MAKKAH: Bee industry experts from 35 countries will take part in the 14th International Honey Festival in the southern governorate of Baljurashi.
The two-day event was inaugurated on Tuesday by Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdul Aziz in the presence of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli.
The festival has been organized by the ministry’s Al-Baha branch and the Beekeeping Cooperative Association, and is being staged at the association’s headquarters for the first time.
The 4th International Conference on Beekeeping and the 2nd National Beekeepers Forum will also be held as part of the festival.
A total of 46 international experts will present working papers on beekeeping and all aspects of the bee industry at the conference, which is being held under the title “Good Practices In Bee Management For Sustainable Beekeeping.”
Ahmed Al-Khazem, chairman of the Beekeeping Cooperative Association, said that its headquarters had been upgraded this year in preparation for the festival, with the completion of a shopping mall, residential hotel project, and a factory for honey production and packaging, as well as a training institute and museum.
Festival participants include the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the Ministry of Human Resources, the Social Development Bank, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Saudi Aramco and Saudi Post.
Conference themes include beehive management, genetic improvement, bee illnesses and pests, and bee products, Al-Khazem said.
Training sessions, a honey exhibition, and displays of industry innovations will be among the highlights of the event, he added.
“The festival will witness the participation of 10 government bodies and the organization of Sheikh Ali Almajdouie Award for supporting the honey industry, Sheikh Salem Al-Kassem Competition and the Beekeepers Cooperative Association Competition,” Al-Khazem said.
Al-Baha governor launches beekeeping festival
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Al-Baha governor launches beekeeping festival

- The festival has been organized by the ministry’s Al-Baha branch and the Beekeeping Cooperative Association
- A total of 46 international experts will present working papers on beekeeping and all aspects of the bee industry
GCC chief receives newly appointed Omani ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi received Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi, Oman’s newly appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Albudaiwi congratulated Al-Busaidi on his appointment and wished him success in his duties.
The parties discussed various topics and explored ways to enhance bilateral efforts toward “greater integration, solidarity, and interconnectedness.”
They also looked at the latest developments in regional and international arenas.
Riyadh hospital advances breast tumor diagnosis

- The new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments
RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has implemented an advanced interventional technique to diagnose breast tumors that conventional imaging cannot detect.
It enables physicians to obtain precise biopsy samples during the same visit, accelerating diagnosis and allowing earlier treatment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The shift addresses recent cases where certain breast abnormalities were only visible through contrast-enhanced imaging, leading the hospital to adopt contrast-enhanced mammography as a precise clinical tool.
Previously, the standard protocol required a separate MRI-guided biopsy after initial imaging, often resulting in redundant procedures, greater patient burden, higher costs and treatment delays.
In contrast, the new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments.
Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Iraqi PM

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Tuesday.
During the call, they reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Bangladeshi leader sends letter to Saudi crown prince about bilateral relations

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a letter on Tuesday from the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus.
The Bangladeshi ambassador to the Kingdom, Delwar Hossain, presented the letter, which addressed relations between Riyadh and Dhaka, to Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
During their meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, the envoy and the deputy minister discussed ways to strengthen ties between their countries in various sectors.
Saudi Arabia showcases heritage, digital innovation at Jusoor expo in Kosovo

- Exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality
- Visitors received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah
RIYADH: The sixth Jusoor exhibition, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs at Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, Kosovo, is attracting a large number of visitors daily.
The exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality.
The technology pavilion at the 10-day event has attracted significant interest for its modern digital innovations highlighting the Kingdom’s technical progress, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It includes several ministry-developed applications, notably the Correct Citation app, which features a smart keyboard that accurately integrates Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths, and allows them to be shared as text or images.
The 3D Hajj and Umrah app offers a virtual experience simulating pilgrimage rituals in multiple languages, while the Rushd app provides a comprehensive digital library with books and Islamic content in 51 languages.
Attendees praised the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and promoting moderation, the SPA reported.
Visitors also received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, and its role in serving pilgrims.
Additionally, VR technology allows visitors to explore rare photos of Makkah and historic mosques, offering an engaging interactive experience of the Kingdom’s history and holy sites.
The ministry recently concluded the fifth Jusoor exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, which welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors from diverse backgrounds.
The 10-day exhibition at Istiqlal Mosque was one of the largest cultural and advocacy events organized by the ministry outside the Kingdom.
Saudi officials also distributed more than 150,000 copies of Qur’an, printed and translated into Indonesian by the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Indonesian visitors praised the exhibition for its blend of spiritual and cultural themes, strong organization, and diverse, informative content.