RIYADH: As tourism becomes a major driver of the Saudi economy with its huge employment-generating potential, Saudi Arabia has launched six major initiatives to stimulate the travel and tourism industry.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia could generate SR2.6 billion ($693.3 million) from fees levied on dependents of expatriates working in the Kingdom, according to a Directorate of Passports official.

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Passports at the Ministry of Interior said here Monday that fees levied on dependents of foreign workers cover all nationalities without any exception.

RIYADH: Children as young as four-year-old years are becoming so addicted to smart phones and iPads that they require psychological treatment and help for other ailments including weak vision and memory, local pediatricians warned on Sunday.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Japan have intensified efforts to boost cooperation and realize joint projects within the framework of the ambitious Vision 2030.

RIYADH: Albania has renewed a visa-free travel scheme for nationals of three Gulf countries in a bid to boost the number of tourists from the region.

RIYADH: As part of a plan to recognize efforts that help boost peace and security in the Arab world, the Council of Arab Ministers of Interior has launched the “Prince Naif Award for Arab Security” in memory of the late Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, a pioneer of joint Arab security.

RIYADH: In a move to promote science and research programs in the Kingdom, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Riyadh governor, presented scientific excellence awards to a group of professors and scientists here Friday.

RIYADH: Fasting in Ramadan can be exhausting accompanied by headaches, low blood sugar levels, lethargy, hypertension and fatigue. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to break his fast by eating one to three dates at sunset.

RIYADH: Using miswak, the twig used by a majority of people in Muslim countries to brush their teeth, is alien to most people in the West. Although it might sound outdated to use twigs from different trees to clean one’s mouth and teeth, studies conducted on miswak have proved otherwise, inferring that the miswak is better than toothpaste for preventing mouth and dental diseases.

RIYADH: Millions of Muslims worldwide will mark the start of Ramadan, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts, most probably from Saturday.

RIYADH: Relations between the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have strengthened over several decades, bound by mutual interests, interdependence and stable institutions.

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump, who is making his first foreign visit starting with Saudi Arabia, will arrive here today to hold talks with King Salman on a range of key issues, including Iran, Syria, Yemen, terrorism, the Middle East peace process, as well as ways and means to further strengthen Saudi-US ties.

Protiviti Member Firm for the Middle East region hosted an event on the official opening of its new office in Riyadh. The event coincided with the visit of one of its global leaders, Phillip Z. Fretwell, to the region. The new office space triples the office footprint and supports the member firm’s growth strategy.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has reported more than a 37 percent drop in deaths rate caused by traffic accidents following the implementation of automated Saher system, according to a study by the Riyadh-based King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC).

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Japan are working closely to enhance cooperation in the fields of culture and sports within the framework of the Vision 2030.

RIYADH: German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited King Salman to attend the G20 summit in Germany after holding wide-ranging consultations on the agenda of the summit in Jeddah on Sunday.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Germany will sign several agreements during the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will arrive in Jeddah on Sunday, German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller said on Saturday.

RIYADH: Saudi businessman and entrepreneur Majed Abdhulmohsen Al-Hokair, vice chairman of Al-Hokair Group, has been appointed Denmark’s honorary consul general in Jeddah by Danish Queen Margrethe II.

LuLu Hypermarket’s “Beautiful Britain Festival 2017” was inaugurated across all its hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

RIYADH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will start an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday in an effort to strengthen bilateral ties.

Arab News national-day supplements, published on the national days of various countries, have played a major role in boosting Saudi relations with the international community. They have led to trade, investment and joint-venture opportunities, and promoted travel and tourism, benefitting the Saudi economy and that of partner countries.

RIYADH: King Salman held talks on Sunday with Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, on “relations between the two countries and the prospects of bilateral cooperation,” according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

RIYADH: Lawmakers from Russia’s upper House of Parliament arrived here Saturday night. The 15-member delegation led by Valentina Matviyenko, Russia’s Federation Council speaker, will meet with King Salman and Saudi officials and hold talks with her counterpart at the Shoura Council here on Sunday.

RIYADH: A Moroccan kickboxer knocked down his opponent and history was created at the first-ever World Champion Kickboxing Challenge held in the Saudi capital Friday night.