https://arab.news/9sxnf
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid on Thursday.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations, discussed Saudi-Spanish relations and ways to enhance them in various fields.
The foreign ministers also discussed regional and international developments including the situation in the Gaza Strip and efforts made in this regard.
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they discussed the escalation in the region, developments in Lebanon, and the efforts being exerted in this regard.
Israeli attacks intensified on Saturday on Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern towns.
According to a Higher Defense Council report, the death toll in the past 24 hours had reached 37, with 151 injured, raising the total number of victims in Lebanon since the confrontations began to 2,011 dead and 9,535 wounded.
RIYADH: King Salman sent a cable of congratulations on Saturday to the Sultan of Brunei on the anniversary of his accession to the throne, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The king wished the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Brunei steady progress and prosperity, SPA added.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable of congratulations.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting on Saturday with Jean-Noel Barrot, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, to discuss relations and key regional developments, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During their talks, Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Barrot emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, focusing on shared interests.
High on the agenda were the ongoing situations in Gaza and Lebanon and the international efforts being made to address them.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, advisor to the foreign minister for political affairs.
The exchange highlighted both nations' commitment to working closely on pressing international matters, SPA added.
RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has announced the activities accompanying the second Saudi Film Confex, which is set to take place from Oct. 9-12 in Riyadh.
These activities will include interactive experiences, with the Business Hub as a key highlight. The space will serve as a center for signing agreements and forging partnerships among companies in the film industry.
In addition, Consultation Platforms will offer specialized advice on various aspects of filmmaking, from financing to production, and provide an area for freelancers to register and connect with companies needing their expertise.
An interactive activation will also be available, giving visitors hands-on experience in roles such as actors, photographers, directors, and other key positions within a film crew at the On-Set Challenge.
The Film Talk segment will bring together prominent figures in the film industry to share their success stories, insights, and experiences. Alongside this, an exhibition will showcase cutting-edge equipment used in aerial cinematography.
The Junior Filmmaker zone will provide children with an engaging introduction to filmmaking through interactive and simplified activities, while the Cinematic Arts zone offers insights into the art of makeup and costume design, demonstrating the process of transforming a character from concept to screen.
The Saudi Film Confex also features an exhibition representing key locations across the filmmaking value chain. It will showcase a specialized conference with 30 panel discussions and 15 workshops covering various aspects of the industry.
The activities are expected to significantly enhance the visitor experience, offering a deeper understanding of the film industry’s diverse aspects and shedding light on the untapped potential within this burgeoning sector.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 22,094 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 13,731 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,873 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,490 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,337 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 53 percent were Ethiopian, 44 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 37 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 23 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
