RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet, chaired by King Salman on Tuesday, discussed ongoing efforts by the Kingdom to end the war in Gaza and support peace efforts in Yemen. The Cabinet called on the international community and influential parties to take responsibility and help de-escalate tensions in the region in order to bring about security and stability. The Council of Ministers also expressed support for the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the illegality of the Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territories over the past 57 years.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife has announced a major breakthrough in its cheetah conservation efforts, with the birth of four cubs and the completion of a comprehensive national strategy.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Alibrahim has been holding talks with officials from several nations on the state of the global economy at the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Brazil. On the sidelines of the G20 meeting, which began on Monday and ends on July 24, Alibrahim held discussions with Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira on the latter’s agenda while holding the presidency of the G20.

JEDDAH: Inspired by mythical sea-dwelling creatures, a diving center in Jeddah is offering a first-of-its-kind mermaid diving course for those wanting to splash around in cool waters during the summer. Scuba Schools International at Al-Haddad Scuba in the coastal city offers a whimsical yet invigorating experience for those in search of an aquatic adventure. All over the world, mermaids represent beauty, danger, transformation, duality, and feminine power. Today they continue to inspire literature, film, fashion, and even marine conservation efforts.

RIYADH: The King Abdullah Financial District obtained the SmartScore Neighborhood certification by WiredScore, the world’s leading authority on smart building technologies, for its excellence in advanced digital infrastructure that provides a robust network, sustainability and seamlessness at the level of living, work and leisure. With this certification, the financial district becomes the first development in the Middle East and Africa to receive WiredScore’s SmartScore Neighborhood certification.

AL-BAHA: Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the 16th International Honey Festival kicks off on Tuesday, July 23, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and held at the Cooperative Association of Beekeepers headquarters in Baljurashi Governorate. Fahd Al-Zahrani, director general of the ministry’s Al-Baha branch, said the festival will continue for 14 days until Aug. 5.

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati met Switzerland’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Yasmine Chatila, in Riyadh on Monday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and issues of common interest, the Foreign Ministry reported on X. Meanwhile, the Arab League’s assistant secretary-general and head of the international political affairs sector, Dr. Khaled Manzlawiy, met Iraq’s permanent representative to the league, Qahtan Taha Janabi, in Cairo, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  

RIYADH: A Saudi farmer has developed a technique that transforms a common garden nuisance into a useful resource. Mohammed Al-Shaer, of Al-Dhafir village in Baha, has established a thriving vermicomposting operation on his farm, producing high-quality organic fertilizer from earthworms, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.

JEDDAH: Inspired by mythical sea-dwelling creatures, a diving center in Jeddah is offering a first-of-its-kind mermaid diving course for those wanting to splash around in cool waters during the summer. Scuba Schools International at Al-Haddad Scuba in the coastal city offers a whimsical yet invigorating experience for those in search of an aquatic adventure. All over the world, mermaids represent beauty, danger, transformation, duality, and feminine power. Today they continue to inspire literature, film, fashion, and even marine conservation efforts.

Jeddah: The third Madinah Book Fair will take place from July 30 to Aug. 5, the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission announced on Monday. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the event promises to be a cultural extravaganza, featuring over 300 Arab and international publishing houses and agencies spread across more than 200 booths. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of the commission, emphasized the significance of the fair, highlighting the continuous support the cultural sector receives.

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council recently held discussions with Rodrigo Pacheco, president of Brazil’s senate, on boosting cooperation between the two nations. The Kingdom’s delegation comprised members of the Shoura Council’s Saudi-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Committee, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Several other meetings were held between the two parties, which included members of Brazil’s senate.

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Historic District Program celebrated the 10th anniversary of the district’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The district was inscribed on the list in 2014 in recognition of its outstanding universal value. According to a statement, the program oversaw the regeneration and preservation of the district’s cultural and urban heritage, transforming it into a global destination aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

RIYADH: The last group of Hajj pilgrims left the Kingdom via Madinah’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport on Sunday evening. 320 pilgrims departed the holy city for Kertajati, Indonesia and a farewell ceremony was held for them by Saudia, concluding its operations for Hajj 2024. Saudia flights provided quality services to enhance the Hajj experience of pilgrims this year, including various educational programs in different languages, Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The Saudi Real Estate Registry has been honored with the 2024 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award, presented by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), the Saudi Press Agency reported. The accolade, awarded at the international Esri User Conference in the US, recognizes the registry’s innovative application of geographic information system technology.

RIYADH: The Kingdom won six medals at the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad 2024 held from July 15 to 21 at the University of Bath in the UK, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The annual competition had teams of up to six contestants attempting to solve three complex problems in two exams of 4.5 hours each, over two consecutive days. Hadi Al-Aithan from the Al-Ahsa education department won a silver medal. Bronze medals were won by Youssef Bakheet (Yanbu), Mohammed Rabie (Madinah), Muath Al-Qahtani (Eastern Province) and Ahmed Al-Shehri (Riyadh).

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Masam Project removed 989 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen in the third week of July. This included five anti-personnel mines, 46 anti-tank mines, 935 unexploded ordnances, and three explosive devices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The Masam Project has now cleared 2,840 mines since the beginning of July in Yemen. In total, it has removed 451,908 explosive devices since it began operations in the country.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief carried out 40 orthopedic surgeries in Yemen’s Hadhramaut governorate from July 13 to 20. The operations, overseen by seven specialists, were a part of a volunteer medical project in the Seiyun district, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The KSrelief team examined 69 patients over the period of the project. In addition, they conducted a workshop on orthopedic surgery and knee injuries for 15 doctors.

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency KSrelief has delivered food and other aid to thousands of vulnerable people in Syria and Sudan. In operations carried out on Friday in the Idlib region of Syria, KSrelief distributed 1,078 food baskets and hygiene kits for 6,468 individuals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. This was a part of the second phase of a project aimed at supporting people affected by the 2024 earthquake in northern Syria.

RIYADH: The Kingdom and North Macedonia have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on Islamic affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The pact was inked by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Albania Faisal bin Ghazi Hefzi and representatives of the Presidency of the Islamic Union of North Macedonia. Hefzi also serves as non-resident ambassador to North Macedonia, and was representing the Kingdom’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

JAZAN: Eight Yemeni nationals were arrested by Border Guard patrols in Al-Dair, Jazan for attempting to smuggle 160 kg of qat into the Kingdom. The suspects, who were apprehended for violating border security regulations, have been processed according to initial legal procedures. Both the alleged smugglers and the seized substances have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

RIYADH: The third Beit Hail heritage festival, themed “Your Home Away from Home,” is a vibrant display of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage, with traditional craftsmanship taking center stage. At the heart of the festival is the “Hail Wooden Door Making and Plaster Engraving” exhibit, which has drawn crowds to the Aja Park Entertainment Center where the techniques and tools used in crafting intricate designs are on show.

RIYADH: In the bustling heart of Saudi Arabia, a culinary revolution is unfolding. Restaurant entrepreneurs are launching new coffee shops and fast-food restaurants that are redefining the dining landscape by offering high-quality food and drinks at accessible prices. The cherry on top? They’re hiring local talent, bolstering both the community and the economy.

RIYADH: The 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad got underway in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The annual event is renowned as one of the largest international chemistry competitions for students in general education. The IChO 2024 will bring together 333 students from 90 countries, who will be judged by 260 chemistry experts.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued an order on Sunday to change the name of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudi Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail expressed his gratitude to King Salman, and stressed that the name change was a progressive step reflecting the nation’s commitment to fostering an advanced urban environment in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives.

DHAHRAN: Three projects from Saudi Arabia and one from Bahrain were selected recently as recipients of the annual Tanween Challenge, hosted by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).

Makkah: The washing ceremony of the Holy Kaaba was carried out on Sunday by Deputy Gov. of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz on behalf of King Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque, he was received by Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah and chairman of the board of directors of the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, along with Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque.

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed hygiene kits to displaced and needy families in Sudan and Syria, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The aid group gave out 620 kits to the needy in Sudan’s Sinar State, benefiting 3,100 people. The agency also handed out 435 shelter kits to 2,175 people in River Nile State, Sudan. 

Noel Gomes was appointed CEO of ASCES, Al-Halloul, Al-Badila (Alternative Solutions Company for Environmental Services) in July 2024. He is an entrepreneur and executive with a career in the financial sector spanning more than 25 years. The Saudi private company focuses on global management of waste and disposal solutions.

RIYADH: In joint field campaigns across the Kingdom from July 11 to July 17, 19,817 people were arrested for violating residency, labor and border security laws. This number included 12,436 violators of residency laws, 4,881 violators of border-security regulations and 2,500 violators of labor laws. A total of 1,389 individuals were caught attempting to enter the Kingdom, of whom 45 percent were Yemeni, 53 percent were Ethiopian and 2 percent were of other nationalities. Additionally, 48 individuals were caught attempting to exit the Kingdom illegally.

RIYADH: The third Beit Hail heritage festival, themed “Your Home Away From Home,” has attracted more than 68,000 visitors since its opening at Aja Park earlier this month, Saudi Press Agency reported. The 30-day event has drawn visitors of all ages from the region and beyond, offering a showcase of local culture and traditions.

RIYADH: The famous heritage palaces in the Asir region have become tourist destinations, offering a rich blend of history and culture. The Saudi Press Agency reported that these sites also boost economic activity by creating job opportunities during the summer season. The heritage palaces in Asir boost economic activity by creating job opportunities during the summer season. (SPA)

TAIF: A strawberry farm in the rugged mountains of Al-Hada in Taif has emerged as a popular spot for visitors looking to escape the summer heat and appreciate the beauty of nature away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Arab News recently visited the Al-Hada strawberry farm to see how it captures the essence of the region’s natural beauty and vibrant culture.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched an award for fiction writing, with winners sharing total prizemoney of $690,000 and successful works to be adapted into film. Unveiling the Golden Pen Award for Novels on Saturday, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said that the competition will benefit Arab novelists and the regional film industry. The competition will be open to original works in Arabic, and all nationalities and ages will be eligible.

RIYADH: Employment of Saudi citizens in the engineering sector is set to increase under plans announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. In a joint initiative with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, the ministry will implement a 25 percent localization quota for engineering professions, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The new policy comes into effect on July 21 will affect private sector companies employing five or more workers in engineering roles.

RIYADH: Saudi aid group, KSrelief, has distributed 25,000 bags of bread in Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh District in Lebanon. The distribution comes as part of KSrelief’s Al-Amal Charitable Bakery project to support Syrian and Palestinian refugee families, and the host community living in northern Lebanon, benefiting 125,000 individuals.