ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ

King Salman academy launches third Arabic program for non-native speakers

The program, which follows an advanced academic methodology, will accept applications until March 15, with in-person study starting on Sept. 1. (File/@KSGAFAL)
The program, which follows an advanced academic methodology, will accept applications until March 15, with in-person study starting on Sept. 1. (File/@KSGAFAL)
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Updated 16 February 2025

King Salman academy launches third Arabic program for non-native speakers

The program, which follows an advanced academic methodology, will accept applications until March 15.
  • Initiative aims to provide students with strong foundations in reading, writing, listening and spoken Arabic

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language has begun accepting applications for its third study program for non-native speakers at the Abjad Center in Riyadh.

The program, which follows an advanced academic methodology, will accept applications until March 15, with in-person study starting on Sept. 1, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The center offers a comprehensive educational experience aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The program has four levels, each lasting two months, for a total of eight months and 160 instructional hours per level, averaging 20 hours per week, the SPA reported.

It focuses on core language skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — while incorporating cultural activities to enhance learning and immerse students in the Arabic-speaking environment.

The first edition attracted more than 16,140 applicants from 162 nationalities, with more than 130 students from 34 nationalities accepted.

The second edition received even more interest, with 16,472 applications from 126 nationalities and more than 150 students from about 40 nationalities admitted.


Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ
Updated 51 min 7 sec ago

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ

TOKYO: Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, speaking ahead of her trip to the Middle East later this month, emphasized the importance of attracting investment from ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ during her weekly press conference.

“We are currently in the midst of attracting investors to ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ, a country that is enthusiastic about investing, so I think it is extremely valuable to promote Tokyo there,†she said. â€œI hope to promote Tokyo’s initiatives and appeal, and foster cooperation between cities.â€

Koike referred to the Future Cities Initiative in Riyadh, which, she pointed out, has attracted a great deal of attention by bringing together investors and those involved in innovation and financial strategy. 

“To give you an idea, people like Elon Musk have attended this event,†she said. “And it attracts roughly 5,000 people, making it a sort of â€˜Davos in the desert.’ At these events, I hope to firmly promote Tokyo’s financial market and engage in investor relations.â€

While Koike is keen to boost business opportunities, she will also be promoting so-called soft power, such as anime and manga. She will be appearing on stage with Takahashi Yoichi, the creator of Captain Tsubasa, who is known as Captain Majid in the Middle East. Koike said anime and its content are said to have an economic impact of approximately 8 trillion yen.

Koike will be conducting business matching for Tokyo-based small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in Riyadh and Kuwait, as well as Tokyo’s â€œexcellent technology†to local government officials and business communities. 

 

 

 


Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability
Updated 19 October 2025

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability
  • Talks focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing efforts to end the conflict and restore stability in the Middle East

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Sunday from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders reviewed cooperation across various fields and discussed regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Talks focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing efforts to end the conflict and restore stability in the Middle East.

Prince Mohammed and Macron stressed the importance of immediately alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal.

They also underscored the need to take practical steps toward a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.


ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ welcomes immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
Updated 19 October 2025

ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ welcomes immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
  • Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate truce during talks in Doha, both sides said on Sunday, after a week of fierce border clashes

RIYADH: ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ on Sunday welcomed the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate truce during talks in Doha, both sides said on Sunday, after a week of fierce border clashes, the worst violence between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the “Kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its constant commitment to ensuring security in a way that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.â€

It added that the Kingdom looked forward to an end to tensions on the border between the two countries.

After peace talks in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry said early Sunday that “the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.â€

They also agreed to follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire, the Qatari foreign ministry added.


ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ highlights green efforts at G20 meeting

Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for the environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. (SPA)
Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for the environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. (SPA)
Updated 19 October 2025

ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ highlights green efforts at G20 meeting

Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for the environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. (SPA)
  • Faqeeha highlighted ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµâ€™s role in advancing environmental protection nationally, regionally, and internationally

RIYADH: ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ reaffirmed its leadership in supporting international efforts to combat land degradation and drought and to promote environmental sustainability. It also contributes to global initiatives to protect natural resources.

The statement came during ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµâ€™s participation in the G20 Ministers of Environment and Climate Change meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Saudi delegation was headed by Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for the environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

The meeting aimed to strengthen international cooperation on environmental challenges and ecosystem protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Faqeeha highlighted ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµâ€™s role in advancing environmental protection nationally, regionally, and internationally.

He pointed to initiatives launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative — and the National Environment Strategy.

He also noted the Kingdom’s progress in expanding afforestation projects, combating desertification, rehabilitating degraded lands, and increasing protected areas by more than 400 percent.

Faqeeha underscored ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµâ€™s role in the G20, including launching the Global Initiative to Reduce Land Degradation and the Global Coral Reef Initiative during its 2020 G20 presidency.

He said the Kingdom has influenced global environmental dialogue, particularly by hosting the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification Conference in Riyadh in 2024.

The conference, the largest in the convention’s history, led to the Riyadh Declaration and more than 35 resolutions on sustainable land management, community empowerment, and research innovation.

About 40 initiatives were introduced as part of the Riyadh Agenda, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, aimed at strengthening global cooperation against drought.

 


More than 14,000 trees, seedlings planted in Qassim

More than 14,000 trees, seedlings planted in Qassim
Updated 19 October 2025

More than 14,000 trees, seedlings planted in Qassim

More than 14,000 trees, seedlings planted in Qassim
  • Supporting nursery development and expansion, the ministry has planted 6,000 seedlings in its nurseries and distributed 3,780 to citizens and participating entities

RIYADH: The 16th phase of the Green Qassim Land initiative, launched by Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, is underway as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative to enhance vegetation and promote environmental sustainability.

The Qassim branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has planted about 4,760 trees in Buraidah and other localities, along with holding an educational workshop on the safe disposal of agricultural waste.

The initiative has been taken to 19 schools as part of an environmental awareness program, planting 340 trees on school grounds, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Supporting nursery development and expansion, the ministry has planted 6,000 seedlings in its nurseries and distributed 3,780 to citizens and participating entities.

The Qassim Municipality works to enhance vegetation, increase awareness, initiate volunteer programs, promote a tree-planting culture, and run campaigns to prevent pollution and harmful practices.

These efforts aim to improve the quality of life, achieve environmental sustainability, and expand green spaces, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.