RIYADH: Saudi authorities have arrested five people for drug trafficking offenses, seizing a large volume of the narcotic plant qat and hashish, plus amphetamine tablets and other restricted drugs in separate operations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Agents of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested three Egyptian residents in Riyadh during one operation and seized 35 kilograms of hashish, 12,260 amphetamine tablets and 24,991 prescription tablets. 

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed an agreement with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Thursday to support the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, state news agency SPA reported. The aid agency committed $9 million to the cause, and the initiative is part of KSrelief’s humanitarian aid program in Yemen. The agreement was signed via video conference by KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz and UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed 1,200 food parcels in the Beheira region of Chad, benefiting 7,200 people most in need, as part of a project to support food security in Chad in 2024, the state news agency SPA reported late on Friday. The assistance is part of a series of humanitarian projects Saudi Arabia implements through KSrelief to help countries and people worldwide.

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center performed three successful heart transplants in Riyadh on Thursday, state news agency SPA reported. A nine-year-old girl was among the patients who received a successful transplant. She was suffering from heart muscle weakness and needed a donation urgently. A suitable donor was found for her in coordination with the UAE’s Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation and the National Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue.

RIYAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan hosted Anne-Claire Legendre, the advisor to the French president for the Middle East and North Africa, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. During the meeting at the ministry on Friday, the two sides reviewed Saudi-French relations, ways to strengthen ties in various fields and the latest regional developments, particularly concerning the Gaza Strip. The meeting was attended by Prince Saad bin Mansour Al-Saud, director general of the General Department for European Affairs at the Foreign Ministry.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have arrested five persons for drug trafficking, seizing a large volume of the narcotic plant qat and hashish, plus amphetamine tablets and other restricted drugs in separate operations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday. In one of the cases, agents of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested three Egyptian residents in Riyadh during an operation. Seized from the trio were 35 kilograms of hashish, 12,260 amphetamine tablets, and 24,991 prescription tablets. 

WARSAW: The Saudi Embassy in Poland organized a cultural and educational event to celebrate the UN’s adoption of Nov. 24 of every year as World Conjoined Twins Day, an initiative by the Kingdom to raise awareness of these human conditions, celebrate achievements in the field of separation surgeries and introduce the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins Separation.

AL-BAHA: Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth edition of the Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud. Fahd Muftah, director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s branch in Al-Baha, said the festival comprises 50 areas, 45 of which are dedicated to farmers and five to government agencies.

JEDDAH: The highly anticipated Jeddah Season 2024 has officially launched with the opening of Prince Majid Park, the season’s first free zone. The park, the largest in Jeddah, promises a wide range of entertainment for all ages, from exhilarating shows to captivating cultural experiences.

RIYADH: Though far from the wild tundra of Alaska and the wide grasslands of South Africa, Saudi Arabia still offers hunters and falconers an engaging hunting experience. Hunting has been a popular activity in the country for many years, attracting both locals and tourists. However, hunting can also have a severe negative impact on native wildlife. Overhunting in the past led to the serious decline of many species, from the Arabian leopard to the ibex and oryx.

DHAHRAN: On Thursday night, the award-winning Palestinian oud masters — and brothers — Le Trio Joubran, performed at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, on the first of their two-night run in Dhahran. Unfortunately, Samir — the eldest brother, who formed the band nearly two decades ago — was unable to join his siblings Wissam and Adnan on stage. But his space in the center of the trio was left untouched, as a visual representation of his presence.

RIYADH: The 106th session of the executive council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has commenced in The Hague. Leading the Saudi delegation to the four-day conclave, running from July 9-12, is Ambassador Ziyad bin Maashi Al-Attiyah, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the OPCW.

RIYADH: A comprehensive literacy campaign in the Al-Baha region is currently serving 1,410 adult learners, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative, dubbed “Al-Baha Without Illiteracy,” is a joint effort between the General Administration of Education in Al-Baha’s Al-Aqiq sector and several government agencies.

NEW YORK: The Madinah Region Development Authority took part in the “Quality of Life Initiative to Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals”, an event organized by the Quality of Life Program — one of the initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 — and the UN Human Settlements Program. The event was held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at UN headquarters in New York from July 8 to 18.

RIYADH: The Kingdom has recorded a 17 percent rise in passenger air traffic over the first six months of 2024, to 62 million compared to 53 million in the same period last year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. There were 446,000 flights, marking a 12 percent increase compared to 399,000 flights during the first six months of 2023, the report said, citing statistics released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to carry out health aid work around the world, delivering aid packages and performing medical procedures. In Taiz governorate, Yemen, the agency, through the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center Project, has helped 406 people who lost limbs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The project delivered 1,475 services in total, with 67 percent provided to males and 33 percent to females. Among the beneficiaries, 11 percent were displaced people, and 89 percent were residents.

RIYADH:  Passenger traffic in Saudi Arabia increased by 17 percent during the first six months of 2024, reaching about 62 million passengers compared to 53 million passengers during the same period last year, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported early Sunday.  The number of flights also reached approximately 446,000, marking a 12 percent increase compared to 399,000 flights during the first six months of 2023, the report said, citing statistics released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). 

JEDDAH: Tucked away in a historic building in Madina, lies a culinary gem that embodies the city’s rich cultural heritage.  Taqmeera is a restaurant that takes its name from the Arabic term for the golden-brown crust on freshly baked bread.  The building that houses Taqmeera is a treasure trove, dating back over 80 years. Originally owned by Ghazi Al-Maghzawi, the son of Saleh Al-Maghzawi, who served the Prophet’s Chamber in Madinah, the building has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s capital will host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, in December. The event will be held between Dec. 2-13 in Riyadh, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the convention. “COP16 will be a landmark event for accelerating action on land and drought resilience and a gamechanger for the green transition in Saudi Arabia, the region and beyond,” the UNCCD said in a statement on its website.

RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has given hope to three patients, two men and one girl, after it successfully transplanted hearts from donors in Riyadh, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. The journey of hope began with medical teams traveling from the hospital’s cardiac unit to Abu Dhabi and Jeddah to remove the hearts from two donors. The hearts were then transported by private jet to Riyadh.

RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence has become the first organization in the world to achieve the International Standards Organization’s 42001:2023 certification for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ISO standard, which was introduced in December last year, is the first of its kind for AIMS. It provides guidance on addressing the challenges posed by AI, such as ethical values, transparency and continuous learning.

RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority, represented by its President Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, signed a cooperation agreement with the World Bank as part of the Saudi Ministry of Finance’s technical cooperation program with the international institution. The agreement aims to benefit from the authority’s expertise in developing the water sector and from its know-how in managing water resources by reducing operational costs. It also aims to invest the accumulated research and engineering expertise to enhance water security through knowledge transfer.

RIYADH: Diriyah Co. recently unveiled a monumental SR7.8 billion ($2 billion) construction deal for a mixed-use complex in the region’s north, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The contract, the largest in Diriyah’s development history, will usher in a sprawling development that seamlessly blends advanced educational facilities, cultural landmarks, cutting-edge office spaces, and a luxurious hotel. It will also bring together elite developers from across the world. 

LONDON: A forum on decarbonization in built-up areas was held at Columbia University in New York on Wednesday evening, hosted by the Saudi Green Building Forum, as part of the ongoing UN high-level political forum. The event was attended by leading sector experts from around the world, who discussed the importance of decarbonizing built-up environments, which they argued would be crucial for achieving global sustainable development goals.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority on Thursday launched a data protection awareness campaign in the Kingdom. The “Understand Your Data” campaign aims to raise awareness of the Saudi personal data protection system and related rights, said Al-Rabdi bin Fahd Al-Rabdi, head of the SDAIA’s National Data Management Office. It will promote the importance of protecting personal data, cases of personal data disclosure and the obligations of entities covered by the system’s provisions, Al-Rabdi added.

RIYADH: A “Summer Forum” is underway in Riyadh to prepare 11 male and female high school students for the 17th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The IOAA Olympiad takes place from Aug. 17 to 26 in Vassouras, Brazil. Saudi Arabia is making its debut at the annual event, which was held for the first time in 2007 in Thailand.

RIYADH: The Saudi-Iraqi Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the Shoura Council held a meeting on Tuesday in Riyadh with members of its counterpart at the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The meeting was headed by Ibrahim Al-Qannas, Shoura Council member and chairman of the friendship committee, and Iraqi MP Shaalan Al-Karim, who is currently visiting the Kingdom.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has participated in the Group of Twenty (G20) meetings during Brazil’s presidency as part of the Women’s Empowerment Working Group.  The three-day meetings, which marked the third meeting of the working group, were held in Brasilia. The Kingdom’s delegation was led by Family Affairs Council Secretary-General Maimunah bint Khalil Al-Khalil.

RIYADH: As the lights of nearby towns fade into the distance, visitors will no doubt find themselves spellbound by the majesty of the cosmos unfolding over the Hisma desert, situated 90 km west of Tabuk. Beneath this heavenly canopy adorned with countless twinkling stars that stretch in all directions, Hisma desert also boasts unique rock formations known locally as masabih and gharamil, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture on Wednesday launched an awareness campaign called “Harvest Season” to promote locally produced fruits and raise the efficiency of its marketing system to support Saudi farmers. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the launch was part of efforts aimed at raising awareness of the importance of eating local fruits; promoting a healthy lifestyle by buying local produce; and spreading knowledge of agricultural products.

RIYADH: Over a hundred teachers will be dispatched to Saudi educational institutions abroad, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The Education Ministry issued the decision that would see 136 educators take up places in 19 countries in the upcoming academic year. Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, the deputy minister, said the annual program seeks to provide educational opportunities for the children of delegates, workers, and residents abroad.

RIYADH: The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council has emphasized the importance of completing a free trade agreement between the UK and the bloc by the end of the year. Jasem Al-Budaiwi made the remarks after meeting Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s newly appointed trade and business secretary, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The top Gulf official indicated that he sensed a strong interest from Kier Starmer’s new Labour government to complete negotiations for a trade pact.

RIYADH: A “Summer Forum” is underway in Riyadh to prepare Saudi high school students selected to compete in the 17th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday. The olympiad will take place from August 17 to 27, 2024, in the city of Vassouras in Brazil. This year will be the first time for Saudi Arabia to compete in the IOAA, a yearly competition that started in 2007.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority planted more than 1.2 million trees and shrubs during the first half of 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported late Tuesday. It forms part of the authority’s plan to resettle indigenous wild plants in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed and King Khalid royal reserves. The plants include the Sidr, Talh, Arfaj and Arta species, which were selected to suit the environment of the two reserves.

RIYADH: The Sports Boulevard Project in Riyadh has approved the designs for “Sport Tower” - a high rise building that has courts for different indoor sports. Headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the project's directors have announced that they approved the designs for Sports Tower, the Saudi Press Agency said. The Sports Boulevard is one of Riyadh’s four ambitious projects, launched by Saudi King Salman in March 2019. The project is a key component of the Saudi Vision 2030.