Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit

Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit
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The ninth Media Oasis, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Media, began in Riyadh on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit to the Kingdom by US President Donald Trump. (Supplied)
Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit
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The ninth Media Oasis, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Media, began in Riyadh on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit to the Kingdom by US President Donald Trump. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 May 2025

Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit

Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit
  • More than 2,500 media professionals expected to attend 2-day event in Riyadh showcasing new media technologies

Riyadh: The ninth Media Oasis, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Media, began in Riyadh on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit to the Kingdom by US President Donald Trump.

The two-day event at Riyadh’s Green Halls venue is showcasing new media technologies and includes a number of multi-zoned exhibitions within a 2,000-square-meter space, organizers said. It also aims to provide a dynamic platform supporting extensive coverage of Trump’s visit, and highlight ’s rapidly evolving global image, they added.

More than 2,500 local and international journalists and other media professionals were expected to attend, making it one of the largest media-related gatherings in the region. It is held in collaboration with the Quality of Life Program, one of the key pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and economic diversification.

The event features an “Oasis Valley” zone set up to provide live coverage of the US president’s visit. Another prominent feature is the “Oasis Exhibition” zone, which offers in-depth information and insights about the transformative initiatives launched under Vision 2030.

There is also a focus on ongoing collaborative projects between the Kingdom and the US in sectors such as infrastructure and tourism. A dedicated exhibition marking 90 years of Saudi-American diplomatic relations traces the shared history of the two nations, highlighting pivotal moments in the relationship and shedding light on the cultural, political and economic foundations that have helped shape decades of cooperation.

In addition, four advanced studios have been created on-site to allow local and international TV networks to provide uninterrupted, professional-grade reporting.

Government agencies and other key Vision 2030 stakeholders actively involved in the event include the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the NEOM megacity project, New Murabba Development Company, Qiddiya Investment Company, and the official team behind ’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.


Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations
Updated 08 October 2025

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations
  • Missive accepted by the deputy minister of foreign affairs during meeting with Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom

LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a letter from his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, about relations between their countries and ways in which they might be strengthened in all fields.

The deputy minister of foreign affairs, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, accepted the written message on Prince Faisal’s behalf during a meeting with Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Ehab Abu Srei, on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Khuraiji and Abu Srei reviewed Saudi-Egyptian relations and discussed other topics of mutual interest, officials said.


27 weekly flights to AlUla in winter season

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
Updated 07 October 2025

27 weekly flights to AlUla in winter season

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
  • With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent

ALULA: AlUla is gearing up for a busy winter season, with an expanded network of international flights providing easier access to the oasis in northwest Arabia through services to major regional destinations and links via global hubs.

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week, including three weekly connections via Doha operated by Qatar Airways, and the reintroduction of Royal Jordanian’s twice-weekly service between AlUla and Amman.

With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent.

The AlUla-Amman connection helps to strengthen cultural ties between Jordan’s Petra and AlUla’s Hegra, which is 's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The seasonal increase in flights ensures that visitors from across the region and beyond can easily reach AlUla’s natural landscapes, luxury hospitality, rich heritage, and diverse events and experiences during the cooler months — one of the best times to explore the unique destination.

 


Mongolian falcon sells for SR650,000

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
Updated 07 October 2025

Mongolian falcon sells for SR650,000

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
  • The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000

RIYADH: The most expensive Mongolian falcon to date was sold Monday at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025 for SR650,000 ($173,276) following intense bidding. 

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000.

The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000. The second, a hur qarnas (mature falcon) started at SR100,000 and was sold for SR650,000, making it the most expensive Mongolian falcon ever sold.

For the first time in its history, the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition dedicated a special zone to Mongolian falcons, which hold a distinguished status among falconers in the Kingdom and the region for their exceptional quality.

The zone showcases elite falcon breeds from Mongolia in East Asia, particularly the Mongolian hur falcon, known for its large size, long wingspan, and strong endurance.

Its colors range from white to dark brown, and these traits give the Mongolian falcon an advantage in falconry, thanks to its resilience to harsh conditions and quick responsiveness to training, making it one of the most sought-after species among both amateurs and professionals.

 


AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair
Updated 07 October 2025

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair
  • The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents” that can think, analyze, and make decisions

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence and its growing impact on creative writing were at the forefront of discussion during a workshop titled “Technology: Your Gateway to the World of Writing” at the Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

The session began with a discussion of prominent authors who left a distinctive mark on literature through their mastery of language and imagination to build meaning and enrich the creative experience.

Two main types of writing were outlined: functional writing, which follows formal templates, and creative writing, which offers wider room for self-expression through imagery, description, and imagination, emphasizing that creativity requires a combination of talent, technique, and linguistic awareness.

The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents” that can think, analyze, and make decisions, representing an advanced stage of interaction between humans and technology.

The session concluded with practical demonstrations of digital editing tools, highlighting that technology has become an active element in developing writers’ skills, expanding their creative horizons, and enabling them to reach a global audience across modern writing platforms.

 


Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Jordan’s king

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 07 October 2025

Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Jordan’s king

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Tuesday from Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, they reviewed the most prominent regional developments and discussed ways to enhance joint action and intensify efforts to achieve security and stability.