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Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth

Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth
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The third Diriyah Horizon youth summer program began on Sunday, organized by the DGDA in partnership with several entities to build youth skills and promote cultural and national values. (SPA)
Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth
2 / 2
The third Diriyah Horizon youth summer program began on Sunday, organized by the DGDA in partnership with several entities to build youth skills and promote cultural and national values. (SPA)
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Updated 28 July 2025

Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth

Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth
  • Collaborators include the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Saudi Space Agency, iLMI Science Discovery and Innovation Center, and Mahd Sports Academy
  • Program offers hands-on learning experiences to enrich participants and boost educational outcomes

RIYADH: The third Diriyah Horizon youth summer program began on Sunday, organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in partnership with several entities to build youth skills and promote cultural and national values.

Collaborators include the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Saudi Space Agency, iLMI Science Discovery and Innovation Center, and Mahd Sports Academy.

The program offers hands-on learning experiences to enrich participants and boost educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It reflects the authority’s commitment to education and social responsibility by providing a dynamic environment filled with diverse, skill-building activities.

Running until Aug. 21, the program features six specialized tracks inspired by Diriyah’s heritage and values, including 14 workshops.

The leadership track covers debate, volunteerism and public speaking. The heritage track explores archeological excavation and traditional mudbrick construction. The creative production track focuses on photography and filmmaking. The science track includes water systems, soil science, sustainable energy and aircraft design.

The space track offers interactive sessions on astronomy, space technology and Diriyah’s agricultural seasons, while the sports track features fencing and archery.

Held Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the program aims to shape a conscious, capable generation rooted in Saudi identity. It fosters pride, cultural awareness, creativity, innovation and real-world problem-solving.


KSrelief expands efforts in Yemen with eye surgeries in Aden and classrooms in Hadramout

KSrelief expands efforts in Yemen with eye surgeries in Aden and classrooms in Hadramout
Updated 4 sec ago

KSrelief expands efforts in Yemen with eye surgeries in Aden and classrooms in Hadramout

KSrelief expands efforts in Yemen with eye surgeries in Aden and classrooms in Hadramout
  • KSrelief launched two new initiatives in Yemen aimed at strengthening health care and education as part of Ƶ’s ongoing humanitarian support,

DUBAI: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched two new initiatives in Yemen aimed at strengthening health care and education as part of Ƶ’s ongoing humanitarian support, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). 
In Aden Governorate, KSrelief inaugurated the Saudi Noor Volunteer Project, which runs from September 7 to 14 and provides advanced eye surgeries for low-income patients.
According to SPA, a volunteer medical team of six specialists has already successfully performed 22 retinal surgeries, 10 strabismus (crossed-eye) corrections, five glaucoma operations, and four orbital procedures, along with 98 retinal injections, 80 laser treatments and 19 minor interventions. 
Meanwhile, in the Hadramout governorate, KSrelief delivered 28 alternative classrooms across the districts of Thamud, Ramah and rural Mukalla. The initiative coincides with the start of the 2025–2026 academic year and aims to reduce overcrowding, keep children in school and ensure access to quality education.


KSrelief distributes food aid in Afghanistan, Somalia

KSrelief distributes food aid in Afghanistan, Somalia
Updated 7 min 29 sec ago

KSrelief distributes food aid in Afghanistan, Somalia

KSrelief distributes food aid in Afghanistan, Somalia

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) handed out much-needed food supplies in Afghanistan and Somalia as part of Ƶ’s ongoing humanitarian efforts.

In Afghanistan, 797 boxes containing basic food needs were distributed to benefit 4,782 Afghans housed at the Omari camp at the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar Province. They are temporarily being accommodated there upon their return from Pakistan.

In Somalia, 1,300 food boxes were given to vulnerable families in Baidoa as part of Ƶ’s Food Security Support Project for the country.

Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General, earlier met with Mauritanian Ambassador to Ƶ Mokhtar Ould Dahi where they discussed humanitarian and relief affairs, and ways to further enhance them.

A KSrelief team also participated in a donor delegation from the Lives and Livelihoods Fund on a field visit to a project supporting maternal, newborn, and child health services in Tajikistan’s Khatlon Province, SPA reported.

They inspected the new medical equipment and patient wards, where improvements have raised antenatal care coverage from 50 percent to 70 percent and supported more than 1,500 safe deliveries.


Saudi, Russian deputy foreign ministers meet in Sochi

Saudi, Russian deputy foreign ministers meet in Sochi
Updated 29 min 40 sec ago

Saudi, Russian deputy foreign ministers meet in Sochi

Saudi, Russian deputy foreign ministers meet in Sochi

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Deputy Minister Abdulrahman Al-Rassi met his Russian counterpart Vershinin Sergey Vasilievich at the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Sochi.

The two officials explored ways to enhance Saudi-Russian bilateral relations and also discussed the latest regional and international developments, and efforts made to address them, state news agency SPA reported

The Sochi dialogue is an important platform for strengthening relations between the two sides and exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest, including threats to regional and global security, according to GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

The meeting comes amid circumstances marked by numerous crises facing the region and the world, including political and security challenges that affect security and stability, Albudaiwi said, in a report from SPA.

He emphasized that GCC nations’ belief that that the optimal way to resolve all conflicts and disputes is through negotiations and peaceful, diplomatic means, prioritizing dialogue and respecting the rule of law particularly those that align with international laws that ensure the preservation of security and stability and the achievement of greater prosperity and development.

The GCC foreign ministers and Russian foreign affairs minister Sergey Lavrov earlier issued a jointed statement strongly condemning the Israeli attack against Qatar.

In their statement, the ministers considered the “attack a flagrant violation of international laws and norms, a blatant assault on the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, and a deliberate undermining of diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.”

They also warned that the absence of a serious and decisive international stance will have serious repercussions for regional and international peace and security.


Saudi education minister meets with Singaporean counterpart 

Saudi education minister meets with Singaporean counterpart 
Updated 12 September 2025

Saudi education minister meets with Singaporean counterpart 

Saudi education minister meets with Singaporean counterpart 

 

SINGAPORE: Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan met with his Singaporean counterpart Desmond Lee Ti-Seng during his official visit to Singapore.

The meeting explored opportunities to establish academic partnerships between Saudi and Singaporean universities and to develop curricula aligned with the requirements of the knowledge economy.

Discussions also included the launch of joint research centers in the fields of artificial intelligence, clean energy and cybersecurity, as well as encouraging researchers from both sides to jointly apply for scholarships.

Additionally, the meeting addressed ways to benefit from Singapore’s leading experience in teacher preparation and development through continuing education programs and mutual visits. Further topics included the development of student skills, student exchange programs, and the employment of modern teaching techniques in classrooms.
 

 


Riyadh launches platform for citizens to buy residential land

Riyadh launches platform for citizens to buy residential land
Updated 11 September 2025

Riyadh launches platform for citizens to buy residential land

Riyadh launches platform for citizens to buy residential land
  • Initiative follows directives announced earlier in the year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to stabilize the property sector

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City on Thursday launched the Real Estate Balance Platform to receive applications from citizens seeking residential land in the capital.

The initiative follows directives announced earlier in the year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to stabilize the property sector by making land available at affordable prices.

The RCRC said it aimed to provide between 10,000 and 40,000 plots annually over the next five years, priced at no more than 1,500 riyals ($400) per sq. meter, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Applicants must be Saudi citizens who are either married or over the age of 25, have lived in Riyadh for at least three years and own no other property. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 23.

Successful applicants will be required to build on their land within 10 years or risk forfeiture, with resale and transfer prohibited during that period except for mortgages used to finance construction.

The commission said that registering on the platform did not guarantee allocation. It also stressed that the platform, available at , was the sole channel for applications and that it was not represented by any intermediary.

Details and updates will be issued through official RCRC channels, with inquiries handled via its call center.