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RIYADH: Saudi/Palestinian scientist Professor Omar Yaghi, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for its unwavering support of scientific research and innovation.
In remarks published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Yaghi thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his continuous encouragement of his scientific journey – support that Yaghi said played a “pivotal role” in achieving this historic milestone.
Yaghi also acknowledged the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for its long-term backing through the KACST–UC Berkeley Center of Excellence, describing it as instrumental to his success.
“Receiving this award is a great honor for me and for all Saudi and Arab scientists around the world,” Yaghi said, according to SPA. 
“I hope this achievement will inspire the next generation of Saudi and Arab youth to pursue excellence in research and innovation.”
Professor Yaghi, a pioneer in reticular chemistry – a groundbreaking field that designs crystalline frameworks with applications in energy, the environment, water desalination, and carbon capture – became the first Saudi national to win a Nobel Prize.

RIYADH: As part of the Riyadh International Book Fair, supervised by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, Mirza Al-Khuwaildi presented a workshop titled “Cultural Journalism and Critical Reporting,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The workshop “explored the concept of cultural writing and the foundations of a structured journalistic approach capable of producing high-quality written, visual, or audio content that conveys information, ideas, entertainment, or targeted marketing to specific audiences,” according to the SPA.

Al-Khuwaildi said that cultural media plays an important role in “connection, context, and cultural communication,” adding that successful cultural media “relies on three pillars — the idea, the platform, and the audience.” He reviewed the pros and cons of various content types, from educational and cultural to artistic, analytical, tourism, and entertainment.

The book fair — which organizers claim is the Kingdom’s largest annual cultural celebration — concluded on Saturday after 10 days of events, seminars, and artistic performances.

The King Fahd National Library’s pavilion at the fair showcased the latest methods for restoring and treating valuable books and manuscripts, displaying restoration tools and materials including ink fixative, magnesium for de-acidification, glycerin for paper moisturizing, caustic soda, and a paper scale. It also featured natural Japanese paper imported specifically for manuscript repair. Restoration technicians provided explanations of the step-by-step processes used to return damaged manuscripts to their original condition.

The library follows “a precise multi-stage process for handling documents and manuscripts from both government agencies and individuals. This includes sterilization, treatment, restoration, microfilming, digital imaging, and binding,” the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, the crafts pavilion provided a rich display of traditional arts and handmade products featuring the work of several Saudi craftswomen, highlighting local artistry and cultural identity.

Some artisans demonstrated the traditional Sadu craft, weaving decorative patterns inspired by the desert landscape. Wicker crafts were also on display, with palm leaves woven into household items, “reflecting the richness of the Saudi environment,” according to the SPA.

“This participation strongly supports the Ministry of Culture’s initiative designating 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, which aims to empower artisans, document the nation’s craftsmanship heritage, and encourage new generations to sustain these skills,” the SPA concluded.