RIYADH: The Saudi Space Agency inaugurated its new Concurrent Design Facility on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. According to the agency’s website, the facility is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies. By streamlining the design process, the facility is expected to reduce feasibility study times by up to 75 percent and system design costs by as much as 50 percent.

JEDDAH: Designers from across the Kingdom are being invited to take part in the Reviving Saudi Heritage competition organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission. Under the theme “Saudi Architecture Through the Ages,” entrants will be tasked with creating unique and sustainable designs that celebrate the nation’s culture, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The pieces must also incorporate Swarovski crystals, a kind of simulated diamond, and experts from the company will hold workshops and one-on-one sessions with the designers.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations in operations throughout the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Border Guard land patrols in Al-Dayer governorate, Jazan region, arrested seven Ethiopian and Yemeni citizens trying to smuggle 115 kg of qat. Land patrols in Jazan’s Al-Ardah governorate also thwarted the smuggling of 140 kg of qat.

RIYADH: General Supervisor of Saudi aid agency KSrelief Abdullah Al-Rabeeah met with Syrian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohamed Sousan on Sunday to discuss humanitarian affairs.  Sousan commended the humanitarian and relief efforts provided by Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, to refugees and affected people worldwide.

RIYADH: King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language recently concluded the Arabic Language Month in New Delhi and Kerala, India. The month-long July event featured scientific programs and events in collaboration with educational entities to develop Arabic language curricula, improve teacher performance, and enhance the language’s value in the country.

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Abdulaziz Al-Matar received Lt. Gen. Imad Al-Din Mustafa Adawi, Sudan’s representative to the league, in Cairo on Sunday. Friendly talks took place and topics of common interest were discussed, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, also in Cairo on Sunday, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Egypt Saleh Al-Husseini met Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib.

RIYADH: The farms of Qatif Oasis are playing a crucial role in supplying fruit and vegetable markets throughout Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. From Al-Khafji in the north to Al-Ahsa in the south, they provide a wide variety of seasonal produce including vegetables, fruits and fresh dates. Spanning some 800 sq. km from Safwa to Dammam, Qatif governorate is home to over 3,700 farms of which 2,454 are actively producing a variety of crops, reported Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: Saudi content creator and podcaster Rateel Alshehri hopes to empower youth to bring about the changes they want to see through her series, Rateel Alpha Talk. Alshehri, who is only 13 years old, has connected with thousands of people through her storytelling on Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram, with videos providing relatable content and glimpses of her daily life.

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,390 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. The total included five anti-personnel mines, 47 anti-tank mines, 1,337 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report. The project has now cleared 4,230 mines in Yemen since the beginning of July. Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 453,298 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

RIYADH: The Camel Caravan, a captivating component of the Summer of Hira activities held in Makkah until Aug. 10, drew significant crowds and strong interaction among residents and visitors. This immersive experience aimed to celebrate the enduring importance and value of Saudi heritage by spotlighting the pivotal role camels played in Arab history, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

RIYADH: A new artificial intelligence model introduced by the Center of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will help doctors make radiology diagnoses quickly and accurately.

RIYADH: The very best and hottest types of peppers can be found at the fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival, which runs from July 28 to Aug. 6. As well as various varieties being on display, farmers from the area will be on hand to talk to and educate members of the public about their crops. Shaqra produces around 78 percent of Saudi Arabia’s peppers and the festival will include experts offering guidance to entrepreneurs and farmers on the best practices for both high-quality crop production and processing methods.

RIYADH: The Center of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have introduced the MiniGPT-Med model. This large multi-modal language model is designed to help doctors quickly and accurately diagnose medical radiology using artificial intelligence techniques.

RIYADH: Here's a chance for pepper lovers to find the best and the hottest types of the favorite food.  The 4th Fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival, which runs from July 28 until August 6, 2024, is showcasing various varieties of the crop, with farmers from Shaqra on hand to help enlighten the public of the hottest farm produce of the governorate. Shaqra, a part of Riyadh province, accounts for about 78% of Saudi Arabia's pepper production, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

RIYADH: The Embassy of Indonesia in Riyadh hosted “The Magic of Angklung” concert on Friday at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter. The event featured a mesmerizing performance by the Muhibah Angklung team from Bandung, Indonesia, attracting more than 600 spectators from various countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal.

JEDDAH: In the Kingdom’s culinary art scene, food styling, though a key ingredient, remains a niche career. However, one culinary artist is quickly making a name for herself by plating with style. Rawan Shouman’s interest in food styling — the process of staging food to look as attractive and appealing as possible for photography or video — began during her university days, shortly before the global pandemic, when she decided to help out a photographer friend. “With a passion for cooking and photography, styling seemed like a natural fit,” she told Arab News.

Amer Abu Obeid has been the president of cargo ground handling at SAL Saudi Logistics Services since March this year. He manages and leads commercial and operational activities across all of Saudi Arabia’s 18 airports.   As the head of operations, Abu Obeid oversees the daily requirements to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in cargo handling at the airports.

RIYADH: Under the patronage of King Salman, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs will host the ninth conference of ministers of awqaf and Islamic affairs on Aug. 3. In addition to ministers of awqaf and Islamic affairs, the conference will also be attended by muftis and heads of Islamic councils and associations from more than 60 countries. The three-day conference will address the role of the ministries in promoting Islamic principles and consolidating the values of moderation.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 21,103 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. According to an official report, a total of 12,997 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,657 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,449 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 1,785 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 43 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity on Friday marked students’ completion of competition tests at the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh, in the presence of Secretary-General of Mawhiba Dr. Amal Al-Hazzaa, and several of the foundation’s officials. The event, which brought together students and their supervisors, featured many popular activities which represented the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

Jeddah: Jeddah’s South Asian community came together for a vibrant cultural celebration at the Equestrian Club on Friday, as part of Jeddah Season 2024. The event featured a diverse mix of music, dance, and cultural programs, and attracted an audience which included prominent Saudis, media personnel, and cultural figures. The concert showcased the talents of popular Indian artists, including rapper Dabzee, singers Nikhita Gandhi and Salman Ali, actor Gauahar Khan, and the Sangeet Dance Crew. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has outlined the latest developments and challenges facing the world in combating land degradation at a global summit in Rome. A Saudi delegation led by the CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, Khaled Alabdulkader, took part in the scientific event organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef recently met Eduardo Bartolomeo, the CEO of Vale Mining Company, in Brazil. The parties discussed the promising investment opportunities provided by the Saudi mining sector to Brazilian companies, and the expansion plans of Brazil’s investors in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Bartolomeo praised the development and economic progress of the Kingdom in all fields and noted the efforts and initiatives involved in developing the Saudi mining sector.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, continued efforts to help vulnerable individuals and families this week in Yemen, Sudan and Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 90 food packages in Lahij Governorate, and 100 tents, 270 shelter bags and 618 food parcels in Marib. In Sudan, the agency handed out 900 food packages to the displaced and neediest families in River Nile State, benefiting 5,177 individuals.

TAIF:  Wadi Wajj, a revered valley in Saudi Arabia's western governorate of Taif, boasts a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty. Once a geographical divider splitting the city of Taif in two, it has evolved into a popular tourist destination renowned for its lush gardens, vibrant orchards, and breathtaking panoramas. Professor Saleh Al-Khalif, an expert in Islamic history and civilization, said Wadi Wajj's has played a vital role in agriculture and its proximity to Makkah accounts for its historical significance.

RIYADH: Nestled in the heart of Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Asir, Aqabat Shaar is one of the most iconic highways, celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery and vital tourist attractions. This mountainous area, known for its rugged terrain, used to pose significant challenges to access and mobility, which led to the creation of a road that has become indispensable to residents and visitors alike, linking the region to neighboring areas and governorates.

BRAZIL: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi led the Kingdom’s delegation at the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil, from July 25-26. The event gathered together labor ministers from G20 member states, invited countries, leaders of international and regional organizations, and civil society representatives.

NAJRAN: Two citizens have been arrested in Najran by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control for smuggling tablets subject to the regulation of medical circulation. Preliminary procedures were taken against them and they were subsequently referred to the Public Prosecution. Meanwhile, authorities arrested an Ethiopian in Al-Baha for violating border security laws and smuggling hashish.

TAIF: Fire forts or lava fields, known in the Kingdom as harrat, are archaeological sites that reveal the past. The lava fields contain features from the civilizational development of past peoples, giving hints of behaviors, culture, customs and traditions. The black lava fields in the Kingdom, especially north of Taif — Hafir Kishb, Turbah, Al-Khurma, and Al-Muwayh — are stone volcanic structures that have transformed into natural oasis museums due to weathering.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia ballet dancer Halaa Nagadi, 18, is captivating audiences with her unwavering passion and hopes others would be inspired to “embrace this beautiful and expressive art form.” She is currently preparing for the 2024 Dubai International Dance Competition set to start on Nov. 17 that will have professional and amateur dancers participating from all over the world.

JEDDAH: About 80 countries including Saudi Arabia reached a historic agreement on Friday on rules governing global digital commerce, including recognition of e-signatures and protection against online fraud. “We negotiated the first global rules on digital trade,” EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis said after the deal in Geneva following five years of negotiations.“This will facilitate e-transactions, boost innovation, and integrate developing countries into the digital economy,” he said.

RIYADH: Crowds at the “AFT_r” music event in Riyadh were treated to a series of blistering sets on Thursday, the first by DJ Shaolin, who was followed on stage by US rapper G-Eazy, leaving Danish DJ Morten to round off the evening. This event, the fourth consecutive weekly show organized by the MDLBEAST entertainment company, continued its successful run at the Mohammed Abdo Arena. The evening got off to a bright start with an electrifying performance by DJ Shoalin, a rising rap artist from Riyadh who has become a fixture at the AFT_r festival.  

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief distributed food parcels and shelter bags to vulnerable families in Sudan and Yemen this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. In Sudan’s River Nile State, families comprising 6,900 individuals received 1,200 food parcels, while a further 1,555 people received 210 baskets in the Kassala State. In Sudan, 340 shelter bags were distributed to displaced families in Gedaref, benefiting 1,955 individuals.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to provide medical and other support for vulnerable families in Yemen, according to several reports from the Saudi Press Agency this week. Health workers at mobile clinics provided services for 352 people in the Al-Gharza area of Hajjah governorate’s Haradh District from July 10 to 16. Medication was dispensed to 350 patients.

RIYADH: Several Saudi Arabia artists, photographers, artisans and musicians will be showcasing their work at the 38th Jerash Festival in Jordan which began on July 24 and ends Aug. 3. The Ministry of Culture’s three agencies plan to have a variety of activities reflecting the artistic diversity of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.