RIYADH: Members of the UAE’s security forces arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ahead of a joint tactical exercise with security agencies from the other Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
Arab Gulf Security 3 will take place this month in Dammam in the Eastern Province, the Saudi Defense Ministry said.
Brig. Gen. Salem bin Abdullah Al-Habsi, a member of the Command and Control Committee, said the participants are prepared for the exercise, which aims to enhance coordination and field cooperation, and develop capabilities for dealing with crises and emergencies.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday that its preparations for hosting the exercise had been completed. It was organized in accordance with a decision taken in 2020 during the 37th meeting of GCC interior ministers.
“The exercise aims to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the security field and raise the level of coordination and the degree of readiness of the security services to confront crises and emergencies and to address all threats and risks to the Arabian Gulf region,” the interior ministry said, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
UAE forces arrive in Saudi Arabia to take part in GCC security exercise
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UAE forces arrive in Saudi Arabia to take part in GCC security exercise
- The Arab Gulf Security 3 joint tactical exercise will take place this month in Dammam in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province
Riyadh Season’s winter fun draws crowds
RIYADH: The Courchevel area in Riyadh Season’s Boulevard World zone has become a highly popular destination since its opening.
This winter wonderland offers a mix of adventure and fun, appealing to those seeking unique experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The journey starts in the ski area, with a large open field for practicing under the guidance of expert trainers.
The snowy atmosphere provides a thrilling backdrop for various challenges and activities, the SPA reported.
There is a section to capture photos and videos to preserve memories of the winter adventure.
The subzone also offers winter supplies for a cozy experience. And visitors can purchase winter-themed souvenirs.
Riyadh Season runs until March 2025 and has already attracted over 13 million people, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
Saudi hospital performs first robotic pancreas transplant
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center performed the region’s first robotic pancreas transplantation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The milestone surgery on a young male patient suffering from type 1 diabetes freed him from years of insulin dependency and demonstrated the potential of advanced medical innovation to improve quality of life.
The patient had endured type 1 diabetes and severe complications, including kidney failure, for many years, which necessitated a kidney transplant, according to a press release.
Although the kidney transplant was successful, the patient continued to face challenges from diabetes and its associated complications, and his symptoms were unresponsive to conventional treatment, the center said.
Pancreas transplantation emerged as the most effective option to address these challenges and enhance the patient’s quality of life, according to the release.
The procedure, conducted using robotic technology, allowed surgeons to transplant the pancreas with high precision, reducing surgical risks and recovery time.
Earlier this year, the center also performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, building on its 2023 achievement of completing the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant.
Truffle Festival in Qassim will display desert delicacy, boost region’s economy
- Several public and private entities will participate in the festival to promote locally grown truffles and boost the region’s economy
RIYADH: The township of Sheri, in Qassim municipality, is gearing up for the start of its fourth Truffle Festival on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Truffles, an edible subterranean fungus, are prized delicacies worldwide. In the Gulf region, they are known as “faage” and regarded as the finest and most valuable desert fungus.
Several public and private entities will participate in the festival to promote locally grown truffles and boost the region’s economy.
The municipality said that the 10-day festival will feature 18 areas where truffles from more than 15 farms will be displayed and sold at auction.
The festival provides a platform for Saudi businesses and entrepreneurs to show their products and services while also promoting the Kingdom’s burgeoning culinary industry.
The festival will also dedicate 32 areas to families involved in cottage industries and display products such as dates, honey and other foods.
Visitors can enjoy paragliding shows, a children’s theater, hospitality zones, and other attractions.
The wild fungus grows up to 15 centimeters underground in the desert and typically weighs between 30 and 300 grams.
Truffles are generally spherical with a smooth surface and vary in color from white to black. They can range in size from a pistachio seed to an apple or larger.
There are no fixed prices for truffles, which grow in many parts of the Kingdom after the rainy season in November and December, but prices can range from hundreds to thousands of riyals per kilogram, depending on freshness, aroma, and scarcity.
Jeddah hosts Chinese Film Nights event
JEDDAH: The Chinese Film Nights, organized by the Chinese Consulate General and the China Film Administration, concluded in Jeddah with screenings of “Escape from the 21st Century” and “Decoded.”
Chinese Consul General Wang Qimin emphasized the importance of cinema as a medium for fostering understanding, respect, and cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
He highlighted the success of the first Saudi Film Nights, organized by the Saudi Film Commission in China, where four Saudi films were screened in Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai, receiving widespread acclaim.
Wang said that the cooperation agreements signed between Chinese and Saudi film companies would help Saudis gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, SPA reported.
He also noted that several Chinese films had been shortlisted for the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival, showcasing the growing impact of collaboration between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia, as one of the largest economies in the Middle East, has immense potential to develop its film industry, Wang added.
The three-day event featured six movies, with two screened each night.
Saudi-Qatari roundtable explores opportunities in key investment sectors
- Event brings together senior officials, executives, business leaders
RIYADH: A Saudi-Qatari roundtable meeting held in Riyadh on Sunday highlighted significant investment opportunities in various key sectors as a way of fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event was co-chaired by Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant minister of investment and acting CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, alongside Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Malki, undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar.
The roundtable brought together senior officials, executives, and business leaders from both countries.
Discussions focused on strengthening investment partnerships and identifying opportunities across diverse sectors, including communications, information technology, banking services, industry, mining, construction, tourism, aviation, and health services.
Key presentations were delivered by Invest Saudi and Invest Qatar to showcase the investment landscape of the two nations and help provide investors and companies with insights into the business environment and opportunities for collaboration in both markets.
