RIYADH: In Ahlam Gallery’s latest solo exhibition, Swiss painter Vlad Pocol examines the ties that link past, present and future — with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as a reference point. “If you could explain your artworks in one word, what would it be?” one listener asked. “Intuition,” Pocol replied, explaining the basis of his first show in the Kingdom.

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Historic District Program and Cruise Saudi have agreed to work together to increase the number of international cruise visitors to the city while preserving its cultural and historical integrity. The program, established in 2018 under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, oversees various initiatives within the so-called Historic Jeddah region with the aim of promoting it as a cultural center.

TAIF: Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud received the Ambassador of Vietnam to the Kingdom Dang Xuan Dung on Sunday. The Vietnamese ambassador praised the development and prosperity in the Kingdom. He also expressed his admiration for Taif’s evolution and the region’s various crops, including its roses.  

RIYADH: Various experts recently took part in a virtual meeting to consider the role of biennales in visual art. The event was organized by the Visual Arts Commission as part of its ongoing review of the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Biennales are large-scale exhibitions held every two years that provide a platform for artists to engage with specific themes. The meeting outlined the criteria for artist participation, focusing on career robustness and foundational achievements.

RIYADH: Units from the Saudi Armed Forces are participating in the Eager Lion military drill, held in Jordan from May 12-23, with the involvement of the armies of 31 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, explained that the exercise aims to exchange expertise and train on planning and implementing joint operations and missile air defense operations, as well as implementing counter-terrorism and maritime security operations to confront regional threats.

RIYADH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi inaugurated the work-family balance initiative on Sunday, organized by the Al-Mawaddah Association for Family Development under the slogan “Balance Your Life.” The initiative began in the presence of Mohammed Al-Radi, the association’s general manager, along with several of the organization’s members, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence is participating in providing technical and digital services for the Makkah Route Initiative, a program under the Ministry of Interior’s Pilgrim Experience Program which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives. Engineers and technicians are operating across Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, and Ivory Coast, integrating them with the authority’s systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Fumio Iwai awarded Saudi manga artist Samah Kamel with the 17th Japan International Manga Award’s Special Encouragement Award at a ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Riyadh.   Kamel, a regular creator for Manga Arabia, expressed her joy at winning the prize for her work “Taif” about the challenges facing parents of children on the autism spectrum, and the various ways autistic people can be accommodated and integrated into society.

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.  Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA, highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dedication to advancing the national data and artificial intelligence agenda, aiming to bolster the Kingdom’s global presence in these fields.

RIYADH: Red Sea Global, the developer of “regenerative tourism destinations” The Red Sea and AMAALA, celebrated the graduation of the first batch of international hospitality management students from its scholarship program in partnership with the University of Prince Mugrin in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

RIYADH: Citizens in Saudi Arabia were warned on Saturday by the General Directorate of Public Security to disregard fraudulent advertisements on social media. The authorities highlighted adverts that falsely claim to facilitate various aspects of Hajj, including performing Hajj on behalf of others, securing and distributing Adahi (sacrifices), selling Hajj bracelets, and providing transportation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The directorate emphasized that severe penalties would be imposed on individuals apprehended for engaging in such activities.

ACCRA: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli and Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong have agreed to strengthen relations and increase investment opportunities in agriculture, food security, fisheries, and livestock. The agreement came during Al-Fadhli’s visit to Ghana, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The two ministers agreed to work together to ease the process of investing in their respective countries, and to expand the scope of economic partnership.

RIYADH: The Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing announced on Saturday that a Saudi Food and Drug Authority laboratory test had found clostridium botulinum in a Bon Tum mayonnaise brand used by the Hamburgini food chain. Since the bacterium was discovered in a Bon Tum factory, the ministry has collaborated with the SFDA and other authorities to enforce additional measures beyond those previously implemented.

RIYADH: Farasan Islands’ Hareed festival, which concluded recently, marked the start of annual pearl fishing trips, an ancient skill and a major source of the islanders’ prosperity. Ships once carried 30 to 40 islanders in search of pearls, a lucrative source of income in previous centuries. Pearls played a major role in Farasan’s commercial and economic activity. (SPA)

RiYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki conducted an inspection of the Makkah Route Initiative facility at Islamabad International Airport on Friday, accompanied by Pakistan’s Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Zulfiqar Haider, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Malki underscored the commitment of the Saudi government to allocate both human and financial resources to serve all visitors to the Kingdom and said that the Makkah Route Initiative represents an extension of that commitment.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,710 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. According to an official report, a total of 12,961 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,177 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,572 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 979 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 43 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

RIYADH: Makkah’s Hira Cultural District, with its pavilions and cultural history, is serving as a tourist hotspot and a hub for knowledge. Nestled near Jabal Al-Noor, the project spans 67,000 sq meters and includes a visitors’ center, offering insights into the history and services of the district, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The neighborhood provides diverse cultural services and activities for all.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of Religious Affairs has welcomed the first batch of pilgrims who arrived in Madinah at the Prophet’s Mosque to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The pilgrims were greeted with gifts, copies of the Qur’an, and guidance booklets in their languages.

RIYADH: The concept of sustainable living has gained significant traction in recent years as individuals and communities strive to reduce their environmental impact.   In Saudi Arabia, where rapid urbanization and economic growth have led to increased energy consumption and waste, the importance of adopting green living practices cannot be overstated.   

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force on Friday ended its participation in the “Desert Flag” multinational air exercise at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, the Kingdom’s defense ministry said. The RSAF took part alongside forces from a number of friendly countries. Lt. Col. Adel Abu Malha, commander of the air force group participating in the exercise, said that the drill achieved its objectives — the exchange of military experience, boosting readiness and combat efficiency, and strengthening relations with the participating forces.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution recognizing that the State of Palestine, currently an observer state, qualifies for full membership of the organization. The 193-member assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution, which also recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter “favorably” and grant Palestine most of the rights and benefits that come with full membership.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi has stressed the importance of expanding trade with Thailand. The minister, who is also chairman of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, recently concluded his visit to Thailand where talks included the participation of nine government agencies and 85 private sector entities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Al-Qasabi said the two nations have been bolstering ties over the past few years with visits, forums, exhibitions and conferences.

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority marked World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day this week with various events, exhibitions and conferences in the Kingdom. The SRCA’s activities included marches on the main roads of several governorates as well as lectures and training courses to raise community awareness. The day is celebrated on May 8 every year to emphasize the importance of alleviating the suffering of people worldwide, especially in countries afflicted by conflict and natural disasters.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has sent food and shelter aid to Pakistan and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. A total of 450 shelter bags were distributed in Sudan’s El-Gadarif state, benefiting 2,588 individuals. In Pakistan’s Pakhtunkhwa province 710 food baskets for 4,970 individuals were handed to vulnerable families in flood-affected areas. This was a part KSrelief’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan 2024.

RIYADH: Thirty-five Saudi Arabia students will compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 in Los Angeles from May 10 to 18, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. They will join 1,700 other participants from 70 countries in the ISEF, which is recognized as a pre-college competition in scientific research and innovation. The Kingdom will be led by representatives from the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, and the Ministry of Education.

RIYADH: Mogobo David Magabe, South Africa’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, hosted a Freedom Day celebration on Thursday in Riyadh’s Cultural Palace. Freedom Day is celebrated annually on April 27 in South Africa to commemorate its first democratic election on that day in 1994, an event that signaled the end of official racial segregation in the country. The embassy in Riyadh decided to hold the 30th anniversary celebrations after Ramadan. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia provided an insight into the future of family entertainment, with the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement expo revealing the biggest disruptors in the industry, and showing how technology will shape developments in the rapidly growing market.

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority marked International Red Cross and Crescent Day on Wednesday with various events, exhibitions and conferences in all its branches around the Kingdom.  The activities included marches on the main roads of the regions and governorates as well as educational lectures and training courses to raise community awareness.  Others participated in exhibitions to introduce the public to the role of the Red Crescent in society, particularly humanitarian and relief work. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has received a written message from Sergei Aleinik, his counterpart in Belarus, regarding bilateral relations between the countries and ways to support and enhance them. The message was received by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during a meeting in Riyadh with his opposite number in Belarus Evgeny Shestakov, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The parties discussed ways to strengthen relations, along with regional and international developments.

RIYADH: Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, marked his first Europe Day celebration in the Kingdom, inviting fellow European nation ambassadors, Saudi foreign affairs officials, and friends of the embassy to celebrate the occasion in his residence in the diplomatic quarter.   “There is a very dynamic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the European Union,” Farnaud told Arab News.

RIYADH: Two Saudi students have used their skills in coding and app creation to put social issues under the spotlight. Afrah bin Jubeir and Jawaher Al-Anzi recently showcased their abilities in Apple’s Swift Student Challenge, where they were named among the top coding winners.

COLOMBO: The King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid has successfully carried out at least 200 eye surgeries in its ongoing anti-blindness campaign in the Sri Lankan town of Kattankudy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. Dubbed Saudi Noor Volunteer Program to Combat Blindness, the campaign has also examined at least 2,000 individuals so far. The campaign, which is being carried out in cooperation with the International Sight Foundation, started May 4 and will conclude on May 11, SPA said.

ABHA: The Saudi Ministry of Tourism recorded more than 350 violations during its inspection tours of hospitality facilities in the Asir region, closing 40 of them. It addressed about 270 complaints regarding the services provided in facilities such as hotels and serviced apartments, as part of the Our Guests Are A Priority campaign during the first quarter of 2024. The ministry’s supervisory teams conducted about 650 supervisory and inspection tours of hospitality facilities.

SEOUL: The Korean Embassy in Riyadh recently hosted reporters from Saudi Arabia and across the globe at the week-long World Journalists Conference here to enhance the Asia nation’s relations with other countries. “As a Saudi journalist, your experience and exchanges of views in Korea, along with your insights, will provide a great introduction about Korea to Saudi Arabia,” Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Choi Byung Hyuk told Arab News.

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.