JEDDAH: As the Hajj season approaches, the Mashaer metro is ready to play a crucial role in transporting thousands of pilgrims between the holy sites in Makkah. The train, with its efficient operations and unique features, is set to enrich the pilgrimage experience and ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims during their rituals. The Mashaer metro system comprises nine stations located across the holy sites, connected by an 18-km double-track railway, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Central Bank has introduced a range of services to meet the needs of pilgrims, making transactions easier. Pilgrims can use their internationally issued bank cards to make payments and withdraw cash while in the Kingdom. According to an Ekhbariya report, the Saudi Central Bank will operate about 110 bank branches, including temporary and mobile branches, in the holy regions, with 36 branches operating throughout the Kingdom during Eid Al-Adha holidays.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir on Saturday said the Kingdom is committed to cooperate with the international community in enhancing efforts to protect oceans and marine resources. Al-Jubeir, who is also minister of state for foreign affairs and a member of the Council of Ministers, reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment in a speech at the high-level event on Action for the Oceans (Immersed in Change) in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

MADINAH: A smart robot service has been launched in Madinah to assist pilgrims visiting the Prophet's Mosque. A project of the Ministry of Health branch in Madinah province, the robot is positioned at the courtyard next to the Prophet’s Mosque.  A report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the service «aims to display and broadcast awareness and educational messages and health advice for the safety and awareness of pilgrims in more than 96 languages ​​of the world.» 

MADINAH: As the Hajj season approaches, pilgrims from around the world gathered in Madinah, preparing to make their journey to the Holy House of God in Makkah.  The Prophet’s Mosque was a hub of activity, where pilgrims read the Qur’an, and performed prayers. The spiritual journey from Madinah to Makkah marks a significant milestone in the Hajj rituals, with pilgrims eagerly looking forward to fulfilling their religious duties.

RIYADH: KSrelief has distributed 201 food parcels and 201 medical kits the city of Maarat Misrin in the Idlib countryside of northwestern Syria as the Saudi aid group’s humanitarian activities continue. The initiative benefited 1,227 individuals and 201 families, Saudi Press Agency reported. Similarly, KSrelief distributed 200 food baskets to most needy families in Sharkaya village of Hajar Lamis province in Chad. Around 1,200 benefited from the initiative. Also in the same country, 700 food parcels were handed out in the city of N’Djamena.

LONDON: It was something of an accidental discovery, admits Volker Vahrenkamp with a smile. “Sometimes, these things need a little luck.” Vahrenkamp, a professor of geology at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, had set out with a team of colleagues to take a closer look at a coastal geological phenomenon they had spotted on satellite images.

RIYADH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested 21 violators of Hajj regulations at the entrances to Makkah after they tried to enter without a valid Hajj permit, the state news agency SPA reported on Saturday. The Ministry of the Interior announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested eight residents and 13 citizens on Friday. The seasonal administrative committees of the General Directorate of Passports issued 21 administrative decisions against them, which included: a prison sentence for a period of 15 days for each violator, and a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666).

RIYADH: Millions of Muslims from across the world have arrived to perform Hajj in Makkah during the hottest season of the year in the Kingdom, leading to concerns regarding the challenges that may await them in the days to come.  Unpredictable weather can affect the health and safety of pilgrims, especially the elderly. A primary concern is the extreme heat. As global temperatures continue to rise, heat waves in the region have become more frequent and intense every year.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Tourism announced it will increase its monitoring and inspection of various tourist hospitality facilities in Makkah, including hotels and serviced apartments. The goal is to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season. The inspections are being conducted under the guidance and supervision of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb.

RYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,974 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 8,044 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,395 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,535 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 815 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 41 percent Yemeni, and 5 percent were of other nationalities.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association has enlisted more than 220 members from the Saudi Girl Scout Committee to assist pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season. This initiative is part of the public service camps organized by the association in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. Abdulrahman Al-Mudaires, deputy chairman of the association, emphasized its commitment to increasing the participation of girl scouts in such camps.

RIYADH: The historic pilgrimage route known as the Zubaida Trail, which connected the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq, was marked by trade points and centers and served as a passage for Arab tribes, remaining active throughout history. According to Dr. Muna Abdulkarim Al-Qaisi, an ancient archaeology specialist and professor at the University of Kufa in Iraq, various people traveled along this road, with the first reference dating back to the third century B.C.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is continuing its Ajeer Al-Hajj and Seasonal Permits services as part of efforts to encourage seasonal work during this Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The Ajeer Al-Hajj service allows facilities to issue work permits, and employ Saudis and residents temporarily. It also enables them to post job openings during the Hajj season through the Bab Ajeer platform, in addition to allowing job seekers to review and apply for work.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s climate envoy took part in the High Level Event on Ocean Action: Immersed in Change, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Saturday. Saudi Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir led the Kingdom’s delegation to the event  in the Costa Rican capital San Jose. The meeting, taking place between June 7 and 8,  seeks to spotlight globally important topics related to ocean conservation and to propel actionable measures addressing the pressing environmental crisis affecting oceans.

RIYADH: A number of guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation confirmed that the invitation they received to perform Hajj is the best evidence of Saudi Arabia’s care and concern for Islam and Muslims. They said Saudi Arabia’s hosting of Hajj is an extension of the humanitarian work carried out by the Kingdom for all Muslims.

RIYADH: Saudi aid group KSrelief handed out 150 shelter bags on Friday to the neediest and displaced families inside a shelter center  in the Nile River State of Sudan, benefiting 863 individuals.  The distribution in Al-Damer locality is part of a project to provide urgent shelter aid to Sudan this year. Also on Friday, KSrelief distributed 600 food baskets to the neediest families in the Batha Region of Chad, benefiting 3,600 individuals. This activity was part of an initiative to support food security in Chad this year.

RIYADH: Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, with serious implications for food security, livelihoods and access to water. That is why Saudi Arabia is adopting a range of innovative and sustainable farming practices. As summer temperatures become more intense around the world, crop yields are dwindling and water scarcity mounting, raising the specter of food insecurity in some regions and higher prices on domestic and global markets.

RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Asheikh has called on all Hajj pilgrims to strictly adhere to security and official instructions by obtaining a Hajj permit and the vaccinations required by the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The grand mufti, who is also the chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and head of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Fatwa, said that pilgrims were not allowed to go to Hajj without a permit.

RIYADH: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributed 25,000 bread bundles to needy families in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The food packs were given to Syrian and Palestinian communities living in northern Lebanon, benefiting 62,500 individuals from 12,500 families. The aid is part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to support vulnerable families in the region and beyond. Around 100,000 Syrians relocated to neighbouring Lebanon after the civil war of 2011, with over 90 percent of Syrian households there living in poverty.

JEDDAH: Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Makkah province, received some 400 pilgrims arriving at the Jeddah international airport early Saturday from the city of Surabaya, Indonesia, the SPA reported. They were among those who came through the “Makkah Route,” an initiative launched by the Saudi government six years ago to facilitate travel procedures for those performing the rituals of Hajj in the Kingdom.

JAZAN: The municipality of Jazan has prepared public parks, waterfronts and amusement parks in Jazan city and other parts of the region to welcome visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holidays. According to a report from the Saudi Press Agency, the municipality said it has designated 16 seaside destinations, 282 public parks, 186 sports stadiums and 106 walkways and open spaces in Jazan city and its governorates as primary recreational outlets for citizens and visitors. Additionally, tourist sites in Jazan city, governorates and centers will be available to the public.

RIYADH: Suitable housing will be provided for families in dire need across various regions of the Kingdom after Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail launched the Joodak Yulabi campaign on Friday through the Jood Eskan platform. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the move comes following the success of the previous campaign, Jood Al-Manateq, which provided 4,939 housing units for developmental housing beneficiaries during the holy month of Ramadan.

RIYADH: Saudi films will be screened at two of Australia’s premier venues, the Sydney Opera House and the five-star Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, this month as part of a partnership aimed at fostering collaboration between the film industries in both countries. The “Saudi Film Night” screenings from June 26-28 have been organized by the Kingdom’s Film Commission and Australian production company Blacksand Pictures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Imams and khatibs of the Two Holy Mosques have been directed to shorten the Friday sermons and prayers for the remaining Fridays during the Hajj season in consideration of the circumstances of severe heat pilgrims face this year. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the decision comes in light of the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy sites and the intense heat experienced in Makkah and Madinah.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Defense says it has completed its preparations for this year’s Hajj season and is ready to support the work of the nation’s security services and government agencies in serving pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. A supervisory committee, headed by the director of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, has been set up and is responsible for preparing, planning and supervising all of the tasks assigned to the ministry’s units.

RIYADH: Fahd Al-Jalajel, Saudi Arabia’s minister of health, met with the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, Inger Andersen, in Riyadh on Friday. The two discussed climate change, health and the United Nations General Assembly meeting on antimicrobial resistance.  

Riyadh: Green Riyadh, in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Sports, launched a community engagement tree-planting initiative in the Saudi capital on Thursday, celebrating the Gulf Youth Day, marked on Jun. 6 every year. Themed “Active and Responsible Gulf Youth,” the event welcomed volunteers, athletes and various GCC delegations. The initiative saw participation from volunteers of all age groups who worked together to plant trees and engage in various activities.

JEDDAH: A 104-year-old woman from Iraq has been identified as the oldest Hajj pilgrim to visit the Kingdom so far this year. Kazimiya Hatim was welcomed with great fanfare when she arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on May 25. More than 33,000 Iraqi pilgrims are expected to visit Saudi Arabia during the Hajj period. Iraqi agent Ali Abd Al-Rida Khazim accompanied Kazimiya from Madinah to Makkah aboard the Al-Haramain train, after performing their visit to the Prophet’s Mosque.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman recently held discussions with Yemen’s Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Prince Khalid said King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wanted peace and prosperity in Yemen. The meeting focused on efforts to ensure security and stability in the country. Prince Khalid said the Kingdom remained committed to supporting Yemen’s people.

RIYADH: Unless company executives adopt artificial intelligence technologies now, they will soon find themselves outmoded and driven out of business by their competitors, a Saudi AI consultant has warned. Mohammed Alqarni, an academic, AI-for-business consultant, and CEO of the Saudi AI consultancy firm Foresighted, believes it is important for businesses to begin experimenting with AI right away, otherwise they will quickly fall behind their more nimble rivals. “AI will not replace your job — someone using AI will replace your job,” Alqarni told Arab News.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Energy, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, unveiled a comprehensive dictionary of energy terminology on Thursday in both Arabic and English.

RIYADH: Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah confirmed that over one million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj season, during a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday. He stressed the need for pilgrims to adhere to regulations and cooperate with the authorities, adding that Hajj is for worship and “not for any political activities.” Al-Rabiah said that the ministry is committed, through the Makkah Road Initiative, to deliver pilgrims' luggage to their residences.

Makkah: Neurosurgeons at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Makkah saved the life of an elderly Hajj pilgrim who fell into a coma. The Indonesian woman, said to be in her 70s, was suffering from acute hydrocephalus, a serious condition commonly referred to as “water on the brain,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his coalition’s election win on Thursday.  Modi claimed victory for his alliance on Tuesday in India’s general election. In a cable of congratulations, the crown prince expressed his best wishes for the success and prosperity of India and its people, Saudi Press Agency reported.  On Thursday, Modi was deep in negotiations with alliance partners to form his cabinet after an unexpectedly close election forced his party into a coalition government.