ease and security to all those dealing with it in the world. It seems that the question was raised in this manner, as a result of what is being said about the desire of China, Russia and the BRICS group to replace the dollar, but Indian Prime Minister Modi stated in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, during the BRICS summit last year that this group is not aimed at the West, and the Indian Foreign Minister confirmed that the BRICS countries have no interest in weakening the US dollar. So, why are such questions being raised? It is the transitional phase that the global system, both political and economic, is going through. This system reflects two components: the first component, which is dominant, bears the characteristics of the system that still exists, while the second component, which is still weak, has some characteristics of the system that is on its way to being born. On this basis, there is a clash, or rather a contradiction, between the components of the dominant system and the components of the system that may come in the future. The reactions of the dominant global system against the components that are feared to be an alternative to it are basically economic components in China, whose foreign trade volume exceeds that of any other country, and military components in Russia, which possesses more nuclear weapons than others. The reactions to these components, as we see, take different forms, the most important of which are sanctions, where more than 1000 sanctions have been imposed on Russia, as well as trade wars, which is what we see against Canada and perhaps the European Union and China, but with the difference: the first – Canada and Europe – is considered a party or an ally, but it has not yet grasped the role required of it to implement to ride the wave of development that the new cycle, or transitional phase, of the world order has reached, and therefore the sanctions against it are disciplinary, and they are the opposite of the sanctions against China, Which will become the main party to the confrontation in order to get it out of the race. The new cycle of the development of the world system requires not only the mobilization of allies and parties for the confrontation, but also the resolution of contradictions within. Mobilizing the internal front is the most important, as the reforms inside will affect many joints, including the deep state, which is undergoing a major restoration process. Therefore, the external noise we hear is, in some ways, aimed at diverting attention from what is happening inside, and this is like a smoke bomb in the war that is sometimes thrown in the opposite direction of the attack, to confuse the opponent and divert his attention. So that there is no uproar about what is happening inside, the smoke bomb is thrown in the direction of Panama. Sometimes, Greenland and Gaza, sometimes, so that the media can exploit them.

Multiple events enrich the technical world through the “LEAP” portal on its first day.

The Communications and Space Technology Commission launches the second edition of the “Space Stage”, which offers meetings and dialogue sessions on a dedicated platform in “hall 2”, within the proceedings of the “LEAP 25” International Technical Conference, with the aim of shedding light on the latest developments, innovations and trends in the space sector locally and globally and highlighting The Kingdom’s ambitions and pioneering aspirations, and enriching those interested through dialogue sessions and presentations provided by experts and specialists in the space sector. The Space Forum aims to support the growth of emerging companies and encourage new and innovative projects in the space sector in the Kingdom through the participation of emerging companies in presentations and dialogue sessions, which provides an opportunity to get to know investors, partners, and experts in the space sector. It is worth noting that “Space Path” is one of the initiatives of the Communications and Space Technology Commission, through which it seeks to highlight the Kingdom’s capabilities and ambitions aimed at seizing opportunities to develop space, stimulate innovation, and inspire future generations to lead the future. The Research, Development and Innovation Authority is also organizing today the “Innovation in Future Economies” event, coinciding with the holding of the “LEAP 2025” conference in the capital, Riyadh, as part of its efforts aimed at supporting and enabling pioneering technical research and innovation to contribute to enhancing the Kingdom’s digital leadership and developing the knowledge economy through innovative solutions that address many national and international challenges. The event will contribute to providing the stimulating capabilities for the growth of research and innovations included in the priorities of future economies, and unifying research efforts towards the main topics that shape the economic future, such as developing urban living, building smart cities that are friendly to humans and free of carbon emissions, in addition to exploring the depths of the seas, and building a position for the Kingdom in the field of space. It will witness the launch of many programs and initiatives aimed at benefiting from economically promising technical fields, and reviewing distinctive innovative research and projects that address many local and global challenges according to an advanced technical perspective, in addition to holding a number of dialogue and discussion sessions with the participation of an elite group of experts and specialists to deepen knowledge about emerging technologies and explore their role in achieving sustainable economic growth. The Authority identified the main topics to be addressed during the event, based on their importance in shaping future economies and their ability to provide solutions that enable societies to achieve progress in many vital sectors, including the fields of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, smart cities, telecommunications, and space sciences. The event targets scientists and researchers interested in research related to the fields of future economics, industry innovators and start-ups who are leaders of promising technologies and companies specialized in those fields, investors and entrepreneurs interested in investing in future economics, and government officials and regulatory policy experts who focus on Leveraging innovations to achieve ambitious economic goals. The “Innovation in Future Economies” event comes within the context of the Authority’s organization of many major events within the national priorities of research, development and innovation, represented in human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, and future economies, with the aim of enhancing the Kingdom’s international position and leadership in research and innovation, and its effective contributions to finding innovative solutions that address challenges. Local and global. On the other hand, the National Development Fund organized the Datathon, in partnership with Google and Endava, with the aim of enabling local talents in the development funds and banks affiliated with the National Development Fund (the development system) and developing technical solutions based on artificial intelligence to face real challenges, as part of its efforts to enhance digital transformation and support innovation in the fields of data and artificial intelligence. The event attracted an elite group of specialists in data analysis and artificial intelligence in the development system, where the challenges presented included developing practical solutions based on big data, while testing the participants’ abilities to employ artificial intelligence technologies in analyzing information and providing solutions that can be applied in different work environments, which contributes to improving decision-making processes in digital sectors. The “Datathon” lasted for a full day, and included intensive training sessions on Google Cloud tools specialized in artificial intelligence, a practical challenge to solve a real-life problem using training models and provided data, and concluded with the announcement of the winning teams and honoring the participants who presented the best innovative solutions.

STC reinforces its commitment to enabling digital transformation through its strategic partnership with “LEAP 2025”

stc Group, the enabler of digital transformation, is preparing to participate in the fourth edition of the “LEAP 2025” conference, the most attended technology event in the world, which will be held under the slogan “Towards New Horizons”

at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham

during the period from February 9 to 12.

As a strategic partner of LEAP for the fourth consecutive year, stc is showcasing its integrated portfolio of digital solutions and innovations spanning multiple sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, logistics, tourism, and smart communities. These solutions aim to highlight the Group’s pivotal role in addressing global challenges, such as enhancing sustainability, achieving digital inclusion, and supporting economic resilience, which contributes to enabling sectors to adapt to competing technological developments. The innovations provided by stc, which rely on Internet of Things technologies and fifth-generation (5G) networks, reflect the Group’s commitment to keeping pace with changing requirements around the world, while highlighting its efforts to enable companies and governments to explore new opportunities and achieve sustainable growth goals. stc will also participate in dialogue sessions led by a group of its experts in the sector, and will announce new strategic partnerships during the conference. In addition, the group will provide innovative interactive experiences within its pavilion at the conference, which will give participants an exceptional opportunity to explore the future of digital technologies, and learn about the latest innovations in this field. It is worth noting that during last year’s edition of the exhibition, the group showcased the latest technical solutions in the sectors of healthcare, logistics, major projects and sports. The group’s participation was also crowned with success during the past year by signing a number of agreements and partnerships with major leading companies, including a partnership to launch the “Oracle” platform with “Ericsson”, with “Alloy” the world’s first realistic electronic sport, and with “Hawaii” to develop financial technology solutions, among others. In addition, stc Group signed a number of strategic agreements with several local and regional entities, including an agreement with Prince Sultan Center for Defense Studies and Research, and an agreement in the field of providing air Internet services with both Flynas and Sky Five Arabia. This year’s LEAP 2025 conference will bring together more than 600 startups, 1,000 speakers, and more than 1,800 exhibitors from around the world, to explore the future of digital progress and innovation. stc Group’s vision to drive technological progress and expand the scope of its digital solutions for customers, businesses and communities is in line with the conference’s objectives, as a gateway to innovation in the world of technology and a meeting point for thought leaders and change makers from all over the world.

A large-scale Israeli military maneuver in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley
The occupation army withdraws from the “axis of death”

Gaza – Nazir Taha

The Israeli occupation army began, yesterday, to withdraw from the Netzarim axis,
as part of the understandings of the first stage of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza,
which entered its 22nd day, at a time when the discussions of the second stage of the deal were renewed in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The Israeli army’s withdrawal from Netzarim comes within the framework of the current round of the hostage deal, as Israel pledged to withdraw from the place after a year and three months since the “36th Division” penetrated the Netzarim axis towards the sea during the ground maneuver in Gaza. The Israeli withdrawal from Netzarim came after the implementation of the fifth batch of prisoner exchange, as the Qassam Brigades – the military wing of Hamas – released 3 Israeli prisoners from the central Gaza Strip, while Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. In parallel, an Israeli negotiating delegation arrived in Doha, and Israeli officials said that the delegation did not obtain authorization to enter the second phase of the agreement, while the families of the Israeli hostages in Gaza appealed to US President Donald Trump to intervene to complete the deal and prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from thwarting it. In addition, a senior Hamas official said that Israel’s “failure to implement” all the terms of the truce agreement puts the ceasefire in Gaza at risk of collapse. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, warned that the agreement was in danger, but said that Hamas did not want to return to war. Naim noted that “what we see of procrastination and lack of commitment in implementing the first phase and trying to create a political and international, diplomatic and media environment to pressure Palestinian negotiators when entering the second phase, certainly puts this agreement at risk and may therefore stop and collapse.” For its part, the government media office in Gaza said in a statement: The Netzarim axis has caused the movement between the governorates of the Gaza Strip to be cut off, and the occupation’s withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will restore movement between the governorates of the Strip. It added that “the occupation’s withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be one of the most important achievements of our people,” explaining that international institutions have begun to gradually return to the northern Gaza Strip. He continued, “We have restored the UNRWA headquarters in the north to resume its relief work.” He stated that “the occupation’s withdrawal from Netzarim provides relief for the movement of residents between the north and the south,” expecting “an influx of relief agency employees after the withdrawal.” He pointed out that the Israeli army has taken the Netzarim axis as “a death trap, and more than 1,000 people have been martyred there.” Martyrdom of a pregnant Palestinian woman
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced the martyrdom of the young woman, Sandesh Jamal Salbi (23 years old), who was eight months pregnant, in addition to the critical injury of her husband, by the bullets of the Israeli occupation forces during their ongoing aggression on the “Nour Shams” refugee camp in Tulkarm, north of the occupied West Bank. Eyewitnesses reported that the martyr was trying to flee the camp with her husband and two children, when the occupation soldiers opened fire on them, which resulted in her being hit by several bullets, while her husband was seriously injured, while citizens were able to secure the two children. The witnesses confirmed that the occupation forces prevented ambulances from reaching the injured for more than half an hour, before they were transferred to the hospital, where doctors announced the mother’s martyrdom. The medical crews also failed to save the life of the fetus due to the occupation’s delay in allowing the transfer of the injured. For his part, activist Moayed Jarad stated that the occupation has been continuing its military campaign against the “Nour Shams” camp for 14 days, through demolition, bombing and destruction of the infrastructure, especially in areas close to the camp. He explained that the occupation began a new military campaign since midnight last night, which included a wide-scale raid, a heavy siege, and forcing the residents to flee and leave their homes. In addition, the occupation bulldozers rushed to level Nablus Street adjacent to the entrances to the camp, starting from the “Martyr Saif Abu Labda Roundabout” and the Slaughterhouse Street, which led to the aggravation of the destruction of the infrastructure that was partially destroyed during the previous raids, while the occupation deliberately disrupted the Internet networks in the area to increase the isolation of the residents. Storming the city of Tubas The Israeli occupation forces stormed the city of Tubas, north of the West Bank, at dawn yesterday, in light of the ongoing aggression on the cities and camps of the north of the West Bank. Local sources reported that the occupation forces stormed the city last night and raided the home of the martyr Muhammad Daraghmeh’s family, in addition to the home of his brother Kamal. They pointed out that the forces took measurements of the two homes and caused great destruction to their contents. The occupation forces had surrounded the martyr’s home before raiding it and fired machine guns at it. The occupation soldiers also assaulted the martyr’s father with bullets and the ambulance crews transferred him to the hospital. Glick leads settlers’ raids
Rabbi Yehuda Glick led groups of settlers who stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning from the Mughrabi Gate, under heavy protection from the Israeli occupation police.

Palestinians refuse to change their history or identity
Gaza – DPA

Despite the destruction that has befallen every corner of Gaza as a result of the Israeli attack, many Palestinians are clinging to the hope of rebuilding what the war has destroyed. While the world stands by watching the developments in the Strip, the Palestinians refuse to allow anyone to change their history or identity. “The war tried to break us, but it didn’t succeed. We will rebuild everything, and we won’t allow anyone to redraw our history,” Samer al-Sawa, the owner of a restaurant in central Gaza City before the attack turned it into rubble, told the German news agency dpa. “The restaurant was a place of joy, and we rebuilt it in the same place, because life must go on. Death cannot overwhelm hope,” his wife, Fatima al-Sawa, said as she watched the restaurant’s renovations amid the rubble. Despite the threats and destruction the Strip is facing, Fatima says, “The people of Gaza refuse to acknowledge any attempts to replace the Palestinian identity with another identity, especially with the statements made by US President Donald Trump about plans to turn Gaza into a “tourist resort” after the Strip is evacuated of its residents. Abdullah Abu Ali, the owner of a small café that was destroyed in the recent attack, says, “Our services here are part of the culture, and this café is a source of pride for us.” It was a center of life, not just places to sleep and eat. In Gaza, we do not only build to face challenges, but we also build for our dignity and our land. No one will take our history or our land from us.” Speaking about Trump’s remarks, Hala Jaber, a university student from Gaza, said, “These remarks remind me of the displacement our fathers and grandfathers faced after the Nakba.” “We do not forget our history and we do not forget how we lived in the lands that God allocated to us.” She continued, “We are the children of this land, and we refuse to replace it with any other place.” “Again, this place is part of our identity.”

At the same time, the Palestinians accused Israel of stalling the implementation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement by imposing restrictions on aid and reconstruction.

Palestinians in Gaza expressed their refusal to surrender to Trump’s dictates or threats.

“We will not allow them to change it, whatever their plans,” said Mahmoud al-Aloul, a Gaza businessman. Gaza will come back stronger than before, and we are ready for the future.” As the suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip worsens, Osama Maarouf, head of the government media office in Gaza, said in a statement on Friday, “Israel continues to procrastinate in implementing the terms of the humanitarian agreement despite the passage of 20 days since the ceasefire agreement entered into force, which has led to the worsening of the humanitarian conditions of the residents of the Strip.”

He added, “The number of trucks that entered the Gaza Strip did not exceed 8,500 trucks out of the 12,000 that were planned, which led to a severe shortage in basic aid.”

At the same time, Maarouf explained, only 10% of the required tents were brought in and no mobile housing units were brought in despite the urgent need for them.

He noted that the fuel crisis is becoming more complicated, as only 15 fuel trucks have entered daily out of the 50 that were agreed upon. “This procrastination is causing severe health crises and significantly delaying the reconstruction of the Strip. We call on the international community to intervene urgently to ensure the implementation of humanitarian agreements and provide the necessary support to Gaza,” he said. The Palestinians are looking forward to a long-term ceasefire that will lead to a complete end to the war between Hamas and Israel after 15 months of a large-scale war waged by Israel on Gaza. The Palestinians hope that the diplomatic efforts being made by mediators between Hamas and Israel will contribute to ending their suffering and beginning the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in the near future.

New Lebanese government pledges reform, confidence-building
Salam: Focus on establishing a state of law and institutions
Beirut – AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf al-Sham pledged to implement reform steps and build “confidence” with the international community, as he formed a new government that will serve no more than two and a half years of caretaker power in the executive authority, amid changes in the balance of political power after Hezbollah was rescued following a devastating war with Israel. The government, which Sam pledged to focus on “reform and rescue,” faces challenges, most notably reconstruction, implementing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, and implementing political and economic reforms required by donor countries to support Lebanon, which is suffering from the consequences of several crises, including an unprecedented economic collapse. Since mid-2022, a government headed by Najib Mikati has been in charge of business after tensions between Hezbollah and its opponents prevented the election of a new president of the republic following the end of the term of Michel Aoun, who was an ally of the party. Under international pressure, army commander Joseph Aoun was elected the new president in January, weeks after a ceasefire went into effect in a war during which Hezbollah was subjected to painful bombardments. Sam, who was president of the International Court of Justice, was tasked with forming a new government. “Reform is the only path to real salvation,” Sam said in a speech from the presidential palace in Baabda after meeting with Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He explained that this comes through “ensuring security and stability in Lebanon by completing the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement and following up on the Israeli withdrawal until the last sliver of Lebanese territory, in conjunction with reconstruction.” He added, “This government will seek to restore confidence between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surroundings, and between Lebanon and the international community.” Sam (71 years old) will head a government of 24 ministers, including five female ministers. The government nominated well-known names, most notably Ghassan Samah, the former envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Libya, who is returning to the Ministry of Culture. Sam had previously confirmed his rejection of nominating party members or candidates for the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held next year, stressing the criteria of competence and professional career. While party names were absent, he nominated many ministers in consultation with party leaders in a country based on political and sectarian favoritism, especially since the government needs to gain confidence in a parliament dominated by traditional forces. Aoun stressed that the formation was based on the criteria of “competence, experience and specialization.” The government will hold its first session tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, at the Republican Palace. It has a constitutional deadline of 30 days from the date of issuing its decrees to prepare a ministerial statement on the basis of which it will advance to gain confidence. Sami affirmed that he will focus on “establishing a state of law and institutions,” and his determination “to establish the necessary foundations for reform and rescue.” The formation of the government was welcomed internationally, with emphasis on the priority of reform. The US embassy said, “The Lebanese people deserve a government that will rebuild the institutions of the Lebanese state, combat corruption, and implement the necessary reforms,” calling for “a ministerial statement that will help Lebanon chart a course toward achieving these goals.” The Elysee Palace announced that President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the Lebanese officials on forming the government, stressing “France’s standing with Lebanon to confront the multiple challenges” facing the new government. The European Union’s foreign policy official, Kaja Kallas, affirmed the readiness “to support the new government in implementing a reformist and forward-looking agenda, and to relaunch the partnership between the European Union and Lebanon by organizing the Partnership Council this year.” In turn, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Basschaert, said, “The formation of the government today paves the way for a new and bright chapter for Lebanon.” “The United Nations looks forward to working with the Government of Lebanon in its efforts to advance fundamental reforms and consolidate security and stability through the full implementation of Resolution 1701,” she added. The formation of the government came a day after Washington confirmed that it opposed the party’s participation in the government after its military “defeat.” Morgan Ortagus, the US deputy envoy to the Middle East, said, “We have set clear red lines in the United States that prevent Hezbollah from intimidating the Lebanese people, including by offering to participate in the next government.”

Mystery surrounds Trump-Putin call to end war
Kiev, Moscow – Agencies

The New York Post quoted US President Donald Trump as saying that he spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. When reporters asked Trump aboard Air Force One how many times he had spoken to Putin, he said, “I’d rather not say.” Trump added to the New York Post, “Putin wants no more deaths.” The Kremlin and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours. In late January, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was ready to hold a phone call with Trump and that Moscow was waiting for word from Washington that it was also ready. Trump said on Friday he would likely meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky within days to discuss ending the war. In comments to the New York Post, Trump said he had “always had a good relationship with Putin” and that he had a concrete plan to end the war. He did not elaborate. “I hope it happens quickly. People are dying every day. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this bad thing,” Trump added. The Kremlin on Sunday declined to confirm or deny a US report of a phone call between Trump and Putin. Washington and Moscow have not officially confirmed any contact between the two presidents since Trump took office, pledging to quickly end the fighting in Ukraine. The New York Post reported late Saturday that Trump told the newspaper that he had spoken by phone with Putin to discuss an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and that the Russian president had told him that he “wants to see an end to the killing.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the state-run TASS news agency that he could neither confirm nor deny that the talks had taken place, but that he was not aware of any such contact. “What can I say about this? As the administration in Washington expands its work, there are multiple contacts. These contacts are being made through different channels,” he said. “Of course, given these multiple contacts, I personally cannot know anything. Therefore, in this case, I cannot confirm or deny it.” Peskov has repeatedly denied reports of contacts between Trump and Putin before the US president returns to power. The Kremlin said it was waiting for “signals” about a possible meeting between Trump and Putin and that no one in the new Trump administration had contacted it to arrange it. In addition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused his Russian counterpart of strengthening the Russian military force to continue the war against Ukraine. Zelensky said via the X platform: “Intelligence reports confirm that Russia is forming new divisions and developing new facilities for military production.” He added: “Their cooperation with North Korea will continue to expand. Moscow is also spreading modern warfare technologies in the region, especially drone technologies.” “This means one simple thing. Putin is preparing not for negotiations or peace, but for continuing the war, and not just blocking Ukraine,” he explained. Zelensky pointed out that they are now increasing their army by more than 100,000 soldiers. Zelensky said that every country in Europe must strengthen its defenses. It was not clear what information Zelensky was referring to regarding the strengthening of Russian forces. He explained that Ukraine could share its results. He added that communication with partners is already taking place through intelligence channels. Zelensky said that Kyiv wants its allies to invest in its mineral resources after US President Donald Trump asked Ukraine to provide “rare minerals” as collateral in exchange for US military support. “We have mineral resources. But that does not mean we give them to anyone, even to strategic partners,” Zelensky said in a social media post, which included answers he gave during an interview. “This is about partnership. Put your money in. Invest. Let’s develop this sector together and make money,” the Ukrainian president said. “We look forward to reaching a deal with Ukraine where they will put their rare earths and other things in collateral for what we give them,” Trump said this week. Ukraine has “trillions of dollars” of wealth, Zelensky said, citing titanium and uranium reserves he described as the largest in Europe. He said it was very important for Ukraine to keep all this because these resources represented “security guarantees,” stressing that he did not want these resources to fall into Russian hands.

Al-Burhan: Formation of a “war government” to complete the tasks of the transition

Khartoum – DPA

The head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council in Sudan, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Rahan, announced on Saturday the formation of a “caretaker government or a war government” during the coming period. The Sudan Tribune newspaper quoted al-Rahan as saying during a meeting with political forces in the city of Port Sudan, “The coming period will witness the formation of a government to complete the tasks of the transition, and this government can be called a caretaker government or a war government,” according to a statement issued by the media. Sovereignty Council, and added, “The purpose of this government is to assist the state in completing the remaining military work, which is to cleanse all of Sudan of rebels,” noting that the next government will be made up of independent national competencies. Al-Rahan stressed that the next political phase will not accommodate any political forces that still support the Rapid Support Forces, which are waging a war against the Sudanese army. He said in this context, “We do not antagonize people because of their opinions, and any person has the right to speak against and criticize the regime, but he does not have the right to destroy the homeland and undermine its principles. We welcome anyone who raises his hand against the aggressors and sides with the national honor.” He placed the bet on not negotiating with the Rapid Support Forces, saying, “No negotiation with the rebels, and if the rebels expand their arms and leave the homes of citizens and civilian dignitaries, then we can talk to them.” The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been waging a war since mid-April 2023 that has left 29,683 dead. He added, “Some people offered us a ceasefire in Ramadan with the aim of facilitating the delivery of aid to the city of El Faser, but we confirmed that we will not accept a ceasefire in light of the siege imposed by the terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia on the city,” the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan. He continued, “The ceasefire must be followed by a withdrawal from Khartoum, West Kordofan and Darfur states, and the gathering of forces in specific centers.” The betting releases coincide with significant progress by the Sudanese army in the fight against the Rapid Support Forces, especially in the states of Al-Jazeera and Khartoum. For its part, the Sudanese army announced that it had regained control of a major sector in the capital, Khartoum, which put its opponents, the Rapid Support Forces, in a dilemma. The Kafouri area, located in Khartoum North (Bahri) State, had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, when war broke out between these two rival forces, leaving thousands of victims, displacing 12 million people, and causing a major humanitarian crisis. “Our forces, along with allied units, completed the cleansing of the Abu Gota area and areas in East Nile and Kafouri from the remnants of Daglo’s terrorist militias on Friday,” Sudanese army spokesman Nabil Abdullah said in a statement, referring to Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, nicknamed “Hemeti.” The area, which is one of the richest areas in Khartoum and is home to one million people, is a stronghold for the Rapid Support Forces. Abdel Rahim Daglo, the brother of the Rapid Support Forces commander and his deputy, was living there. The operation brings the army closer to regaining full control of Bahri, where about a million people live. The army has launched its offensive on Bahri in recent weeks, pushing the Rapid Support Forces back toward the coast. Bahri, along with Omdurman and the city center to the south, forms greater Khartoum. The army, which was on the defensive at the beginning of the war under the leadership of Abdel Fattah al-Rahan, has been advancing for several weeks in the capital against the forces of its former ally. Amnesty International has expressed concern about possible reprisals in areas that have recently been retaken by regular forces. The NGO stressed that it was working to verify its authenticity, and provided information that spoke of “lists of names of politicians, judges, human rights defenders, and medical and humanitarian workers, accused of being partners of the Rapid Support Forces.” In Khartoum’s southern belt, the Rapid Support Forces arrested two members of a Sudanese network of first responders at Al-Basir Hospital, the last partially functioning facility in the area, the network said in a statement. Local medics said Thursday that the Rapid Support Forces arrested the hospital director, the director of a soup kitchen and a volunteer. Last week, the UN Human Rights Council estimated that at least 18 civilians had been killed in Bahri since the army advanced at the end of January.

The Literature Authority organizes “Jazan for Books” and highlights the heritage of the place

Riyadh – Today’s Culture

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Authority organizes the first edition of the Jazan Book Fair
2025 during the period from February 11-17
as part of the activities of the “Jazan Winter” season, 25
at the “Prince Sultan Cultural Center”,
as part of the “Saudi Book Fairs” initiative,
one of the Authority’s strategic initiatives through which it works to expand the establishment of book fairs in the Kingdom, describing them as cultural windows that bring together literary makers Publishing and translation

From local and international institutions and companies

With readers and interested parties.

The CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Authority, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Wasel, explained that “Jazan Book Fair 2025 comes within the Authority’s efforts to enhance the cultural movement in the Kingdom and achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, by spreading the values of knowledge and creativity, and stimulating the local publishing industry. We also seek to shed light on the rich cultural heritage of the Jazan region. Jazan Book Fair 2025 witnesses the participation of major local, regional and Arab publishing houses, and includes a diverse cultural program. It includes a special area for discounted books and a special area for children that offers cultural programs for this age group in the fields of writing, composition, illustration, and animation, in addition to various interactive and cultural activities. The exhibition also offers more than 250 diverse activities, including many lectures, seminars, and workshops, held by a number of specialists from inside and outside the Kingdom, distributed through the theater, the children’s area, and the handicrafts area. In celebration of the Year of Handicrafts, the Jazan Book Fair 2025 has prepared a special area for For handicrafts; a nomination for the status of handicrafts as a cultural heritage, and to enhance their practice, promotion, acquisition, documentation of their stories, and their presence in our contemporary life. The Jazan Book Fair 2025 is the first of the exhibitions that will be organized by the General Authority for Literature, Publishing and Translation this year, after a series of previous exhibitions that included the Madinah Exhibition in August, the Riyadh Exhibition in October, and the Jeddah Exhibition in December of last year. It is worth noting that the Jazan Book Fair 2025 will open its doors to visitors daily from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM, except Friday from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

The Ministry of Culture participates in the “LEAP 2025” conference
Riyadh – Cultural

The Ministry of Culture participates in the “LEAP 2025” conference, which is being held during the period from February 9 to 12, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh, under the slogan “Towards New Horizons,” as it is a strategic partner for this event. The Ministry’s participation is represented by a pavilion that hosts a digital environment that allows users to experience many cultural activities and landmarks around the Kingdom. The pavilion also showcases the Ministry’s most prominent initiatives in using modern technologies to highlight Saudi culture and enhance digital transformation in the cultural sector. The Ministry’s participation will witness the launch of two digital platforms for Saudi libraries and cultural learning, with the aim of enhancing access to knowledge and culture for all segments of society in the Saudi digital theater. During its participation, the Ministry will also sign a memorandum of understanding with Oracle Systems Limited, which reflects the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing innovation in the cultural field through advanced digital solutions technologies. This participation comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Culture to support digital transformation in the cultural sector, and to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a center for creativity and cultural innovation, in addition to harnessing modern technologies to highlight Saudi culture locally and globally.

The Foundation publishes a book about the pottery pieces discovered in Tayma. Riyadh – Cultural Foundation

The King Abdulaziz Foundation has published a new book entitled “The Colored Pottery of Tayma: A Comparative Artistic Study,” authored by Dr. Samar bint Muhammad Al-Nofal. The book deals with the study of pottery pieces discovered in the city of Tayma, north of the Kingdom. These pieces date back to the second millennium BC, and their number is 307 pieces, varying between jars, plates, bowls, incense burners, vases, and urns. The book also reviews the types of decorations that adorn these pieces, including geometric, plant, animal, and human designs, while explaining the methods of coloring these pieces with basic colors such as black, red, and brown, and the variety of The terracotta used in decoration ranges from fine to medium and high. The book includes several chapters, descriptive, classification, analytical and comparative, and presents the results of the manifestation of the cultural and civilizational identity of the Kingdom through these pottery pieces, which contributes to enhancing our understanding of the ancient history of the nation and its heritage.

Jeddah – Ebtisam Shaqdar
In a move that reflects the growing interest in cinematic culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

Art Jameel, the independent organization that supports artists and creative communities, has announced its cooperation with the Saudi Film Commission to launch the “Hayy Classics” program, which celebrates the history of cinema in Jeddah through a series of open-air cinema screenings, along with various cultural events.

The program was held in the “Hayy Jameel” square in Jeddah during the period from January 29 to February 2, 2025, organized by “Hayy Cinema,” one of the first independent cinemas in the Kingdom, and witnessed a large audience turnout, as tickets were completely sold out.

The program provided a unique experience through which it reviewed the history of cinema in Jeddah, through a selection of films shown using old original screening equipment, including 35mm and 16mm devices that were used in “Cinema Jamjoom”, the first public cinema in Saudi Arabia, which continued to operate from the 1960s until the early 1980s. This equipment was preserved thanks to the efforts of Jamil Mahjab, one of the most prominent pioneers in preserving the Saudi cinematic heritage, who began his professional career at Jamjoom Cinema. The program also included screenings of classic international and Arab films in several languages, including Arabic, English, French, and Hindi, such as: “The Alphabet” (1965) by director Jean-Luc Godard, “The Jungle Book 2” (2003) by director Steve Trenberth, “The Collapse” (1982) by directors Ahmed Al-Shabawi and Malek Andrews, “Grace” (1978) by director Randall Kleiser, and “My Elephant Friend” (1971) by director Manmohan Deshai. The program hosted a discussion session entitled “Immortal Treasures: The Importance of Archiving Physical Media,” moderated by Jamil Mahjab, where he discussed the importance of preserving the Kingdom’s cinematic heritage. “Classics Hayy” took the audience back to the atmosphere of “Cinema Al Ahwas,” which was famous in Jeddah during the early 1960s, when communities gathered together to enjoy a vibrant mix of international and Arab films. Zahra Ait Al Jamar, Director of “Cinema Hayy” at Art Jameel, expressed her happiness with the great turnout for the “Classics Hayy” program, saying: “We were touched by the audience’s warm welcome of the program, as all tickets were fully booked, which reflects the deep passion for cinema in Jeddah, which It began in the 1960s, and we are very grateful for the cooperation with the Saudi Film Commission in this exceptional experience that our community witnessed.” She added: “Through this event, we sought to revive memories of traditional cinema and provide an integrated artistic experience that reflects the city’s rich cinematic history, and brings people together to celebrate the memories and stories that shaped the community’s relationship with cinema.” The event witnessed the attendance of more than 600 people over five days, as the outdoor cinematic screenings added an exceptional experience, combining nostalgia and entertainment, and creating an unforgettable atmosphere under the stars. Through this event, “Cinema Hay” continues its commitment to be a leading platform for cinema lovers, combining viewing, learning, and cultural exchange, providing an enjoyable experience that keeps pace with the aspirations of the audience in the Kingdom. The films in the Classic Hay program were: Te Jungle
)Book 2 (2003) Running time: 1 hour and 12 minutes Director: Steve Trenberth Country: United States of America Year: 2003 Language: Dubbed into Arabic Subtitles: Not available Genre: Music, Animation, Family Summary: Mowgli stands at a crossroads, torn between living in the village or the jungle and missing his old friends. He discovers that Sher Khan is stalking him and plotting revenge. He decides to face the threat with the help of his family and friends.

Topped social media.

Najwa Karam sings Dabke and falls on the Amsterdam stage

Riyadh – Today’s Culture

A musical night full of joy, presented by the Lebanese artist Najwa Karam in the Dutch capital

Amsterdam, as part of her artistic tour that includes a number of Arab and foreign cities, which was held in the most prestigious theaters in Amsterdam.

The “HET” concert hall witnessed a large turnout, as all tickets for the concert were sold out days before its launch.

Najwa Karam topped the “trend” of social media sites yesterday, where she presented a diverse bouquet of her old and new songs, which sparked great interaction from the audience from various Arab communities in Europe, who came from different European cities and capitals. The artist appeared in an elegant look that added a touch of splendor to her distinctive performance that dazzled everyone. The most prominent moments that were popular during the concert were her falling on the stage while performing the Dabke with the percussion band, as the audience interaction at the concert, as well as social media sites, was majestic, but Najwa Karam returned to continue the traditional Lebanese Dabke tunes, as Najwa asked the band and the audience to continue singing and Dabke, with her participation once again, which created an enthusiastic atmosphere, to confirm Najwa Karam once again her position as one of the most prominent Arab artists who attract audiences in various parts of the world

RIYADH – Lina Al-Saed
The Red Sea Fund, affiliated with the Red Sea Film Foundation,

announced the opening of applications to support post-production film projects, starting from Thursday, February 6 to 27, 2025, as part of its first round this year. The Fund also revealed the expansion of its support to include promising cinematic voices from the Asian continent for the first time, in addition to its ongoing support for projects from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and the African continent. This step comes as a confirmation of the Red Sea Film Foundation’s continuous efforts to support and empower promising cinematic talents from different cultures, providing them with financial support that enables them to complete their cinematic projects and showcase their narratives to the world. The first round of the Red Sea Fund aims to support projects that have completed the filming phase, by offering direct financial grants that enable filmmakers to complete their cinematic projects. To highlight the captivating narratives from the Asian continent, the first round aims to support projects that have completed the filming phase, offering financial grants that will enable them to reach the final version of the work. Support includes feature films, documentaries, or animation films. Commenting on this topic, Emad Iskandar, Director of the Red Sea Film Fund, said: “The Red Sea Fund supports projects in various stages and cycles, and provides financial grants that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of applicants. Our expansion into Asia reflects our commitment to supporting emerging talents of filmmakers and creative ideas around the world, providing them with the means to contribute to delivering their voices to the world.” Since its launch in 2021, the Red Sea Fund has supported more than 280 films, and many of the works supported by the Fund have won several international awards over the past years at various film festivals. It is worth noting that the first session in 2025 is open to a group of post-production projects, including fiction films, documentaries, or feature-length animated films (60 minutes or more).

Ahood Al-Nafie: “My mother” drew a roadmap for my success
Jeddah – Salah Al-Sharif

She faced the challenge and triumphed, she did not wait for the opportunity to come to her, but rather she sought it to excel and triumph with her diligence, determination and ambition. Ahood Al-Nafie is a Saudi woman who achieved her ambitions and aspirations in a short period of time, until she became an influential media figure and a star theatrical actress, at the same time. In an interview with “Al-Riyadh”, Ahoud Al-Nafie talked about her journey and aspirations for the future. Here is the interview: * Tell us about your entry into the media field? – My entry into the media field was not an easy matter, as I faced many challenges. This is how it really began, but thanks to God and His grace, I found the support and guidance I needed to move forward, starting with my mother, and then from Professor Salem Al-Qahtani, my first supporter in this journey, as he gave me the confidence and support that enabled me to take my first steps in the world of media.
My actual start was when I joined Rotana Khalijiya Channel, which was a major turning point in my professional life, as I learned a lot, and gained essential experiences that enhanced my media skills and enabled me to continue and develop in this field.

You have experiences on the stage, how were they? And who supported you? – My entry into the world of theater was a distinctive station in my artistic career, as I had the opportunity to participate in several theatrical works, the most prominent of which was the play “The Mall Boy,” which witnessed the participation of an elite group of stars, headed by Abdulaziz Al-Sakrin and Ajiba Al-Dosari. I found the play to be a huge audience interaction, which strengthened my passion for this art, and confirmed to me the extent of its profound impact in conveying artistic and social messages. My experience with this would not have happened without the support of producer Fahad Al-Hosani, who played a fundamental role in encouraging me and giving me the opportunity to enter this field, which added a lot of experience to me in theatrical performance and direct interaction with the audience. * Will this be the beginning of an upcoming artist? – I believe that in the next stage I will try a new experience in the world of media and art, yes.. It may be difficult but it will not be impossible and I always feel inspired by His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman “may God protect him” and that the impossible is not Saudi, the summit accommodates everyone, and I have a deep belief that success does not come to those who wait for the opportunity but to those who seek to achieve it.
After presenting and theater, Ahoud is preparing to enter the cinema, tell us about this experience? – The field of acting in general has been a passion of mine since I was young, and I aspire to be a prominent figure in this field. Currently, I am preparing to have a new and distinctive experience through a movie that will be released soon. I expect, through my reading of the script and reviewing the details of the work, that it will be an unusual and different movie in the local cinema industry. * What do you say in your last word? – I say to every Saudi girl: Do not let any challenge limit your ambition and aspirations, do not be apprehensive about the experiences and methods of different fields, whether in the media, art, or every field you dreamed of. Today, the opportunity has come before you, be responsible, have a loud voice, an amazing presence, and a real addition. Trust yourself, and strive to develop your skills, for the future is a wide space that can accept everything that is creative

Ahmed Al-Harmi sings in “Wadi Bil-Nisyan”
Riyadh – Today’s Culture

From the prices of the matter Faisal bin Turki bin Nasser Al Saud “the former president of Al-Nasr Club,”
the artist Ahmed Al-Harmi presented his latest single song titled “Wadi Bil-Nisyan,”
on “YouTube” and all platforms specialized in presenting digital songs,
presenting with his voice and deep feelings a distinctive lyrical work, the poet was creative in writing its new idea, which carries sublime meanings of the strength of great love and its refusal to forget despite separation,
as its opening says:
If only forgetting Love is in my hands..
If only my heart that I forgot would forget you.
My heart has allied with you, my dear..
You left me, but your love did not leave me.
The song “Wadi Bel Nesyan” carries a special touch in romantic songs. Its aesthetics were completed by the music distributor Zaid Nadeem, using musical instruments and rhythms that touch the soul.
Sound engineer Jassim Mohammed did the mix and mastering of the song. This collaboration between the eminent poet Faisal bin Turki bin Nasser Al Saud and the artist Ahmed Al Harmi comes after a group of songs that achieved great success, sung by a group of the most important stars of Gulf and Arab singing. The latest of these was the song “Nasi Al Ajmal” sung by the artist Rashid Al Majed, the song “Take My Eyes” sung by the artist Majed Al Mohandes, and another song sung by the artist Umaima Talib, titled “Sa’at Menak,” all of which are characterized by deep feelings, nostalgia, and imprisonment. Through Rotana’s official YouTube channel, the song “Wadi Bel Nesyan” was released with a video produced by Ahmed Al-Harmi. Immediately after its release, it began to achieve views, amidst a lot of admiration expressed by the audience through comments about the song, its feelings and emotions that touched their hearts.

In a Moment.. The Dividing Line at the Doors of Ramadan
Riyadh – Today’s Culture

Yesterday, the advertisements for the new series “In a Moment” were launched, which is the latest production of “TOD Studios”, as it combines romance and revenge. This will be over the course of “30” episodes, to be shown next Ramadan.
The series reveals the dividing line between love and hatred, as a single moment of betrayal leads to a series of accelerating events. As feelings and loyalties are tested, the desire for justice intertwines with the sneeze for revenge, leading to the uncovering of secrets that change the fate of the heroes who embody a story full of greed, deception, power struggles, marketed events, complex characters and unexpected twists. The series “In a Moment” combines drama, romance and excitement, presenting a unique offering that the audience cannot get enough of. “Fi Lahza” will be exclusively screened on TOD during the month of Ramadan, as a distinctive addition to the list of productions, “TOD Studios” continues to provide exceptional Arabic content to viewers in the Middle East and North Africa. It is worth noting that the series “Fi Lahza” includes a group of stars, led by Ahmed Fahmy and Marna Nour El-Din, in addition to Naglaa Badr, Edward, Safaa El-Toukhi, and others, and is written by Hessam Helal Wahbi and directed by Ahmed Khaled

“By Blood” is Maguy Abu Ghosn’s Ramadan series
Riyadh – Today’s Culture

After a long wait, the hashtag “By Blood” series has topped the list of the most interactive on “X” platform in recent days, as “Eagle Films”, produced by Jamal Sinan, has finally revealed the first promotional posters for the series, which stars a group of Lebanese drama stars. The series “Blood” embodies stories from the heart of reality and inspired by true stories, under the direction of director Philippe Asmar and written by Nadine Jaber. The work includes a large group of stars, including Maguy Abu Ghosn, Bassem Mughniyeh, Badih Abu Sakra, Jesse Abdo, Wissam Fares, Julia Qassar, Carole Abboud, Rafiq Ali Ahmed and others. It will be shown during the holy month of Ramadan on the Shahid platform and the “MTV” station.

The miraculous revenge in our folk tales..

Badah Al-Subaie

Abdulkarim Al-Juhaiman

Mohammed Al-Aboudi

Many folk tales warn us of the danger of harming or killing a type of snake called “Al-Rashood,” as the people of this snake can never give up seeking revenge and shedding the blood of its killer.

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Aboudi pointed out that there are many tales about this creature, and he mentioned that it is a snake from the jinn that lives at the water source, and that if they kill Al-Rashood, “its people from the jinn will harm them or their relatives.” Professor Suleiman Al-Tami described to us in the series (Shawalif Al-Majalis) Al-Rashid as a huge, black snake that makes a terrifying hiss like a calf, and he narrated a story to confirm the seriousness of attacking it, and he imagined the tragic Marshal of the reckless traveler who dared to enter his cave near the water and kill it in order to make his camel suffer. After he killed him by making him drink dinner and then slaughtering him with a knife, his companions were angry and rebuked him, saying: “May God spare you the evil of what you have done.” After they had traveled a distance, they stopped to rest and sleep, and their companion moved away from them with his camel. Only a few moments later, they heard his cries calling for help. When they reached him, “they found him dead, along with his camel, and their bodies had been torn to pieces. The companions were terrified by the horror of the scene.” When they did not find any trace of footprints, they realized that the ones who had done this to him and his camel were the people of Al-Rashid. The revenge of the Rashad family was not an attack motivated by evil and bloodshed, but rather a vengeful reaction and a shield to protect the sons of the jinn from the reckless human community. The narrator of the story referred to what happened to the water after the killing of the Rashad; it became polluted and its smell changed after it had been “pure and pure, benefiting passersby.” The myth of “satiation” is one of the popular superstitious beliefs associated with the fear of revenge from snakes and vipers. Professor Mufrij Al-Sayed wrote in (Badr and Wadi Al-Safara: Customs, Traditions, Tales and Memories) that when they kill a snake or a viper, they say: “Bury it and satiate it,” and he explained that satiation is “burying with it a satiation of small pebbles, and they say that if it is satiated, no other creature will come to take revenge on it.” In another place in his book (Kalimat Qast), Al-Aboudi pointed out the existence of other creatures, other than the Rashid, which are commonly believed by the public to be jinn, and which should never be harmed or killed for fear of revenge. They believe that the “al-Sha’udah,” which is “a black creature with white spots on its skin from the chameleon species,” is a jinn, and therefore they “forbid their children from killing it for fear of revenge from its jinn family.”

The Revenge of the King of the Jinn

Folk tales sometimes depict the jinn as rational and patient in taking revenge on human aggressors. In a story told by Sheikh Abdul Karim al-Juhayman entitled (The Man Who Was Ruled by the Jinn), a man named “Muhammad” gets involved in killing a black dog, not knowing that he is the son of a just king of the jinn who appeared before him in the form of a dog. The dog kept jumping back to his farm and wreaking havoc, so he drew his bow and mentioned the name of God three times, then shot him with an arrow that killed him. While he was sleeping, he felt himself descending to the seventh earth, where he was guarded by jinn who took him to a king of the jinn. The Muslims, so the king told him that the killed dog was his son, and he addressed him: “I have brought you to be tried in a Sharia court. It was possible to pardon you, but this young man whom you killed has relatives. If I had let his blood go in vain, they would have been able to say all sorts of things about me.” Then he ordered the guards to send him to the court, and on his way he saw terrifying forms of jinn, and heard their angry chants demanding revenge: “Kill him, tear him apart, burn him.” In court, the indictment was read to him, demanding that he be killed by shooting arrows. He defended himself and told the judge the story of the jinn’s attack until he reached a crucial point that the narrator emphasized, which is that he sought refuge in God from the jinn and mentioned the name of God several times before killing him. After summoning witnesses and confirming the veracity of his words, the judge ruled that he was innocent and returned to Earth. Muhammad would not have been destined to escape the jinn’s revenge had it not been for two things that the story emphasizes: The first is that the murdered man was a just Muslim jinn, and the failure to apply Islamic law by bringing the murderer to trial and resorting to the Islamic system of retribution instead of pre-Islamic revenge. The second is that the murderer mentioned God before killing the aggressive black dog, and this includes a sermon and a reminder from the narrator of the importance of mentioning God before undertaking any action or killing any creature.

Threads of Revenge

In another story, written by Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Juhayman in his book (Popular Myths from the Heart of the Arabian Peninsula), the crow indirectly helps the brother of the kidnapped woman in finding the location of the treacherous slave and taking revenge on him. After committing his crime of killing all the relatives of the woman he loved, as he killed her father, husband and six children, he kidnaps her and flees with her to a remote place, taking her husband’s camels with him. No one was spared from his treachery except the woman’s brother, who was out on one of his raids. Upon his return, he saw something that did not please him and concluded what had happened to his relatives, so he began the journey of searching for His opponent and his kidnapped sister. As for the slave, he lived in an isolated place between high mountains, while the woman surrendered to her fate with him. Nothing could reach their place except a black crow that would come and take from the camels’ hair and fly to an unknown place. The slave tried to hunt it down and kill it, but it did not obey. During the search trip, the brother passed by a people living on the slopes of a mountain, spinning black wool. He felt that it was an old woman who was spinning from the camels’ hair. When he asked her, she told him that it had been taken from a crow’s nest behind the mountains. By observing the crow, he was able to determine the location of the treacherous slave and kill him in agreement with his sister. Here the crow helps, indirectly, to discover the location of the perpetrator and take revenge on him, as he first carried the evidence: the camel’s hair to his nest, so that the old woman could take him to a place where the hero of the story could reach it and pick up the thread that would lead him to revenge. If we want to be precise, the wanderer performed one of the functions of the storyteller in the strange tales, which is to place, by means of the crow, a sign that led the hero to his goal.

The two-state solution has a high price.. but Palestine is worth it
Dr. Ali Al-Khushaiban

The two-state solution, no matter how high its price is at the regional or international level, is considered the least tense point, because the alternative is a regional conflict in which Israel could be a party forced to engage in military operations that threaten the Israeli existence

Since the events of October 7, 2023, until today, the extent of the changes has become impossible to predict. Those who see the new Middle East are divided in their thoughts and ambitions into two groups. The first group is Israel and those who support it, especially in America, who see the idea of the new Middle East as an opportunity that will lead to settling the Palestinian issue by undermining the rights of the Palestinians and removing them from the international equation, and moving from the stage of occupation to the stage of expansion. The second group is the Middle Eastern countries that have the right to determine the fate of the region, as these countries, led by Saudi Arabia, set a single condition that deserves what is paid for it. Of the prices,

This condition is the establishment of a Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders.

The idea of the new Middle East is an idea that is being redefined according to the values of the region and not according to the standards of the occupation. Israel must realize that any ambition that exceeds the standards of Palestinian rights will be disappointed, and no matter what Israel claims of its democratic purity and strength in the region, it must understand that the Middle East is not a game for its ambitions and wishes.

The heart of the Middle East is the Palestinian issue, and Israel realizes that the political structure in the Middle East, despite its diversity and ideological and ethnic differences, agrees on one fact: Palestine and its right to an independent state. The opportunity for Israel is to invest in the moderate political structures in the Middle East that demand a Palestinian state, because the alternative to these moderate structures will be extremist structures that seek to start war. The existence of an independent Palestinian state enjoys international support that Israel cannot confront. The transformations that the Middle East region has witnessed during the past two years have changed the criteria for viewing this issue or any attempt to obscure its features. What should worry Israel is that the Palestinian right has become a fundamental pillar in the international strategy defended by major countries that have value in the international balance. This means that the influence of America, the main supporter of Israel, may decline towards a minimal framework when the major countries intersect in the Middle East region. Also, any attempt to undermine stability in this The region through pressure on the countries of the region, especially those surrounding Israel, will lead to chaos and instability.

There is no possibility that guarantees that the conflict between Israel and Hamas or the residents of the West Bank will not be renewed. Israel realizes that the points of tension and destabilization are open and multiplying and will not recede unless Israel listens to the narrative of a moderate state like Saudi Arabia, which insists that the solution to the Palestinian issue lies in the two-state solution. This solution, no matter how high its price is on the regional or international level, is considered the least tense point because the alternative is a regional conflict in which Israel could be a party that is forced to engage in military operations that threaten the Israeli existence. Israel may find itself receptive to a political path that holds it and its actions accountable on the part of America, whose strategies are gradually changing in holding its allies accountable. Even if this idea seems unlikely at present, America’s historical development and the decline of its international role make this idea likely to happen. The American interior is rearranging its strategies, even if this is happening slowly, but it is coming. The commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab and Islamic state, towards Palestine is a historic commitment that cannot be renounced and is a strategic pillar of Saudi policy that has not been interrupted since the first moment of the occupation of Palestine. This position will not change simply because of the increase in American support for Israel. Saudi Arabia, through its diplomatic approach and its regional and international positions, realizes that long-term regional stability must outweigh political interests by paying the high price of accepting the idea of Palestinian rights and establishing a Palestinian state.

The story that Israel must realize is that the Palestinian issue will continue to erupt, as it is a volcano as deep as the history of its people, and the future of this issue reappears with every crisis. Stability is linked to the two-state solution, otherwise the issue will return with every crisis to the circle of interest. Israel, no matter how stable its internal situation is and how much external support it receives, its practices against the Palestinians constitute an existential threat to it, and the Israeli leadership realizes the state of shock and lack of confidence left by the events of October 7. The two-state solution requires major concessions, and no matter how painful these concessions are for Israel, they are required to achieve stability. There is no alternative but to repeat models from other years of conflict, accompanied by competition and hostility with the parties of the region. The region’s message to Israel is that the expected Palestinian state is worth paying its political, economic and geographical price, and there is no clear vision for resolving this issue other than the two-state solution.

Saudi political satire against Trump.. Palestine is our central issue
Khaled bin Ali Al-Mutairi

Trump and others who are trying to impose new perceptions on the Palestinian issue must understand that the Kingdom will not change its positions, but rather they have become clearer and more influential; Because its equation, which has not changed, is based on the fact that there is no solution without an independent Palestinian state, no concession of legitimate rights, and no peace without ending the occupation. Since US President Donald Trump announced the idea of his plan to displace the residents of Gaza, empty it of its people, and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” – as he likes to call it – the Saudi response came from the highest political hierarchy, decisive and swift, based on decades of steadfastness in the Kingdom’s position on the Palestinian issue, which has never been subject to compromise or submission to pressure or political outbidding. Saudi Arabia, as the Arab and Islamic heartland, has not and will not trade in the issues of the nation, foremost among which is the Palestinian issue. This position is not a recent development, but rather its roots extend back to the founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman – may God bless his soul – who stressed in his international meetings that Palestinian rights are a red line, passing through the positions of King Faisal, which established Saudi Arabia as one of the most prominent defenders of Palestine, and not ending with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reaffirm the same constants, with greater clarity in the speech, and greater strictness in confronting international outbidding. Trump’s statement regarding the displacement of the people of Gaza came within a series of proposals that deal with the Palestinian issue as a negotiating file that can be modified according to international political interests. This proposal is not accepted in Riyadh, so it did not take long for the Saudi response to come quickly, starting with the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and reaching direct and explicit speeches and positions issued by Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In his speech during the opening of the first year of the ninth session of the Advisory Council (September 2024), the Crown Prince clearly stressed that there will be no diplomatic relations with the occupying state without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, stressing that the Palestinian issue is not a special file subject to pressure or political bargaining. Prince Mohammed also reaffirmed this position at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh (November 2024), when he called on the international community to recognize Palestine as a full member state in the United Nations, a move that angered some international parties, but reflects the Kingdom’s advanced political position on this issue.

What distinguishes our political position here in Riyadh is the transition from traditional diplomatic discourse to a more sharp and clear political discourse in the face of projects that aim to liquidate the Palestinian issue. In the past, the Kingdom focused on balanced diplomatic positions, but today it does not hesitate to confront directly when it comes to the fate of Palestine. Perhaps the statements of Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former Saudi ambassador to America and Britain, are a clear example of this deliberate escalation, which he expressed explicitly in his interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour at the end of last week, and his comment on what US President Donald Trump said regarding his plan in Gaza, noting that this came “out of the blue,” while stressing at the same time that it is based “on the Israeli position on ethnic cleansing.” This shift in discourse reflects Saudi Arabia’s awareness of the magnitude of the challenges facing the Palestinian cause, and the need to adopt a stronger tone in confronting attempts to redraw the map of the Middle East at the expense of Palestinian rights. What some politicians in the West in general do not realize is that Saudi Arabia is not only an influential state in the regional equation, but it is the cornerstone of the Arab and Islamic political balance. From this standpoint, any attempt to reformulate the Middle East equation, without taking its position into account, is an attempt doomed to failure. During the reign of King Salman and his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh strengthened its position as a pivotal player in major issues, not only at the Arab level, but also in international political circles. What we are witnessing today is its transformation into a solid and influential voice that does not yield to pressures and does not accept policies that impose fait accompli on the Palestinians.

Trump and others who are trying to impose new visions on the Palestinian issue must understand that the Kingdom will not change its positions, but rather have become clearer and more influential. Because its equation, which has not changed, is based on “there is no solution without an independent Palestinian state, no concession of legitimate rights, and no peace without ending the occupation.” The liars do not imagine that these are flashy slogans for local and regional consumption, but rather established facts on the ground, and Saudi policy was – and still is – clear as the sun at noon, which is: Palestine is not a negotiating chip, but a central issue that will not change, no matter how international policies change. May you be well.

Trump’s storm does not exclude anyone
Dr. Fayez bin Abdullah Al-Shahri

US President Trump is the only elected president among world leaders in the modern era who says what he wants and announces what he believes without diplomatic evasion or legal considerations, and then his team comes to adapt his statements and decisions in light of the law and international considerations as much as they can. That is why almost all allies and neighbors have had their share of the storm of statements and decisions that Trump has launched in a confusing manner, which amounted to about 60 executive decisions in about 18 days since the beginning of his presidency on January 20, 2025. In addition to his presidential decision on his first day in the Oval Office, whereby he canceled 91 executive orders issued by his predecessor “Biden”.
This storm of decisions, although it seemed exceptional in the history of American presidents in terms of number, time, and impact, was not surprising from Trump, as he pledged before his inauguration to sign 100 executive orders on his first day in office. Perhaps the most prominent title of this series of statements and executive decisions by President Trump, according to his supporters, is to serve the interests of America (great again) and achieve the principle of “America First” represented in radically reshaping the government (corrupt from his point of view), restoring America’s position on the world stage, and having a (positive) impact on the daily lives of Americans in all American states. Despite all of this, many think that Trump is acting and reacting, but the truth is that Trump is working according to a coordinated agenda and plan developed by major institutions that serve the American right in all his terms. Perhaps the most prominent of these plans is the 2025 project, which Trump has played down in his campaigns, especially to attract independent voters and those who have lost hope in the Democrats. This massive project was presented by the Heritage Foundation, one of the most prominent right-wing think tanks in Washington. Even as Trump disavowed some of the controversial ideas in the project document, he appointed the most prominent people who developed the project in his new administration, such as: Russell Vought as head of the Office of Management and Budget, Peter Navarro as senior adviser for trade and manufacturing, Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Homan as a photographer responsible for the US border security file, and he also hired others from the same team in important positions. This document (Project 2025) sets four main political goals for the American administration: restoring the family as the center of American life, dismantling the administrative (deep) state, defending the nation’s sovereignty and borders, and securing the individual rights that God has given to those who live freely, according to the text of the document. Trump seems to be preoccupied with expanding American territory in the Western Hemisphere (and going to Mars), and his storm so far seems less gusty toward the major powers. Will this give China and Russia the freedom to command “spheres of influence” around them and keep economic competition alive? Is this a translation of his statement that “we will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars we end—and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never enter.” Or is Trump buying time to start first with rogue states – according to the American political description – such as Iran and North Korea, then devote himself to the Chinese dragon and reach an understanding with Moscow? He said and continued: Listen to the people of opinion, and know that the person with the information does not spoil the opinion’s issue.

Writing Perceptions and Their Consequences

The human mind deals with many texts, but how many meanings are settled in it?

Have writers ever wondered about the fate of their books on the shelves of readers’ homes, and how many feelings are stirred by their words. Writing is a tool, yes, but I fear that it will eventually become an end. I do not know if language is experiencing a moral defeat in the face of the encroachment of applications and technical penetrations of its delicate entity, at a time when the idea of error-free writing was a primary goal for texts. Today, reality speaks of texts devoid of feelings. Can we develop a vision of the standards of future writing? This is in

talking about the book in their mother tongue, what about the book in the second language? We are facing an upcoming age group, many of whom are bilingual? Are there common points between generations and their interests?

A quick look at the training and educational courses market reflects the scarcity of courses related to writing, while academic writing is considered a basic condition for professional success in many cultures,

I question the seriousness of this idea in the Arab context. Especially since integrity, with weak plagiarism checks, is absent among those who intrude on writing, along with many fallacies that I claim require a lot of institutional effort, not just individual effort, so writing in all its forms becomes more challenging with the increase in what must be talked about, known, or even repeated more than ever before. Content may seem to be the most valuable commodity in politics, media and education today, and cognitive boredom seems to creep in without us noticing, with the tendency to consume more than produce. Although social media is available and may not be as expensive as traditional media, the quality of readers is also evolving and their desires are the criterion for passing on ideas. A communication problem? Yes, the language of writing may be a stumbling block due to a negative tone or feeling that the writer consciously or spontaneously conveys. Therefore, the intelligent writer is the one who anticipates interpretations with clear language and a sober presence and does not give room for emotional and illogical guesses to undermine his idea. May you be well.

Saudi Coffee 2025
Maha Al-Wabel

Saudi coffee is an integral part of the Saudi heritage and culture. It is famous for its fragrant aroma and delicious bitter taste. We are proudly attached to everything Saudi in terms of history, culture, heritage, values, and many things that are from the depths of this country. Our connection to it has been increased by our knowledge of it and our belonging to it. The Saudi Coffee International Exhibition 2025 came to increase our pride and honor in everything related to our dear country, to get to know it more, to search for it, to market it, and to make it known to everyone, far and near. Here is Saudi coffee and coffee, whose fragrant aroma and distinctive taste are emanating from everyone. Tastes it, and for everyone who tries it, it is the goal of an international exhibition held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi coffee industry enjoys the support and attention of the wise leadership – may God protect it – as do all local industries that serve the local economy, and whose benefits may extend to serve the regional and global economy, as it is known that the coffee trade is a global trade in which the countries that produce it compete. The Strategic Office for the Development of the Region organized the Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2025 in the Al-Dayer bin Malik Governorate in the Jazan region, where coffee farmers met with cooperative societies, participating companies, productive families and craftsmen in an international exhibition in addition to a number of accompanying events and activities related to coffee cultivation, production and quality. All of the above contributes to introducing and exchanging experiences and activating this important industry. The Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2025 also enhances the Kingdom’s position as a producer of high-quality specialty coffee, and highlights the potential of Saudi coffee globally, with the participation of farmers from various regions of the Kingdom, including Jazan, Al-Baha, Asir, Rijal Al-Ama, and everything related to With this international exhibition, the Kingdom contributes to occupying a privileged position among producing countries. There are various local entities that care about Saudi coffee and cooperate for this local industry. The Strategic Office for the Development of Jazan, in cooperation with the Saudi Coffee Company, the Mountainous Areas Development Authority in Jazan, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch, and other entities that contribute to holding the Saudi Coffee International Exhibition annually, all of them do not hesitate for this international exhibition, one of the most important goals of which is to introduce Saudi coffee and also to promote and develop Saudi coffee in all mountainous governorates in order to develop and advance this important product, “Saudi coffee,” and to take it to the world. We follow with interest all the international exhibitions held in our beloved country to bring the Saudi product to the world and the International Coffee Exhibition which is held annually, and it is one of the most important exhibitions worthy of following; because of its great importance to us all and we wait for it annually.

Bono: Al-Hilal’s biggest opponent is Al-Hilal Al-Hilal

goalkeeper Yassin Bono considered his team’s draw against Samak to taste like a loss, expressing his confidence in the team’s return to the top of the Rosin League. Bono said in statements after the end of the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw: The draw is a result that does not express what Al-Hilal players presented in the match, especially in the first half, which could have ended with a comfortable result. The Al-Hilal goalkeeper added that Samak team has distinguished players on the offensive level, which contributed to their superiority in counterattacks. Bono expressed his confidence in regaining the lead, noting that the team does not feel pressure due to Al-Ittihad’s lead, while he stressed that Al-Hilal’s biggest opponent is Al-Hilal, according to him. Regarding winning the Best Goalkeeper Award in the Rossen League for the month of April, Bono said: This award is a crowning achievement for the team as a whole and gives him an incentive to continue to give his best for the team.

The world’s greatest and continent’s ambassador will resume training again this evening after the vacation granted by Portuguese coach Jesus to the players following the conclusion of the last league match against Samak, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Al-Hilal is preparing to face Al-Riyadh in the upcoming match. Jesus is expected to work on correcting the mistakes made by the players in the Samak match, in addition to addressing the negative control without reaching the opponent’s goal. In addition, it was confirmed that Brazilian referee Lodi is not ready to participate in the team’s next match against Al-Riyadh and also against Al-Wasl of the Emirates in the last round of the AFC Champions League for elite, at a time when Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al-Ali was announced as the referee for the match between Al-Hilal and its host Al-Wasl of the Emirates in the Asian qualifying event.

Green “under 20” raises the pace of preparation for the Asian

The national team under 20 years old yesterday Sunday began its training in Beijing, preparing for the competitions of the Asian Cup Under 20 years old 2025 in Beijing, which is scheduled to start next Wednesday.
The players under 20 years old yesterday evening performed their training session under the supervision of the Brazilian coach Marcos Soares and the technical staff, during which they applied fitness exercises, followed by a tactical training session.
The 20-year-old will continue his training on Monday evening in preparation for the Asian Championship in China. It is worth noting that the national team under 20 years old is in the second group in the 2025 AFC U-20 Championship, which includes the teams of Iraq, Jordan, and North Korea.

Al-Taawoun terminates the contract of its coach, Rodolfo

Al-Taawoun Club announced through the club’s official account that Argentine Rodolfo Arrubarrena is the coach of the first football team in Al-Sarqa, and the Al-Taawoun management assigned the training of the team to Mohammed Al-Abdali until the announcement of the contract with a new coach.

The statement published by the club on its account on the (Ex) platform read: “The Board of Directors decided to terminate the contractual relationship with the first team coach, Rodolfo Arrubarrena. The Board of Directors thanked the coach for his work at the club, wishing him success in his career. The Board of Directors entrusted the task of leading the technical team to the national coach, Mohammed Al-Abdali.” The decision of the Al-Sakri management to dismiss the team’s technical director, the Argentine Rodolfo Arrubarena, came after the team’s performance continued to expand since the Argentine took over the training duties and the fluctuation of levels and results from one match to another, which made the management finally announce the dismissal of the Argentine’s services after the loss in the last league match against Al-Ittihad, during which “Al-Sakri” did not present a good level.

The expected

From his punishment.

To that, the national coach Mohammed

Al-Abdali led the team’s training yesterday

Preparing to face the Qatari team next Wednesday in the Asian event,

Al-Abdali began the training session with a speech

During which he explained the technical approach in the coming days

And thanked the players for their efforts, wishing them success in the remaining events

Liverpool bid farewell to FA Cup

London – (dpa)

The struggling Plymouth Argyle team in the English Football League (Tsampion Sep),

made a heavy-caliber surprise, after knocking out Liverpool early from the English FA Cup.

Plymouth Argyle, who are at the bottom of the Tsampion Sep standings, won 1-0 over Liverpool, who are currently at the top of the English Premier League, in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Scot Ryan Hardy scored Plymouth Argyle’s only goal from a penalty kick Part of the 53rd minute of the match, which was held at Home Park Stadium. Liverpool paid the price for its negligence in the match, especially after its Dutch technical director, Arne Slot, decided to rest a number of its prominent stars, most notably the international Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, before the anticipated confrontation that awaits the Red Team against its host and traditional rival, Everton, next Wednesday, in a postponed match from the 15th round of the English Premier League. Liverpool seeks during this match to strengthen its lead in the championship, which has been absent for 4 seasons, in light of its distance by 6 points ahead of Their closest pursuers are Arsenal. The FA Cup is the first competition Liverpool have failed to win this season, a huge boost to the morale of their players, who were aiming to win four titles this season. In addition to currently topping the Premier League, Liverpool are also in the final of the English Football League Cup, where they face Newcastle United. Their comrades-in-arms have also reached the round of 16 of the Champions League, after topping the group stage of the continental competition.

Sports World
Sports and Marketing
Dr. Muqbil bin Jedaie
Ministry of Sports Wins

The Ministry of Sports announced that Alinma Bank has won the rights to name Al-Jawhara Stadium

to be called (Alinma Bank Stadium), with a contract worth 100 million riyals for five years at a rate of 20 million riyals annually. This deal is an activation of the activity of marketing the rights to name stadiums, and a reinforcement of the great boom that the Kingdom is witnessing in sports investment. This deal represents an important step in achieving one of the sports goals of Vision 2030, as these partnerships will contribute to the growth of the sports sector and enhance its financial sustainability. In sports marketing, stadium naming rights are considered one of the most prominent marketing strategies that achieve mutual benefits between sponsoring companies and stadium owners. These deals allow companies the opportunity to establish their brand among sports fans, while ensuring sustainable sources of income for clubs and sports federations that support their development. Stadium naming rights are commercial agreements whereby the sponsor obtains the right to name a sports stadium for a specific period of time in exchange for an agreed-upon sum of money. These deals are not just a name change, but include advertising and promotional privileges that help enhance the brand identity. There are many global examples in this field, the most prominent of which is Emirates Airlines’ sponsorship of Arsenal’s stadium, which became known as the Emirates Stadium, in a deal worth 100 million pounds over 15 years. There is also the sponsorship contract between Allianz Insurance and Bayern Munich, which made the stadium’s name (Allianz Arena) under this contract. The deal was worth 90 million euros, making “Allianz” a name synonymous with the famous stadium. Stadium naming rights achieve many benefits for both parties, as companies gain increased brand awareness and achieve fan loyalty. While the entities that own stadiums and their rights, such as clubs and federations, achieve huge revenues from these contracts, which finance development projects and reduce dependence on match tickets as a primary source of income, in addition to enhancing financial sustainability.

In conclusion:

Stadium naming rights are not just a logo displayed on the front of the stadium, but rather a strategic investment that reflects the strength of the brand, supports the development of sports and enhances financial sustainability.

Al-Hazem runner-up in front of Al-Taie.. and Al-Najma faces Al-Safa.. and Al-Ain hosts Neom

Al-Madinah – Saleh Al-Habishi

The confrontations of the 21st round of the Yelo First Division Professional League will start on Monday evening and evening with four strong confrontations between Al-Hazem and Al-Taie, while Al-Najma plays with Al-Safa, and in Al-Baha, Al-Ain faces Neom, and Jeddah meets its sword
Al-Batin.

Al-Hazem – Al-Taie

On its stadium in Al-Rass, Al-Hazem hosts its sword Al-Taie in one of the strongest confrontations of the round and the ambitions are close.

Before the match, Al-Hazem comes in first with 38 points after its recent victory over Al-Faisaly, while Al-Ta’ee has 33 points in sixth place after its victory over Al-Ain. Al-Hazem is led by the national coach Saleh Al-Muhammadi and features goalkeeper Ibrahim Zayed, French midfielder Abdelkrim Yoda, Senegalese striker Ibrahim Diaye and Algerian striker Akassa Hamzaoui. On the other hand, Saif Al-Taie is led by the Tunisian coach Mohamed Al-Kouki and features defender Bandar Wahsi, Romanian midfielder Kordia, Zambian Emmanuel Banda and Nigerian striker Leonardo Twamba. The two sides have previously met in 39 official matches, with Al-Hazem winning 14 times, compared to 15 victories for Al-Tai, and 10 matches ended in a draw. The first leg between the two sides ended with Al-Hazem winning 2-1. Najma – Al-Safa
At the Education Administration Stadium
(Unaizah) Najma plays with Al-Safa
In a meeting of varying ambitions between
Competition for the lead race
And staying away from danger zones, Najma
Has 33 points in fifth place,
And Al-Safa is in 15th place and has 21
Points, Najma is led by the Portuguese coach Mario Silva and in its
Line the defender Khaled Baraka, Osama
Al-Bawardi and the Algerian striker Bilal
Awaseria stand out, on the other side
Saifah Led by Dutch coach Ika Stori, the team features Romanian defender Alexander Oliwa, Colombian midfielder Ricardo Carpio and Brazilian striker Fabio Teixeira.

The two sides have met in 13 previous matches, with both teams winning five matches, while three matches were drawn. The first leg between the two sides ended with Al-Najma winning by a clean goal. Al-Ain – Neom At King Saud bin Abdulaziz Sports City (Al-Baha), Al-Ain plays with Neom in a match of divergent ambitions between the top and the bottom. The home team is in the penultimate position with 19 points after its recent loss to Al-Jabalain, while its sword Neom is at the top with 38 points after its draw with Al-Jubail in the last round. The two sides have previously met in six official matches, with Al Ain winning four matches, while Neom won one match and there was a single draw. The first leg between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw. Jeddah – Al-Batin
At the sports stadium
in King Abdullah Sports City (Jeddah)
Jeddah plays with Al-Batin in an equal
and important match for both parties with the aim of improving
their positions, Jeddah has 26 points in the ninth place and Saif has 23 points in the thirteenth place, and the small point difference between them will play a role in the result of the match, Jeddah
led by the Spanish coach Ivan Kiriakou
and the goalkeeper Yasser Al-Mosailem
and the Colombian striker Ricardo
Matsudo and the Gabonese striker Madrin
Mendam stand out, on the other side Al-Batin
led by the Portuguese coach Alexandro
Tetsev and the Moroccan goalkeeper Abdelali Al-Mohammadi stands out and played The Ghanaian midfielder Isaac Gali. The two sides have previously met in 11 matches, with the two teams sharing four victories each, and three matches ending in a draw. The first leg between the two sides ended with Jeddah winning by two goals to one.

Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Orouba advance to the first handball

Al-Qadisiyah team was crowned with the title of the Kingdom Handball Championship for the clubs, the champions of the regions for the second division for the sports season (2024-2025 AD), after obtaining the full mark at the end of the championship matches that were held at the Al-Qadisiyah Club Hall in Al-Khobar.
The results showed that Al-Qadisiyah defeated Al-Shabab with a score of (11-38), raising its balance to (6) points at the top of the standings, while Al-Shabab remained in fourth place without any points, and Al-Orouba defeated Hira with a score of (21-23), raising Al-Orouba’s balance to (4) points in second place, while Hira obtained third place with two points. Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Orouba teams have qualified for the First Division Handball League competitions in the next sports season (2025-2026).

In the net
Once again, Al-Hilal lost the lead, which went directly to Al-Ittihad by two points after the blue team stumbled against Samak in a 2-2 draw!

The Samak match for Al-Hilal is exactly similar to the matches against Al-Khaleej and Al-Qadisiyah, which the team lost, but the difference is that the leader tied and did not lose!
Al-Hilal fans in Abha filled the stadium seats in search of a technical show similar to the show the team presented in the first half of the match against Persepolis of Iran, but they were let down by the players and the coach who bear the responsibility for the result and the loss of the match points and the lead!
Al-Hilal coach, Kheis, has appointed Nasser Al-Dosari, who is going through a period of decline in his performance, while the result was a 1-1 draw. The team needs a striker, not a pivot. The striker, of course, is not Al-Qahtani, who ruined all the blue attacks when he replaced Caio, and did not fill his position. He only turned and spun and kept the ball with excessive selfishness! * Al-Hilal’s problem also appeared in the return of the mistakes of its defender, Koulibaly, and the decline in the level of Neves and Malcom. If the team continues with this performance, it will not even achieve runner-up! * Al-Dahna’s knight, Al-Ettifaq, continued to fly in the sky of victories with the esteemed national coach, Saad Al-Sahri, who achieved the sixth point with it from two deserved victories over Al-Shabab and Al-Akhdoud! * The pride of Al-Ras Al-Khulud spread joy in the Promentada stands, closing the school with a beautiful hat-trick, including two beautiful goals from its young striker, Humam Al-Hamami! * Al-Khulud reached the twenty-second point, and its position became somewhat reassuring, but the bad thing is that the league is still long and no team has yet secured the title or survival! * The team of fish lurked in Al-Hilal and almost did to it what it did to Al-Ittihad, but this time it settled for a draw and got a point after it made strong defensive barricades that helped it get a point. Al-Hilal coach, Khesous, Koulibaly, Neves, and Al-Qahtani after his substitution! * In Al-Hilal, there are three players, and no one knows why they stayed with the team, as no return is expected from Al-Qahtani, Khalifa, and Al-Yami, or any technical addition. If three new faces from the youth level had been promoted, it would have been better, but Kheis is stubborn and obstinate, and he will take them with him by force to the World Cup.

Talal Bin Mahfouz
In 1976, the American Psychological Association published a study of human behavior in what is known as “Basking in reﬂected glory”

conducted by several doctors and psychologists, including Dr. Robert Cialdini, and Dr. Richard Borden. This study was conducted on male and female students from more than 300 universities around America and the world, and the result was somewhat strange. The results indicated that students tended to celebrate the glories that they did not participate in creating. This is not surprising, but what was strange was the students’ use of the pronoun “we” when talking about the victory achieved by the university football team, and the tendency of these students to fully assume the role of the player, i.e. the role of the winner, but rather the role of the person who made an effort to achieve this victory. We know very well that the audience is the number (12) player and is behind the team’s victories by cheering and supporting the team, but no matter how strong the influence of the audience is, it will not be as strong as the influence of the players and the technical staff inside the stadium on the outcome of any match. Today, we find the sports fan loving and adoring his team to the point of madness, and he believes that his opinion is the right one and that the opinion of others is wrong, whether they are coaches, players, or administrators. He may even wish for his team to lose or for the players to suffer a setback, in order to prove to everyone that his opinion is the right one and that the opinion of others is incorrect. The sports fan is supposed to encourage and support his team in all cases, “winning, drawing, losing,” and to constantly try to raise the morale of the team’s players and support and encourage them inside and outside the field, far from using methods or words that are not related to sports. Or even booing a player because his level has dropped, which affects the entire team and not just the player in question. The problem is that some fans think of themselves as the decision makers in the club they belong to. Some even think that they love and are passionate about their club and are looking for their own interests more than the players and administrators of the club. Therefore, these people always try to impose their opinions and disrespect the opinions of others. We have many examples of club administrations whose teams’ levels were affected because they followed the opinions of the fans, whether in contracting or canceling contracts with players and coaches, while there should be a committee specialized in studying the levels of players and coaches before and during the contract and before the end of the contract. Their contracts, and make the appropriate decision without emotion or flattery to the media or the fans. Finally, the sports fan must adhere to the instructions issued by the competent authorities, whether the fans association or the stadium administrations, and respect everyone and not go beyond the text and choose appropriate phrases that motivate the team without offending or insulting the team players or the opponent’s players, and the necessity of controlling the nerves after the team’s loss and rejoicing within reasonable limits after winning and not exaggerating in the joy and harming the opponent’s fans or excessive mockery to prevent problems between the fans of the two teams, and most importantly, supporting and backing the team’s players regardless of their levels

Why did Fouad forget?
Nasser Abdullah Al-Bishi – Riyadh

Truly, it is the height of disobedience, Fouad Anwar. Have you forgotten the club that made the sports fans know you internally and externally? Have you forgotten the club that made you wear the national team’s logo? Have you forgotten the love of the youth fans for you because you spent the most beautiful days of your sports career with them within the walls of their club?
Have you forgotten many things that the youth club and its men gave you? But I say, what a loss, you ran after them. Have you also forgotten that the club assigned you to train one of the age groups and you did not succeed, and here you are responding to all these things with denial and ingratitude. What a loss.
Or do you think that the youth club will close its doors once you leave it? The youth club will remain a giant with its history, men and loyal sons. Oh Fouad Anwar, God Almighty gave you a talent but you did not use it. Yes, you are talented and shining in the world of football, but unfortunately, I thought that talent is a virtue that allows you to do what is forbidden. No, Fouad, talent is a responsibility, not a virtue, and I believe that the talented person is a person who is charged with preserving his talent. But unfortunately, you crossed the red lines with regard to the youth club. You said phrases that were outside the common sportsmanship spirit. Remember that the white lion has men who can defend it if necessary. Yes, Fouad Anwar, I wish you had followed the example of your fellow young stars who have retired from playing. These are the stars whom we will never forget, no matter how long the time or how far the distance. I am not here to mention their names, for you know them very well and their relationships and ties with the club are still very strong. Yes, Fouad Anwar, and to be fair, they will not forget you because you are one of their stars. You contributed with them to sending the lion to the championship podiums, and because they are loyal, they will not forget that, despite what you did to their club.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Narcissism

Hussain Al-Ibrahim – Dammam

We do not deny, Cristiano Ronaldo, that you are one of the best players in football history, and this is bad, there is no argument about it, but you attribute yourself to be the best in history and absolutely this in and on it, and no one can completely agree with you in what you say from this angle and in this aspect.

We do not accept it, even if someone put you in two situations, because we see you originally as a unique case that is not like any other player, as others have their own special case and unique style in the way they play.

Praising oneself and showing oneself as better and higher than others represents one of the psychological complexes that its owner suffers from. Pele is a unique legend, Maradona is a special case in football, Messi is one of the miracles of football, and you, Cristiano Ronaldo, are among those names without any comparison with them. Those you mentioned in your statement, which I consider to be completely unsuccessful, have their history engraved in memory and minds and recorded on the widest pages. You cannot throw it out or even evaluate it according to your whims and moods, Ronaldo. This talk always reflects in the nest of the wasps of problems and difficulties with their fans and followers who do not accept belittling them. Oh, fans of Cristiano Ronaldo, we are not criticizing the career of your player that you adore; he is a player who has worked hard on himself, achieved many championships and goals, and broke records that no one can easily surpass. However, he does not have the right to consider himself the best in football history and compare himself to other legends, and say that I am more perfect than everyone. Here, we must respond to his words, not to his history, which no one can diminish. Cristiano Ronaldo’s problem lies in his disturbed personality that always thinks about perfection, and if he cannot treat himself with this personality disorder, he will suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder that always belittles and demeans others, and sees himself in a special position, standing in an ivory tower, believing that they are above everyone and that no one is above them! They forget that just as the summit expands to accommodate everyone, the same thing in the world of stardom also expands to accommodate many hard-working people. In life, there is no single successful person, but rather there are many successful people, and the most beautiful thing in life is the honorable competition between human beings. In conclusion: The highest level of deficiency is that you belittle others and place yourself with others in the realm of comparison, and forget that you are unique and no one is like you, and this is enough for you if you possess the treasure of contentment.

Welcome to Dr. Abed Al-Muslim Ali Saad Al-Najm. The new days,

led by one of the loyal sons of the country, who Dr. Abed Al-Muslim, who is independent of the Al-Taraf Club, announced a list of their work in the near future. Dr. Abed Al-Muslim is optimistic about their work in the near future, and Dr. Abed Al-Muslim, may God grant him success and prosperity, God willing. I expect that God will grant him success and prosperity in all his tasks assigned to him and his group in the administration. We pray for him and his group to succeed and be successful. We hope for successive achievements during the era of this new administration and the achievement of its goals and the aspirations of the people of Al-Taraf, who are required to stand with their club and rally around it, unlike the past period that witnessed a complete reluctance, and the reasons are not unknown to anyone. From now on, all The people of Al-Taraf stand by their club side by side. Standing by the club has become more urgent than before in the recent period for many well-known reasons that have made the people of Al-Taraf distance themselves from the club and repeatedly demand administrative change that would cause a great revolution and change the course, which is what is happening now with the arrival of Dr. Abed Al-Muslim, who the people have begun to rally around and wish him and his management all success and excellence. The club has many superior players, but they have declined and will return, God willing. All wishes for success and prosperity, God willing, for the new management in this wonderful, distinguished, great club, rich in its men.

Via Riyadh continues to enhance its position as a high-end entertainment destination

within the Riyadh Season 2024 events, through a series of improvements that aim to create an integrated experience that combines luxury, modernity, and excellence in the finest details, reflecting the trend towards providing an exceptional entertainment environment that meets the aspirations of visitors throughout the year. The development of “Via Riyadh” comes within a broader vision based on redefining the concept of luxury entertainment, by working to improve various facilities, including developing cinema halls to provide an unprecedented viewing experience, in addition to adding new options of restaurants and cafes that reflect the diversity of the global taste scene, making the area a renewed destination that enriches the lives of its visitors with unique quality experiences. These improvements reflect the renewed philosophy of entertainment in the Kingdom, which is based on combining quality, creativity, and uniqueness in providing services, which places “Via Riyadh” among global destinations that go beyond the concept of traditional entertainment to provide an integrated lifestyle. It is noteworthy that His Excellency the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Sheikh, had previously announced plans to develop “Via Riyadh” as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance the entertainment sector and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to be a global destination for exceptional events and experiences.

1383 cases of seizure recorded at the ports

of Riyadh – Turki bin Mansour
The land, sea and air customs ports recorded 1383 cases of seizure of prohibited items, as part of the ongoing efforts made by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to enhance the security aspect and protect society from prohibited items of all types and forms. The seized items included 63 tons of narcotic substances, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, hashish, Captagon pills, and others, in addition to 841 prohibited substances. Customs outlets also witnessed the thwarting of 2,249 cases of tobacco and its derivatives, in addition to 24 cases of money, and 15 cases of weapons and their supplies. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority confirmed that it is continuing to tighten customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports, in order to achieve the security and protection of society, through continuous cooperation and coordination with all its partners from the relevant authorities. At the same time, the Authority called on everyone to contribute to combating smuggling to protect society and the national economy, by communicating with it on the number designated for security reports (1910) or via email (zatca.gov.@1910)sa or the international number (009661910), where the Authority receives reports through these channels related to smuggling crimes and violations of the provisions of the Unified Customs System in complete confidentiality, with a financial reward granted to the reporter if the information in the report is correct.

The use of artificial intelligence affects the quality of work

Researchers at Stanford University in the United States have warned experienced and productive employees against relying too much on artificial intelligence in their work, as excessive and repeated use is likely to cause employees to lose the quality of their work in the end.
A study that included about 5,200 customer service employees in one of the companies listed on the Fortune 500 list of the largest American companies, and that uses artificial intelligence technologies, discovered that the effects of artificial intelligence on productivity “vary greatly.” According to the German News Agency, the study revealed that some employees with less experience and productivity recorded an increase in the number of tasks they performed each hour when using artificial intelligence, while more experienced and efficient employees recorded a decline in the quality of their work when using artificial intelligence. One of the main concerns about AI is that it could replace humans in many jobs, not just computer-based ones. The research team said AI systems could reduce the need for people to do “repetitive” clerical work, but at the same time create new jobs for people with “complementary” skills that complement AI. At the same time, AI systems face criticism for “hallucination,” an industry term for their tendency to produce inaccurate answers, depending on the user’s question, but proponents say AI is advancing so rapidly that it could soon outperform humans at most tasks.

The Red Crescent restores the heartbeat of an Indonesian pilgrim

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s ambulance teams in the Makkah region were able, yesterday evening, at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (Hajj and Umrah), to restore the heartbeat of an Indonesian pilgrim in her seventies. The Authority explained that the Command, Control and Medical Evacuation Center in the region received a report stating that a female pilgrim had fainted inside the international (departure) hall, and the report was immediately directed to the airport ambulance team. When the patient’s condition was treated, it was found that she had suffered cardiac arrest and was not breathing. The Authority explained that the first aid teams dealt with the case according to the protocol followed for such cases, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until her pulse returned – praise be to God – and she was immediately transferred to the nearest health facility to follow up on the patient’s condition. On the other hand, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority is showcasing the latest technical solutions in the field of ambulance and emergency response at the LEAP 2025 conference, the world’s most prominent technical event. This participation comes within the framework of the authority’s commitment to adopting modern innovations to enhance the speed of response and improve the quality of ambulance services provided to citizens and residents. The first day of the conference witnessed the launch of the digital government platform and the technology strategy of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, in a step that reflects the ambitious trend towards digital transformation and raising the efficiency of ambulance operations. The Authority also unveiled a new innovative technology in ambulances, which aims to enhance the speed of response and improve coordination with medical centers, which contributes to providing more effective medical care for the injured. During the conference, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority will present its latest technologies in artificial intelligence, big data, and smart guidance systems, which contribute to improving operational efficiency and accelerating the arrival of ambulance teams to accident sites in record time. It also showcases advanced air ambulance technologies, smart connectivity between hospitals, and predictive analysis of emergency situations, which enhance the accuracy of response and the safety of beneficiaries. The Authority confirmed that its participation in #LEAP reflects its keenness to keep pace with the digital transformation witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to enhance its position as a leading entity in emergency and humanitarian work by using the latest technologies.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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Al Riyadh Newspaper: February 10, 2025

Comprehensive Study Guide: Analysis of “20685.pdf”

Short Answer Quiz

Answer Key

Essay Questions

Glossary of Key Terms

Saudi Arabia in 2025: Vision, Politics, and Progress

Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030 and Beyond

Frequently Asked Questions

Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification and Global Role

Saudi Arabia’s AI Investments

Palestinian Conflict: Arab and Islamic Perspectives

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation

Saudi Arabia’s Automotive Industry Diversification

GCC Condemnation of Israeli Statements on Saudi Arabia

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