Edward Byrne was appointed as the new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology on Wednesday, with the appointment effective from Sept. 1. Byrne’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the university as it continues its transformative journey through the implementation of its Accelerating Impact Strategy. Byrne succeeds Tony Chan who joined KAUST as president in 2018. Chan significantly enhanced KAUST’s alignment with Vision 2030, expanding its global research and academic influence.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture has expanded its Cultural Scholarship Program, adding 118 colleges to its list of accredited educational institutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The move aims to support national cadres, respond to the growing needs of the labor market and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in relation to culture, the ministry said. The additions take the number of institutions involved in the program to 278 in 15 countries, of which 58 are in the US, 40 in the UK and one in Russia.

RIYADH: The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened registration for the fourth phase of the Red Sea Fund, which supports post-production film projects. The registration period runs until Aug. 21, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The fund supports films needing final touches after filming. It seeks to attract works in the region from the documentary, fiction, animation, episodic, short, and feature film genres.

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has selected six innovative VR concepts by emerging Saudi storytellers for prototype development. This follows the successful completion of the month-long Creative Solutions Residency Program. This year’s program began on June 30 with 29 participants and 12 project proposals. Creative adviser Rafi Nazim, immersive technology consultant Simon Benson, Unity 3D expert Keith Myers and representatives from The Bakery guided participants through workshops and hands-on instruction.

RIYADH: Recent amendments to several labor law articles will create a more attractive work environment for employees and promote sustainable development, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said. The changes, which were approved by the Cabinet, aim to improve job stability, protect employment rights, develop human capital, promote training opportunities and create jobs, it said.

RIYADH: A group of Saudi students who won gold medals at the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence have joined the Oxford Scholars Programme at Oxford University in the UK. The 10 middle and high school students will undergo a two-week training in programming, AI and machine learning, reported the Saudi Press Agency. The group will learn to apply algorithms to practical problems and explore the ethical implications of AI technologies, as well as attending various workshops and activities.

Riyadh: The renowned Spanish Cocero Falcons farm is taking part for the first time in the International Falcon Breeders Auction organized by the Saudi Falcons Club. The farm is displaying 26 falcons at the event, which provides a platform to showcase breeding methods, exchange knowledge and share experiences. It also raises awareness about preserving falcons as a heritage and falconry as a traditional pastime.

RIYADH: France’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has bid farewell to the Kingdom after completing his diplomatic term. Ludovic Pouille held various positions in diplomatic service, and his career involved significant roles in shaping French foreign policy. He began his career at the Foreign Ministry in 1997, and his career would take him to New York, North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf.

RIYADH: The mobile clinics operated by KSrelief in Yemen have provided services to 1,443 individuals from July 10 to July 16, the SPA has reported. In Azlat Al-Deir, in the Hayran district of Hajjah, the epidemic control clinic treated 718 patients, the internal medicine clinic assisted 403 beneficiaries, and the pediatrics clinic cared for 322 children.

Saad Al-Bazei is an academic and literary figure who was recently appointed chairman of the Golden Pen Award for Most Influential Literature by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. The prize, offering a total of $750,000 across multiple categories, aims to recognize fictional Arabic works with potential for film adaptation, as well as original screenplays. An emeritus professor of English language and literature at King Saud University’s faculty of arts, Al-Bazei brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

RIYADH: The sight of fog enveloping Abha in the morning and evening, creating beautiful panoramic views, has captivated walking enthusiasts of all ages, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The fog has driven young and old to the walking trails scattered throughout Abha city. These trails are extremely popular during the summer season, as they enable tourists to enjoy the mild, cool weather and the sight of clouds over mountain peaks.

JEDDAH: In the heart of Al-Dayer governorate, a stadium carved into the Hashr Mountains honors human creativity and celebrates the local landscape. The origin of this architectural marvel began in 1994, when a group of neighbors led by Mohammed Harian decided to build a sports field in the mountainous terrain. With limited space available, they started with a rough field, but it was soon clear that a more ambitious undertaking was required.

JEDDAH: An indie-alternative band from Jeddah is making waves in the region’s budding music scene after signing with Wall of Sound Records, who published and mixed their debut album. Ana.n7n’s members include Malik Zubaila on vocals and synth, Saleh Binsaif on percussion and keys, Shaher Karkashan and Saif Mufti on bass, Maan Balila on drums and visuals, and Hasnain Shaikh as live sessional drummer.

JEDDAH: Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah Mazin Hammad Al-Himali met with Indian Consul General Mohammed Shahid Alam in Jeddah on Monday. The meeting was held on the occasion of the end of Alam’s tenure, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Alam took over as India’s consul general in Jeddah in February 2021. He previously served in Jeddah as the Hajj consul from 2015 to 2018. An upright officer of the Indian Foreign Service, he has now been posted to the Indian High Commission in London.  

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to distribute food packages and personal care kits to vulnerable people in Yemen and Sudan. In Yemen, the aid group handed out 858 food boxes in the Al-Dali and Al-Shuayb districts of the Al-Dali governorate, state news agency SPA reported recently. About 3,668 families in various districts of Hadhramaut governorate also benefited from KSrelief’s food distribution project between July 27 and Aug. 1, the SPA added.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief provided prosthetic limbs and physical therapy for earthquake victims in the Turkish city of Reyhanli from July 27 to Aug. 4. Twelve volunteers from the agency provided 681 therapy sessions, fitted 75 prosthetic limbs, and installed 48 custom-made orthotic splints, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. This initiative is a part of the Kingdom’s “Hayat” Volunteer Program to assist earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency said early Tuesday. The pair reiterated the importance of de-escalation and sparing the region the risk of expanding the conflict. They also reviewed the latest development in Gaza and the efforts aimed at a ceasefire in the war-torn territory.

RIYADH: “A trade in hand ensures against poverty” is a long-standing saying in the Baha region, mostly used by elderly people who work as carpenters and take advantage of the diverse trees in the area, such as the juniper, sweet acacia, sidr, and neem, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The region has a rich heritage of handicrafts and industries, which form an important part of its cultural identity and are passed down from generation to generation.

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji met with Sudan’s ambassador designate to the Kingdom, Dafallah Al-Haj Ali, in Riyadh on Monday. During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his new work duties, the foreign ministry reported on X. Meanwhile, Abdulmajeed Al-Samary, undersecretary of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received the credentials of Seychelles’ recently appointed ambassador to the Kingdom, Gervais Moumou, on Monday in Riyadh.  

JEDDAH: The Warner Bros. Discovery zone at Jeddah Season is proving a must-visit attraction, featuring live performances of “Tom and Jerry.” Spanning 15,000 sq. meters, the zone offers an immersive experience that brings the beloved cartoon characters to life. The “Tom and Jerry” theme park allows visitors to experience exciting adventures and comedic chases between the iconic cat and mouse. The zone also offers interactive games, theatrical performances and creative workshops.

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged citizens and residents to exercise caution and prioritize their safety by avoiding areas prone to torrents, marshes, and valleys. It strongly advised not to swim in these areas as they are unsuitable and pose a significant danger, and emphasized that individuals should strictly adhere to instructions given through various media and social network platforms.

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program. A series of scientific, cultural and literary works in Arabic were selected for translation into various languages, including Chinese. The purpose of the program is to present a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers, an official statement noted.

JEDDAH: MDLBeast, Saudi Arabia’s leading music entertainment company, recently unveiled its new music venue, the Onyx Arena, as part of the Jeddah Season. According to MDLBeast officials, the first night of the three-week extravaganza saw a packed house with around 5,000 attendees gathering to enjoy performances by renowned international and local electronic music artists. The first night saw the stage ablaze with talent as DJ Shaolin set the tone with an energetic set, electrifying the audience with a mix of crowd-pleasing tunes.

RIYADH: The Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium — falling under Riyadh Art, the Kingdom’s first national public creative initiative — is now open for applications up to Sept. 1. The event is aimed at local and international sculptors, who will be offered the opportunity to create work using locally sourced material, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The symposium aims to enhance the cultural and artistic landscape of Riyadh and will take place from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8, 2025, and the exhibition from Feb. 12 to 24, 2025.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved self-sufficiency in fig production, with annual output exceeding 28,000 tonnes on 1,421 hectares of land across the country, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced. In a statement posted on its website over the weekend, the MEWA said Jazan and Riyadh are the biggest producers with annual production in tonnes of 9,906 and 8,010, respectively. Asir is third with 3,970, Makkah 1,635, Hail 1,033, Al-Jouf 874, Al-Baha 790, Qassim 737, Najran 645, Tabuk 348, Madinah 245, and the Northern Border 36.

RIYADH: Border guards in Jazan foiled attempts to smuggle more than 800 kilograms of qat into the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In Al-Aridah governorate, security patrols intercepted 500 kg of qat while in Ad-Dair governorate 90 kg were seized. A citizen was also arrested in Ad-Dair for trying to smuggle 226 kg of qat hidden in the vehicle he was driving.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved self-sufficiency in fig production, with annual output exceeding 28,000 metric tons on 1,421 hectares of land across various regions, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has announced. In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said Jazan and Riyadh regions are the biggest producers with an annual production of 9,906 metric tons and 8,010 MT, respectively.

RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance has said it conducted more than 25,000 inspections across various sectors and activities during the first half of 2024, representing a substantial increase over the number of inspections carried out last year. Abdullah Al-Ayuni, the NCEC’s director general, said the increase in inspection visits to facilities would boost adherence to regulations. This heightened compliance will result in benefits to the quality of essential environmental resources such as water, air, and soil.

MAKKAH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh met Syrian Minister of Awqaf Dr. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar Al-Sayyed and his accompanying delegation in Makkah on Sunday. Al-Sayyed praised the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Islam and Muslims, the Two Holy Mosques, and the rest of the holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The heritage villages of the Baha region, scattered among the Sarawat Mountains, are hosting several events as part of this year’s Baha Summer Festival. The villages welcome visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom who come to see various aspects of traditional local life, including clothing, food, games, architecture, arts, and handicrafts, as well as photo exhibitions “reflecting the cultural and historical depth of the region,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

JEDDAH: One of the oldest structures in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, the 19th-century Sharbatly House, has been transformed into a center hosting cultural, literary, artistic, scientific and intellectual events. The renovations were carried out by Abdullah Sharbatly’s grandson, businessman Seifalah Sharbatly, who sought to modernize the building while preserving its character, foundation and interiors, as well as its original brick walls. New materials exported from countries including Sweden and Egypt comply with strict heritage preservation standards.

RIYADH: The Riyadh Art project, the Kingdom’s first national public art initiative, begun accepting applications on Sunday for the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium 2024 up to Sept. 1.

RIYADH: Saudi border guards in Asir and Jazan foiled attempts to smuggle more than 82,000 prescription tablets and arrested the violators, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday.  In Asir, authorities arrested a Yemeni national for smuggling 49,500 tablets of prescribed medical tablets this week. Legal procedures were taken against the violator, SPA said, adding that the seized items were handed over to the competent authorities.

RIYADH: Team Everlast, a group of three female dancers, have advanced to the finals of the K-pop World Festival after their performance at the Warehouse in Jax district on Saturday. The South Korean Embassy in partnership with the Saudi Entertainment Academy hosted the first finals of the festival.  

RIYADH: Almost 300 Saudi students have been selected to take part in Oxford University’s prestigious Scholars Programme, reported Saudi Press Agency. In April, the group reached the finals of the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, an initiative spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. It aims to develop data and AI expertise, especially among young talent, in line with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.