Riyadh to Host Global AI Summit in Mid-September

Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Riyadh to Host Global AI Summit in Mid-September

Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Under the patronage of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh will host the second Global Artificial Intelligence Summit on Sept. 13-15 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Held under the slogan, “Artificial Intelligence for the Good of Humanity,” the summit is organized by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), and will discuss the effects of AI on many vital sectors, namely: smart cities, human capacity development, health care, transportation, energy, culture and heritage, environment, and economic mobility.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, the president of SDAIA, noted that the international gathering would see experts and specialists from various government agencies and giant tech companies share experiences on AI challenges and aspirations, as well as the latest research, technologies, and investment opportunities in this field.

Al-Ghamdi added that the summit, in its second edition, was an opportunity for stakeholders and experts in this field to benefit from the presence of more than 100 speakers and global innovators from around the world and to participate in work sessions, panel discussions, and accompanying workshops.

The first edition of the Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence was held two years ago with the participation of more than 200 experts and decision-makers and witnessed dialogues on the means to recover from the pandemic and trends that shape the field of artificial intelligence. The summit activities were attended by more than 13,000 participants.



Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
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Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)

Oil pollution is affecting about 12 kilometres (7.46 miles) of coastline near Oman's Ras Madraka, while Masirah Island remains unaffected, state news agency ONA said on Saturday after efforts to tackle a spill from a leaking tanker have made progress.

Oil began reaching Oman's coast on Wednesday after spreading at sea for weeks, Reuters reported.

The Environment Authority said response operations were under way and the offshore slick was moving towards open waters.


ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported.

This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull on Friday. It was not immediately clear if it was the ADNOC vessel.

Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Repeated Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Repeated Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the targeting of two ADNOC tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing repeated Iranian attacks against commercial vessels as reprehensible.

In a statement, the ministry stressed that these repeated attacks constitute a dangerous escalation, a direct threat to maritime navigation safety and global energy security, and a grave violation of international law, SPA reported.

It noted that the aggression blatantly defies UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms the freedom of commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and condemns any actions obstructing it.

Holding Iran fully responsible for the consequences of its ongoing violations, the Kingdom demanded an immediate halt to these attacks and adherence to international laws. It emphasized that regional security and maritime safety are shared responsibilities, warning that continuing such actions is intolerable.

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, affirming its steadfast support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and resources.