Riyadh: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, KSrelief, continued to distribute sacrificial meat to the poor across Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan on the second day of Eid Al-Adha.
In Yemen, the center distributed 291 carcasses in Hadramout governorate, and 200 in Marib Governorate, as part of the KSrelief Adahi Project in Yemen for Eid Al-Adha 2023, which aims to distribute sacrificial meat to the displaced, needy, and people with special needs in Yemen.
In Somalia, KSrelief also inaugurated Adahi project for distributing sacrificial meat in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The total number of animals distributed during the days of Eid Al-Adha reached 3,000 benefiting 72,000 needy, displaced, and drought-affected individuals across Somali regions.
In Sudan more than 1,500 food packages were distributed, benefiting 7,325 people.
Saudi Arabia continues distributing Eid Sacrificial meat to Muslims in Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia
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Saudi Arabia continues distributing Eid Sacrificial meat to Muslims in Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia
- KSrelief Adahi Project for Eid Al-Adha 2023 aims to distribute sacrificial meat to the needy around the world
First phase of Saudization in healthcare professions starts today
- Saudization rates will increase across four key private-sector healthcare professions as of April 17, 2025 in line with the approved professional titles
- First phase targets specific Saudization percentages: 65 percent for radiology, 80 percent for clinical nutrition, the same for physiotherapy, and 70 percent for medical laboratories
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the commencement of the first phase of Saudization in the healthcare sector.
Saudization rates will increase across four key private-sector healthcare professions as of April 17, 2025 in line with the approved professional titles, the MHRSD said in a series of posts on X.
The first phase targets specific Saudization percentages: 65 percent for radiology, 80 percent for clinical nutrition, the same for physiotherapy, and 70 percent for medical laboratories, it added.
The stipulated minimum monthly salaries are SR7,000 for specialists and SR5,000 for technicians in these roles.
The decision, according to the MHRSD, aligns with ongoing efforts by each ministry to enhance the participation of national talent in the labor market and to provide productive and lucrative job opportunities for Saudi citizens, while simultaneously supporting the objectives of the Labor Market Strategy and the Health Sector Transformation Program.
“It’s a steady step towards empowering national competencies in the healthcare professions, investing in their capabilities and skills to build their professional futures and enhance their opportunities in the private sector,” the MHRSD said.
The initial implementation covers all establishments, regardless of size, in the major cities — Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam and Al-Khobar.
Large and mega-sized companies in other regions of the Kingdom are also included in this first phase.
The second phase of implementation, which will encompass the remaining establishments throughout the Kingdom, is scheduled to begin on Oct. 17, 2025.
Comprehensive procedural guidelines outlining the decision and the mandatory Saudization rates are available on the official website of the MHRSD.
Businesses that fail to meet Saudi localization quotas are subject to fines. The MHRSD urged all relevant establishments to comply with these regulations to avoid penalties.
The Kingdom in October 2024 announced higher mandatory localization rates in four private sector health professions with the mandatory localization rate in radiology to be raised to 65 percent, medical laboratory to 70 percent, therapeutic nutrition to 80 percent and physiotherapy to 80 percent.
Welcoming the decision, Abdullah Ahmed, a physiotherapist in Riyadh said: “It’s a good decision for Saudi graduates in this sector and aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to make more employment opportunities available for nationals in the private sector.”
In March 2024, the MHRSD and the MOH began implementing a mandatory 35 percent localization rate in dental professions. They also applied localization ratios to private sector establishments employing three or more workers in dental professions.
Saudi crown prince receives written message from Senegal president
- Message related to relations between Kingdom and Senegal, and was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from the President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The message related to relations between the Kingdom and Senegal, and was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with the Senegalese ambassador to the Kingdom Biram Mbagnick Diagne.
The two officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields. Topics of common interest were also discussed.
Diriyah awards $1.4bn contract for Royal Opera House construction
- Three companies have been awarded the contract to develop the opera house: El-Seif Engineering Contracting, Midmac Contracting Company W.L.L., and the China State Construction Engineering Corp.
- Agreement signed by Diriyah’s Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo in the presence of Khaled Al-Hazani, executive VP of the lifestyle sector at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, and company representatives
RIYADH: The Diriyah Co. has announced the awarding of a SR5.1 billion ($1.4 billion) contract for the construction of the Royal Diriyah Opera House — one of the most prominent cultural assets of the firm’s development plan under Vision 2030.
Three companies have been awarded the contract to develop the opera house: El-Seif Engineering Contracting, Midmac Contracting Company W.L.L., and the China State Construction Engineering Corp.
This new contract is a major addition to the series of announcements made at the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. It is a part of Diriyah’s ongoing efforts to develop the historic area on the outskirts of Riyadh.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Diriyah’s Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo in the presence of Khaled Al-Hazani, executive vice president of the lifestyle sector at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, and representatives of the three companies.
The opera house is set to become a primary center for the performing arts and an iconic architectural landmark that will redefine the Kingdom’s cultural landscape. It will feature a 2,000-seat main hall, making it the largest in the Kingdom.
The hall will serve as the centerpiece of this cultural complex, which will be managed by the RCRC. It will include a theater, studio, rooftop amphitheater, and several multipurpose halls, bringing the total seating capacity to 3,100.
The opera house was designed by the renowned Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta, and features a contemporary Najdi aesthetic, using natural materials sourced from palm trees, and stone.
The design prioritizes sustainability, incorporating water conservation, natural lighting, strategic building orientation, and thermal comfort measures.
Inzerillo said: “The Royal Diriyah Opera House will be a defining asset in Diriyah, which reinforces Diriyah’s growing global role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s artistic and cultural future, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals.”
He added: “This contract is an important step in our journey toward building a diverse range of assets across the Diriyah development area.
“This architectural gem plays a vital role in bringing people together in one of the world’s greatest gathering destinations, to experience unforgettable performances.”
Al-Hazani said that “this agreement marks a major milestone in building this world-class operatic venue.”
He said he was looking “forward to welcoming the world’s leading operatic and artistic talent in the future, and empowering the Kingdom’s outstanding local talents.”
Saudi Cultural Development Fund announces Expo 2025 participation
- CDF’s participation aims to foster cultural partnerships and global investments, reflecting the Kingdom’s continuous commitment to encouraging innovation
- CDF plans to organize various activities that showcase Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, focusing on entrepreneurship as a way to drive economic growth
OSAKA: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund announced on Thursday that it will participate in Expo 2025 Osaka, highlighting the Kingdom’s rich cultural identity shaped by Vision 2030.
The CDF’s participation aims to foster cultural partnerships and global investments, reflecting the Kingdom’s continuous commitment to encouraging innovation.
It plans to organize various activities that showcase Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, focusing on entrepreneurship as a way to drive economic growth.
Additionally, the CDF will take part in panel discussions and networking sessions to offer insights on the Kingdom’s culture and host dedicated workshops to educate guests about the Saudi cultural sector’s economic potential.
“Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects our commitment to supporting and shaping a vibrant, sustainable cultural sector — one that fuels economic growth and attracts top-tier investment, both locally and globally. We are proud to feature the stories of CDF beneficiaries, who will share their creative journeys with Expo visitors as inspiring examples of Saudi cultural innovation,” said CDF CEO Majed Al-Hugail.
“We continue to reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading force in the global cultural scene, ensuring our efforts are fully aligned with the broader cultural ecosystem. Looking ahead, we remain committed to the journey toward becoming a center of financial excellence in the cultural sector and a key contributor to the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.
Expo 2025 Osaka will run until Oct. 13.
Saudi defense minister meets with Iranian leadership during official visit
- Minister arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on an official visit earlier on Thursday
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday.
During the meeting, Prince Khalid delivered a letter from King Salman and conveyed the greetings of the Kingdom’s leadership.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and topics of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting, Prince Khalid wrote on X.
Prince Khalid was also received by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Regional and international developments and related efforts were discussed during the meeting.
The minister arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran on an official visit earlier on Thursday.
The visit follows renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries. On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed regional developments and efforts to address them.
