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RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met on Friday with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna during his official visit to Paris.
During the meeting, both officials reviewed ways to enhance bilateral ties across several fields and discussed international and regional issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
They also explored efforts to bring international security and prosperity.
RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has reported significant nesting activity of the endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) within the reserve’s natural habitats, it was reported by the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.
Globally classified as endangered, the Egyptian Vulture belongs to the family of diurnal birds of prey and is known for its ecological importance.
Within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR), the Egyptian Vulture holds multiple roles — as a resident breeding species, a migratory passerby, and a rare winter visitor.
The documented nesting activity is noteworthy due to the rarity of such occurrences in northern Saudi Arabia.
Renowned for its extraordinary ability to detect prey from great distances, the Egyptian Vulture can travel up to 80 kilometers daily in search of food.
It thrives in open habitats, arid regions, and rocky cliffs, primarily feeding on carrion or weakened animals. The reserve also serves as a critical stopover for the species during autumn and spring migrations, with over 25 individuals recorded during these seasons.
Measuring approximately 62cm in length with a wingspan of up to 155cm, the Egyptian Vulture prefers dry, remote areas featuring cliffs and rocky outcrops for breeding.
While carrion remains its primary food source, it is also known to forage at landfills, markets, animal enclosures, slaughterhouses, and farms.
The species has suffered a dramatic decline, with its population in the Arabian Peninsula decreasing by an estimated 90 percent over the past 50 years. The authority attributes this alarming drop to factors including poisoning, collisions with power lines, habitat loss, and human disturbances.
By identifying and protecting these nesting sites, the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority underscores its commitment to biodiversity conservation and the preservation of endangered species.
RIYADH: Boulevard World has brought the vibrant spirit of Africa to Riyadh with a special zone featuring the cuisine and culture from some of the continent’s countries.
The Africa Zone has exotic wildlife including giraffes, colorful parrots, and lions. There is also an array of food and music from various nations.
A highlight is the Ethiopian Coffee experience, which showcases the country’s hospitality and rich traditions. This coffee is made using traditional methods which bring out unique flavors.
Hanan Amro, a coffee maker at one of the Ethiopian restaurants, told Arab News: “We bring our coffee beans from our farm in Ethiopia. They are fresh, and we carefully select them.
“We sun-dry, roast, and brew the coffee in our special pot to create a strong drink that combines elements of Turkish and Americano coffee.”
The Africa Zone also hosts live music featuring traditional rhythms and folk tunes.
For those looking to take a piece of Africa home, the zone features many kiosks selling antiques, animal statues and leather goods.
There is also an array of skincare products made with Shea butter, for which certain nations are renowned.
The launch of the Africa Zone coincides with Boulevard World’s expansion for this year’s Riyadh Season, which has increased the number of themed zones by five to 22.
The expansion is a part of Riyadh Season’s initiative to attract people from various backgrounds and promote cultural understanding.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund, in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, recently hosted luxury fashion designer and Italian entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli at AlUla.
The event supported the fund’s mission to assist creatives and entrepreneurs in the cultural sector by promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering sustainability, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It aimed to connect global cultural experts with Saudi entrepreneurs and creatives, providing a platform for dialogue, as well as sharing expertise and best practices to drive growth and innovation.
The session focused on integrating diverse techniques into cultural projects, enriching cultural identity, while blending creativity and innovation, the SPA said.
Cucinelli discussed his career in a panel titled “Brunello Cucinelli: From Castel Rigone to the World,” discussing key themes such as building a global fashion brand, merging heritage with innovation, sustainability in luxury fashion, social responsibility, cultural exchange, and the future of fashion.
He emphasized craftsmanship as essential to sustainability and authenticity in fashion.
The event aligns with the fund’s efforts to improve the managerial, financial, and technical skills of creatives, reducing startup costs, and sustaining creativity in the cultural sector.
In November, the fund signed credit agreements worth more than SR30 million ($8 million) to finance Saudi fashion projects, supporting growth and job creation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
RIYADH: The fifth airlift relief plane, operated by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, arrived on Saturday at Damascus International Airport in Syria.
The plane, which left from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, carried food, shelter and medical supplies to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people.
The humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Jan. 1, Saudi Arabia launched the delivery by air initiative with two planes to provide essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.
KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said that the aid delivered by air would be followed by aid delivered by land in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.
According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.
Meanwhile, KSrelief continues its humanitarian efforts in Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, The Gambia and Bangladesh, benefiting thousands.
In Gaza, KSrelief distributed 4,494 shelter kits in one day, providing essential materials such as blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils and water containers to displaced families during a wave of cold weather.
In Pakistan, 1,000 food baskets were distributed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in a single day, aiding 5,947 individuals affected by flash floods.
In Yemen, KSrelief recently concluded its CPR training program in Aden governorate, conducting five sessions for 57 participants to improve medical skills.
In Abyan governorate, KSrelief distributed 2,754 food baskets in one day, helping 19,278 people.
In The Gambia, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program examined 3,655 patients, distributed 750 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 196 eye surgeries in Farafenni.
In Bangladesh, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program in Rajshahi examined 4,253 patients, distributed 1,615 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 503 eye surgeries.
Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,208 projects worth more than $7.2 billion in 105 countries, in cooperation with 458 local, regional and international partners.
The agency’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, emergency aid, nutrition, protection, early recovery, logistics and telecommunications.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy rain across most regions of the Kingdom from Sunday until Wednesday.
Strong winds of up to 60 km/h may stir dust, while torrential rain, hail, and high waves along the coasts are possible, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Rain will affect the Tabuk, Northern Borders, Jouf, Madinah, Makkah, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, Baha and Asir regions.
According to the center, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions on Sunday and Monday, in Jouf and the Northern Borders from Sunday evening to Tuesday, and in Hail and Qassim on Monday and Tuesday.
Rain is also expected to fall in the Riyadh region from Monday to Wednesday, in the Eastern Province on Tuesday and Wednesday, and in Makkah on Monday and Tuesday.
The center said people should stay informed about the weather through its daily reports, the Anwaa app, and social media.
The authorities also urged them to avoid valleys and low-lying water-logged areas susceptible to flooding.
For safety, the center also advises following instructions issued by relevant authorities.
