JEDDAH: The Health Ministry said it is implementing an integrated plan to maximize performance in terms of health services provided to pilgrims.
The plan includes remedial, preventive and emergency programs via well-equipped health facilities and qualified medical personnel trained to provide these services.
In this context, the Health Monitoring Center at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah has completed the training of its staff, including doctors, technicians and administrators. Their mission is to prevent and treat infectious diseases in the Kingdom, and to monitor pilgrims’ health.
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority is also intensifying its preparation efforts for the coming Hajj season.
The organization will offer emergency services for pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and all roads leading to the city, as well as other sacred sites during the pilgrimage. It will also be serving guests of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Around 2,631 individuals, including doctors, specialists, administrators and technicians will be on shift in Makkah and Madinah to serve pilgrims this year.
Saudi Health Ministry implementing plan for pilgrims
Saudi Health Ministry implementing plan for pilgrims
- The health service plan includes remedial, preventive and emergency programs via well-equipped health facilities
World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition
- Next edition will be held under the theme The Future of Defense Integration, showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space
- Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030
RIYADH: Organizers of Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show have announced an expanded exhibition area with several new sections for its third edition, which will be held in February 2026.
An additional hall will increase floor space to a total of 273,000 square meters, more than 58 percent larger than the first edition in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
More than 65 percent of the exhibition space is already sold out, according to the report.
The next edition will be held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration,” showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space.
Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030.
The next edition will be the most successful yet, said the event’s CEO Andrew Percy, as reported by SPA.
There will be more local and international participation, and the exhibition will focus more closely on technology including unmanned and marine defense systems.
New programs in the upcoming edition will include a defense and security industry lab, and an exhibition of future technologies.
A Saudi supply chain zone will allow local small and medium-sized enterprises to network with key players in global supply chains.
Positive feedback from the last two editions exceeded expectations, Percy said, allowing organizers to set new ambitious goals for this upcoming event.
The World Defense Show was first held in 2022 on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.
It attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 military and defense delegations, and 65 thousand visitors from 85 countries, according to GAMI.
The second edition in 2024 saw over 106,000 people attend, with 441 delegations from 116 countries.
A total of 61 purchase contracts worth SR26 billion ($6.9 billion) were signed, according to GAMI.
Saudi Arabia pledges innovation in road safety at Morocco conference
- Saudi interior minister, Moroccan PM discuss security cooperation
- Kingdom reaffirms its focus on reducing traffic fatalities through tech, collaboration
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif met with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch in Marrakesh on Tuesday.
Their meeting, held on the sidelines of the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, reviewed ongoing security cooperation and discussed various issues of mutual interest.
Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Sami Al-Saleh, Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, and several senior officials attended the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In his speech at the conference, Prince Abdulaziz commended Morocco’s efforts in hosting the event, highlighting its crucial role in fostering cooperation on road safety, protecting lives, and addressing challenges in the field.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to road safety, recognizing it as a key public health, security, and economic priority.
Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the alarming global impact of road accidents, with over 1.3 million fatalities annually and millions more suffering severe injuries that hinder personal and national progress.
Stressing the need for effective strategies, he called for the development of mechanisms to reduce injuries and work toward a future with fewer road casualties.
Prince Abdulaziz underscored the profound social, economic, and health impact of traffic-related injuries, emphasizing the Kingdom’s determination to tackle these challenges through innovation and commitment.
He reaffirmed that, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is dedicated to creating sustainable and safer road environments in alignment with global road safety objectives and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the Kingdom’s traffic safety initiatives, including a ministerial-level committee that has contributed to a more than 50 percent reduction in traffic-related fatalities over the past seven years.
He also emphasized the transformative role of technology in road safety, stating that Saudi Arabia will leverage AI-driven traffic management systems and IoT solutions to reduce fatalities and injuries. These innovations will enhance urban mobility, creating safer and more efficient road networks across the Kingdom.
Historic Baran village draws winter tourists
RIYADH: Nestled among the mountainous slopes of Qilwah governorate in Baha, the village of Baran stands as a captivating cultural landmark and boasts over 500 years of history.
It is a draw for tourists and history enthusiasts, particularly in winter when the weather is refreshing and the surrounding landscapes are at their most picturesque, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Saeed Al-Zahrani, a 73-year-old resident, said the village was constructed from stone, sidr wood and white quartz. Doors and windows are adorned with intricate architectural engravings, highlighting Baran’s unique heritage.
Atiya Al-Zahrani, another resident, said the village consisted of several multi-story buildings, ranging from three to four floors. At its heart are expansive agricultural terraces, which have long served as residents’ primary livelihoods, providing fertile soil for growing crops.
In a recent effort to preserve the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, the Heritage Commission has added 25 new sites, including Baran village, to the National Register of Architectural Heritage.
This initiative is part of the commission's broader efforts to archive and digitize heritage sites across the country, ensuring conservation of its rich legacy.
Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms until Thursday
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued a weather warning for most regions of Saudi Arabia, forecasting continued thunderstorms until Thursday.
Light to moderate rain is expected in the Makkah region, with potential flash floods, hail and strong downdrafts affecting areas such as Taif, Maysan, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, Al-Lith, Al-Qunfudah, Jeddah and Rabigh.
According to the directorate, the Riyadh region may experience moderate to heavy rain, flash floods, hail and strong downdrafts, impacting the capital and other cities, including Diriyah, Dhurma, Al-Muzahimiyah, Shaqra, Al-Zulfi, Al-Majmaah, Ramah and Al-Kharj.
Moderate to heavy rain is also expected in the Eastern Province, Qassim, Hail and the Northern Borders, while Jouf, Madinah and Baha may see light to moderate rainfall.
The Civil Defense has advised the public to take necessary precautions and avoid flood-prone areas such as valleys.
It also urged people to stay updated on weather conditions through its official channels and social media platforms.
KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 600 food parcels to 2,907 people in the Libyan town of Suluq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
This distribution is a part of the urgent food-assistance project for families affected by Cyclone Daniel in Libya, conducted in cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent.
KSrelief also sent 25 tonnes of dates recently to Uganda.
Saudi Arabia’s government, through KSrelief, continues to provide aid to vulnerable communities across the world.
