RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance provided more than 1.4 million religious services for over 2 million pilgrims and visitors during this year’s Hajj season. More than 600 male and female preachers provided guidance at the holy sites, in several languages, on Islam and the value of moderation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. There were also staff deployed to guide pilgrims during the days of Tashreeq in Makkah and at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Tuesday sent a message to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, congratulating him on the 11th anniversary of his accession. “The king expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for health and happiness to (the emir), and to the government and people of Qatar for continued progress and prosperity,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.  Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar message to the emir.

RIYADH: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, the minister of the National Guard, received Ludovic Pouille, France’s envoy to Saudi Arabia. The discussed topics of mutual interested at the ministry’s headquarters.  The meeting was attended by several senior National Guard officials.

RIYADH: Nearly 1.5 million religious services were offered to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance said that approximately 1,485,000 services had been offered from the day before Arafat, which was on June 15, until the end of Hajj. Saudi authorities said that 1.8 million pilgrims participated in this year’s Hajj. Six hundred Islamic teachers and translators were on hand to provide pilgrims with information about the duties of annual religious event.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife in collaboration with the Riyadh Region Municipality, inaugurated the first supervisory council for the Ibex protected area, which encompasses the governorates of Howtat Bani Tamim and Al-Hariq, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative aims to involve local communities and relevant stakeholders to enhance management practices within the protected area, aligning them with global standards, NCW said in news release. NCW chief executive Mohammed Qurban highlighted the importance of the initiative.

MADINAH: Al-Safiya Museum and Orchard is bringing in visitors to Madinah with its captivating attractions, educational and entertainment options. The architectural designs, which are inspired by Madinah’s heritage, and the orchard, with ponds and fountains, are located in the central area south of the Prophet’s Mosque and span an area of more than 4,400 sq. meters. The project includes a cultural park and a museum exhibition area that boasts integrated audio-visual capabilities.

RIYADH: A delegation from the Saudi Shoura Council is to undertake an official visit to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It will be headed by Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Jarba, a member of the council who is also chairman of the Saudi Tajik-Uzbek Parliamentary Friendship Committee. Council members will meet with their counterparts and other officials in both countries, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

ALULA: Premier luxury publishing house Assouline has released its latest masterpiece, “AlUla Flora.” The work celebrates the diverse plant life that blooms in the ancient oasis city, located in northwest Saudi Arabia. “AlUla Flora” is the latest addition to Assouline’s “Classics Collection,” and features text by Abdulaziz Assaeed, a professor of rangeland ecology at King Saud University, Riyadh, accompanied by captivating images by young Saudi photographer Hayat Osamah.

RIYADH: Hevolution Foundation is funding research and early-stage investments to catalyze advances in extending healthy human lifespan while understanding the processes of aging. Boasting over SR1.5 billion ($400 million) in research grants and early-stage biotech investments, the Riyadh-based global nonprofit organization is a philanthropic funder of geroscience, an area of research dedicated to advancing global human healthspan. Hevolution Foundation is working to address the underlying causes of aging to help prevent the onset of age-related diseases.

RIYADH: There will be continued growth in economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Hungary over the next few years, according to the latter’s Deputy Minister and State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Tamas Vargha. “(Saudi Arabia’s) Vision 2030 … I think it’s a success story … it’s a good basis, for our cooperation,” Vargha told Arab News during a recent interview. “You have seen lots of changes since Vision 2030 started … both social changes and the economic changes and growth.”  

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met Tuesday with Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, as part of his official visit to the country. “The two officials highlighted the strategic relations between their countries and discussed ways to strengthen military and defense cooperation,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. They also addressed regional and international developments and exchanged views on issues of common interest, SPA added.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday the terrorist attacks that targeted churches and synagogues in Russia’s mainly Muslim region of Dagestan on Sunday. 21 people were killed and at least 46 people were injured after militants attacked Christian and Jewish houses of worship and fired at police in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Dagestan. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of terrorism, extremism, and targeting of civilians.

RIYADH: Tourism companies around the world deceived foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia by issuing visas not intended for Hajj, while encouraging them to violate regulations by staying in Makkah two months before the pilgrimage, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said on Monday. The security spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said 1,301 people died during Hajj including 1,079 pilgrims who did not have Hajj permits. Those who died and were unauthorized to perform Hajj made up 83 percent of the total deaths.

RIYADH: Border guards in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia thwarted an attempt to smuggle 73 kilograms of hashish, with an estimated street value of $1.8 million, into the Kingdom. The drugs were seized by authorities and preliminary legal proceedings have been completed, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. It follows an announcement on Friday that border guards in the same region had foiled a separate plot to smuggle 52 kilograms of hashish into the country, while authorities in Jazan prevented the trafficking of 243 kilograms of qat.

RIYADH: Some tourism companies in several countries deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj and encouraged them to violate regulations by staying in Makkah two months before the pilgrimage, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said on Monday. The security spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said 1,301 people died during Hajj including 1,079 pilgrims who did not have Hajj permits. Those who died and were unauthorized to perform Hajj made up 83 percent of the total deaths.

DAMMAM: An initiative by the Eastern Province municipality has been launched to improve traffic flow on the Gulf Road in Saihat, Qatif. The road is a crucial artery, linking several key commercial and high-traffic areas. The project will alleviate congestion at the intersection with Pearl Street by alleviating congestion with new turning lanes and roundabouts. It will be implemented in several phases and there will be partial road closures while the work is ongoing.

NAJRAN: Najran Camel Racecourse organized its second Mafarid race on Sunday, part of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation’s competitions for the 2024 season. There were rounds for the male and female Mafarid category, covering a distance of 1.5 km and featuring the participation of 641 camels. In the first round, the female camel Al-Hathra, owned by Hussein Al-Salem, achieved first place. In the second, male Muwaffaq, owned by Manea Al-Munjim, took first.

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief launched its new strategic plan in Riyadh on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The plan, unveiled by Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, outlines how it will become a leader in global relief and humanitarian efforts, emphasizing the provision of aid in alignment with the Kingdom’s values of excellence and high quality.

RIYADH: Several private farms in Baha have been renovated and revamped by their owners to reflect agricultural tradition and cultural identity, helping to attract tourists to the area. Among these, Al-Mandaq Governorate’s farms and rural cottages stand out, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency. These farms, which are located throughout the region, have a variety of trees and tastefully structured rustic houses that draw in the visitors. The owner of one farm, Othman Hassan Al-Zahrani, explained that the idea to restore his farm originated in 2022.

RIYADH: As a child, Nasser Al-Sadhan would spend hours watching documentaries on countries such as New Zealand and India, fascinated by the diverse landscapes and cultures depicted on the screen. As an adult, Al-Sadhan has been able to turn his childhood fantasies into reality by visiting these countries. Each step he takes in these unfamiliar territories brings back memories of the wonder and amazement he felt as a child.

JEDDAH: Perennial plants, with their remarkable ability to endure harsh conditions such as droughts, climatic variations, and human activities, play a crucial role in our ecosystem, providing sustenance for people and animals, and contributing to the overall well-being of the environment. Recognizing the importance of these invaluable assets, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has embarked on a program to relocate and care for perennial trees in the Madinah region.

TIRANA: Speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Asheikh on Sunday arrived in Tirana, Albania, where he will be heading a delegation during his official visit. Upon his arrival at Tirana International Airport, Al-Asheikh was received by the Chairman of the Albanian-Saudi Friendship Committee Klevis Goji; Saudi Ambassador to Albania Faisal Hefzi; Albanian Ambassador to the Kingdom Samir Bala; and a number of senior officials from the Kingdom and Albanian parliament, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  

RIYADH: The eighth meeting of the Saudi-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council in the United States kicked off on Sunday in Washington DC. The Saudi delegation was led by the General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT), and it included 20 government entities. The council's goal is to monitor trade and investment relations in order to identify opportunities for expansion, work on removing trade and investment barriers, improve a promising trade and investment environment, and foster economic development between the two countries.

RIYADH: The Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority participated in a high-level open discussion session held by the UN Security Council titled “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Addressing Evolving Threats in Cyberspace.” Senior officials and permanent representatives of member states of the UN, as well as the secretary-general of the organisation, Antonio Guterres, participated in the session.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ports Authority, MAWANI, signed on Sunday a SR30million ($8 million) contract with the Global Environmental Management Services Ltd., or Reviva, to establish a complex for recycling marine and industrial waste at Jeddah Islamic Port. The president of MAWANI, Omar bin Talal Hariri, and the CEO of of the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., Ziad bin Mohammed Al-Shiha, signed the contract in the presence of a number of other officials.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad, with participation from more than 340 students and 400 university professors and chemistry teachers from 90 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The prestigious event, which will run from July 21-30 at King Saud University, is organized by the Ministry of Education, and King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, and boasts exclusive sponsorship from the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.

LONDON: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, organized a scientific seminar on cultural and economic relations between Saudi Arabia and China from June 19-23 in Beijing, Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel has announced the successful execution of health management efforts during Hajj 2024.

RIYADH: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) philanthropist works in Lebanon and Sudan continues with its latest provision of medical support and basic food requirements for needy individuals. In the Miniyeh region of northern Lebanon, the Souboul Al-Salam Social Association ambulance service being funded by KSRelief completed 56 emergency missions, which involved the transport of patients to and from hospitals as well as the provision of first responder services to individuals involved in traffic incidents.

RIYADH: Border Guard land patrols have foiled an attempt to smuggle 135 kilograms of qat in Al-Dayer sector of Jazan Region.  Also in Jazan region, border police thwarted an attempt to illegally transport 160 kilograms of qat in Al-Ardah.  Legal procedures were followed, and the seized items were handed over to the concerned authority. Meanwhile, two Pakistani residents attempting to sell 4.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in Jeddah. The individuals were referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action.

PARIS: Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi headed the fifth meeting of the Saudi-French Defense Cooperation Committee along with Emmanuel Chiva, the French delegate general for armaments, on Friday in Paris. During the meeting, they discussed defense cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop it, along with defense research and development in line with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry reported early on Saturday.

RIYADH: Inspection raids were carried out through joint field security campaigns to arrest violators of residency, labor and border security laws across the Kingdom. The raid campaign, from June 13-19, led to the arrest of 10,917 violators, including 6,969 arrests related to residency law, 2,967 related to border security, and 981 related to labor law.

MAKKAH: The Muslim World League has welcomed Armenia’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine. Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the MWL, said Armenia’s decision reflects a “significant shift in international awareness” regarding the Palestinian cause. He emphasized that such resolutions highlight growing global recognition of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has taken center stage as guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair, with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom and China a highlight of the event. The award, launched in March by the Saudi Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Farhan, aims to foster cultural cooperation and exchange between the two nations. It is divided into two categories: the cultural elite and the youth, and covers various cultural and creative fields.

JEDDAH: June 21 was the International Day of Yoga. This year’s edition, the 10th, was held under the theme “Yoga for Self and Society,” emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.