RIYADH: The fourth E3 Customer Experience Conference will launch in Riyadh on Tuesday, July 9, to discuss the latest trends and technologies to improve customer experiences, enhance innovation, and facilitate exchanging experiences among specialists. Organized by the National Customer Experience Academy, or NCXA, the two-day conference will be attended by approximately 750 participants from more than 30 countries.

RIYADH: The UN has declared Nov. 24 will be World Conjoined Twins Day following a request from Saudi Arabia, reported the Saudi Press Agency. From this year the day will be observed annually after an initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia in collaboration with Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen. The day aims to raise awareness of conjoined twins and celebrate achievements in the field of conjoined-twin separation surgery.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman arrived on Tuesday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on an official visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Khalid will hold several meetings to discuss bilateral relations, enhance joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries, and discuss issues of common interest, SPA said. Upon his arrival at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, His Highness was received by the Chairman of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority, Professor Khaluk Gurgun, and a number of senior officials.

RIYADH: Burkinabe conjoined twins Khadijah and Hawaa arrived in the Saudi capital for a possible separation surgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital. Accompanied by their mother, the girls were airlifted from Burkina Faso to the Kingdom by the defense ministry’s medevac, following the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

RIYADH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an international symposium on Jerusalem and the Gaza war at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah on Monday. Organized in conjunction with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the symposium was titled: “Jerusalem and the Gaza War: Palestinian Identity and Existence Under Threat of Erasure.”

RIYADH: Air carrier Flynas has launched Saudi Arabia’s first program to train airline cabin crew in sign language. According to a recent report by Saudi Press Agency, the program is being implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment, and is part of Flynas’ efforts to adopt sustainable initiatives that positively impact society.

JEDDAH: Warner Bros. Discovery’s new indoor entertainment destination in Jeddah is showcasing six concept zones inspired by some of cinema’s most iconic stories. The venue includes “Batman,” “Tom and Jerry” and “Harry Potter” zones, alongside areas for shoppers. Enthusiasts will be able to delve into Batman’s storied history and evolution with comic book displays, as well as interactive virtual and augmented reality games.

RIYADH: Balqees, a trailblazing Saudi female driving enthusiast, is channeling the power of social media to empower women to get their license to drive — and do it well. “I began driving and developing a fascination for it as a teenager, seeing it as a way to make life easier and, honestly, an adventure,” she told Arab News. Her love and enthusiasm for driving only grew stronger after she left the Kingdom to pursue her studies. Upon her return in 2010, Balqees became a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment on the road.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences on Monday to Kuwait’s emir after the passing of Sheikha Suhaira Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.  The king and crown prince sent cables of condolences to Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah while the Kingdom’s crown prince sent a separate cable to Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. Sheikha Suhaira died aged 79 and was the widow of Sheikh Fahad Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Kuwait News Agency reported. 

JEDDAH: The 23rd regular session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation began on June 30 and will continue until July 4 in Jeddah. All OIC member and observer states are attending, including their national human rights institutions, experts from international and regional organizations, and senior officials of the OIC General Secretariat.

RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh chaired a second round of political consultations between the two countries on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Hasan Mahmud discussed strengthening bilateral and political relations and intensifying bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of common concern. Prince Faisal also held a luncheon in honor of his Bangladeshi counterpart and his accompanying delegation.

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched Arabic Language Month in India, reported Saudi Press Agency. The program will run in New Delhi and Kerala until July 26. It features activities aimed at developing the country’s Arabic language education curricula, improving teachers’ performance, building a positive image and promoting the language. Additionally, it will highlight Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this field in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 realization programs.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry held a seminar here on Sunday titled “The Role of Women in Diplomatic Work,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies was held to mark last week’s UN International Day of Women in Diplomacy. Among those who attended were Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, female ambassadors to the Kingdom, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps. The participants discussed the achievements and challenges facing women in the sector.

RIYADH: Dr. Hana Omar, the director of the Department of Partnerships and International Relations at Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief, met here on Sunday with Markus Werne, the director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen. During the meeting, the officials assessed aid projects in Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Werne praised the Kingdom for its role in assisting vulnerable people in the Arab nation and around the world.

 RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief, has cleared 755 mines across Yemen, reported Saudi Press Agency. The Masam Project, dedicated to clearing land mines in the country, dismantled 755 devices during the fourth week of June. This included 707 unexploded ordnances, 47 anti-tank mines, and one explosive device. Since the beginning of the project, a total of 449,068 explosives have been cleared. Through KSrelief, the Kingdom has committed to ridding Yemeni lands of all explosives.

RIYADH: An “Imagine Monet” exhibition, which began on Friday as part of Jeddah Season 2024, is giving Saudis an interactive showcase of 200 of Claude Monet’s most celebrated works, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The exhibition features more than 200 paintings enhanced through modern technology, with 360-degree projections on walls and floor, courtesy of advanced Image Totale technology. It is a journey through the French artist’s career, highlighting Monet’s genius and profound grasp of light and color.

RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar met with the recently appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka Omar Lee Ameer Ajwad on Sunday in Riyadh. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral ties and cooperation. Ajwad praised the Kingdom’s recent developments and the success of the 2024 Hajj season. Prince Faisal wished the Sri Lankan ambassador success in his diplomatic mission.    

MAKKAH: In the depths of the Red Sea lies a world of wonder that professional Saudi diver Faisal Abdulsalam describes as a “blue treasure trove teeming with life and secrets.” Abdulsalam, who spends a lot of time underwater, told Arab News that the experience is transformative for him, dispelling negative energy and revitalizing his life.

JEDDAH: City Walk is back with the theme “Once Again,” and boasting a new zone, Cairo Nights, which is a portal into the lively streets of the Egyptian capital. This year’s season includes new attractions and zones, while others have been renamed and rearranged to bring a fresh new experience for visitors.

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense warned people against keeping flammable materials in their vehicles during the Kingdom’s summer heat. The directorate said that portable chargers, phone batteries, gas canisters, perfumes, bottles of hand sanitizer, and other flammable materials should not be left in vehicles in the heat in order to prevent fires. Saudi Arabia is witnessing climate change at an accelerated pace compared to other regions, a 2023 report written by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has said.

RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission organized a seminar on Sunday titled "The Role of Saudi Arabia in Teaching Arabic in Korea” at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024, where Saudi Arabia was the guest of honor. The event featured Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Dayel, the cultural attache at the Saudi embassy, who emphasized the profound historical importance of the Arabic language, Saudi Press Agency reported.

MADINAH: The Madinah region continues to attract visitors to numerous rural farms that have become popular natural retreats. These locations have been developed to accommodate individuals and groups, providing guided tours and entertainment programs, along with a variety of food outlets. Visitors to the rural farms can take part in a range of activities and programs. These include educational sessions on farming methods and crop care; insights into daily farm operations; and displays of various date varieties and other agricultural products.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice has said the Virtual Enforcement Court in the Kingdom has received more than 110,000 requests that were automatically processed and completed during 2024, while the number of services provided to enforcement parties reached more than 2 million. The Virtual Enforcement Court reduces enforcement procedures from 12 steps to two without human intervention, saving resources and visit times.

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, “Mawhiba,” today launched its 2024 summer enrichment initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported. These encompass the Mawhiba Academic Enrichment Program, the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program, the Mawhiba Universal Enrichment Program, and the Mawhiba Ambassadors Program. The programs will be conducted across more than 100 sessions in 16 cities.

TOKYO: The Arab share of Japan’s oil imports for May, as reported by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, amounted to 62.44 million barrels — 95.3 percent of all the oil Japan imported that month.  Imports during the month from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait further underscored the strategic importance of these countries in Japan’s energy security. The UAE was Japan’s top oil supplier, contributing 46.2 percent of total imports

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the king of Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco on the death of his mother, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. In a cable to King Mohammed VI of Morocco, King Salman expressed deepest and sincere condolences on the death of Princess Lalla Latifa. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed 'my warmest and most sincere condolences' in a separate cable, the SPA said.  

RIYADH: The open studio at the second Intermix Residency offers entry into a realm of creative exploration in which artists from across the globe put the Kingdom’s natural landscapes and cultural elements at the center of their work. Some 15 creators worked together over 10 weeks to develop their own artistic vision inspired by the fusion of visual arts and fashion, and centered around themes of transformation, innovation, and sustainability.

BEIRUT: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon said on Saturday it was closely following the developments of the current events in southern Lebanon, Saudi Press Agency reported.  It stressed its previous call to all Saudi citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon, and urged citizens there to leave Lebanese territory immediately. The embassy said should they need to, citizens must contact it in the event of any emergency.

RIYADH: Alheda’a, a folk art passed down through generations across Arabian societies, embodies the deep connection between camels and locals. Camel herders use Alheda’a — a combination of sounds, gestures, and sometimes musical instruments — to communicate with their camels. These rhythmic expressions, inspired by poetry, form a unique vocabulary that camels seem to understand and obey.

Dr. Carina Lanfredi is an executive director at Diriyah Gate, a position she has held since May 2023. She is responsible for revamping and restructuring the group’s procurement contract and claims management function, aligning local needs with core corporate objectives, and enhancing governance and redefining process flows. In addition, she contributed to strengthening partnerships and resolving large-scale claims and disputes.

WASHINGTON: Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha on Saturday met US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in Washington. The two sides discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between their countries to support the growth of the digital economy in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar was also present at the meeting.    

TABUK: More than 30 farmers and beekeepers are taking part in the Honey and Agricultural Products Festival at Tabuk Park. Organized by the local arm of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the five-day event provides a platform to promote the region’s agricultural products and teach people about beekeeping, making honey and lots more. There are also lots of activities for families to enjoy, including handicrafts and painting. The ministry said it was keen to support local farmers and help them overcome the challenges they face.

RIYADH: A joint field campaign to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, work, and border-security laws in all regions of the Kingdom, carried out from June 20 to 26, has resulted in the arrests of 13,445 people. Authorities apprehended 3,230 people for violating Saudi border-security regulations, and 1,452 others for violating the Kingdom’s work rules.

MADINAH: The field teams of Madinah Municipality are continuing their work to maintain and repair the road network in the holy city. This week they helped to maintain 214,280 linear meters of main and internal roads, while repairing 2,366 sq. meters of potholes and depressions, in addition to removing several illegal speed bumps. Field teams also conducted 875 tours for general cleaning, disinfecting some 7,186 locations with chemicals.

RIYADH: Five Saudi students from the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) have earned international acclaim by winning medals at the Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2024. The competition, held in Turkiye from June 25-30, featured 130 students from 22 countries.