RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani, the Saudi Press Agency said.  The pair discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and issues of mutual interest.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji received the envoy of Syria to the Kingdom, Mohamed Ayman Sousan, on Thursday. The pair discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them in all fields. They also discussed topics and developments of common interest.

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi welcomed the chairman of the Academy of Strategic and Defense Studies in Oman, Maj. Gen. Hamid bin Ahmed Sakroon, to coalition headquarters on Thursday. Along with his delegation, the chairman was briefed on the coalition’s key works and its role in coordinating international efforts to combat terrorism. Its monitoring, follow-up and analysis processes were also reviewed.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s consuls general to New York and Suez took an oath of office before the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh on Thursday. During a swearing-in ceremony, the Consul General to New York Abdullah Al-Hamdan and the Consul General to Suez Marzouq Al-Nafi’i said: “I swear by Allah Almighty to be loyal to my religion, king, and homeland, not to divulge a secret of the state’s secrets, to maintain its interests and regulations at home and abroad, and to perform my duties with honesty, integrity, and sincerity.”

RIYADH: A facility in Qassim region has been fined SR500,000 ($133,000) after the Saudi Food and Drug Authority found the documentation of a shipment it imported had been tampered with, with the intention of selling a type of fish banned from import to the Kingdom.

MADINAH: Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Madinah are always particularly interested in those historic and archaeological monuments linked to Prophet Muhammad, seeking to learn more about the sites and how their facilities have been developed over the years. The Al-Ghars Well, which is located in Al-Awali neighborhood and close to the Prophet’s Mosque, is one such example. It has undergone developmental works and improvements as part of a program that has included several mosques and historic and archaeological sites and monuments in Madinah.

RIYADH: Trainees from the King Fahad Naval Academy of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces have joined the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy at Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The 76-strong group is the second batch of trainees to undergo training with the 1TS, with the first attending in May–June 2023. “This is the second time Saudi navy officers are being trained at this facility in Kochi, India. Last year, we had 55 Saudi cadets for similar training,” said Suhel Ajaz Khan, Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

TUNIS: Ahmed Al-Zahrani, the undersecretary for skills and training at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, headed the Kingdom’s delegation in Tunisia at the second regional meeting on educating young people in skills and transitioning them to work, which took place from June 26-27. He highlighted key initiatives and programs launched by the Kingdom to deal with changes in digitization and new technology — such as artificial intelligence — that will affect the labor market and the skills system.

Riyadh: Qassim University has obtained a patent from the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property for technology that allows a robot to be powered by electromagnetic energy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The technology can be used in various medical and industrial sectors, and works with Android applications, the report stated. The research team included Dr. Fahd bin Nasser Al-Sunaidah, Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Amer Al-Rumaih, Dr. Khaled bin Ali Al-Hassoun, Dr. Fahd bin Nasser Al-Saleem, Dr. Shaaban Abdul-Radi Mahmoud, and Dr. Omar Hazem Saleem.

RIYADH: One of the oldest villages in the Hail region, sitting adjacent to the iconic Salma Mountains, is attracting an increasing number of tourists because it was built on the rim of an extinct volcano’s crater in pre-Islamic times. Located around 90 km southeast of Hail City, Taba is affiliated with the Al-Shanan governorate, known for its abundance of farms, date palm trees, ancient wells, and archaeological inscriptions. The Taba is also one of the largest dormant volcanoes in the northwest of the Kingdom.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji on Wednesday received the US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at the ministry’s office in Riyadh. During the reception, they discussed developments in Sudan, ways to enhance cooperation, and issues of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement.

RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has announced the discovery of a bilingual inscription in Tabuk. The piece, found during an archaeological dig in the village of Alqan, comprises two lines in Thamudic script and one in early Arabic, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The style of the characters suggests the piece dates from the 5th century.

TURAIF: Weddings in Saudi Arabia's northern border town of Turaif governorate in the Northern Border Province are marked by “Al-Daha” — a form of folk arts that has been linked to people’s life and happy occasions since long time ago, and that brings happiness and joy during wedding seasons in summer. The Al-Daha dance is considered the most famous type of folk arts in the Northern Border Province. It’s also one of the performative and manly historical war dances known for its enthusiastic rhythm.

JEDDAH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Alat have collaborated to launch an eight-week training program covering the latest AI technologies, the SPA reported on Wednesday. The Alat-KAUST Artificial Intelligence Training Program targets science and engineering specialists in Saudi universities who are either outstanding bachelor’s degree holders or nearing the completion of their degree. T

RIYADH: India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, has praised Saudi Arabia for the services provided for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj. Khan, who performed Hajj this year and helped his nation’s pilgrims, told Arab News: “We work very closely with the Saudi Health Ministry and other authorities in providing best medical services to our pilgrims.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has organised a four-day exhibition in Geneva to highlight the importance of camels as part of its presidency of the International Year of Camelids 2024, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The United Nations declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids and the designation will highlight how the animals are key to the livelihoods of millions of households in hostile environments across over 90 countries, particularly indigenous peoples and local communities. 

SEOUL: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday inaugurated its pavilion as the guest of honor at the 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, which is being held from June 26-30, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Held at the Convention and Exhibition Complex south of the Korean capital, SIBF’s 66th edition is a celebration Saudi culture, with the Kingdom’s pavilion reflecting various aspects of its cultural heritage.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has doubled down on its campaign to combat drug use and those who engage in the trafficking and financing of illicit substances. National Center for Security Operations Commander Colonel Omar bin Aida Al-Talhi said the goal of the initiative was to “eliminate” drugs and “protect society and its youth from their effects.” His announcement coincided with International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was set up by the UN in 1987 and falls annually on June 26.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati on Wednesday received Austrian Ambassador Oskar Wustinger in Riyadh. Al-Sati welcomed the recently appointed envoy and wished him success in his new role, the Foreign Ministry reported on X. On Tuesday, Al-Sati met Russian Ambassador Sergey Kozlov, with whom he discussed relations between the two countries and other issues of common interest.  

RIYADH: The first supervisory council for the Ibex protected area encompassing the governorates of Howtat Bani Tamim and Al-Hasriq has been inaugurated by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife in collaboration with the Riyadh Region Municipality. The initiative is part of NCW’s commitment to involving local communities and relevant stakeholders, enhancing management practices within the protected area and aligning them with global standards, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance provided more than 1.4 million religious services for over 2 million pilgrims and visitors during this year’s Hajj season. More than 600 male and female preachers provided guidance at the holy sites, in several languages, on Islam and the value of moderation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. There were also staff deployed to guide pilgrims during the days of Tashreeq in Makkah and at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Tuesday sent a message to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, congratulating him on the 11th anniversary of his accession. “The king expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for health and happiness to (the emir), and to the government and people of Qatar for continued progress and prosperity,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.  Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar message to the emir.

RIYADH: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, the minister of the National Guard, received Ludovic Pouille, France’s envoy to Saudi Arabia. The discussed topics of mutual interested at the ministry’s headquarters.  The meeting was attended by several senior National Guard officials.

RIYADH: Nearly 1.5 million religious services were offered to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance said that approximately 1,485,000 services had been offered from the day before Arafat, which was on June 15, until the end of Hajj. Saudi authorities said that 1.8 million pilgrims participated in this year’s Hajj. Six hundred Islamic teachers and translators were on hand to provide pilgrims with information about the duties of annual religious event.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife in collaboration with the Riyadh Region Municipality, inaugurated the first supervisory council for the Ibex protected area, which encompasses the governorates of Howtat Bani Tamim and Al-Hariq, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative aims to involve local communities and relevant stakeholders to enhance management practices within the protected area, aligning them with global standards, NCW said in news release. NCW chief executive Mohammed Qurban highlighted the importance of the initiative.

MADINAH: Al-Safiya Museum and Orchard is bringing in visitors to Madinah with its captivating attractions, educational and entertainment options. The architectural designs, which are inspired by Madinah’s heritage, and the orchard, with ponds and fountains, are located in the central area south of the Prophet’s Mosque and span an area of more than 4,400 sq. meters. The project includes a cultural park and a museum exhibition area that boasts integrated audio-visual capabilities.

RIYADH: A delegation from the Saudi Shoura Council is to undertake an official visit to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It will be headed by Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Jarba, a member of the council who is also chairman of the Saudi Tajik-Uzbek Parliamentary Friendship Committee. Council members will meet with their counterparts and other officials in both countries, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

ALULA: Premier luxury publishing house Assouline has released its latest masterpiece, “AlUla Flora.” The work celebrates the diverse plant life that blooms in the ancient oasis city, located in northwest Saudi Arabia. “AlUla Flora” is the latest addition to Assouline’s “Classics Collection,” and features text by Abdulaziz Assaeed, a professor of rangeland ecology at King Saud University, Riyadh, accompanied by captivating images by young Saudi photographer Hayat Osamah.

RIYADH: Hevolution Foundation is funding research and early-stage investments to catalyze advances in extending healthy human lifespan while understanding the processes of aging. Boasting over SR1.5 billion ($400 million) in research grants and early-stage biotech investments, the Riyadh-based global nonprofit organization is a philanthropic funder of geroscience, an area of research dedicated to advancing global human healthspan. Hevolution Foundation is working to address the underlying causes of aging to help prevent the onset of age-related diseases.

RIYADH: There will be continued growth in economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Hungary over the next few years, according to the latter’s Deputy Minister and State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Tamas Vargha. “(Saudi Arabia’s) Vision 2030 … I think it’s a success story … it’s a good basis, for our cooperation,” Vargha told Arab News during a recent interview. “You have seen lots of changes since Vision 2030 started … both social changes and the economic changes and growth.”  

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met Tuesday with Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, as part of his official visit to the country. “The two officials highlighted the strategic relations between their countries and discussed ways to strengthen military and defense cooperation,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. They also addressed regional and international developments and exchanged views on issues of common interest, SPA added.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday the terrorist attacks that targeted churches and synagogues in Russia’s mainly Muslim region of Dagestan on Sunday. 21 people were killed and at least 46 people were injured after militants attacked Christian and Jewish houses of worship and fired at police in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Dagestan. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of terrorism, extremism, and targeting of civilians.

RIYADH: Tourism companies around the world deceived foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia by issuing visas not intended for Hajj, while encouraging them to violate regulations by staying in Makkah two months before the pilgrimage, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said on Monday. The security spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said 1,301 people died during Hajj including 1,079 pilgrims who did not have Hajj permits. Those who died and were unauthorized to perform Hajj made up 83 percent of the total deaths.

RIYADH: Border guards in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia thwarted an attempt to smuggle 73 kilograms of hashish, with an estimated street value of $1.8 million, into the Kingdom. The drugs were seized by authorities and preliminary legal proceedings have been completed, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. It follows an announcement on Friday that border guards in the same region had foiled a separate plot to smuggle 52 kilograms of hashish into the country, while authorities in Jazan prevented the trafficking of 243 kilograms of qat.

RIYADH: Some tourism companies in several countries deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj and encouraged them to violate regulations by staying in Makkah two months before the pilgrimage, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said on Monday. The security spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said 1,301 people died during Hajj including 1,079 pilgrims who did not have Hajj permits. Those who died and were unauthorized to perform Hajj made up 83 percent of the total deaths.