RIYADH: A hospital specializing in cancer care will be built in Mauritius as part of an ambitious healthcare plan by the Saudi Fund for Development. The project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated on Thursday by the fund’s CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudia has unveiled its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, allocating more than 1.2 million airline seats for pilgrims visiting the Kingdom. The Kingdom’s national carrier boasts more than 150 aircraft in its fleet, and has pledged to deliver “top-notch services” to pilgrims during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The airline’s operational period for the Hajj season spans 74 days, beginning May 9. It includes both arrivals and returns.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in the Gazan city of Rafah with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Thursday. During a meeting in Riyadh, the two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation relations between their countries, and the Palestinian government’s priorities and work program.

RIYADH: Eight Arabian oryx calves have been welcomed at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, it was announced on Thursday. The arrival of the oryxes marks a significant step in the reserve’s breeding program, Saudi Press Agency reported. The species was classified as “extinct” in the wild in the 1970s by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1986 it was classed as “endangered” and in 2011 it became the first animal to revert to “vulnerable” status on the IUCN’s Red List.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief signed a pact on Wednesday to restore the homes of families affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, Syria. In collaboration with a civil society institution in Syria, this project aims to restore 743 homes to benefit over 4,500 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Renovations will include the provision of new water tanks and ventilation systems. KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz signed the pact at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief is providing ongoing cardiac surgery and catheterization for children and adults at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Yemen’s Aden governorate. The project runs until May 15, with 23 medical specialists participating in cooperation with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. The medical team has already performed 35 cardiac catheterizations and eight open-heart surgeries, all of which were successful.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed emergency shelter and other support to people across Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. The agency provided nearly 200 tents, more than 600 shelter bags, and food to those affected by the recent flooding in the Hadramout governorate and the Al-Masila district of Al-Mahra governorate. KSrelief continues to help vulnerable people in war-torn Yemen.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned the Israeli settler attack on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees headquarters in occupied Jerusalem. The Kingdom said it holds the “Israeli occupation” responsible for the recurring crimes against innocent civilians and aid workers, according to a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

RIYADH: The first group of Hajj 2024 pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Thursday. The 283 pilgrims from India were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdel Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, reported SPA.

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati received the Swiss envoy to the Kingdom, Yasmine Chatila, on Wednesday in Riyadh. During the meeting, the two reviewed Saudi-Swiss bilateral relations, in addition to discussing regional and international developments of common concern. Meanwhile, Hassan Al-Attas, assistant general supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, met with Charles Harper, development director and deputy ambassador of the UK to Yemen, at the SDRPY headquarters in Riyadh.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has designated Diriyah’s JAX District, near Riyadh, as an industrial heritage site. Its industrial days behind it, the district is now known as a creative arts hub in the heart of Diriyah, which is also where the UNESCO world heritage site of At-Turaif can be found. The official recognition of its past role falls under the aims of the Industrial Heritage Preservation Program to protect and celebrate places of historical significance to the industrial sector in the Kingdom.

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center, or Ithra, announced 15 new film projects this week at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which concludes on May 9. The Saudi film funding program selected four features and 11 short films from 170 submissions over the past year. The entries were submitted by emerging Saudi filmmakers vying to take their concepts from the drawing board to silver screens across the globe.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday received a phone call from Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Saudi Press Agency reported. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed several issues of common interest.  They also discussed developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts to resolve the conflict.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a message of condolences and sympathy to Brazilain President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following the floods that swept the state of Rio Grande do Sul that killed and injured several people and left a number missing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. “We learned of the news of the floods that swept through the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and the resulting deaths, injuries, and missing persons,” the king said.

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are taking part in a multinational military exercise in the Turkish city of Izmir, the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Upon arrival in Turkiye ahead of the field-exercise phase of EFES 2024, the Saudi units were greeted by the military attache at the Saudi embassy in Ankara, Commodore Adel Al-Kalthami, the director of the exercise from the Kingdom, Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Suhaimi, and officers from branches of the Armed Forces.

RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of York in the UK for archaeological surveys at prehistoric sites on the Farasan Islands in the Jazan region, as well as along the Red Sea coast in the southwest of the Kingdom.

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission recently launched a studio for product development, The Lab, in Riyadh. The launch was attended by Misk Foundation CEO Badr Al-Badr, Deputy CEO Omar Najjar, industry specialists, and officials from government entities. The headquarters of the project is in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, or Misk City.  Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said The Lab would help develop a sustainable and thriving industry. And assist local designers fulfill their creative visions as a part of the “Made in Riyadh” label. 

RIYADH: The Center of Legal Studies and Research has released seven studies covering various sectors of the economy including business, health, e-commerce and sports, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  The research is a part of the center’s aim to highlight key developments and challenges within the Kingdom’s legal and legislative framework, the SPA reported.  The studies, which are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, also focuses on regulations for managing special economic regions and zones.

RIYADH: The 25th volunteer training program organized by Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, Saudi Press Agency reported. The week-long program involved 23 volunteers who assisted more than 900 Syrian refugees. Run in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the program offered training courses in areas such as tablet and mobile phone maintenance, sewing and embroidery, ceramics, pottery, and carpentry.

RIYADH: The assistant military commander for the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition, Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Qurashi, on Tuesday received Gen. Paulino Garcia Diego, adviser to the secretary-general for defense policy for diplomatic relations at the Spanish Ministry of Defense, and his accompanying delegation, at the coalition’s headquarters in Riyadh. During the meeting, they discussed topics of common interest and ways to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

CASABLANCA: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI received Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers, in Casablanca on Tuesday. During his meeting with King Mohammed, Prince Turki conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Turki also delivered a letter to King Mohammed. King Mohammed thanked the Saudi minister for the letter and “noted the distinguished relations that bind the two brotherly countries and peoples in all fields,” Saudi Press Agency reported.

JEDDAH: Visitors are flocking to the 19th Taif Rose Festival at Al-Raddaf Park where the flowers are in full bloom, highlighting the region’s rich floral heritage. The festival, themed “Qetaf” meaning “Picking Time,” coincides with the harvest season and will run until May 12. The organizers include the Taif Rose Cooperative Society and Taif Municipality.

Mazin Fawaz Baghdadi joined Alinma Investment Co. as chief investment officer in 2017 and was promoted to CEO and managing director in 2020. In that time he has played a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the company, notably through creating synergy between the short- and long-term objectives of the board of directors and working closely with other key personnel.

RIYADH: The Second Strategic Dialogue on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance between Saudi Arabia and the UK concluded on Tuesday with a high-level plenary session.

RIYADH: The Music Commission hosted an open meeting on the Saudi Music Memory initiative, engaging with music enthusiasts and industry professionals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The goal was to involve them in preserving the Kingdom’s musical heritage, as part of a series of open meetings designed to keep the musical community informed and encourage their participation in documenting and preserving Saudi music.

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.”