RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the Ajeer Al-Hajj service for this year’s Hajj season. The initiative allows businesses to engage a temporary workforce through seasonal contracts during the Hajj period. The ministry is encouraging Saudis and expatriate residents interested in working at the holy sites during the Hajj season to upload their CVs on the Ajeer portal, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The Saudi Press Agency said both ministers discussed bilateral ties and issues of common interest.

RIYADH: The Charity Society for Orphans Care in Riyadh has launched two initiatives to improve the lives of orphaned girls and single mothers. Mohammed bin Saad Al-Muharib, general manager of the society, also known as Ensan, said the first of the schemes, titled Enayah (care), would benefit 30 primary school age children, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The program will run for a full academic year and include a range of activities with psychological, spiritual, linguistic, social, health and economic dimensions.

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission kicked off day one of the International Workshop on Industrial Heritage in the JAX district to promote awareness of industrial heritage, its preservation, and diversification.  The workshop, which runs from May 7 to May 8 in Diriyah, will cover topics such as industrial heritage on a global scale, industrial heritage within the Kingdom, and case studies of the revitalization and restoration of industrial heritage sites. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that violators of Hajj regulations and instructions without a permit during the period June 2- 20 will be punished. Citizens, residents, and visitors to the Kingdom caught violating Hajj regulations and instructions without a permit in Makkah, the area around the Grand Mosque, Hajj sites, the Haramain station in Al-Rusayfah, security control centers, sorting centers, and temporary security control centers during the specified period will be fined SR 10,000 ($2,666).

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle into the Kingdom 27.6 kg of cocaine found hidden inside the air conditioner of a shipment of potatoes. Authorities at Jeddah Islamic Port arrested two individuals who were set to receive the shipment. In a statement ZATCA said it is “committed to stiffening customs control of the Kingdom’s imports and exports, stressing that it will stay vigilant to thwart smuggling attempts and ensure the protection of the society.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi signed a cooperation agreement on Monday aimed at achieving their respective goals. The agreement will also work to develop human capital in the culture and arts sectors.

DAMMAM: The Heritage Commission is holding an event to celebrate ancient Rakah, with historical reenactments, guided tours, archaeological experts and handicrafts. Once a major trading spot, some 1,500 years ago, the area takes its name from an indigenous tree species that once flourished there. The sandy environment was also once under the sea and shells can be found still glued to the rocks.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the UK on Monday signed a $5 million cooperation agreement with UNICEF to help tackle malnutrition in Somalia. The deal was signed by KSrelief General Supervisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and British Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell at the agency’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported. KSrelief and the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will each contribute $2.5 million to UNICEF.

RIYADH: The Saudi justice minister on Monday opened the International Conference on Judicial Training in Riyadh. Walid Al-Samaani made the opening speech at the two-day event, which has attracted more than 600 experts and 45 speakers from around the world. He highlighted the strides made by the Kingdom in the judiciary sector since the launch of its Vision 2030 initiative. He also outlined the ministry’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the judiciary and “pivotal role of training, qualification and legal knowledge management in achieving justice.”

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday after the recent passing of his uncle Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan. During a phone call, the crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased who was the representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler in Al-Ain Region. Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen.

RIYADH: The head of the Saudi Fashion Commission said on Monday that the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week later this month will highlight the talent in the Kingdom to a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Burak Cakmak, the CEO of the commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.

RIYADH: The Red Wave-7 naval exercise has started at King Faisal Naval Base, home of the Western Fleet. As well as the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, taking part are countries including Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, and Yemen, along with the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and units of the Saudi Border Guard. The commander of the Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid, said the drill aimed to enhance maritime security for countries bordering the Red Sea and protect territorial waters, according to Saudi Press Agency.

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language is partnering with the Korean Association of Arabic Language and Literature and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies to host an international conference in Seoul, South Korea. The conference, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature,” is set for May 9 and 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Participants will discuss key issues involving Arabic-language education globally and explore new approaches in response to evolving trends and needs.

RIYADH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is creating new opportunities for young people in Saudi Arabia by supporting research and innovation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and space. These efforts are part of the Space 2102 program, organized in partnership with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and the Saudi Space Agency. The program hosted 150 outstanding students, aged from 13 to 15, from various regions, in a five-day event, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

RIYADH: During the KSA-Canada Education Partnership Forum in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan emphasized the need for “practical partnerships” between the two countries, stating that he is not interested in more agreements, but rather in meaningful collaborations.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia warned of the dangers of Israel targeting the city of Rafah as part of its “bloody” and “systematic campaign to storm all areas of the Gaza Strip and displace its residents” on Monday. The warning came after Israel’s military ordered tens of thousands of people in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to begin evacuating earlier on Monday, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion could be imminent.

DUBAI: KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s aid agency, recently distributed 370 food baskets in the flood-hit Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, benefiting 2,590 individuals. The aid was a part of the fourth phase of the Kingdom’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan 2024.

JAZAN: The Kingdom’s Border Guard in Al-Ardah, Jazan, recently arrested four Yemeni nationals attempting to smuggle 80 kg of qat into the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Mostly chewed by users, Qat is a mild stimulant and illegal across most of the Arab world.

Riyadh: The Farasan Islands, a string of coral islands nestled 40 km off the coast of Jazan in the Red Sea, have been abuzz with activity recently as they hosted the 20th Hareed Festival. This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish, also called hareed, in the islands’ shallow waters, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The islanders have cherished this event for generations, transforming it into a social gathering that goes well beyond the arrival of the fish.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Burkina Faso’s Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Kassoum Coulibaly in Riyadh on Sunday. During the meeting, relations between the two countries and military and defense cooperation were discussed. The ministers also discussed regional and international developments and efforts made with regard to them.

DUBAI: Saudi-Malaysia bilateral relations have experienced “phenomenal advance” over the past decade in terms of trade and investment, resulting in a “win-win” for both countries, Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, has said. Speaking to Katie Jensen, host of the Arab News current affairs program “Frankly Speaking,” during a visit to Riyadh for a special meeting of the World Economic Forum last week, Anwar said he would like to see accelerated deepening of ties.

RIYADH: Conjoined Filipino twins arrived in Riyadh from Manila on Sunday following a Saudi evacuation plan coordinated by the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph were born in Panabo City in the Davao del Norte province on the southern island of Mindanao in December 2022. Their bodies share one liver. The two 16-month-old girls arrived at King Khalid International Airport and traveled to the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital to be assessed to determine the feasibility of separation surgery.

RIYADH: Saudi Public Prosecutor Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujeb met with his Bahraini counterpart Ali bin Fadl Al Buainain in Manama, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Al-Buainain welcomed Al-Mujeb and his accompanying delegation and expressed his delight at the visit, which he said signified the ongoing exchange of visits between the judicial bodies of the two nations and the sustained collaboration in combating transnational crime.

RIYADH: A spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, revealed on Sunday details of a number of criminal cases it recently investigated and prosecuted. Outlining 20 of the most prominent corruption cases, he said legal procedures had been initiated against all perpetrators.

RIYADH: Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that member countries value their Islamic roots and aim to strengthen ties with other Islamic nations at all levels. “The GCC countries have always extended their hands for cooperation and to establish fruitful partnerships with all Islamic countries, believing in the importance of this deep connection derived from our culture, religion and prophetic tradition.” He made the comments Saturday during the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, the capital of Gambia.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 719 mines in Yemen — which had been planted by the Houthi militia — between April 27 to May 3, according to a recent report. Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s special teams destroyed 631 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 83 anti-tank mines, three improvised explosive devices, and two anti-personnel mines. The explosives, which were planted indiscriminately by the Houthis across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

RIYADH: “Value Engineering” is the theme of the third Middle East Poultry Expo, to be held at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 13-15. Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the exhibition is the largest in the poultry industry and will feature over 300 companies from 40 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s commitment to occupational safety and health has seen the rate of work-related injuries in the Kingdom drop from 416 to 288 injuries per 100,000 workers, over the past few years, marking a notable 30.7 percent decrease. At the same time, the compliance rate among establishments with occupational safety and health standards has risen to 71.27 percent.

ALKHOBAR: Fresh from performances in Riyadh and Jeddah, the Concert Impromptu, a classical ensemble made up of French musicians that was established in 1991, journeyed into Alkhobar on Saturday for the final stop on a tour presenting a program designed specially for children.  There was a palpable energy at the concert, which was held at the newly opened Saudi Music Hub space, a colorful cluster of buildings near the corniche. 

RIYADH: King Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday to appoint 261 investigative lieutenants at the Ministry of Justice’s Public Prosecution, Saudi Press Agency reported. Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib thanked the king for the royal decree and said it reflected the support provided by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the ministry and its departments, SPA added. Al-Mujib praised the commitment to advancing the development and prosperity of the justice ministry in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s tripartite committee held its third meeting recently in Istanbul to discuss ways to enhance defense cooperation. Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Durdali, and Lt. Gen Mohammed Owais from Pakistan were among the officials present at the meeting, the Defense Ministry said in a report on Saturday.

RIYADH: The College of Languages at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a conference titled “Translating the Saudi identity through other languages and cultures” on May 15. The event, carrying the slogan “We translate our identity,” will take place at the Department of Conferences and Seminars, and is sponsored by Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan. It will focus on sharing the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, literary and intellectual heritage with a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Margo Marsden relocated to Saudi Arabia two years ago when her husband — a British oil and gas engineer — accepted a job in the Kingdom. Since her arrival, she has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. Her TikTok profile states she is a “Russian mother married to British father … living blissfully in Saudi Arabia.”

JEDDAH: Wacken Metal Battle Middle East arrived in Jeddah’s Makan Music Center on Friday night, providing a platform for local metal bands to showcase their musical prowess. The battle of the bands event featured Jaheem, Volfram, Kaizer, and Wasted Land aiming for top spot, creating a memorable experience for regional metal fans.