Author: Mahdeehassan

RIYADH: Creativity thrives not only through constant production but also through moments of reflection, industry leaders said at the Creative Industries Summit in Riyadh, where discussions focused on heritage, identity and the future of Saudi Arabia’s growing creative economy. Speakers at the summit, which runs until Oct. 5 at Riyadh’s JAX District, highlighted the importance of pausing to reflect in an increasingly fast-paced world, arguing that meaningful innovation often emerges from a deeper understanding of culture, history and personal experience. “For the Creative Industries Summit happening now in Saudi Arabia, it’s a time to reflect on what creativity and culture…

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji received Denmark’s newly appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Merete Juhl in Riyadh on Sunday. He welcomed the ambassador and wished her success in her new duties, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X. In a separate meeting, Elkhereiji also received Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino in Riyadh. The two discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments, as well as efforts to address them.

RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen will continue providing operational support to Yemeni forces until the country’s state institutions are restored and the threat posed by the Houthi militia is eliminated, its spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said on Sunday. Al-Maliki said the coalition remains committed to supporting the Yemeni government and people, as well as efforts to restore state institutions and end the Houthi takeover, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Maliki accused the Houthi militia of continuing to commit serious violations against Yemenis, including imposing internal sieges, forcibly displacing residents, restricting access to food, looting resources and…

RIYADH: King Salman on Sunday invited Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to participate in the second GCC-EU Summit which the Kingdom is hosting on Oct. 24.The message was delivered by the Saudi ambassador to Qatar Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad during a meeting with the emir at his office in Lusail Palace.During the meeting, relations between the two countries and ways to further develop and enhance them were discussed.Prince Saad conveyed the greetings of King Salman to the emir of Qatar, who also sent his greetings to the king.The first GCC-EU Summit took place in Brussels in October…

RIYADH: Two Mongolian saker falcons sold for a combined SR550,000 ($147,000) at the opening auction of the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, highlighting strong demand among falconry enthusiasts in the Kingdom. A young saker falcon was sold for SR150,000, while an adult bird fetched SR400,000 after competitive bidding, according to Akhbaar24. The exhibition has a section dedicated to Mongolian falcons for the second successive year, reflecting their growing appeal among Saudi falconers. The Mongolian saker is particularly valued for its large size, broad wingspan and endurance, qualities that have made it one of the most sought-after falcons in the…

JEDDAH: Three Saudi universities have advanced in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, reflecting efforts to strengthen teaching, research, international partnerships and industry cooperation. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University ranked in the 401-450 band globally, placing it among Saudi Arabia’s top five universities. Shaqra University advanced to the 801-1000 band, while Al-Baha University ranked in the 1201-1400 band. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University’s performance reflects efforts to improve education, research and innovation and expand international partnerships. The university is developing its academic and research environment in line with international standards and preparing graduates to compete globally and contribute…

RIYADH: AlUla has added seven destination management companies to its Preferred DMC Program, expanding its network to 19 travel partners as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract more international visitors to the heritage destination.  Destination management companies, or DMCs, work with travel agencies and tour operators to organize trips, arrange itineraries and provide on-the-ground services for visitors.  The new partners are ROAM, RIDA International, 88 Destinations, Onedar, Desert Adventures, Arabia Explorer, and Young Life. They will support travel bookings, itinerary planning and local operations across markets including Europe, the Gulf, the US, Asia, Latin America and China.  The seven companies join…

Saudi Arabia turns to in vitro technology to boost food security

As autumn sunsets settle over Asir, the highlands turn to gold. Clouds drift between towering peaks while villages cling to the slopes below. From the surrounding heights, Abha appears cradled in mist, its mountains and clouds folding around the city. As dusk deepens, road and neighborhood lights flicker on beneath the haze, and their glow melts into the amber of the fading sky.

ABHA: Coffee cultivation in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region is expanding from a generations-old agricultural tradition into a growing economic activity, with thousands of farms and hundreds of thousands of trees spread across its mountain terraces, valleys and slopes. The cultivation stretches from Al-Farshah and Tihama Qahtan in the south through a chain of mountain governorates, centers and villages to Balqarn in the north, reflecting the region’s diverse terrain and long association with coffee farming. Asir’s varied elevations, moderate temperatures, rainfall and fertile soils provide favorable conditions for coffee trees. Farmers have preserved mature trees and traditional cultivation practices, passing agricultural…