Author: Mahdeehassan

RIYADH: Joudi Al-Ahmadi and Lena Al-Shanafey have won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships for Saudi Arabia this year. The duo will head to the University of Oxford in the UK in October next year to undertake post-graduate studies, joining a cohort of more than a hundred other scholars from around the world. The Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s preeminent and oldest graduate fellowship, based at the University of Oxford since 1903. Saudi Arabia’s first scholarship was established in 2018 with a gift from Muhammad Al-Agil, and the second was added in 2020 through Abdulrahman Al-Agil’s sons. The donors are co-founders of…

RIYADH: The Saudi Civil Defense lifted its warning in Riyadh City of potential danger on Monday, briefly after raising the alarm. The authority however cautioned residents against gathering and filming, and to continue following instructions for their safety, as Yemen’s Houthi militia continued to fire drones and missiles targeting the Kingdom. One building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh was subjected to an attempted attack on Sunday, an energy ministry official said, and falling shrapnel caused limited damage but without any injuries or fatalities. Saudi air defenses also intercepted missiles and drones targeting the Saudi capital, the southern regions and…

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar was presented with the inaugural Dwight D. Opperman Excellence in Leadership Award for Service to Diplomacy at a ceremony held at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The award recognizes her contributions to diplomacy, efforts to strengthen Saudi-US relations, and commitment to promoting dialogue and mutual understanding across cultures, the Saudi Embassy noted in a report on X. The recognition reflects the important role of diplomacy in strengthening international partnerships and promoting cooperation across borders.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Paris on Sunday to attend a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers focused on international crises, security and humanitarian challenges, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. France is hosting the talks Nov. 9-10. Prince Faisal is attending at the invitation of the French G7 presidency. The agenda includes efforts to resolve conflicts, strengthen maritime and port security, combat smuggling and improve humanitarian responses. Ministers will also discuss food security, nutrition and artificial intelligence security. The ministry said Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its commitment to coordinating with international partners to address…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims of a train crash near Cairo on Sunday. It expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with the government and people of Egypt following the tragic incident and wished the injured a speedy recovery, the Saudi Press Agency said. At least seven people died, and 112 were injured when two trains collided in the El-Ayyat area of Giza Governorate, about 60 km south of Cairo, on Sunday. A train traveling from Giza to Fayoum struck the rear of another heading from Cairo to…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to develop an integrated marine knowledge system for the Red Sea, combining scientific research, environmental protection and economic development as part of broader plans to maximize the region’s environmental, tourism and commercial value. Covering about 186,000 square kilometers and home to thousands of islands, the Red Sea is considered one of the Kingdom’s most important strategic assets. Recent investments have expanded marine exploration programs and shifted scientific efforts from basic observation toward ecosystem management, conservation and sustainable development. A recent study conducted by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), King Abdullah University of Science…

RIYADH: When Alejandro Diaz-Patch left France for the Middle East, he intended to stay for just one year to study Arabic. Instead, he stayed for decades. “The only problem is that I left and never came back. It was a one-way ticket,” he told Arab News. Diaz-Patch’s life has unfolded across cultures and continents. Born in Jordan to a Spanish diplomat father and French mother, he spent five years in Morocco, 14 in Syria, and the past 12 in Saudi Arabia, a country he now considers home. He describes himself as “half Spanish through my father, half French through my…

RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has delivered 33 development projects and initiatives in the transport sector, connecting Yemeni cities and governorates, facilitating the movement of people and goods, and improving access to essential services and markets. The projects strengthen land, sea, and air transport networks and logistics, support trade and economic activity, and improve access to healthcare facilities, schools, markets, and economic hubs. The program has expanded and rehabilitated about 200 km of strategic roads across several governorates, improving infrastructure, road safety, and connectivity between cities and regions. A key project is the Al-Abr Road, a…

RIYADH: Three young shaheen falcons were sold for a total of SR310,000 ($83,000) on the 19th night of the National Falcons Center Auction in Riyadh. The auction runs until Nov. 30 and has so far attracted large crowds. The two-month event brings together falcon trappers and buyers. The center receives locally captured birds throughout the season, with teams operating across different regions to welcome falcon owners and coordinate their participation. Bidding for all three birds started at SR50,000. The first falcon sold was caught in Sha’ba Nisab in the Northern Borders region and sold for SR102,000, the same price as…

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia showcased its historical heritage, rare manuscripts and traditional crafts during its participation as Guest of Honor at the 2026 Algiers International Book Fair, which concluded on Nov. 7 after 11 days of cultural activities and public engagement. Led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the Kingdom’s pavilion brought together several cultural institutions and commissions. Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif Alwasel said: “Our participation as Guest of Honor reflects the deep historical ties between the Kingdom and Algeria and the expanding cultural cooperation between the two countries. This initiative has helped build sustained bridges with Algerian publishers and readers…