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Saudi Arabia, Canada Launch New Phase of Cooperation in Education, Knowledge, Capabilities

The Canadian ambassador said his country is working in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations in the educational fields. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Canadian ambassador said his country is working in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations in the educational fields. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, Canada Launch New Phase of Cooperation in Education, Knowledge, Capabilities

The Canadian ambassador said his country is working in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations in the educational fields. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Canadian ambassador said his country is working in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations in the educational fields. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh hosted on Tuesday the first Saudi-Canadian Forum for Educational Partnership, in the presence of Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and Canadian Ambassador to the Kingdom Jean-Philippe Linteau.

The forum aims to strengthen cooperation and partnerships between educational institutions in the two countries. It witnessed the participation of around 180 experts and stakeholders in the fields of education, health and industry.

Al-Benyan underlined the importance of education in achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, especially in terms of qualifying students to compete globally. He noted that the forum reflected the commitment of Saudi Arabia and Canada to develop the existing strategic partnership between them.

The minister touched on his recent visit to Canada and pointed to many existing opportunities for cooperation in the fields of general and higher education, early childhood programs, teacher development, in addition to medical, technical and vocational training programs.

He stressed the importance of boosting cooperation between the two countries in research and development in priority areas in line with Vision 2030.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Linteau said Canada is a committed partner in supporting the Kingdom’s move towards a knowledge-based economy as described in the goals of Vision 2030.

He added that the forum will serve as a platform for dialogue, communication and cooperation in the fields of joint research, technical training, capacity building, student and faculty exchange, curriculum development and opening external centers.

The ambassador said his country is working in partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations in education due to the importance of this sector in developing human capital and supporting innovation to achieve a prosperous future for the two countries.

The forum aims to explore the most important areas of educational cooperation, such as: information technology, tourism, health care, clean energy, mining, and agriculture, he went on to say.

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Business

Sydney’s New International Airport Opens to Passengers

A Jetstar aircraft departs on the inaugural commercial service from the newly-opened Western Sydney International Airport in Sydney on October 25, 2026, marking the start of regular passenger operations at Australia's newest international gateway. (AFP)
A Jetstar aircraft departs on the inaugural commercial service from the newly-opened Western Sydney International Airport in Sydney on October 25, 2026, marking the start of regular passenger operations at Australia's newest international gateway. (AFP)
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Sydney’s New International Airport Opens to Passengers

A Jetstar aircraft departs on the inaugural commercial service from the newly-opened Western Sydney International Airport in Sydney on October 25, 2026, marking the start of regular passenger operations at Australia's newest international gateway. (AFP)
A Jetstar aircraft departs on the inaugural commercial service from the newly-opened Western Sydney International Airport in Sydney on October 25, 2026, marking the start of regular passenger operations at Australia's newest international gateway. (AFP)

Sydney's new ‌A$5.6 billion ($3.94 billion) airport opened to passengers on Sunday after more than a decade of planning, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was a milestone for the country's most populous city.

The new Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, about 60 km (37.3 miles) west of central Sydney, will operate 24 hours a day, ‌giving airlines ‌access to a fast-growing and ethnically ‌diverse ⁠population center.

The current ⁠airport, located closer to Sydney's central business district, can host takeoffs and landings only until 11 p.m. and after 6 a.m., limiting airline scheduling options relative to other major Australian cities like Melbourne.

"For ⁠the first time in more ‌than 50 years, ‌Australia is opening a major new airport. It’s ‌a milestone that has been decades in ‌the making," Albanese said in a statement.

"I’m very proud to officially open it," he said.

Qantas' budget arm Jetstar was due to ‌operate the first outbound flight to the Gold Coast on Sunday, ⁠the ⁠airport said in a statement. The airport has capacity for more than 80 million passenger movements annually, it said.

The start of passenger services comes after cargo flights commenced at the facility in July.

Located on a 1,780-hectare (4,398-acre) site purchased by the federal government in the 1980s, the airport was completed in July 2025 after a seven-year build and 15 years of planning.

Business

Trump Says Audi to Invest $4.2 Bn in Its First US Auto Plant

US President Donald Trump looks on as CEO of Audi AG Gernot Dollner speaks at a midterm election campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia in Perry, Georgia on October 24, 2026. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump looks on as CEO of Audi AG Gernot Dollner speaks at a midterm election campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia in Perry, Georgia on October 24, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Says Audi to Invest $4.2 Bn in Its First US Auto Plant

US President Donald Trump looks on as CEO of Audi AG Gernot Dollner speaks at a midterm election campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia in Perry, Georgia on October 24, 2026. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump looks on as CEO of Audi AG Gernot Dollner speaks at a midterm election campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia in Perry, Georgia on October 24, 2026. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that German automaker Audi planned to invest $4.2 billion to build its first factory in the United States that will produce 200,000 vehicles a year.

Audi confirmed the investment in a release, saying the plant would create about 4,500 jobs.

"I'm thrilled to announce a massive auto manufacturing investment in the great state of Georgia by a fantastic company," Trump said at a campaign rally 10 days ahead of the November 3 midterm elections that will determine control of the US Congress.

"Audi has just committed to invest $4.2 billion dollars in nearby Macon, Georgia, to begin the construction next month on a massive plant that will produce 200,000 cars a year," Trump continued.

Audi, which is a unit of Volkswagen, said in its release that construction was scheduled to begin next year and production in the early 2030s.

"The planned investment intends to mark a long-term commitment to the United States and to establish North America as a third major pillar of Audi's global production network alongside Europe and China," it said.

VW, long a titan of German industry, has struggled with US tariffs, Chinese competition and patchy demand in Europe.

About 50,000 job cuts have already been agreed across the 10-brand Volkswagen Group -- mostly at VW, Audi and Porsche -- but the company has said another 50,000 could be required worldwide to slash costs.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s Bahri Signs $451 Million Deal to Build Three VLCCs

A Bahri vessel (company website).
A Bahri vessel (company website).
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Saudi Arabia’s Bahri Signs $451 Million Deal to Build Three VLCCs

A Bahri vessel (company website).
A Bahri vessel (company website).

The national shipping carrier of Saudi Arabia, Bahri, has signed a contract with International Maritime Industries (IMI) to build and deliver three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for a total value of about $451 million (1.692 billion riyals), the company said.

Each vessel will have a capacity of 320,000 deadweight tons, with the three tankers scheduled for delivery in phases during 2029 and 2030, Bahri said in a disclosure published on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) website.

The financial impact of the contract will be reflected in the company's financial statements after the vessels are received and begin commercial operations. The contract will run until delivery of the final tanker, it added.

The agreement is part of Bahri's strategy to modernize its fleet and expand its long-term operational capacity, strengthening its ability to respond to changing requirements in global energy and shipping markets.

It also supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop a globally competitive maritime sector by localizing shipbuilding capabilities and related maritime supply chains, in line with the objectives of its Vision 2030 economic transformation program.

With the signing of the agreement, the number of vessels being built in Saudi Arabia for Bahri will rise to nine, comprising six dry bulk carriers and three very large crude carriers.

Bahri said it would finance the contract through a combination of internal cash resources and bank facilities.