RIYADH: The region of Middle East and North Africa is known for its hot, dry climate and scarce water resources. The harsh climatic conditions are a contributing factor to the region’s perennial scourge of drought, desertification and land degradation. These challenges result in imbalances in different ecosystems, harming especially the agriculture sector and imposing economic hardship on local populations. The growing importance of this regional issue has been a motivating factor for Saudi Arabia to host regular discussions.

DAMMAM: The Eastern Region Municipality conducted 688 inspection tours of municipal facilities in eastern Dammam during the first quarter of the year. The inspections aimed to improve quality of life, rectify visual discrepancies and increase the issuance of compliance certificates for residential and commercial buildings along main roads. The campaign also aims to promote real estate development in the region. The inspections led to the issuance of 213 notices to establishments and the removal of graffiti from 19 sites, 221 concrete barriers and 111 signboards.

RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad signed on Friday an agreement aimed at opening doors for developmental cooperation, projects and programs in El Salvador, with the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco. Also present at the signing ceremony in Riyadh were Haytham bin Hassan Al-Malki, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Mexico and non-resident ambassador to El Salvador, and El Salvador’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ricardo Ernesto Cucalon Levy.

RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality confirmed on Friday that the initial results of an investigation by health authorities suggest a single company was responsible for several cases of food poisoning last week, caused by the bacterium clostridium botulinum, that left dozens of people hospitalized.

ALULA: Although Saudi Arabia is home to a wealth of ecosystems, from its coastal mangroves and coral reefs to its high-altitude forests and lush oases, the Kingdom is perhaps best known for its deserts. However, these landscapes, which are fast becoming popular with outdoor adventurers, are home to a remarkable array of animals, which inhabited the region long before the arrival of humans.

DHAHRAN: In a display of strategic cooperation, the Eastern Region Command in Dhahran orchestrated the latest iteration of the joint Saudi-US exercise, “Protection Shield 4.” Bringing together branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and a consortium of civilian and military government entities—including the Ministry of Defense’s health services, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the Ministry of Health, and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority—the drill aimed to bolster preparedness against potential threats of mass destruction.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Public Security said on Friday that it would issue instructions for residents wishing to obtain permission to enter Makkah ahead of Hajj season on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It also said any Saudi residents wishing to obtain a permit must do so from the relevant authorities and that those who fail to get the necessary permits will be prevented from entering the holy city.

RIYADH: For centuries, the juniper tree has proudly stood as a symbol of picturesque beauty in Al-Baha region, adorning its slopes and mountain peaks with vibrant green hues. Nourished by recent heavy rains in the region, these majestic trees have flourished, forming expansive forests that eagerly await the arrival of summer, and the embrace of nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility and solace.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s housing minister has returned from a trip to Beijing where he met with Chinese sector officials to “solidify the partnership between the two nations in construction and real estate development,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Majed Al-Hogail held a meeting with China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong and Fang Qiuchen, the president of the China International Contractors Association.

RIYADH: Only a few months after its recent launch, Beast House has become one of the Saudi music scene’s biggest assets, using MDLBEAST’s comprehensive strategy to enrich the Saudi music industry with solid infrastructure. Driven by a vision to provide fertile ground in which to cultivate the region’s music culture, Beast House marks MDLBEAST’s debut investment in the music facilities sector in Saudi Arabia with an innovative tripod model that combines music, architecture, and technology to achieve its unique mission in the country.

Ali Alhasan is CEO and founder of the company NanoPalm. He holds a Ph.D. in nanomedicine, with expertise in nano-drug delivery and gene therapy and five years of experience in executive management. In his role as CEO, Alhasan formulates the strategic and business plans for accelerating therapy translation globally and trains talents in deep tech, nanotech, and gene editing tech.

TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum. In the presence of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy. The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7. The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.

RIYADH: Women are finding new territories in various industries as the Kingdom sets diversity and inclusion goals, and football is no different.  There are currently 1,100 female football players registered with Saudi clubs through the leagues, three regional training centers, and four active national teams.  Today, the Women’s Football Department focuses on various areas of grassroots development, like five upcoming local competitions including the Premier League. 

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli has stressed the importance of regional action to combat environmental challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa region and the world, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

RIYADH: Illegal workers at a farm in Riyadh region’s Huraymila governorate were arrested after they were caught by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce changing the expiry dates on products, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. A 3.00 a.m. raid was carried out in cooperation with Riyadh region police and Huraymila governorate police after expired products that were seized in the possession of expatriates a few hours earlier were traced back to the farm.

RIYADH: Teams of female students took the top three prizes at Engineering Hackathon 24, which concluded on Wednesday at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in Dammam. A total of 88 teams of male and female students from the Eastern Province took part in the event, which began on April 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh on Thursday. During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and coordination to ensure that the exhibition would be “exceptional,” Saudi Press Agency reported. Writing on social media platform X, Kerkentzes said: “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030.”

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday. During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported. Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal. Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.

RIYADH: The Digital Cooperation Organization, which works to shape the global digital economy, will take part in the upcoming 15th annual Islamic Summit Conference in the Gambian capital Banjul. DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya will head a delegation at the event, which runs from Saturday to Sunday alongside a series of summits organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to enhance cooperation and understanding between Islamic countries.

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has led its sector for the second successive year, ranking as the top healthcare institution in the Kingdom and the Middle East. It stands out as the only hospital globally to be among the top 10 valuable brands in its country, according to two reports by Brand Finance about the top 50 most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia, and the top 150 most valuable brands in the Middle East for 2024.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the leader of Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on Wednesday. During the separate calls, the latest developments in the situation in Sudan and their repercussions on the Sudanese people were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

JEDDAH: Artist Paul Marlier and dancer Jeanne Morel have brought an interactive digital art display dubbed “ETH3R” to Jeddah’s cultural hub, Hayy Jameel. The French creatives feature immersive artworks generated using the biometric data of Morel captured during her movement in extreme environments — including in zero-gravity. The unique blend of technology and creativity has captivated audiences with its perspectives on reality, and contrasts with the often mundane nature of daily life.

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 52nd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Industrial Cooperation Committee on Wednesday in Doha, Qatar. The meeting featured discussions related to the industrial sector and developments in establishing unified standards for Gulf products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday offered condolences to the ruler of the United Arab Emirates on the death of a key official and a member of the royal family, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  In a cable to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, King Salman expressed «our deepest and sincere condolences» on the death of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s ruler representative in Al Ain, who died on May 1, 2024.

RIYADH: Almqr Development Co., the investment arm of Madinah Regional Municipality, has signed an agreement with a national construction company to build a wellness resort and rehabilitation center, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Forming part of the “Heart of Uhud” project north of the Prophet’s Mosque, the facility will cover 240,000 square meters and aims to establish Madinah as a global destination for health and wellness. Once built, with the support of local and international investors, the center hopes to accommodate up to 30 million visitors a year by 2030.

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh with the secretary-general of the Bureau International des Expositions on Wednesday.  Writing about the meeting on social media platform X, Dimitri Kerkentzes said he was “honored” to discuss the preparations with the crown prince.  “The BIE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will work hand in hand to make Expo 2030 a tremendous success for the Kingdom, the region, and the world,” he added.

RIYADH: The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed on Wednesday the Kingdom’s condolences to the families of those who died after a makeshift dam burst its banks in Kenya’s Rift Valley on Monday. At least 48 people including children died as a result of the incident.  Residents said the accident occurred in the dead of night when the dam burst near the town of Mai Mahiu in Nakuru county, sending torrents of water and mud gushing down a hill and engulfing everything in its path.

RIYADH: More than 400 companies from 35 countries are taking part in the first Saudi Food Manufacturing show, which opened in Riyadh on Tuesday. Held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef, the event focuses on processing, packaging and ingredients and aims to facilitate high level business deals, connections and collaborations. Three companies that won a Saudi Food Manufacturing Award at the event — Multivac, DC Norris and Brenntag — spoke to Arab News.

RIYADH: Fishermen from the Jazan region have started preparing for the 20th Hareed Fishing Festival, which begins on Thursday. The festival, which takes place on Farasan Island and lasts for two days, celebrates the fishing of parrotfish, otherwise known as hareed. It showcases various tourist activities such as parasailing, traditional folk dances, and competitions for catching the fish, which is difficult due to their survival instinct which leads them to hide by corals.

DUBAI: The Saudi Heritage Commission and Japan’s Kanazawa University are to collaborate on archeological work at two prehistoric sites. The scientific cooperation agreement, which was signed on Tuesday, relates to survey work at Jouf and Tabuk. It highlights the commission’s commitment to expanding its field work and archeological surveys across the Kingdom and enhances its scientific partnerships with specialist universities and centers around the world.

RIYADH: Schools in Saudi Arabia’s capital region Riyadh were instructed to switch to remote learning on Wednesday as storms and heavy rains continued to lash the country. The Ministry of Education said it had taken the decision “based on reports received from the National Center of Meteorology and in the interest of everyone’s safety.” Lessons would be conducted using the Madrasati and other e-learning platforms, it said. The rain continued to fall in Riyadh on Wednesday, while the temperature ranged from 17-25 degrees Celsius.

RIYADH: Ahmed Al-Eyada, the undersecretary at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, witnessed the signing on Tuesday of a cooperation agreement between the National Agricultural Development Company, and Delphy, a global company specializing in agricultural services. The agreement aims to build capabilities, boost skills, and transfer agricultural technologies, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

JEDDAH: A top chef has brought French flavors to the Kingdom as part of 'Good France,' an event aimed at promoting French cuisine abroad. The Jeddah residence of the French consul general, Mohammed Nehad, hosted a group of Saudi press representatives on Monday as part of the festival’s closing day. Renowned French chef Stephane Collet and his assistant, Florian Atteleyn, served an exclusive lunch that showcased the artisanship and elegance of French gastronomy.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts has launched an exhibition in Jeddah showcasing 25 artworks exploring the link between science and art. Fifteen female students from King Abdulaziz University presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the Sci-Art exhibition. (AN photo)