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Diriyah to host art book fair in November

Diriyah to host art book fair in November
Image: SPA
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Updated 15 sec ago

Diriyah to host art book fair in November

Diriyah to host art book fair in November
  • This year's edition features an expanded international presence

RIYADH: Diriyah will host the second PaperBack Art Book Fair from Nov. 6-8 in the JAX District, featuring more than 40 local and international institutions.

The event will bring together artists, publishers, and print enthusiasts to showcase the latest innovations in art books on an interactive platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

This year's edition features an expanded international presence, with participants from the Kingdom and countries including Egypt, China, the UAE, India, Lebanon, Qatar, the Netherlands, Morocco, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland, and Japan.

Hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the fair will offer workshops, sessions, and art performances, allowing the public to engage with creators and explore new techniques in art book and magazine production.


º£½ÇÖ±²¥ highlights ethical AI at UNESCO week

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ highlights ethical AI at UNESCO week
Updated 4 sec ago

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ highlights ethical AI at UNESCO week

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ highlights ethical AI at UNESCO week
  • The SDAIA and ICAIRE hope to raise awareness about AI ethics, highlight deepfake risks

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in cooperation with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to promote the ethical use of artificial intelligence during UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week, which began Oct. 24.

As part of the event, the authority hosted a virtual session on deepfakes and misinformation risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The session “aimed to enrich global dialogue on responsible AI, showcasing the Kingdom’s experience alongside international best practices for addressing manipulated content,†the SPA stated. “The discussion also supported efforts to enhance trust and credibility in media and information platforms.â€

The SDAIA and ICAIRE hope to raise awareness about AI ethics, highlight deepfake risks, and support research that protects societies from irresponsible AI use.

Deepfake technology uses advanced AI models to replicate human features, voices, and behaviors, generating highly realistic audio and visual content that is often difficult to distinguish from reality.

While deepfakes have the potential to aid education, they also raise ethical and legal concerns related to privacy, credibility, and protection from misuse.


Palestinian and Montenegrin PMs arrive in Riyadh for FII9

Palestinian and Montenegrin PMs arrive in Riyadh for FII9
Updated 25 October 2025

Palestinian and Montenegrin PMs arrive in Riyadh for FII9

Palestinian and Montenegrin PMs arrive in Riyadh for FII9

RIYADH: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic arrived in Riyadh on Saturday ahead of their attendance at the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference.

Both leaders were received at King Khalid International Airport by Riyadh Region Deputy Governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz and other senior officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Kingdom arrests 22,613 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 22,613 illegals in one week
Updated 25 October 2025

Kingdom arrests 22,613 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 22,613 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 22,613 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 13,652 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,394 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 4,567 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,699 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 45 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 35 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 23 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
 


New program to empower youth in traditional arts

New program to empower youth in traditional arts
Updated 25 October 2025

New program to empower youth in traditional arts

New program to empower youth in traditional arts

RIYADH: A new scheme in Jazan is teaching young people traditional craftsmanship and fostering creativity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Crafts Market program is a joint initiative by the Alrowad Youth Association and the Cultural House under the Heritage Commission.

Workshops are led by distinguished local artisans, giving attendees hands-on experience and professional guidance.

The scheme runs until the end of November, with sessions every Friday and Saturday at the Cultural House, the SPA added.

Attendees can explore crafts including pottery, sculpture, painting, candle and perfume making, leatherwork, embroidery, jewelry and accessory production.

In addition to artistic skills, workshops cover practical aspects such as branding and product packaging, helping young people turn their crafts into businesses.

Last week, the Cultural House hosted a pottery-making workshop to revive traditional crafts that reflect the region’s rich heritage.

The course covered the full production cycle, from clay extraction and processing to shaping, firing and glazing, all using eco-friendly materials.

Attendees also learned to identify different clay types, prepare raw materials, implement designs, and build and use a traditional kiln.


Kingdom extends lifesaving medical assistance to Gaza’s young patients

Kingdom extends lifesaving medical assistance to Gaza’s young patients
Updated 25 October 2025

Kingdom extends lifesaving medical assistance to Gaza’s young patients

Kingdom extends lifesaving medical assistance to Gaza’s young patients

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief took the initiative to provide treatment for seven-year-old Eileen Rami Al-Kilani from the Gaza Strip.

Eileen suffers from a critical case of colon cancer requiring urgent medical intervention, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Given the need for specialized treatment unavailable in Gaza, KSrelief arranged and funded her transfer to Jordan.

She began treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, where she is now under the care of a specialized oncology team providing comprehensive support on her journey to recovery.

The child’s family expressed deep appreciation to the leadership and people of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ for this initiative, the SPA reported.

They said that KSrelief’s efforts had given them crucial support and a chance for survival amid the difficult humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

KSrelief recently facilitated a surgical operation for Palestinian child Mira Suhaib Aqqad, who suffered from a congenital heart defect, at the Ministry of National Guard’s King Abdulaziz Medical City.

Mira has since left the Kingdom following a full recovery, supported by comprehensive medical care and follow-up provided by the Saudi leadership.

The child’s family said that º£½ÇÖ±²¥ had extended a helping hand to those in need worldwide and praised the efforts of the Saudi medical staff, which contributed to their daughter’s swift recovery.

Earlier this month, KSrelief initiated the treatment of six-year-old Mohammed Abdullah Al-Kutnan, who suffers from neuroblastoma cancer.

KSrelief responded urgently to his critical condition and facilitated his transfer from the Gaza Strip to Jordan. He is undergoing an intensive treatment program at the King Hussein Cancer Center under the supervision of a specialized medical team closely monitoring his health.

KSrelief also initiated emergency medical treatment for three-year-old Seleen Shadi Abdul Salam from the Gaza Strip. She suffers from acute leukemia, a critical condition requiring urgent intervention, the SPA reported.

KSrelief managed her transport and care at the King Hussein Cancer Center, where medical teams immediately began monitoring her condition and administering treatment according to the highest health standards.

KSrelief is implementing a specialized project to treat cancer patients among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the King Hussein Cancer Center. The project benefits 150 individuals at a cost of more than $3.6 million.