RIYADH: Participating for the first time at the International Falcon Breeders Auction, English farm Falcon Mews LTD showcased 45 falcons of distinguished breeds, including gyrfalcons and purebred falcons. The auction, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Aug. 24. Falcon Mews LTD representative Badr Mohareb Al-Deiri, a Kuwaiti national, described the auction as a reliable international platform where falconers and falcon breeders from across the world meet annually.

MADINAH: The Madinah Book Fair this year attracted about 170,000 visitors, drawn by the presence of more than 300 publishing houses and local, Arab and international agencies. The third staging of the exhibition featured more than 200 pavilions, with visitors from the Madinah region and beyond contributing to a 22 percent increase in numbers compared with the previous edition, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The exhibition was held from July 30 to Aug. 5 at King Salman International Convention and Exhibition Center in Madinah.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed the US, Egypt and Qatar inviting Israel and Hamas to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations on Aug. 15, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Friday. The Kingdom confirmed its complete support for the continued efforts of President Joe Biden, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the territory.

PARIS: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, attended the official reception organized by the Bahrain Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Games. The event was also attended by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, vice president of the committee. Prince Abdulaziz met the President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, along with several international sports leaders, at the event.

BLUE NILE STATE, Sudan: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has distributed 600 shelter kits to 3,450 individuals in Al-Damazin city of the Blue Nile State, Sudan. Also, 600 personal care kits were provided to 3,450 people from the city’s most needy and displaced families. The agency also distributed 244 shelter kits and 244 personal care kits for the vulnerable and displaced families in the city of Port Sudan. The distribution benefited 1,403 individuals, as part of the project to provide urgent shelter assistance to Sudan for 2024.

RIYADH: The Pakistan Embassy hosted the Saudi premiere of the Pakistani film “Gunjal Entangled,” welcoming the cast and crew to showcase the film on Thursday at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia ties are more than bilateral relations, they are brotherhood, and there are a lot of overlapping sectors where the interests of both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan (align). Culture, I believe, is one such area,” Muazam Ali, deputy head of mission at the Pakistan Embassy, told Arab News.

RIYADH: Women in the Kingdom’s Najran region are mastering the crafting of wicker products as part of a program organized by the Herfah Institute and the Lar Association for Productive Families, which takes place until Aug. 27. The Herfah Institute specializes in teaching handicrafts and the program has helped 15 women from the comprehensive rehabilitation center, beneficiaries of the association, and several others interested in design and embroidery.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince offered their condolences to the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Friday after the passing of his sister Aamina.  In separate cables of condolences, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prayed that God forgive the deceased and have mercy on her, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

RIYADH: Many people wish they could turn their dreams into reality — and animation director Mahmoud Zaini is doing just that, illustrating his own imaginary world inspired by childhood films and an admiration for Saudi culture. As a child, his appreciation for caricatures and comic strips was nurtured by newspapers, Japanese anime series, and films such as “Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story” and “Monsters, Inc.”

RIYADH: More than 400 innovators and creators participated in workshops and discussions on innovative ways to grow the Kingdom’s economy at the launch of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution Applications Hackathon” in Riyadh on Thursday. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with the National Industry Development and Logistics Program, organized the three-day event. The aim of the gathering is to find innovative technical solutions for industry, energy, mining and logistics services, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s education sector is undergoing a strategic transformation as it shifts its focus toward specialized fields like artificial intelligence, robotics and nuclear energy. Driven by the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, this marks a decisive step in equipping the Kingdom’s future workforce with the high-demand skills needed to secure the jobs of tomorrow.

RIYADH: More than 400 innovators and creators from various sectors took part in the launch of the «Fourth Industrial Revolution Applications Hackathon» in Riyadh on Thursday. Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MICT) in partnership with the National Industry Development and Logistics Program, the three-day event is meant to develop innovative technical solutions in 4 different tracks: industry, energy, mining and logistics services, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is undergoing an ambitious transformation, thanks to Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative has boosted the growth of the consulting industry, creating new opportunities in areas such as digital transformation, sustainability, infrastructure development, and economic diversification. As a result, consulting has become an increasingly attractive career for young Saudi graduates, who recognize the opportunities in this field.

RIYADH: A record number of Saudi farms are showcasing their elite birds at this year’s International Falcon Breeders Auction. Of the 35 farms taking part, 13 are from the Kingdom, which highlights the country’s commitment and dedication not only to the event itself but also to falconry as a culture and sport. Naif Abdulmohsen Al-Masoud, from the Al-Nader Center for Falcons in Jeddah, is among the local breeders taking part in the event, which opened on Monday and runs until Aug. 24.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture will be introducing a financial product that will allow the owners of artworks and other cultural assets to insure their belongings for loss or damage. The matter will be discussed at a conference, in collaboration with the Insurance Authority, at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter next Tuesday. The conference will bring together government officials and representatives of the insurance industry for discussions on the issue, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

RIYADH: More than 20 spiny-tailed lizards have been released into the King Khalid Royal Reserve, reported Saudi Press Agency. The move is part of a joint program between the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority and the National Center for Wildlife. The authority said it would boost the reptile’s population, amid warnings from the International Union for Conservation of Nature that it was classified as an endangered species.

RIYADH: The Saudi Transport General Authority identified 635 people for providing unlicensed transport services to passengers at the Kingdom’s airports in July. The crackdown was part of a wider campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other authorities. The aim is to improve the safety and quality of services provided to travelers, reduce illegal activity, and promote the use of licensed transport services.

RIYADH:  Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a royal decree that allows the Cabinet to convene even if he or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman do not chair it, Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday. In the absence of the king, the crown prince or his deputies, the cabinet would be chaired by the eldest member of the cabinet who is a descendent of the Kingdom’s founding father King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud.  Cabinet decisions issued during the meeting would be signed by the chairman, the royal decree added.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host a donor conference to support displaced persons and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. The event will be held on Oct. 26 in Jeddah. Hosting the conference underscores the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting global communities in need, alleviating their suffering and helping them meet basic needs. It also reflects its commitment to supporting international humanitarian relief efforts.

RIYADH: The board of directors of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority announced the launch of the reserve’s integrated development management plan, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.  The plan is a roadmap in line with global standards, covering the environmental, economic, social, tourism, and cultural aspects of the 24,500 square kilometer reserve. The area includes 15 distinct ecosystems, ranging from mountain ridges to coral reefs, in the northwest of the Kingdom.

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji met with the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour on Wednesday. During the meeting on the sidelines of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Jeddah, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian crisis. They also reviewed regional developments, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan received King Salman Medical City CEO Abdulrahman Al-Harbi in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. Prince Salman congratulated the staff of the medical institute for obtaining accreditation from the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions. He hailed recent advances in the health sector and encouraged staff to continue improving integrated health services.

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.