Meeting held in Jeddah between Saudi crown prince and the king of Jordan.

RIYADH: On Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan during an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah arrived in Jeddah, where he was welcomed by the deputy governor of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

During their meeting, King Abdullah voiced pride in the long-standing relationship between Riyadh and Amman, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in advocating for Arab and Islamic causes, as reported by Petra news agency. The leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments, particularly concerning the situations in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. In attendance were several key Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Crown Prince Hussein, and the Director of the Jordanian King's Office, Alaa Batayneh.

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force, along with other military units from ten countries, is participating in the "Desert Flag" joint air exercise in the UAE, as announced by the Saudi Press Agency. Taking place over several weeks at Al-Dhafra Air Base, the exercise includes military contingents from Qatar, Bahrain, Turkiye, the U.S., France, South Korea, the UK, Australia, India, and Germany. Lt. Col. Pilot Faisal Al-Marwani, commander of the Saudi air force contingent, stated that preparations were conducted in accordance with established safety protocols for military exercises. He noted that Saudi Arabia has deployed six F-15C fighter jets with full crews to facilitate the exchange of military expertise in realistic combat scenarios. The exercise will encompass various air maneuvers, including defensive and offensive counter-air operations, close air support, and combat search and rescue, with objectives focused on enhancing combat readiness and strengthening international military partnerships. ---

RIYADH: A UN tourism official based in Riyadh is urging companies to participate in a competition aimed at highlighting startups utilizing artificial intelligence in the tourism industry. The Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge, which runs until Friday, seeks to honor businesses that leverage AI to enhance user experiences and promote sustainability. According to Samer Al-Kharashi, director of the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, the tourism sector is rapidly evolving with AI at the forefront of this transformation. The challenge invites entrepreneurs who are implementing AI solutions in their tourism ventures, aiming to identify and support startups that drive innovation in AI technologies to enhance experiences and foster sustainable growth in the sector. Finalists will get access to a global network of mentors and industry leaders and will pitch their ideas at the UN Tourism Demo Day, followed by participation in an acceleration program at SPARK, the innovation hub of Les Roches.

The initiative also connects startups to over 90 venture capitalists and institutions across more than 150 countries, providing potential pilot opportunities and additional funding from Plug and Play. Al-Kharashi emphasized the importance of engaging Middle Eastern entrepreneurs, highlighting the regional office's commitment to fostering innovation, cross-border collaboration, and the active involvement of local entrepreneurs in shaping the future of global tourism. Examples of AI applications in Saudi tourism include NEOM's Arena OneBrain system, which offers hyper-personalized travel experiences, and Red Sea Global's AI-powered beach-cleaning robot designed to detect and remove small debris, showcasing the Kingdom's commitment to digital transformation in the tourism sector. ---
RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor general of Saudi Arabia's aid agency KSrelief, met with Tunisia's President Kais Saied in Tunis to discuss humanitarian and relief efforts, according to the Saudi Press Agency. President Saied praised the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, noting the exceptional capabilities of medical professionals from both countries. He also commended the Saudi program for the separation of conjoined twins. Dr. Al-Rabeeah further engaged with Tunisia's Minister of Health Dr. Mustapha Ferjani to address various humanitarian concerns. Ferjani recognized Saudi Arabia's significant humanitarian contributions through KSrelief in support of global aid efforts. Since its inception in May 2015, KSrelief has executed over 3,400 projects valued at more than $7.9 billion across 106 countries, collaborating with over 311 organizations. --- King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority: organized a volunteer initiative involving over 550 students to plant more than 3,000 seedlings during Environment Week, which aims to foster environmental stewardship among youth and promote sustainability in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The event took place from April 20 to 26, highlighting significant environmental awareness campaigns, sustainable practices, and achievements such as the planting of over 3 million seedlings and the restoration of 700,000 hectares of land. The activities included habitat restoration and wildlife conservation efforts, featuring exhibitions and initiatives to engage the community in environmental protection. ---

US Embassy in Riyadh Celebrates 249 Years of American Independence: RIYADH: The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh hosted a reception on Tuesday, themed "America the Beautiful," to commemorate the 249th anniversary of American independence. Charge d'Affaires Alison Dilworth welcomed government officials, business leaders, academics, and cultural figures to an event that underscored the lasting friendship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. In her remarks, Dilworth highlighted the shared natural beauty of both nations and their common interests, while emphasizing the strong cultural and personal connections that link the two peoples. She expressed hope for continued cooperation in various fields, including commerce, energy, innovation, and space exploration, stating, "Together, we are building a future of shared prosperity.