RIYADH: An online teaching platform is strengthening Saudi children’s educational journeys while also unleashing the potential of local and international educators. Cindy Mi, an English teacher for 25 years who founded VIPKid a decade ago and brought the company to Saudi Arabia about two years ago, told Arab News: “I’ve always been a student and a teacher myself. The goal is to build a global classroom to allow more children to get access to best quality language learning educational experiences … so they can be ready for their more globalized future.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israeli strike on a Gaza school sheltering displaced people that killed around 100 people on Saturday. In a foreign ministry statement, the Kingdom called for an end to the “genocide” taking place in Gaza where Israeli violations to the international humanitarian law are bringing an “unprecedented humanitarian disaster.” Saudi Arabia has also denounced the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its violations.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank is organizing a game design challenge to create titles aimed at raising financial awareness and promoting savings. The Gamethon event will take place at Riyadh Boulevard from Aug. 21-23, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. It will bring together innovators, developers, designers and programmers to build games focused on financial literacy, savings and financial planning.

RIYADH: The first auction night of this year’s International Falcon Breeders Auction on Friday saw a large crowd of falcon enthusiasts gather to witness the auction of two exceptional falcons. The event, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Aug. 24. It features more than 35 elite falcon production farms from 16 countries showcasing their prized birds for sale, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Majed Al-Zahrani, a visionary artist from Baha, has breathed new life into discarded metal, transforming it into captivating sculptures and paintings. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity, Al-Zahrani has carved a unique niche for himself in the world of art, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Using nothing more than simple tools, the young artist has crafted intricate metal sculptures that defy their humble origins. Al-Zahrani’s creations, from towering trees to delicate deer, are a testament to his skill and imagination.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 20,471 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 12,972 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,812 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,687 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 1,050 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 62 percent were Ethiopian, 36 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continued its medical aid projects in Indonesia, Lebanon and Cambodia, state news agency SPA reported on Friday. The initiative in Indonesia provided patients in need with open heart surgery and catheterization procedures.  Meanwhile in Lebanon KSrelief provided 5,817 medical services to 2,396 Syrian refugees living in a host community in Akkar. In Cambodia, the Saudi aid agency concluded its medical project for facial and jaw surgeries and head and neck tumors in Phnom Penh.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, secured food aid for vulnerable individuals and families in crisis-stricken Yemen, Sudan, and Lebanon, state news agency SPA reported on Friday. In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 1,795 food parcels to 1,795 individuals of the neediest families across several governorates, as part of the 2024 Yemen Food Assistance Distribution Project, which benefited 12,565 individuals so far. Beneficiaries in Yemen’s Al-Jawf governorate received 2,539 food baskets.

NAGASAKI: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr said that he was honored to represent the Kingdom for the first time at the peace memorial ceremonies this week in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in memory of the atomic bombs dropped on both cities 79 years ago. “It was both a privilege and an honor to attend the ceremonies. I admire how both cities have turned a tragic historical event in which two cities were destroyed, and many human souls perished, into a profound message of peace and hope to the world and humanity,” Binzagr told Arab News Japan.

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.

JEDDAH: Saudi-grown pink roses are loved throughout the Arabian Peninsula for their expert cultivation, vivid color, alluring fragrance and the many luxurious products derived from their petals, which constitute a multimillion-dollar industry. Two kinds of pink rose are cultivated in the Kingdom — the Madinah rose, which has a light pink blush and grows year round, thriving in warm and cool climates, and the Taif rose, also known as the Jory or Damascus rose, which grows only in the spring.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday extended condolences to Brazil after a passenger plane crashed in Sao Paulo region, killing all 61 people on board. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing sympathy to the relatives of the deceased, and to the federal republic over the tragic incident. The aircraft, operated by Voepass airline, was traveling from Cascavel to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport. Media images showed the plane spiralling out of control before plummeting.

NAJRAN: A group of 15 Saudi women in the Kingdom's southwest is mastering the art of wicker weaving, thanks to a training program organized by the Herfa institute of handicrafts. The month-long course, which runs until August 27, aims to preserve and promote this traditional craft. Trainees have honed their skills in creating a variety of wicker products, including baskets, bags, and decorative items. 

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.