RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday arrived in Qatar to lead Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the 44th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The crown prince left for the Qatari capital Doha on the invitation of Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  

RIYDH: A Saudi researcher has written a book shedding light on around 125 inscriptions from the first three Hijri centuries. Saad bin Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri’s 219-page “Islamic Inscriptions from Aliyat Najd” is split into two sections. The first covers Aliyat Najd and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, Najd and its borders, and the pilgrimage and trade routes passing through Aliyat Najd, while the second details inscriptions, and their interpretation. Some of the roadside inscriptions help depict the religious, economic, and literature aspects of the period.

RIYADH: The Riyadh Art program’s fifth Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024, which will be held from Jan. 14 to Feb. 24, will feature 30 prominent local and international artists who will showcase their work under the theme “Dimensions of Movement.” The registration for the fifth edition of the event witnessed an overwhelming response, attracting more 650 applications from 80 countries. A committee of experts in art and sculpture meticulously evaluated the submissions, culminating in the selection of 30 artists representing 20 countries.

RIYADH: Camping in Saudi Arabia provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty of the vast wilderness. The desert, with its mesmerizing dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, offers a serene setting for those seeking solace away from the bustle of city life. Camping offers an unforgettable experience for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. With the Kingdom’s diverse landscapes and warm hospitality, the country welcomes visitors to connect with nature and forge lasting memories in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.

Mazen Elyas is a chief business development officer at OFOQ Insurance Broker and a participant in Misk’s 2030 leaders’ program. His job involves utilizing market analytics, business strategy development, and sales management to fuel exponential revenue growth in Saudi Arabia. He has more than 15 years of experience staging business turnaround strategies, market analytics programs, and sales optimization initiatives in highly competitive markets.

DUSHANBE: Saudi Fund for Development’s CEO Sultan Al-Marshad on Monday met the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. The two parties looked at the efforts of the Saudi fund in financing development projects and programs in Tajikistan. Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Waleed Al-Rasheedan, and Akram Karimi, Tajikistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, were also present at the meeting.  

RIYADH: Saudi aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip affected by the Israel-Hamas war continues to be dispatched. So far, the Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered 573 tons of supplies via El-Arish International Airport in Egypt. The help has included 24 planes carrying food baskets, shelter bags, tents, blankets, mattresses, winter clothing bags, dried baby food, dates, and medical materials. The center has also sent ambulances, with 14 out of 20 having already arrived in the Strip.

RIYADH: Saudi border guards in the Jazan region have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 180 kg of qat.  The illegal substance was confiscated, and several people arrested.   Qat is a flowering shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula, the leaves of which act as a stimulant when chewed.  Saudi security agencies have urged the public to report any information about drug smuggling or trafficking by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the eastern regions, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. 

DAMMAM: To coincide with International Day of Disability, Dammam launched the fifth annual forum for “Families of Persons with Disabilities” on Saturday with the slogan “economic growth.” Under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Nayef, emir of the Eastern Province, who was on hand to personally lend his unwavering support to the hosting association “Liajlehu,” the event, that kicked off on Dec. 2, will conclude on Dec. 4.

RIYADH: Mobile units help to provide services in 22 locations across the Kingdom, as part of the We Come to You initiative organized by the Saudi Ministerial Agency of Civil Affairs. It also forms part of the We Exist scheme that serves governorates, centers and towns that are distant from civil affairs offices. Mobile units help provide civil registration services such as issuing and renewing national identity cards or replacing damaged IDs. These units are one of the most prominent means of providing service, helping to save both time and effort.

RIYADH: The 15th International Conference on Air Services Negotiations, which is affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization, opened in Riyadh on Sunday with the aim of working to keep pace with rapid developments in the aviation sector.

RIYADH: The humanitarian efforts of Saudi aid agency KSrelief continue to aid people around the world. The agency distributed 1,533 cartons of dates to the most vulnerable and displaced families in Kassala, Sudan, benefiting 7,817 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. In Akkar governorate, Lebanon, the agency’s Al-Amal Charitable Bakery project, which is in its fourth phase this year, saw 150,000 bundles of bread handed out to Syrian and Palestinian refugee families and the host community, benefiting over 125,000 people.

RIYADH: The “Tuwaiq Is Your Destination” campaign, launched by Tuwaiq Academy, is calling for 3,000 Saudis in prominent technical fields to register for more than 150 professional programs and camps. The campaign is being held at the academy’s headquarters in partnership with major international partners.

JEDDAH: The Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate has partnered with Kenyan-based Space for Giants, an organization specializing in environmental conservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The partnership aims to protect biodiversity in AlUla, reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon storage capabilities in AlUla’s natural reserves. Over the next three years, the two parties will work together to design and implement joint activities focused on managing, protecting and monitoring biodiversity and natural environments.

DUBAI: The governor of Tokyo hopes World Expo 2030 in Riyadh will be an exciting and sustainable event with the potential to “surprise the world.” Speaking to Arab News Japan on Saturday, Gov. Koike Yuriko offered her best wishes to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh this week won its bid to host the prestigious event. “I’d like to congratulate the Kingdom,” she said. “And I hope the Expo … would be an exciting one (and) make the people of the world surprised.”

JAZAN: A man has been arrested in Uhud Al-Masariha Governorate, Jazan, for attempting to smuggle medically controlled drugs. The arrest was made by the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control and following preliminary legal proceedings the case was passed to the public prosecution.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is participating in the Artigiano in Fiera exhibition in Milan, Italy, which runs from Dec. 2-10. The Saudi pavilion, overseen by the Ministry of Culture, will showcase various aspects of the country’s culture and rich national heritage. According to a report by the Saudi Press Agency, participating organizations include the Saudi Heritage Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and the Saudi Handicrafts Company.

JEDDAH: Saudi metal band Immortal Pain delivered a loud and lively concert at Comic Con Arabia in Jeddah, with a huge crowd of fans cheering and singing along with them. Friday night marked the second performance of the band at the convention. They have been in the rock and metal scene since late 2005, starting with two members and later doubling.

Falah Al-Daham Al-Oniz has been the chief shared services officer at Jenny, the leading ride-hailing app in the Middle East, since September 2020. With more than 26 years of experience in human resources, administration, government relations, and shared services operations, Al-Oniz oversees complex transformation initiatives and drives sustainable change by leveraging proficiency in change management, process improvement, and technology.

TASHKENT: Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al-Marshad was recently received by Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the fund’s efforts in financing development projects and programs in Uzbekistan, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries that has been ongoing for more than 15 years.    

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline Flynas on Friday launched its newest operation base at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The airline also inaugurated six destinations and routes, including two domestic flights to Abha and Tabuk, and four in the international category — to Dubai, Amman, Istanbul, and Ankara — to be operated alongside the other four existing destinations, from Madinah to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Cairo.

RIYADH: Professional falconers and falcon owners took part in four qualification rounds on Friday on the fourth day of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival. Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club and held in Malham, north of Riyadh, the birds and their owners were battling it out in the 400-meter Al-Melwah competition. The star performer in the first round of the Gear Pure Category for Professionals was Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah, who took first and third places with his birds 0016 and 0018. Barghash bin Mohammed Al-Mansouri took second place.

VIENNA: The Saudi Fund for Development presented some of its international programs at the Kingdom’s pavilion on the sidelines of the UN Industrial Development Organization General Conference in Vienna. The fund’s involvement was part of its industrial development efforts, including financing projects and programs that contribute to the promotion of social growth and economic prosperity in developing countries. It highlighted its contribution to the industrial and mining sectors, including 16 development projects and more than $463.5 million of funding.  

RIYADH: The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission organized the eighth Urban Art event as part of a series of Argentinian shows being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The show, which runs until Saturday in the Blue Hall, aims to increase awareness about the theater and performing arts sector in the Kingdom and around the world.

RIYADH: The 24th Saudi relief plane, operated by the Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived in Egypt on Friday carrying 31 tons of aid, including food and shelter materials, the official SPA news agency reported. The assistance, which was dispatched on Thursday, is to be transported to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The aid efforts are in keeping with Saudi Arabia’s historic role in supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis, the SPA statement said.

AMMAN: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief on Friday distributed shopping vouchers to more than 3,000 Palestinian refugees in Jordan. The coupons will allow them to purchase winter clothing at designated stores located in refugee camps throughout the Aqaba and Maan governorates. The initiative is part of the second phase of the center’s winter clothing distribution project for 2023, a joint scheme with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization.

RIYADH: Italian chef Valerio Cabri hosted a masterclass on how to make the perfect risotto at the Saudi Feast Food Festival. Representing ALMA, the Italian School of Culinary Arts, located at the heart of Italy’s so-called food valley in Parma, he said: “We are here to represent Italy and our school for a couple of events starting from the Ritz Carlton in which we had a competition with Saudi Arabian students making a risotto.”

GAZA: Executive Director of Palestinian Red Crescent Bashar Murad thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Saudi’s aid agency KSrelief provided food and medical aid to displaced and wounded Palestinians in Gaza. Murad said the aid was sent to the most impacted areas in Gaza and medical supplies provided by the Kingdom were given to the health ministry and hospitals in the area.  As of Friday, over 24 Saudi aid planes arrived in Gaza through the Rafah crossing. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, and the UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Thursday discussed the latest developments in the conflict in Yemen. “We reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to support the peace process in Yemen, as well as the road map between the Yemeni sides to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution, under UN supervision,” the prince said in a message posted on social media site X after the meeting in Riyadh.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Space Agency and Axiom Space signed an agreement to develop Saudi talent in the field of space. Axiom Space, a company specializing in developing human spaceflight technologies, will provide training and on-the-job opportunities, in addition to exchanging knowledge, skills and expertise in the fields of human spaceflight. The agreement was signed during a specialized Saudi delegations’s visit to the US headed by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha.

RIYADH: The Hevolution Foundation demonstrated its new healthspan journey service at the Global Healthspan Summit. Called Nafatha, the service comprises finger-prick and blood pressure tests, body composition analysis and a retinal scan. The pop-up clinic was offered at the summit after the company was granted approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Ophthalmologist and Vice President of Medicine Dr. Sophia Pathai said Nafatha, which means window in Arabic, provided a “window into your health.”

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday released a joint statement on the visit of President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to the Kingdom and the shared areas the two countries aim to enhance cooperation in. On Tuesday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Lula at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The Brazilian president was in the Kingdom from Nov. 28 to Nov. 29. Lula congratulated the crown prince on winning the bid to host Expo 2030.

RIYADH: Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by Saudi aid agency KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.  The ambulances are carrying crucial medical supplies including biometric devices, oxygen devices, first aid kits, burn treatment kits, transport beds, splints and straps. Rafah, overseen by Egypt, is the only crossing into Gaza not controlled by Israel.

JEDDAH: The “Diriyah International Forum,” organized through collaboration between the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, will be held from Dec. 10-11. The forum, themed “Diriyah: A Meeting Point of Cultures,” will bring together a distinguished gathering of scholars, thinkers and researchers. The two-day forum aims to encourage creative thinking and promote collaboration between different specialties and experiences, and promote a global cultural and tourist destination.

RIYADH: Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Natural Reserve Development Authority is participating at the co-current Saudi Green Initiative Gallery and UN Climate Change Conference — COP28 — in Dubai, today.  The reserve will showcase its drone-based program, the biggest of its kind, in protecting biodiversity in Saudi Arabia, for being more effective and efficient in environmental activities and having a lower carbon footprint, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.