JEDDAH: The Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS) opened the Iqletto food festival at Princess Noura University on Wednesday.
The event, which ends on Saturday, had many sponsors, and the guest of honor was the UAE.
The family-friendly event featured dishes from each Saudi region and booths representing each city and its heritage.
The booths hosted chefs flown in from their cities to provide exceptional dishes that people could sample for free.
“The point of the tasting was to encourage people to get to know different Saudi dishes,” said SHPS member Sara Al-Karedeiss.
“We plan to expand this event to various cities in the Kingdom. Professional Saudi chefs cook in front of an audience, after which cooking workshops are held.”
There were various performances, including the traditional Saudi Arda dance and a special heritage dance from the UAE.
Princess Noura University hosts heritage festival
Princess Noura University hosts heritage festival
KSU professor honored with cybersecurity lifetime achievement award
- The award celebrates a visionary whose contributions have fortified digital trust, security, and sovereignty across borders and generations
RIYADH: A King Saud University professor has been honored with a lifetime achievement award for his work in cybersecurity.
Muhammad Khurram Khan from the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance at KSU was recognized at the Saudi Critical Infrastructure Security Summit, or CyberForge, held April 22–23.
The award represents the highest level of recognition for a cybersecurity professional in acknowledgment of their groundbreaking research, visionary leadership, and exceptional contributions to advancing the field, both nationally and internationally, KSU said Monday on its official website.
The award celebrates a visionary whose contributions have fortified digital trust, security, and sovereignty across borders and generations, it added.
Speaking to Arab News, Khan said: “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Cybersecurity is an immense honor and a reflection of years of dedicated effort to advance the field both locally and globally. This recognition not only validates the hard work and collaboration of countless colleagues and students, but also highlights the critical role cybersecurity plays in our interconnected world.
“This award is a testament to the unwavering support and vision of the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance, KSU, where I have had the privilege to conduct and lead transformative cybersecurity research,” he said.
Khan added that the university has been a catalyst for innovation, providing a platform for researchers to explore cutting-edge technologies and solutions.
“I am proud to be part of an institution that champions academic excellence and significantly contributes to the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity,” added the professor.
“This recognition fuels my dedication to driving transformative change in cybersecurity through advanced research, innovation, policy development, and collaboration with industry and public sector organizations. By fostering innovation, we can ensure a secure digital future that meets the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow,” he concluded.
Ranked among the world’s leading cybersecurity scientists, with over 35,000 citations and an h-index of 99, Khan, according to KSU, has authored more than 500 high-impact publications and holds 10 granted US patents in key areas such as smart systems security, artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, Internet of Things security, vehicular and automotive cybersecurity, and digital authentication.
Khan has played a pivotal role in shaping global cybersecurity policy, particularly through his involvement in the G20 Digital Economy Task Forces during Saudi Arabia’s (2020) and Italy’s (2021) presidencies.
He has also co-developed several industrial standards in security and communication technologies. He has also provided consultancy to local and international cybersecurity startups and business organizations to scale up their research and innovation.
Khan has also been a key figure in cybersecurity education reform across Saudi universities, reviewing academic programs to align with Vision 2030, which reflect his unwavering commitment to advancing global cybersecurity and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a tier-1 nation in cybersecurity, as recognized by the International Telecommunication Union.
Crown prince donates SR1bn for Saudi housing projects
- The crown prince has mandated that the housing projects designated for donation be completed within a year
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged an SR1 billion ($266 million) donation on Monday to support housing projects for eligible Saudi beneficiaries and families in need.
The donation at his own private expense to the National Development Housing Foundation aims to help beneficiaries achieve home ownership.
It reflects the prince’s “continuous attention and support for providing a decent life for citizens, by supporting the initiatives and projects aimed at providing housing for them in various regions of the Kingdom,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince has mandated that the housing projects designated for donation be completed within a period not exceeding 12 months, and that they are implemented by national companies.
He also ordered authorities to submit monthly reports on the progress of home ownership, in order to ensure the handover of all housing units within one year as well as transparency and accountability.
Mangrove scheme to plant 3m trees in Jubail
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Maaden, have launched an initiative to plant 3 million mangrove trees in the Jubail Marine Protected Area.
It supports the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 to enhance coastal vegetation and preserve biodiversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The project aims to rehabilitate degraded habitats and strengthen the role of mangrove trees in carbon sequestration, as they are among the most efficient plants in storing carbon dioxide.
This helps combat climate change, protect coastal areas from erosion and provide safe environments for marine species reproduction, the SPA reported.
Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, highlighted the organization’s commitment to protecting ecosystems and expanding vegetation cover.
These efforts align with the Saudi Green Initiative’s target of planting 10 billion trees, including more than 100 million mangroves along Saudi coasts, reinforcing the Kingdom’s global environmental leadership, he said.
Saudi FM discusses US-Iran talks with Iranian counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi the latest developments in US-Iran talks via a phone call, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on X.
Prince Faisal received a phone call Monday from Araghchi during which they discussed the third round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, which was held Saturday in the Omani capital Muscat.
The ministers also discussed bilateral ties and issues of common interest, the ministry statement added.
سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan يتلقى اتصالاً هاتفياً من معالي وزير خارجية الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية السيد عباس عراقجي. pic.twitter.com/9mwbuNMMB4
— وزارة الخارجية (@KSAMOFA) April 28, 2025
Thousands of refugees in Jordan’s Zaatari camp receive treatment from KSrelief in March
- Thousands seen in Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan by KSrelief healthcare volunteers
RIYADH: Thousands of people in the Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan received healthcare services in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Of the 8,428 patients seen by KSrelief carers, general medicine clinics treated 2,657 patients, while the internal medicine clinic dealt with 454 patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
The pediatric clinics received 668 patients, and the dental clinic attended to 542 patients.
Additionally, the two gynecology clinics welcomed 649 women, while the ear, nose and throat clinic treated 210 patients.
The ophthalmology clinic saw 242 patients and the cardiology clinic attended to 64 patients.
The diagnostic radiology clinic served 123 patients and the dermatology clinic treated 133 patients.
Moreover, the rehabilitation medicine clinic assisted 106 patients.
Throughout the month, 7,204 laboratory tests were conducted for 814 patients, and 701 imaging procedures, including X-rays and ultrasounds, were performed for 627 patients. The vaccination clinic administered 487 vaccines.
There were 241 health education sessions, both individual and group, and 411 physical therapy sessions were conducted.
The pharmacy handled 5,212 prescriptions during this period.
