Al Riyadh Newspaper August 21, 2025: Initiatives and Advancement, Educational Reforms

The sources largely focus on various aspects of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to Vision 2030 across multiple sectors. Several articles detail initiatives and advancements within Saudi Arabia, such as the launch of “Nusuk Umrah” for direct pilgrim applications, the development of King Salman Royal Reserve’s digital platform, and improvements in urban infrastructure, including road projects in Riyadh and the expansion of the Al-Khobar Corniche. There are also pieces on educational reforms, like the new academic year calendar, and the economic landscape, including the Public Investment Fund’s growth and merger and acquisition activities in the region. Furthermore, the texts cover international relations and humanitarian efforts, with reports on Saudi assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and a scientific program for Kenyan preachers. The sources also touch upon regional conflicts and global economic trends, specifically discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict and the dynamics of oil markets and international trade.

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Saudi Vision 2030: Education and Societal Development

The sources indicate that the educational vision in Saudi Arabia is closely intertwined with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming for comprehensive development and empowerment across various sectors. This vision is characterized by:

• Universities’ Role in Societal Awareness: Universities, such as Um Al-Qura University, are seen as having a significant responsibility in enhancing values and intellectual awareness. A conference on this topic aims to “draw a futuristic vision for Saudi universities’ responsibility in this regard” and serves as a national platform to “enhance the role of universities in building an aware society”.
• Alignment with Labor Market Needs: Initiatives like “Kafa’ah” aim to “align education and training outcomes with labor market needs” and to “empower national cadres to engage in various specialized jobs, thus enhancing Saudization”. This also includes “creating balanced paths between education and the labor market”.
• Enhancing Medical Education and Cadres: The medical skills and simulation center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University renewed its accreditation, a move that “contributes to raising the efficiency of medical cadres and improving the quality of services provided to patients” and “supports simulation-based medical education and advances its educational outcomes to align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030”.
• Supporting Children with Disabilities: There’s an emphasis on “enhancing joint cooperation in protecting and caring for the rights of children with disabilities” through initiatives that “contribute to serving children with disabilities and protecting their rights, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 for sustainable development”.
• Improving the Academic System: The adoption of a new two-semester system for the academic year (2025-2026) has been praised by parents for promoting “stability and flexibility” and enabling “better utilization of study time” with a “balanced distribution of holidays.” This reform is seen as reflecting the “wisdom of the leadership” and having positive effects on students and families.
• Promoting a Reading Culture: The slogan “Read” is used in cultural activities by the Ministry of Culture to “connect individuals with their society, and strengthen the presence of reading as a fundamental pillar for Vision 2030.” The goal is to make reading a “lifestyle,” enriching cultural and creative activity and transforming it from an individual practice to a societal culture, viewed as a “key to progress” and a “lever for intellectual and cultural renaissance”.
• Empowering Youth for a Bright Future: The Kingdom places “great importance to youth as a fundamental pillar in achieving its ambitious Vision 2030.” This includes initiatives to empower youth in the labor market, support their community, cultural, and volunteer initiatives, and “invest their energies to build a bright future.” Youth are considered the “architects of change” and are provided with “golden opportunities” in entrepreneurship, education, and innovation, with Vision 2030 making youth empowerment its “nucleus”.
• Linguistic Rights of Children: The King Salman Complex for the Arabic Language is focused on “establishing the linguistic rights of the child within a comprehensive and institutional cognitive framework” through various projects. This stems from its role in “formulating linguistic policies and empowering the Arabic language in early childhood stages,” recognizing it as a “pivotal element in building identity and developing capabilities”.

Overall, the educational vision aims for a future-oriented, holistic approach that not only focuses on academic excellence but also on societal well-being, national identity, economic contribution, and global engagement, all under the umbrella of Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Investment Landscape and Challenges

Foreign investment in Saudi Arabia is a key component of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at fostering comprehensive economic development and diversification. The Kingdom is actively working to enhance its attractiveness for investors and align educational and economic outcomes with labor market needs.

Key Aspects of Foreign Investment in Saudi Arabia:

• Regulatory Framework for Securities Investment:
• The rules for organized foreign investment in financial securities and investment funds stipulate that eligible foreign investors or their groups must have assets totaling SAR 1.875 billion (or equivalent) or more when applying to open an investment account. The Capital Market Authority may reduce this minimum limit.
• This condition does not apply to pension funds or endowment funds that primarily aim to provide grants for scientific, educational, and cultural purposes.
• Both resident and non-resident foreign natural and legal persons are permitted to invest in listed financial securities and debt instruments, provided they adhere to these regulations.
• Restrictions on ownership include a 10% limit for individual non-resident foreign investors (excluding strategic investors) in any issuer’s shares. The total ownership for all foreign investors across all categories is capped at 49% of any issuer’s shares or convertible debt instruments, in addition to other statutory and regulatory restrictions.
• Challenges and Investor Concerns:
• Investors often perceive “capital as timid,” noting that investments can flee due to minor incidents or changes, even those intended for good.
• Difficulties include the ease of obtaining an initial investment license not being matched by the complexity of completing subsequent requirements with other government entities.
• There is also concern about the weak follow-up from relevant authorities after licenses are issued, sometimes leading to neglect.
• Frequent changes in legislation and procedures are seen to disrupt the market, increase investor hesitation, and potentially reinforce desires to withdraw investments.
• Decisions, such as protecting national industries (which might raise prices for protected goods) or imposing export bans, can create dilemmas for ministries like Commerce and Investment, highlighting a need for better coordination.
• A suggestion is made for a unified economic committee to govern legislation, procedures, and decisions, bringing together officials from various economic sectors and representatives from business federations to ensure alignment with market realities.
• Efforts to Attract and Facilitate Investment:
• The Kingdom’s vision for sectors like aviation, as demonstrated by granting VistaJet (a foreign private aircraft operator) an operating license, reflects a commitment to attracting “qualitative investments” and enhancing the sector’s growth and competitiveness. This aligns with the strategic goal of making Saudi Arabia a leading aviation hub in the Middle East by 2030.
• The Public Investment Fund (PIF) plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, driving growth and diversifying sources of income. The PIF’s strong financial performance, with assets under management growing by 19% annually to reach $913 billion by the end of 2024, demonstrates its capability and commitment to long-term investment strategies. Its focus on priority sectors and global partnerships strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position in the global economy.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Activity (EY Report H1 2025):
• The MENA and Africa region saw significant M&A activity, with 425 deals valued at $58.7 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 31% increase in volume and 19% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
• The UAE and Saudi Arabia maintained their positions as top target destinations, recording $25.4 billion and $2.5 billion in deals respectively. These deals primarily focused on the chemicals, industrial products, and real estate sectors.
• Cross-border deals were prominent, accounting for 55% of the total deal volume and 78% of the total value ($45.9 billion). This represents a 40% increase in volume and 7% in value compared to H1 2024.
• Inbound M&A activity (foreign investment into the region) saw a 53% increase in volume to 107 deals, totaling $21.5 billion. The UAE was a major recipient, capturing 50% of the volume and 98% of the value.
• Outbound M&A activity (investments by regional entities abroad) also increased, with 126 deals valued at $24.4 billion. The UAE and Saudi Arabia together accounted for 87% of this value, with government-related entities and sovereign wealth funds being key drivers. Notable examples include ADNOC OMV AG’s acquisition in Nova Chemicals and Saudi Aramco’s acquisition in Premian.
• The strong outlook for M&A activity is attributed to stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development, and a strategic emphasis on technology, chemicals, and other industrial sectors.

Regional Context:

• In a broader regional context, Iraq’s Prime Minister announced the signing of a framework agreement with the American company Chevron regarding oil projects, indicating a different approach to engaging major oil companies and their investments to rebuild its energy sector. This includes agreements with TotalEnergies and BP, attracting over $50 billion in new investments.

In summary, Saudi Arabia’s educational vision and broader economic strategies are designed to create a vibrant and attractive environment for both local and foreign investment, addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities to achieve the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.

Nusuk Umrah: Digitalizing Pilgrimage for Saudi Vision 2030

The Umrah Visa process has been significantly enhanced through new digital services launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, particularly the “Nusuk Umrah” service. This initiative aims to streamline the application and booking process for pilgrims from outside the Kingdom and align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals.

Here are the key aspects of the Umrah Visa and related services:

• Direct Application: The “Nusuk Umrah” service enables pilgrims outside Saudi Arabia to apply directly for an Umrah visa and book associated services without needing an intermediary. This is a qualitative step to enhance and enrich the experience for the “Guests of Rahman” (pilgrims).
• Online Platform: The service is accessible via the platform https://umrah.nusuk.sa, where all procedures, from application to obtaining the entry visa, can be completed electronically.
• Flexible Service Options:
• Pilgrims can choose to apply directly for the visa.
• Alternatively, they can select integrated packages or independent services through the “Nusuk Umrah” platform.
• These packages/services can include the visa, accommodation, transportation, enrichment tours, and supporting services.
• There is also the possibility to customize packages according to individual preferences and aspirations.
• Technological Support: The service utilizes modern technology that supports seven different languages, ensuring a unified and smooth digital experience for users.
• Multiple Payment Options: It offers various payment options to suit different segments of pilgrims.
• Alignment with Vision 2030: The launch of “Nusuk Umrah” is part of the Ministry’s efforts to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The goal is to host a greater number of Muslims and enable them to perform Umrah with ease and simplicity, providing high-quality services that elevate the experience of pilgrims in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Economic Growth & Diversification

Economic growth in Saudi Arabia is intricately linked to Saudi Vision 2030, which aims for comprehensive economic development, diversification, and global competitiveness. The Kingdom is actively implementing strategies to attract investment, enhance human capital, and develop various sectors beyond oil.

Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s approach to economic growth include:

• Public Investment Fund (PIF) as a Growth Engine:
• The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, plays a central role in driving economic transformation and diversifying income sources.
• Its financial performance is strong, with assets under management (AUM) growing by 19% annually to reach $913 billion by the end of 2024.
• The PIF is on track to achieve its strategic goal of reaching SAR 4 trillion (approximately $1.06 trillion) in AUM by the end of 2025.
• It has contributed significantly to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP, with a cumulative total of SAR 910 billion between 2021 and 2024.
• The PIF maintains robust liquidity and stable cash reserves, reflecting its financial strength and commitment to long-term investment strategies.
• Its efficiency in establishing and managing companies, with a strategic focus on priority sectors, strengthens its global presence and positive impact on the Saudi economy and labor market. By the end of 2024, the PIF’s portfolio included around 225 companies, 103 of which were established by the fund itself.
• In 2024 alone, the PIF directed SAR 213 billion towards priority sectors, bringing total investments in these sectors since 2021 to SAR 642 billion.
• The fund has received credit rating upgrades from agencies like Moody’s (from A1 to Aa3) and Fitch (affirmed A+ with a stable outlook), which enables it to diversify its funding sources.
• Attracting and Facilitating Foreign Investment:
• The Kingdom’s strategy is to attract “qualitative investments” to enhance sector growth and competitiveness. For instance, granting VistaJet, a foreign private aircraft operator, an operating license aligns with the goal of making Saudi Arabia a leading aviation hub in the Middle East by 2030.
• Rules for organized foreign investment in financial securities require eligible foreign investors or their groups to possess assets of SAR 1.875 billion (or equivalent) or more when applying to open an investment account, though this limit can be reduced by the Capital Market Authority and doesn’t apply to certain pension or endowment funds. Individual non-resident foreign investors are generally limited to 10% ownership in any issuer’s shares, while total foreign ownership is capped at 49%.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity in the MENA and Africa region saw 425 deals valued at $58.7 billion in the first half of 2025, a 31% increase in volume and 19% in value from the previous year. The UAE and Saudi Arabia remained top target destinations, with deals totaling $25.4 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, primarily in chemicals, industrial products, and real estate. Cross-border deals were significant, accounting for 55% of volume and 78% of value ($45.9 billion), with inbound M&A increasing by 53% in volume and outbound M&A also seeing a rise, driven by government-related entities and sovereign wealth funds. The strong M&A outlook is supported by stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development, and a focus on technology, chemicals, and industrial sectors.
• Addressing Investor Concerns:
• Investors often view “capital as timid,” emphasizing that investments can flee due to minor incidents or frequent legislative changes.
• Challenges include the ease of obtaining an initial investment license not being matched by the complexity of subsequent requirements with other government entities, and weak follow-up from authorities.
• A suggestion was made for a unified economic committee to govern legislation, procedures, and decisions, involving officials from various economic sectors and business federations, to ensure alignment with market realities and avoid dilemmas for ministries.
• Human Capital and Labor Market Alignment:
• The “Kafa’ah” initiative aims to align education and training outcomes with labor market needs and empower national cadres to engage in specialized jobs, thereby enhancing Saudization and creating balanced paths between education and the labor market. This is a direct investment in human capital for economic productivity.
• The Kingdom places “great importance to youth as a fundamental pillar in achieving its ambitious Vision 2030,” supporting them in the labor market, community initiatives, and fostering entrepreneurship and innovation to build a “bright future”.
• Infrastructure and Urban Development:
• Amanat Al Riyadh (Riyadh Municipality) is executing 14 projects to develop streets and roads across the capital, aimed at enhancing infrastructure, raising the efficiency of the road network, and improving the quality of life, aligning with Vision 2030.
• The Khobar Corniche extension project spans 2 kilometers over 40,000 square meters, aiming to transform the site into a vibrant, attractive destination with recreational and aesthetic elements, supporting the city’s tourism and quality of life goals under Vision 2030.
• Sectoral Development:
• The “Dates Diplomacy” initiative, originating from the Buraidah Date Carnival, aims to strengthen international cooperation and promote the Saudi date sector, positioning dates as an economic, cultural, and diplomatic symbol.
• The medical skills and simulation center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University renewed its accreditation, which “contributes to raising the efficiency of medical cadres and improving the quality of services provided to patients” and supports medical education outcomes to align with Vision 2030.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s economic growth strategy is multifaceted, driven by the PIF’s significant investments, a focus on attracting and streamlining foreign capital, strategic development of key sectors, and robust investment in human capital and infrastructure, all guided by the ambitious targets of Vision 2030.

Gaza: Escalation, Casualties, and Humanitarian Crisis

The Gaza conflict continues to be a devastating humanitarian crisis, marked by intensive Israeli military operations, significant civilian casualties, and severe economic and social impacts on the region. International bodies and Palestinian authorities have called for urgent action to address the escalating situation.

Recent Escalations and Casualties: The Gaza Strip has recently endured “a new bloody night” with extensive Israeli occupation army raids and artillery shelling. These attacks have targeted residential homes, displacement camps, and areas where humanitarian aid is gathered, leading to dozens of martyrs and injured individuals, predominantly children and women.

Specific incidents reported include:

• Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza confirmed the martyrdom of 7 Palestinians who were seeking humanitarian aid due to occupation forces’ actions.
• Near the Wadi Gaza bridge, north of the Strip, repeated and targeted firing resulted in the death of a child and several injuries among civilians waiting for aid.
• In Khan Younis, two children, Sama (10 years old) and Sajed (3 years old) from the Abulhol family, were martyred after their home in the Western Camp was shelled. This was followed by reports of three more martyrs from the same family and injuries to other children.
• The Nuseirat camp also saw a child martyred and dozens injured from shelling, with two additional martyrs near the Sawarka cemetery.
• A man and his wife were killed in shelling in the same Nuseirat area.
• A “horrific massacre” was reported in the Al-Shati area northwest of Gaza, where five members of the Daour family, including three children (Mu’taz, 4; Mu’ath, 7; Maria, 9) and their parents Attia and Asmaa Daour, were martyred after a displacement tent they inhabited was shelled.
• The Ministry of Endowments building in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, Gaza City, which housed displaced people, was shelled by occupation planes, resulting in more martyrs and injured, including children.
• Further shellings targeted displacement tents near the Islamic University in Gaza and the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, causing casualties among children.
• In Jabalia and northern Gaza, occupation forces demolished residential homes using booby-trapped robots and launched intensive raids on eastern Gaza City, Al-Shujaiya neighborhood, Al-Samar intersection, and the city center.
• Continued artillery and aerial shelling, along with helicopter and Egyptian aircraft raids, led to a rapid increase in martyrs and injuries across various neighborhoods and camps.

Israeli Military Strategy and Expansion:

• Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, following consultations with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
• This plan, named “Gideon’s Chariots 2,” aims to execute a series of operations within Gaza City, adhering to the military leadership’s strategy.
• Israeli media indicated that the army would issue evacuation notices for targeted areas in Gaza City before military operations commence.
• The military’s strategy includes besieging and storming the city, with specific targets being the Jabalia camp and Al-Shujaiya neighborhood, which would be entered for the first time.
• The operation is planned to involve five military combat teams, potentially requiring the call-up of 130,000 reserve soldiers for deployment across Gaza and other regions.
• Reports from Yediot Aharonot indicate an expedited call-up of 60,000 reserve soldiers and an extension of service for 20,000 others for an additional 40 days.
• This plan is a follow-up to a government decision on August 8 to gradually reoccupy the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City.
• The strategy involves displacing almost a million Palestinians to southern Gaza before the siege and incursions into residential areas.
• On August 11, the first phase of this large-scale attack was reportedly initiated in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, involving explosions, shelling, and the use of robots, alongside short-term displacement.

Economic Impact on Israel:

• The occupation government has approved a significant increase in the army’s budget while cutting budgets for other ministries, citing the war on Gaza and the occupation plan.
• An additional 30.8 billion shekels (approximately $3.43 billion) was allocated to the army. This is projected to increase the budget deficit from 4.9% to 5.2%.
• Extensive cuts were approved in coalition agreements and government ministry budgets, with over half a billion shekels deducted from coalition agreements.
• The Ministry of Security’s budget is expected to surpass 128.9 billion shekels, potentially reaching 140 billion shekels.
• An additional 1.7 billion shekels will cover interest payments on government loans, further contributing to the deficit.

Hamas’s Stance and Failed Negotiations:

• Families of Israeli captives in Gaza have criticized the Israeli government’s discussion of occupation plans, describing it as a “stab in their hearts” that undermines a “ready-to-implement” deal.
• They urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to acknowledge that conditions for a deal are “ripe” and that the matter is “in his hands,” but noted his insistence on continuing the war and not responding to Hamas’s acceptance of the proposed deal.
• Hamas has reiterated its willingness to release Israeli captives in a single exchange in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
• However, Netanyahu has reportedly introduced new conditions, including the disarming of Hamas and the insistence on occupying Gaza City.

International and Humanitarian Responses:

• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed that the international community holds the “legal and ethical responsibility” to protect humanitarian workers.
• A ministry statement on the International Day of Humanitarian Work highlighted the martyrdom of over 500 humanitarian workers in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to UN reports. This was labeled a “full-fledged crime” added to Israel’s record of war crimes and severe violations of international law.
• The ministry emphasized that calls for action, regardless of their intensity, do not relieve the international community of its duty to stop the “ongoing starvation and genocide” by compelling Israel to end its aggression and hold it accountable for its crimes.
• Israel’s “continuous impunity” was cited as a factor fueling these repeated crimes, prompting calls for urgent international action to protect civilians and aid workers.
• The targeting and killing of humanitarian workers was described as a “full-fledged crime” and clear evidence of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war. Providing international protection for humanitarian workers in Gaza is seen as a crucial test of the international community’s seriousness.
• The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has played a significant role in humanitarian efforts, dispatching over 7,180 tons of food, medical, and shelter materials to Gaza via air and sea bridges and 8 aircraft. They also provided 20 ambulances to the Palestinian Red Crescent and signed agreements worth over $350 million with international organizations for relief projects, including air drops in partnership with Jordan to circumvent closed crossings.

Other Related Incidents:

• Settlers reportedly destroyed olive trees and stole agricultural equipment in Attara village, northwest of Ramallah. They vandalized surveillance cameras and fired weapons into 6 dunams of land, destroying crops and trees. This area is near a settlement outpost that had been repeatedly re-established after demolition.
• Since early July, settlers have attempted to establish 15 new outposts on agricultural and pastoral lands across the Hebron Governorate and other areas like Salfit, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, Tubas, and Jenin.

Contemporary Perspectives: Dialogue, Investment, Art, and Life

Here are the titles of the columns and their two paragraphs of detail, as found in the newspaper:

1. Tolerance, the Language of the Future Since the dawn of creation, humanity has given great importance to dialogue, realizing its value since the beginning of consciousness. Peoples quickly resorted to dialogue as a bridge to reach understanding, and from here, dialogue, tolerance, and acceptance prevailed. This was able to extinguish the fires of strife and fighting under any pretext, and peoples and tribes, despite their differences in ideas and beliefs, tried hard to make consciousness and humanity prevail for the other. Understanding that dialogue has become more eloquent and effective than thousands of weapons. It is no secret to any observer and reader of history that humanity has witnessed wars and disputes, and only dialogue and the language of tolerance, which triumphed over the power of the sword, could extinguish them. Perhaps the most important thing is the affirmation that tolerance and dialogue are deeply rooted values in our true religion, which emerged from the heart of our land, Mecca Al-Mukarramah, to spread its radiance throughout the world.
2. Border Guard: Fishing Permit Saves You from Penalties The General Directorate of Border Guards affirmed the importance for fishermen to obtain legal permits before practicing marine fishing, emphasizing that this contributes to regulating marine activity, preserving natural resources, and preventing violators from exposure to stipulated penalties. The Directorate explained that the permit designated for marine fishing allows the fisherman to practice their activity easily according to approved controls and in various areas that ensure the safety of lives and the protection of the marine environment, confirming that field teams continuously monitor compliance with these regulations.
3. The Investor’s Predicament The first rule that comes to mind whenever investment is mentioned is that capital is timid. Yes, it is, and more than we can imagine or see. Investment flees, and investors follow, due to a simple incident or an update or modification intended for good, even if it wasn’t. Through my meetings with a number of investors, whose opinion I assert forms a cornerstone of high horizons and a far-sighted vision derived from the market, one of them told me, saying: ‘The security and safety of the region and its stability and expansion are the most attractive elements for investment or for exiting.’ And another mentioned to me that the ease of obtaining an investment license is not complete for some, with conditions and requirements that need to be followed up with ease by other government agencies in some countries. Another investor sees weakness in communication from the relevant authority after obtaining the license when there is a challenge, and sometimes neglect from the authority. And another sees weakness in the level of communication from the authority when meeting, or lack of knowledge of the subject and its details, and sometimes even lack of desire to discuss it, and this is natural in any proposals and complaints that vary and multiply in the world.
4. Distinguished Financial Performance of the Public Investment Fund The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign investment fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirmed its distinguished performance in leading the economic transformation in the Kingdom, in addition to its active role in shaping the future of the global economy. The Fund’s annual financial report for 2024 confirmed its ambitious journey, as financial results showed an annual growth in assets under management (AUM) reaching 19%, totaling 913 billion US dollars (approximately 3.42 trillion Saudi Riyals) by the end of 2024, nearing its target of reaching 4 trillion Saudi Riyals by the end of 2025, which reflects continuous progress in implementing its long-term investment strategy. The Fund also achieved a total shareholder return of 7.2% on an annual basis since 2017, in addition to a 25% increase in total revenues, with continued strong levels of cash assets and their stability on an annual basis. These strong financial indicators clearly reflect the rapid growth path that the Fund is pursuing towards achieving sustainable financial growth, affirming its pivotal role in supporting the economic and financial transformation witnessed by the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030, and further emphasizes its increasing contribution to the non-oil domestic product, which cumulatively reached 910 billion Saudi Riyals for the period from 2021 to 2024, reflecting the Fund’s portfolio focus on diversifying the Saudi economy, alongside its commitment to strengthening global partnerships.
5. Differences Between a Writer and an Author If we want to reflect on the two words: ‘writer/author’, do we find a distinction between them? In contemporary usage, we find a relative distinction between a writer and an author, although the two terms often overlap. A writer: is usually applied to someone who writes regularly, whether it’s a profession or a hobby in thought, literature, or journalism, even if they don’t publish books. So a writer may write opinion articles or general articles, or short stories, or scattered texts. As for an author: this term is usually used to denote someone who specifically authors a book, meaning they compile a complete literary or scientific/academic work. While ‘writing’ can remain a partial or incomplete practice, ‘authorship’ is linked to the achievement of producing a book. Thus, one says ‘so-and-so is a journalist’ while one says ‘so-and-so is the author of such-and-such a book’.
6. Art Around the World.. Art comes as an inclination and elevation beyond the usual orbits, and as a sharing and transfer of personality, and an extension to the world. It is the soil for the artist’s method, and the impact and communication, and a language for the soul to achieve purposes for concepts to others, and a natural exploration of the hidden secrets of the surroundings, and a means to understand the world where life, society, and spiritual experience are manifested, to embody the expanses of accumulated feelings and translate them with greater breadth and comprehensiveness, and to enrich them with interacting bridges with global artistic experiences of the other, and to read artistic trends and crystallize them. In the Kingdom, human endeavor has produced creative individuals, among them the artist ‘Abdulaziz Al-Najim’ who emerged as a unique creative act, a fertile ground with stylistic specificity and conceptual depth for an authentic artist constantly searching and experimenting. He established a modernizing movement that celebrated Saudi society’s images from the natural, architectural, and environmental aspects, committed to freedom for imagination with a style far from the constraints of monotony and stereotype.
7. Historical Writing and Digitization It has been customary for the historian to gather his cognitive and referential sources, extract information from them, and then refine and present his historical product in a historical narrative format. If this product was to be published as a research article in a specialized peer-reviewed journal, the researcher would receive feedback from two reviewers to evaluate and review what was presented in his research. However, if the publication was in the form of a book, he would often not receive feedback from his readers until after publication, and this process, as those specializing in it know, is painstaking. With the advent of the digital age, some historians, especially in Western countries, have tried to utilize the data of this era for the benefit of their historical writing. Here we can recall the ‘Digital History’ project, an experimental project that lasted for a month in October 2010, aiming to rethink traditional practices of research, writing, and publishing, as well as the impact of digital technology on the historian’s profession.
8. Small Details “I hurt my feelings” is a simple film about relationships, directed and written by Nicole Holofcener. Amidst all this, a quiet film that captures hearts, this type of film, which is rare in Hollywood films about superheroes and noisy action films, talks with sarcasm and understanding about the relationship between a man and his wife. Perhaps what captivated me at first was that the character on which the film is based is a writer, and I watch films to see the suffering she goes through to convince her publisher with her book. All these things made me feel empathy for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and placed the film in the category of admiration. But there are other things that make you admire it beyond its profession, there are deeper things that all humans belong to, this intimate relationship between husband and wife, a sense of intimacy, love, and respect. Do you feel that the person who loves you must love your work? And if he doesn’t love it, do you feel betrayed? Do you feel he doesn’t respect you?.
9. Why do we delay? Suddenly I looked at the time and felt that I had stumbled in making my decision. I wondered: why did I delay in choosing the right book, in general? We delay simply because we have not chosen anything clear in our minds, and because randomness leads us lightly, until the path seems young to us, without us colliding with an obstacle that stops us!. And we delay because we have lost the compass, so the north has gone south, and the east west! And because we have not yet understood, and do not realize that we have not understood! And because we believe that what we want will find its way to us, without us moving a limb!.

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

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