Minister of Agriculture Fahd Balghunaim announced an ambitious proposal to team up with France and produce vaccines to control animal diseases in Saudi Arabia.
The move by the ministry will acquire new vaccine technology to control the potential recurrence of several diseases that previously threatened animal farming in the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia and France enjoy an excellent relationship and close ties in various sectors including agriculture,” Minister Balghunaim told guests at the opening of French Week at the residence of French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot on Monday.
Balghunaim told Arab News: “The Ministry of Agriculture is discussing plans to renew cooperation in the field of vaccine production with French officials - a plan that was made 20 years ago. We hope to enhance cooperation with France in the field of agriculture and animal resources.”
Proposals to produce animal vaccines will be developed in the near future, he added.
“The issue of animal vaccines is very important here in Saudi Arabia because of the outbreak of various animal and poultry diseases reported every now and then,” he said. The minister went on to say animal diseases cause many problems in the Kingdom besides inflicting huge economic loss. They also create restrictions on the world livestock trade. Vaccines improve the health and welfare of animals, increase livestock production in a cost-effective manner, and prevent animal-to-human transmission from both domestic animals and wildlife, he added.
The French Week food festival is organized by Carrefour, the French retail giant who operates in the Middle East under UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group.
Saudi officials, French diplomats, business leaders from both communities, and Carrefour executives attended the formal launch of French Week food festival at the ambassador’s residence. The French ambassador was joined by Alexis Lucas, commercial officer at the French Embassy; Etienne Cavaciuti, Carrefour vice president; and Philippe Lervoy, Carrefour district general manager. Ambassador Besancenot said the French Week food festival aims to tempt Saudis into the world of fine French dining.
“The Kingdom and France have forged closer ties in different areas including the food industry and this festival is evidence of the partnership.” Saudis can indulge in a large number of French food products currently on sale at Carrefour’s hypermarkets and supermarkets around the Kingdom, he added.
Besancenot said: “The last few years have been especially rich and challenging for the two countries and this contributes to very strong relations between Riyadh and Paris.” On a commercial level, the two reported massive growth with two-way trade exceeding 7.7 million euro last year. The Kingdom confirms its position as the first partner of France in the Middle East in terms of trade and investment, he said. But there is still room for further expansion especially in the food industry, he added.
Saudi Arabia’s food market is currently expanding at a rate of 18.5 percent annually. Food and agricultural imports from countries including France, account for 15 percent of overall imports, or SR 64.9 billion. The Kingdom is investing SR 46.1 billion in domestic agricultural projects to acquire land abroad to ensure food security. These initiatives call for more French and European involvement in the Kingdom’s food industry.
Carrefour vice president Cavaciuti said: “The French Week food festival is one of our signature events. We are considering moving to another level in the development and operation of shopping malls in the Kingdom with our sister company MAF property.”
Carrefour currently operates 12 hypermarkets and supermarkets in the Kingdom.
Cavacuiti said Carrefour serves more than 10 million customers every year and employs more than 2,000 staff. The French retail giant continues to expand globally with more than 9,500 stores operating around the world.
Saudi-French alliance to produce vaccines against animal diseases
Saudi-French alliance to produce vaccines against animal diseases
Saudi airports issue travel alert after airspace closures amid Israel-Iran tension
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday issued a travel alert for citizens and residents after airspace closures following the Israeli attacks on Iran ramping up tensions between the regional rivals.
Increased tensions in the region could pose security risks and several countries in the Middle East closed their airspace, resulting in travel disruptions, including flight cancellations.
Major airports authorities in the Kingdom have advised those traveling to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or flight changes.
In advisories on social media, King Khalid International Airport Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport, Dammam and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, said: “In the interest of your safety and comfort and due to the current developments in some countries in the region, travelers heading to destinations affected by airspace closures are kindly advised to contact their respective airlines directly before proceeding to the airport.
“This is to confirm the latest updates on their flights and to avoid any unexpected delays or changes. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we are always pleased to serve you.”
After Israel attacked Iran early on Friday, airlines diverted flights affected by airspace closures.
Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
Joanne Serrieh, a journalist working with Alarabiya, on Friday afternoon posted on X: “Currently on Emirates flight EK216 from LAX to DXB. We’re being diverted to avoid closed Iranian airspace. We’ll be landing in Jeddah to refuel then will hopefully be able to continue to Dubai.”
Shamim Akhter, an Indian expat who worked in Riyadh for decades and is flying back home tonight on final exit, told Arab News: “After learning about airspace closure and flight diversion from Arab News, I contacted my airline, so far, the flight is expected to depart as scheduled. There is no change in timing, so I will proceed on time.
“If there is a change, I will be informed by the airline,” he said, adding: “The heightened tension following the Israeli attack on Iran has created unnecessary chaos. I hope and pray things return to normal soon.”
Due to the heightened tension Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, state media reported. Jordan also closed its airspace to all flights.
Israel has suspended flights to and from Israel, its flag carrier El Al Airlines said. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice.
Conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and three endured near misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions.
Saudi and UK foreign ministers discuss regional developments
LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met in London with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday to discuss ties and regional developments, the foreign ministry announced.
The meeting touched on areas of joint cooperation and ongoing efforts to address regional challenges, the ministry added.
Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, was also present.
The talks come ahead of next week’s Saudi-French conference on Palestine in New York, where international officials will seek to revive momentum for a two-state solution and outline steps toward Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian child arrives in Saudi Arabia for treatment under King Salman’s directives
RIYADH: Palestinian Mohammed Khaled Hijazi, 7, arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday with his parents to receive medical care and was immediately transferred to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh.
The supervisor general at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the humanitarian initiative to treat the Palestinian boy in the Kingdom.
Al-Rabeeah said that Hijazi lost his right eye while his left eye was severely damaged by an explosion while he was playing with friends near their house, which was completely destroyed, in the Jabalia camp, north of Gaza, last month.
The supervisor general prayed for the boy’s speedy recovery and for the Palestinian people to be relieved of their suffering.
He clarified that this initiative is a continuation of the relief and humanitarian efforts provided by the Kingdom to the Palestinian people in times of crisis and adversity, particularly the most vulnerable categories, such as children, who innocently pay the price of conflicts.
Al-Rabeeah also saidthat the initiative is part of the humanitarian approach adopted by the Kingdom toward needy peoples through KSrelief, which does not discriminate based on gender, race, or religion, and is fundamentally rooted in noble human principles of compassion and human solidarity.
The Palestinian boy’s parents expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom for treating their son, affirming that this brotherly gesture is not unusual from the Kingdom’s leadership, which has always been known for its honorable stance in support of the Palestinian people.
Wrapped in gratitude: How Saudi women are redefining post-Hajj gift culture
RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia, the end of Hajj doesn’t simply mark the conclusion of a sacred pilgrimage — it opens the door to another cherished tradition.
Gift-giving, known locally as hadiyat al-hajj or “the pilgrim’s gift,” is a gesture that turns a personal journey into a shared blessing. For many, it is an expression of faith, gratitude and love.
While classics like Zamzam water and dates still hold their place, a new generation of Saudi women is redefining this tradition, infusing it with creative spirit, personal stories and intentional detail. From custom packaging to symbolic items and handwritten notes, Hajj gifts today are becoming more than a token — they’re a continuation of the spiritual journey itself.
“I didn’t want to just hand someone a plastic bottle and say, ‘I went’,” said Nawal Al-Subaie, aged 30. “So I put together small bundles with Zamzam water, engraved tasbeeh and handwritten du’a cards for each friend. It was my way of letting them in on the experience.”
The gifts now often carry symbolic meaning — a fragrance that evokes the air of Arafat, prayer cards reflecting moments of silence in Muzdalifah, or a simple stamped tag reading “Hajj Mabroor” in hand-drawn calligraphy. The items are chosen with care, often representing moments that shaped the pilgrim’s heart.
For Dana Al-Hamdan, 26, the most powerful way to preserve the feeling of Hajj was through images. Instead of giving traditional gifts, she printed instant film photographs she took throughout her pilgrimage, labeled with the exact date and time.
“I gave them to my twin sister,” she said. “One was from Arafat just before Maghrib, another from the moment I arrived in Mina. They weren’t staged — they were raw and personal.”
The emotional weight of that gesture lingered far beyond the exchange.
“She kept one photo in her wallet and the other on her desk.” Al-Hamdan said.
This new take on hadiyat al-hajj is trending on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Videos show everything from Hajj-themed gift boxes and laser-cut Qur’anic bookmarks to handmade pouches, scented oils and memory tokens.
But it isn’t about luxury or performance; it’s about thoughtfulness. Many women prepare the gifts in quiet, reflective settings. Some add prayers or verses. Others prepare items based on personal meaning, such as a prayer for healing, a verse for patience, or an object that symbolizes strength.
Latifa Al-Dossari, 27, created sets of prayer beads and placed them inside tiny velvet bags, along with notes describing what that day of Hajj felt like.
“It was like writing someone a letter from Mina,” she said.
What’s happening with these gifts is part of a larger movement, a shift toward a more expressive, emotionally honest form of spirituality. For many Saudi women, especially younger ones, Hajj is not only a rite to fulfill, but a memory to share, a testimony that invites others in.
Some see hadiyat al-hajj as souvenirs, others see them as silent declarations. “I remembered you,” they say. “I carried your name. This was not a journey I took alone.”
The true beauty of this tradition lies in the unspoken energy that surrounds it. These are not mass-produced tokens; they are gifts that hold time, intention, and prayer.
For the women crafting them, the act is a final ritual, a quiet bridge from the pilgrim’s journey back to daily life, but built with du’a, thought and love rather than stone or scripture.
Because, in the end, the real gift isn’t the Zamzam or the photograph or the beads. It’s the sincerity that comes with it — the kind that says: “You were with me, even when I was away.”
Saudi Arabia leads Arab condemnation of Israel attacks on Iran
- ‘Heinous attacks’ on ‘brotherly’ Iran violates international law
- UN, global community must ‘immediately halt this aggression’
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia led Arab condemnation Israel’s strikes on Iran early on Friday, which targeted multiple sites it linked to the country’s nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries.
The strikes killed Hossein Salami, the chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, along with another top IRGC official and two nuclear scientists in the initial raids.
It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.
Saudi Arabia was the first Arab nation to speak out against the attacks, stating that the Kingdom “expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The statement added: “While the Kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the (UN) Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression.”
The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and appeared certain to trigger a reprisal, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning that “severe punishment” would be directed at Israel. Hours later, Israel’s military said it had begun intercepting Iranian drones launched in retaliation.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military operation on Iran would “continue for as many days as it takes” to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
Israel has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meanwhile warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences after the deadly attacks.
“With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it,” Khamenei said in a statement.
Early speculation as to how aware US President Donald Trump was of the attacks soon came to an end after telling Fox News he had received “advanced notice”, stating that “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see.”
Iran later said it would not be attending talks scheduled to take place in Oman.
