Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Updated 19 October 2024
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Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

  • Kingdom promotes tourism, hospitality to Chinese visitors

RIYADH: Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo, which is taking place in Tiantan Park in Beijing.

The initiative is part of a promotional campaign in China, which was inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb on Thursday.

The minister wrote on his X account: “Visiting the #SaudiTravelFestival in Tiantan, I highlighted this great opportunity to showcase our authentic Saudi values of hospitality and introduce the Kingdom’s diverse tourism destinations to Chinese tourists.”

In another post, Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi and Chinese cultures are connected by shared values like family, tradition, and hospitality. These similarities are at the heart of our relationship. As we continue to build bridges, we welcome friends from China and the world to experience our authentic Arab heritage.”

The Diriyah pavilion provides visitors with distinctive interactive experiences, showcasing the true hospitality of Saudi Arabia by offering traditional Saudi coffee and dates, in addition to inviting attendees to wear traditional clothing while capturing photographs featuring a backdrop of Diriyah.

Visitors can also participate in artistic activities using clay, and explore the art of Arabic calligraphy, all set against a backdrop that embodies authentic Saudi heritage, enhanced by the melodies of the oud musical instrument.

The Saudi Travel Expo continues until Oct. 26 and aims to enhance the perception and awareness of Saudi Arabia’s tourist and historic destinations, as well as its rich culture.

The event serves to highlight the cultural diversity and historic depth of the Kingdom.

It also spotlights engaging offers for visitors, including travel packages that allow them to explore the Kingdom and visit its most significant historic attractions, including Diriyah, as well as experience other delights.

On the sidelines of the festival, Al-Khateeb held meetings with Peter Zheng, CEO of Maoyan Entertainment; Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com; Rikin Wu, CEO of DidaTravel; and Zhao Qi, chairman of Jin Jiang Group.

The parties discussed and explored opportunities for cooperation and growth in the tourism sector.


King Salman, crown prince send condolences to King of Bahrain on death of Sheikh Hamoud Al-Khalifa

Updated 19 October 2024
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King Salman, crown prince send condolences to King of Bahrain on death of Sheikh Hamoud Al-Khalifa

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have offered condolences to King Hamad of Bahrain on the passing of Sheikh Hamoud bin Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Royal Court of Bahrain announced the passing of Sheikh Hamoud on Saturday in a statement.

The statement issued by the Royal Court included a “prayer that Allah would rest the soul of the deceased in eternal peace, and bless his relatives with patience and fortitude.”


Kingdom arrests 21,971 illegals in one week

Updated 19 October 2024
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Kingdom arrests 21,971 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 21,971 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 13,186 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,427 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,358 for labor-related issues.

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.


King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles

Updated 19 October 2024
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King Salman reserve: a safe haven for breeding Arabian Sand Gazelles

RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority is actively working to protect the Arabian Sand Gazelle from extinction.

Recent conservation efforts in the reserve have supported the revival of this species, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Known for its grace, speed, and beauty, the Arabian Sand Gazelle is one of the rare species in the reserve, with its numbers significantly declining over the past century due to poaching.

The authority has observed that the gazelles have begun breeding within the reserve, and field teams are closely monitoring them to ensure their safety.

They emphasized that the successful breeding of these animals reflects the quality of the natural habitats and their suitability for wildlife.

The authority remains committed to protecting endangered species, with the goal of reintroducing them into their natural habitats, supporting self-reproduction, and promoting environmental balance and sustainability, SPA’s report noted.

These efforts are part of the authority’s broader mission to raise public awareness about the Arabian Sand Gazelle and to sustain biodiversity.

The reserve also aims to establish itself as a sustainable tourism destination, showcasing its rich environmental and biological diversity.

As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.

The reserve features diverse natural habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations. Recently, it has received several international environmental certifications, including being listed on the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making it the first Saudi reserve to achieve this recognition.

Additionally, five important bird areas have been designated based on global criteria, and the reserve has been acknowledged as the largest major biodiversity area in Saudi Arabia according to international standards.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues global humanitarian efforts

Updated 19 October 2024
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues global humanitarian efforts

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Jordan. 
KSrelief distributed 1,321 food parcels and 1,321 hygiene kits on Wednesday in the city of Afrin in Aleppo Governorate, benefiting 7,926 individuals. 
The assistance is part of a project entailing providing aid to individuals affected by the earthquake in northern Syria.

KSrelief provides aid to earthquake-affected people in Syria (SPA)

In Yemen, KSrelief handed out 740 food parcels in Lahij governorate. This initiative benefited 5,180 individuals from 740 families and is part of the food aid project to support the neediest families in Yemen for 2024.

KSrelief distributes 740 food baskets in Yemen's Lahij (SPA)

KSrelief also distributed on Wednesday 280 food boxes in the city of Osh in the Kyrgyz Republic, benefiting 1,400 individuals.
In Sudan, KSrelief held on Thursday a volunteer medical project for specialized thyroid surgeries in Port Sudan. The project started on October 12 and will last October until 19.
KSrelief’s team of medical volunteers has successfully performed 15 specialized thyroid surgeries, since the start of the campaign.

KSrelief implements voluntary medical project for thyroid surgeries in Port Sudan (SPA)

In Jordan, KSrelief launched a project to support Syrian orphans and the community hosting them.
The initiative will benefit 1,000 orphans, including both Syrian refugees and those from the host community, residing in various cities including Amman, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash, Balqa, Madaba and Aqaba.


Saudi authorities seize multi-million dollar haul of narcotics

Updated 19 October 2024
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Saudi authorities seize multi-million dollar haul of narcotics

  • Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenaged boys across the Middle East

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have seized a massive haul of 1.2 million Captagon tablets, state news agency SPA reported.
Customs officials at the Halat Ammar border crossing found the pills using x-ray technology and sniffer dogs. The pills were hidden inside a marble mixer.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to arrest two individuals who were supposed to receive the shipment inside the Kingdom.
The drugs haul had an estimated street value of between $12 million and $30 million, according to research published in the International Addiction Review Journal, based on assumptions that users pay between $10 and $25 a pill.
Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenaged boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of all narcotics are usually ploughed back into the drug trade while some find their way into organized crime and terrorism.
ZATCA emphasized its commitment to preventing smuggling and protecting the community. It urges people to report any suspicious activity by contacting ZATCA on its security hotline (1910), via email ([email protected]), or by calling its international number (+966 11 420 8417). All reports are confidential, and financial rewards are offered for information that leads to the capture of smugglers and the prevention of smuggling crimes.