Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors

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Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors. (SPA)
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Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors. (SPA)
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Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors. (SPA)
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Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors. (SPA)
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Updated 03 April 2022
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Riyadh Season wraps up, hosts 15 million visitors

  • Riyadh Season saw the joint effort of 1,255 companies that created 150,000 job opportunities for Saudi citizens

JEDDAH: Launched Oct. 20, 2021, the second edition of Riyadh Season has come to a close after hosting 14 activity zones and welcoming 15 million visitors during its five-month festivities.

The season was launched under the motto “Imagine More,” with tourists visiting from 125 countries.

Riyadh Season became the go-to destination for all sorts of entertainment for families, friends, and international tourists in the Kingdom’s capital.

People were met with a vast array of entertainment options in the 14 zones: Al-Athriyah, Al-Murabaa, Al-Salam Tree, Boulevard Riyadh City, Combat Field, Khalouha, Riyadh Front, Riyadh Safari, Riyadh Oasis, Riyadh Pulse, Winter Wonderland, The Groves, Qariat Zaman, and Via Riyadh.

The season amused its visitors with a whopping 7,500 diversified entertainment events, including 70 Arab concerts, six global concerts, 10 global exhibitions, 350 theatrical shows, 18 Arab plays and six global plays.

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7,500

The season amused its visitors with a whopping 7,500 diversified entertainment events, including 70 Arab concerts, six global concerts, 10 global exhibitions, 350 theatrical shows, 18 Arab plays and six global plays.

Among its attractions were 200 fast food and fine dining restaurants, and 70 coffee shops.

The season’s activities also included two international wrestling matches, a freestyle wrestling tournament, 100 interactive and electronic gaming experiences, and many more.

Riyadh Season saw the joint effort of 1,255 companies that created 150,000 job opportunities for Saudi citizens.

The season succeeded in making the Saudi capital a prominent global and regional player in entertainment and tourist attraction.


Study finds fish farming wastewater boosts date fruit weight, nutrients

Updated 9 sec ago
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Study finds fish farming wastewater boosts date fruit weight, nutrients

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Environment has introduced an innovative irrigation technique using fish farming wastewater, significantly increasing date palm productivity across the Kingdom.

Recent research reveals that this method boosts soil nutrient levels and enhances various qualities of dates, improving their economic value, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Conducted by a specialized team, the study, titled “The Impact of Using Fish Farm Wastewater on Palm Production” highlights this approach as a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture.

Nutrients in fish food residues, especially ammonia, enhance soil health and crop yield, SPA stated.

According to the study, date palms irrigated with fish farming water saw a 26 percent increase in fruit weight, 17 percent in length, and 13 percent in diameter.

Key nutrients in the dates also surged: sugar content increased by 25 percent, zinc by 367 percent, manganese by 112 percent, copper by 9 percent, calcium by 15 percent, phosphorus by 42 percent, and iron by 162 percent.

This research supports a national initiative to expand applied agricultural research, integral to the Kingdom’s transformation strategy.

The study estimates that the Kingdom’s 362 fish farms produce 386 million cubic meters of wastewater annually. Utilizing this for irrigation could significantly improve local date production and quality, aligning with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals.

The study also emphasizes economic benefits, including enhanced soil nitrogen and organic matter, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, water conservation, increased farmer income, and promotion of a circular economy.


KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

Updated 11 September 2024
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KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.


KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

Updated 11 September 2024
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KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported. 
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.


Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Updated 11 September 2024
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Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

  • International Court of Justice has ruled settlements are illegal
  • Ministers call for UN to suspend Israel from general assembly

CAIRO: The Arab League’s foreign ministers have urged the international community to enforce the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion declaring Israel’s settlements illegal in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

At the conclusion of their discussions on Tuesday at the 162nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo, the ministers said Israel must cease its illegal presence and all settlement activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They called on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider additional measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation.

The ministers also urged the ICJ to expedite its judgment on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, which accuses Tel Aviv of failing to abide by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

They said Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

It was also a declaration of war and aggression against Arab nations, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates conflict in the region.

They called on the UN to suspend Israel from participating in its general assembly, SPA reported.

This was because of Israel’s “non-compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, its threat to international peace and security, and its failure to fulfill its obligations that were a condition for its admission to the United Nations.”

They also slammed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, which they said were obstructing efforts for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners and hostages.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Sudan during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, reported state news agency SPA.

Abdulmohsen bin Majed bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement on the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan.

In his statement, Khothaila emphasized the need to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and the worsening humanitarian situation.

The Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is locked in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Khothaila has stressed the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and aid workers and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid.

The war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Saudi Arabia also urged the prioritization of the interests of Sudanese people and halting of the conflict to safeguard state institutions and lead Sudan to safety.

The Kingdom called on the international community to commit to protecting Sudan and its people and working to restore security and stability in the country while welcoming international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.