Where We Are Going Today: ‘Level Up’ social hub in Riyadh
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Level Up’ social hub in Riyadh/node/2601350/saudi-arabia
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Level Up’ social hub in Riyadh
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This multifaceted venue stands out as a gathering place for individuals with shared interests, making it easy to forge new friendships. (AN Photo)
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This multifaceted venue stands out as a gathering place for individuals with shared interests, making it easy to forge new friendships. (AN Photo)
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Updated 19 May 2025
Rahaf Jambi
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Level Up’ social hub in Riyadh
Updated 19 May 2025
Rahaf Jambi
Level Up is a social hub in Riyadh for those seeking entertainment and connection. For just SR60 ($16), visitors gain access to activities ranging from board games and video games to virtual reality experiences.
This multifaceted venue stands out as a gathering place for individuals with shared interests, making it easy to forge new friendships.
One of the highlights at Level Up is its open mic nights, where local bands showcase their talents. This not only provides entertainment but also fosters a sense of community among those attending.
The friendly vibe welcomes both extroverts and introverts, making it a space where people can comfortably engage in conversation or simply enjoy the performances.
The hub also sells PlayStation 5 consoles and accessories, catering to gaming enthusiasts, as well as a range of anime and video game action figures for those into pop culture.
One of the items on the menu I enjoyed was the iced matcha, which is popular among patrons.
While visiting with a friend, I was captivated by the talented musicians at the open mic event, followed by an engaging session of board games.
Level Up hosts discussions every Tuesday, featuring industry leaders such as marketing heads, board members, talent acquisition directors, CEOs, and founders.
These events provide opportunities to learn from and engage with influential figures, helping to enrich the community experience.
Whether you are looking to socialize, enjoy live music, or dive into gaming, Level Up is well worth a visit.
RIYADH: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its global initiatives with the delivery of needed aid including food, shelter and medicine.
In Yemen’s Marib governorate, the agency distributed emergency aid including 200 tents and 400 shelter kits to 400 families affected by rains and floods.
In Khartoum state of Sudan, KSrelief distributed 650 food boxes under the third phase of the 2025 Food Security Support Project in the conflict-stricken country.
In Suwayda and Daraa governorate of Syria, 670 food boxes were distributed to displaced people as part of an ongoing relief and humanitarian initiative of the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the aid agency gave out 4,700 shelter kits in various areas in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces of Pakistan to help the most vulnerable families in flood-affected areas. The distribution was part of the fourth phase of the project to distribute 15,500 shelter kits in Pakistan for 2025.
Over in Gaza, KSrelief is continuing its vital mission by distributing food baskets and baby formula to families in the central and southern Gaza Strip. It has delivered over 7,600 tonnes of food, medical and shelter supplies via 67 aircraft and eight ships to date.
In addition, 20 ambulances have been delivered to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, along with essential logistical equipment, generators and water tankers.
KSrelief has signed agreements with international organizations worth over $90 million to implement key relief projects in the Gaza Strip, and has also collaborated with Jordan to implement crucial airdrop operations.
In Lebanon, the Souboul Al-Salam Social Association’s ambulance service in Miniyeh carried out 52 ambulance missions during the week to Oct. 2, 2025, funded by KSrelief.
The missions included transporting patients to and from hospitals in Miniyeh, benefiting both Syrian refugees and members of the host community.
calls for restraint in Pakistan–Afghanistan border tensions, condemns attack on civilians in Sudan
Updated 12 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: voiced concern over rising tensions along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and also strongly condemned a separate attack on displaced civilians in El-Fasher, Sudan over the weekend.
According to statements published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom is “following with concern the tensions and clashes taking place along the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
called on all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and adopt dialogue and wisdom to ease tensions and preserve the security and stability of the region.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned and denounced “the heinous attack that targeted a shelter for displaced persons in El-Fasher”, reiterating ’s rejection of violence against civilians and calling for an immediate cessation of the war in Sudan.
The Kingdom stressed the importance of preserving Sudan’s unity and institutions, preventing further suffering among its people, and protecting civilians in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.
Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi thanks Crown Prince for backing science
Updated 12 October 2025
Arab News
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.
launches Mostaqbali program to train 50,000 Saudis in AI, digital skills
The program builds on the ministry’s efforts to support the shift toward smart technologies, enabling citizens to pursue eLearning and enhance their technological capabilities
Updated 11 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched an educational initiative to empower 50,000 Saudis for the most in-demand jobs of the future through training, upskilling, and reskilling.
In collaboration with Oracle and the National eLearning Center, the Mostaqbali (My Future) program will be delivered via the national eLearning platform FutureX, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative aims to develop national competencies and equip Saudi men and women with artificial intelligence and other in-demand digital skills for the future labor market.
The program builds on the ministry’s efforts to support the shift toward smart technologies, enabling citizens to pursue eLearning and enhance their technological capabilities.
It also promotes the localization of digital talent and ensures equal opportunities for all segments of society across educational and professional levels, the SPA added.
Open to all age groups, the initiative offers 23 training tracks totaling 300 hours. Participants who meet the requirements will receive accredited professional certificates.
The program covers a wide range of specialties, including AI, cloud computing, database management, Oracle applications, and other key digital skills.
It focuses on empowering recent graduates, employees, and women through specialized training that enhances digital expertise and fosters AI innovation — aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of building a knowledge- and innovation-based digital economy.
The ministry invited interested individuals to register through the FutureX platform at forms.nelc.gov.sa/en/mostaqbali.
Riyadh book fair highlights cultural content, heritage
Workshop on cultural media explores journalism, ideas, platforms, audiences
King Fahd Library demonstrates advanced manuscript-restoration techniques
Updated 11 October 2025
Arab News
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.
The library’s pavilion at the fair showcased the latest methods for restoring and treating valuable books and manuscripts, displaying restoration tools and materials. (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.
HIGHLIGHT
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.
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.
