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.

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 670 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. The total included five anti-personnel mines, 47 anti-tank mines, 570 unexploded ordnances and 21 explosive devices, according to a recent report. Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 453,968 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018. The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

JEDDAH: The Equestrian Club hosted the Asian Communities Festival over the weekend, featuring special participation from Pakistani and Indonesian communities, as part of Jeddah Season 2024. The event was a spectacular celebration of the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of these countries, creating an atmosphere of joy and interaction among the audience.

RIYADH: The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) will launch its E-commerce Week on Sunday, with more than 40 public and private entities participating. The five-day event aims to “introduce entrepreneurs to the importance of e-commerce and its impact on small and medium enterprises,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. It also aims to “provide a platform for communication and exchange of experiences between entrepreneurs, experts, and relevant government and private entities.”

RIYADH: A Saudi makeup artist with a gift for glamour is hoping to use his growing social media presence to inspire men and women across the region. Ali Majed has almost 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French beauty products retailer Sephora since 2022. Despite his links to one of the giants of the industry, his online content regularly features lesser known brands from around the region.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince offered their condolences on Saturday to Indian President Droupadi Murmu after landslides set off by torrential rains killed over 300 people in Kerala.  In separate cables of condolences to Murmu, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said they hoped that the missing would return safely and wished the injured a swift recovery.  They also expressed their condolences to the president, the families of the deceased, and the Indian people, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

MAKKAH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh chaired the 14th executive council meeting of the Conference of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in the Islamic World in Makkah on Saturday. Attendees unanimously approved the agenda for the three-day 9th Conference of Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the countries of the Islamic world, which runs until Aug. 5, Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: A flash flood from the mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia swept away part of a bridge in Jazan province, killing one person on Saturday, Al-Ekhbariya reported. The news channel aired images of two vehicles caught up in the floodwaters, one of them crushed by a collapsed bridge support. It said several people were also injured in the bridge collapse at an important crossroads inland from the city of Jazan.

RIYADH: The popular Buraidah Dates Carnival is keeping its momentum, with constant purchasing and marketing of more than 50 date varieties. The event has attracted a significant number of farmers and traders to this city renowned for its date production, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Sukkari dates remain a popular choice among buyers, with prices ranging from SR30 ($8) to SR100 for a 3 kg package. Other date varieties, including sagai, wanan, khalas, and red sukkari, are priced competitively based on quality.

RIYADH: The third Madinah Book Fair is experiencing a high turnout of visitors “eager to explore Arab and international publications,” according to the Saudi Press Agency. More than 300 Arab and international publishing houses and agencies are participating in the event, which is organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, and showcases a wide range of publications over 200 pavilions.

JEDDAH: Saudi rockers Wasted Land made history on Saturday, when they became the first band from the Kingdom to appear at Wacken Open Air 2024, the world’s biggest heavy metal festival. Vocalist Emad Mujallid, guitarists Ayman Al-Ghamdi and Ahmed Khoja, bassist Mahmoud Al-Tayeb and drummer Tameem Helmi raised the Saudi flag as they took to the stage and launched into their pounding set. Jeddah’s German Consul-General Eltje Aderhold was among the crowd of thousands of headbanging metalheads from all over the world.

JAZAN: The Saudi Border Guards in Al-Ardah in the Jazan region recently thwarted an attempt to smuggle 380 kilograms of the narcotic substance qat into the Kingdom. After the completion of the initial legal procedures, the qat was handed over to the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, security patrols in Jazan arrested a citizen in Al-Dayer governorate for attempting to smuggle 41 kg of qat hidden in the vehicle he was driving. After taking the completion of initial legal procedures, he was referred to the relevant authorities.    

JEDDAH: Saudi watchmaker Abdulrahman Al-Zahrani developed an interest in watches at a young age and is now among the very first Saudis to join the world of watch engineers, driven by his commitment to the craft. His journey into watchmaking began while working at a company representing Longines. The lack of local skilled watchmakers sparked his interest in exploring this field. Al-Zahrani, 29, told Arab News that his love for taking things apart and a childhood dream of becoming an aviation engineer set the stage for his career in watchmaking.

DHAHRAN: Scientists working in northwestern Saudi Arabia’s ancient oasis of AlUla were thrilled earlier this year to discover a new species of snake. With its striking red hue and chic black collar, the reptile is perfectly adapted to camouflage against the sand and rock of the Hejaz. This charismatic new species, which is thankfully non-venomous, was discovered by Laszlo Patko, who for the past two years has worked as the applied research lead at the Royal Commission for AlUla, inventorying the biodiversity of the region.