Stories from Saudi Arabia

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is hosting a three-day exhibition featuring over 70 companies from the public and private sectors. The event showcases the university's strategic transformation and its rise to 67th in global rankings. The exhibition aims to highlight the university's progress and its status as the first Saudi university to enter the top 100 globally.

The city of Riyadh is scheduled to host the International Saudi Falcons & Hunting Exhibition in October.

Three Arabian red foxes have been spotted resting within the AlUla reserve. The wildlife and natural heritage team at AlUla confirmed the sighting. This event is described as an indicator of ecosystem health and balance. The sighting occurs as AlUla continues long-term programs to rehabilitate natural habitats and target biodiversity. The foxes possess large ears that assist in hunting at night by providing high auditory sensitivity. These physical traits allow them to detect prey such as ants in the hot desert sands. The presence of these foxes is noted as part of the local biodiversity. The birth was confirmed by the Royal Commission for AlUla. Officials stated the event indicates a healthy and balanced ecosystem in the reserve. The region continues to implement long-term environmental programs.

A specialized student competition in Saudi Arabia utilized an artificial intelligence monitoring system for the first time this year. Saudi Arabian students achieved results in an international competition, winning 42 gold medals, 659 silver medals, and 980 bronze medals. The report noted the use of artificial intelligence in monitoring exams to prevent cheating. The achievement was presented as a success for the nation. The Saudi Ministry of Education has implemented an AI-based monitoring system for general education exams across various regions. Approximately 50,000 students participated in specialized competitions this year under this new system. This marks the first time the AI monitoring application has been utilized for these assessments. The source noted that monitoring was previously conducted by human teachers.

The Red Sea authority has granted three licenses to yachting enterprises. This move is intended to develop maritime and nautical activities in the region. The announcement was made during a broadcast regarding tourism development. The development is part of ongoing efforts to expand tourism and maritime services. The move aims to develop the regulatory environment while maintaining environmental protection standards. The authority stated the step embodies a commitment to continuous development of the sector.

A Slovakian man with Turkish roots, Adakar, is facing trial in Wiener Neustadt for his involvement in a March 2024 attack. An Austrian man with Turkish roots, Hassan E, is currently in custody in Saudi Arabia for executing an attack plan at the Holy Mosque in Mecca. During the March 2024 incident, the suspect used a knife to attack a security guard and injured four other people.

Al Hilal enters a match against Damac at King Salman Stadium in Riyadh seeking three points to continue chasing league leader Al Nassr. Damac currently holds eighth place with 30 points and aims for at least a positive result to avoid relegation zones. Al Hazm sits in ninth place with 37 points. Al Hilal seeks to maintain its competitive position against leader Al Nassr following a recent victory over Al Riyadh. The match follows Al Hilal's recent exit from the Asian Champions League. A press conference was held regarding the team's status.

A consultative Gulf summit is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss regional tensions and developments. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council stated that treacherous Iranian attacks have led to the current situation. The meeting is attended by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. The meeting focused on coordinating responses to the situation involving the Lebanese army and Israeli military activities. The summit addressed the implications of current regional volatility. The statement asserts that any attack on a member state is considered a direct attack on all Gulf states. The session focused on analyzing the impact of current geopolitical shifts on the region. Representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a summit involving heads of state and delegation leaders.

The Saudi Capital Market Authority has invited stakeholders to submit opinions and observations regarding a project to develop merger and acquisition processes in the local market. The proposal involves amending and introducing several regulatory rules within the merger and acquisition regulations. The consultation period will last 45 days.

Gulf Cooperation Council leaders arrived in Jeddah for a consultative summit to discuss regional developments amid rising tensions. The spokesperson noted that the security of energy and food supplies cannot tolerate uncalculated risks. The summit included heads of state and representatives from Gulf Cooperation Council member nations. Discussions focused on regional and international developments and the coordination of efforts regarding these issues. The Saudi Press Agency reported the proceedings. The GCC Consultative Summit has concluded in Jeddah, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Efforts were discussed regarding the coordination of regional responses to these matters. The summit is being held in Jeddah, which serves as the seat of the Saudi summer government. The summit occurred during a sensitive period involving the Iran-US conflict.