Saudi FM attends EU council meeting discussing Gaza war

Update Saudi FM attends EU council meeting discussing Gaza war
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne. (SPA)
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Updated 23 January 2024
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Saudi FM attends EU council meeting discussing Gaza war

Saudi FM attends EU council meeting discussing Gaza war
  • Prince Faisal met with his French counterpart on the sidelines of the event

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday where the focus was on the Gaza crisis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Chaired by Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the meeting highlighted the pressing need for a ceasefire and addressed the humanitarian crisis impacting the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Prominent figures participated in the meeting, including the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abu Al-Ghait, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs of Jordan, Ayman Al-Safadi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Shukri.

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza on condition that Hamas be dismantled and all hostages it holds be released.

On the sidelines of the event, Prince Faisal met with his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne.

The two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in various fields as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Prince Faisal also met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to exchange views on the latest developments in Gaza and the security and humanitarian impacts of the war there.

The meetings were attended by Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, director general of the foreign minister's office, Saudi Ambassador to the EU Haifa Al-Jedea and Mohammed Al-Yahya, adviser to the foreign minister.


First stage of program to develop main and ring roads in Riyadh starts

The first phase of a program to develop main and ring roads in Riyadh has started. (@RCRCSA)
The first phase of a program to develop main and ring roads in Riyadh has started. (@RCRCSA)
Updated 18 sec ago
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First stage of program to develop main and ring roads in Riyadh starts

The first phase of a program to develop main and ring roads in Riyadh has started. (@RCRCSA)
  • As part of the first phase, four projects costing most than SR13 billion ($3.46 billion) will be implemented
  • It is expected that the first stage of the program will take three to four years to be completed

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced on Thursday that the first phase of a program to develop main and ring roads in the Saudi capital has started.

As part of the first phase, four projects costing most than SR13 billion ($3.46 billion) will be implemented.

These four projects are as follows:

1.The building of a second southern ring road that extends 56 kilometers from the new Al-Kharj Road in the east to the Jeddah Road in the west. It will include four lanes for the main road in each direction and three lanes for the service road in each direction. The road will have 10 main intersections and 32 bridges.

2.Building two bridges parallel to the cable-stayed Wadi Laban Bridge and developing a 4km intersection of the western ring road with Jeddah Road. Four bridges at the intersection of the western ring road with Jeddah Road will also be built.

3.Developing the western part of the axis of Al-Thumama Road, measuring 6km, that extends from King Khalid Road in the west to King Fahd Road in the east.

4.Lengthening the Taif Road in the Laban neighborhood by 6km so that it extends to the Qiddiya Project.

The program to develop main and ring roads aims to improve the transportation system in Riyadh and prepare it to be a major center for providing sustainable transportation and logistics services in the Middle East.

It is expected that the first stage of the program will take three to four years to be completed.


Saudi markets overflowing with 11 types of locally produced fruit

Saudi markets overflowing with 11 types of locally produced fruit
Updated 15 August 2024
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Saudi markets overflowing with 11 types of locally produced fruit

Saudi markets overflowing with 11 types of locally produced fruit
  • Outcome of govt campaign for self-sufficiency in food production, says ministry

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s markets are currently brimming with 11 varieties of fresh, locally grown fruits, thanks to the government’s campaign for self-sufficiency in food production, according to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The produce includes figs, dates, grapes, pomegranates, bananas, cantaloupes, watermelons, papayas, guavas, citrus fruits and apples, said the ministry in a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency recently.

“This abundance is the result of ongoing efforts to bolster food security and provide fresh agricultural produce to people, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” said the statement released during the MEWA’s recent “Harvest Season” campaign.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to increase local production of fruits and vegetables, and foster a sustainable agricultural environment that contributes to meeting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

“Through farmer support programs and the growing use of modern agricultural technologies, the ministry aims to provide citizens and residents with high-quality fruits, promote public health and offer healthier dietary options,” the statement said.

The MEWA’s “Harvest Season” campaign included showcasing local agricultural produce in Riyadh markets “to promote awareness about the health benefits of consuming organic produce and local fruits in their season, and make these items more marketable.”

Assistant Undersecretary Muhammad Al-Abdullatif, in charge of the MEWA’s agricultural support services, recently toured the North Market Fruits & Vegetables in Riyadh to check the produce of local farmers.

 

 


Saudi FM discusses Gaza crisis with Cypriot counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a telephone call from his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a telephone call from his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.
Updated 14 August 2024
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Saudi FM discusses Gaza crisis with Cypriot counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a telephone call from his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a telephone call from his Cypriot counterpart on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, Prince Faisal and Constantinos Kombos discussed the crisis in the Gaza Strip and its security and humanitarian repercussions.


Saudi standards team earns bronze in South Korea

Saudi standards team earns bronze in South Korea
Updated 14 August 2024
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Saudi standards team earns bronze in South Korea

Saudi standards team earns bronze in South Korea
  • The Saudi team, consisting of nine students from middle and high school levels, was divided into three groups for the competition
  • They were tested to assess their understanding of standards and problem-solving skills

RIYADH: The Saudi standards team won a bronze medal and received special recognition at the International Standards Olympiad, held in South Korea from Aug. 12-14.

The competition featured 200 students from 11 countries, including Japan, Russia and China, vying for top honors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

High school students from Riyadh, Jeddah and Qassim secured the bronze medal, while a group of middle school students from the Eastern Province, Madinah and Jeddah received an honorable mention from the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology.

The Saudi team, consisting of nine students from middle and high school levels, was divided into three groups for the competition. They were tested to assess their understanding of standards and problem-solving skills.

The Standards Olympiad is an annual international contest for middle and high school students that aims to demonstrate their grasp of standards and foster innovation in standards and technology. Starting as a local event in Korea in 2006, it evolved into an international competition in 2014.


British architect brings 13 birds to Riyadh falcon auction

British architect brings 13 birds to Riyadh falcon auction
Updated 14 August 2024
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British architect brings 13 birds to Riyadh falcon auction

British architect brings 13 birds to Riyadh falcon auction

RIYADH: A British architect who is fairly new to falconry is showing off his birds at the International Falcon Breeders Auction for the first time.

The event, being hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club from Aug. 5-24 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, features many stories of the impact falcons have had on people's lives.

Kelly Evans, owner of Shadow Falcons, is one of those who has discovered the joy of falconry, reported the Saudi Press Agency. 

After previously working in architectural construction, he set up his own farm and started breeding falcons eight years ago.

Evans said he was delighted to take part in the auction and show off 13 of his falcons at the event for the first time. He praised the high level of organization and extensive facilities provided by the Saudi Falcons Club.

The International Falcon Breeders Auction  is the largest event of its kind globally, featuring more than 35 leading falconry farms from 16 countries.