https://arab.news/znt5t
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields.
They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts made with regard to them.
RIYADH: Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, met Moon Young-hak, chairman of the Saudi-Korean Society for Economic and Trade Promotion, in Riyadh.
The meeting focused on discussing potential partnerships with Korean companies and reviewing advanced greywater treatment and separation technologies for national parks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The meeting, attended by senior center officials, focused on leveraging Korean expertise in developing small-scale and mobile wastewater treatment systems.
With more than 400 national parks across Saudi Arabia, the center has outlined strategic plans to optimize water use, especially as visitor numbers are expected to rise in coming years.
Implementing greywater separation and treatment technologies will enable water reuse for afforestation projects and the creation of artificial lakes, the SPA reported.
The Korean model uses advanced information technology-based control systems to significantly improve the quality and efficiency of treated water production.
The approach allows for doubling treatment capacity using existing infrastructure at just 30 percent of the cost of building new facilities within a swift eight-month timeline, according to the SPA.
It also extends the operational lifespan of these plants by 30 years, ensuring a cleaner environment and better public health standards.
The Saudi center remains dedicated to sustainable environmental initiatives, including land restoration, biodiversity enhancement, rangeland management and resource preservation.
Through these efforts, the center plays a key role in Saudi Arabia’s environmental sustainability and quality of life improvements.
RIYADH: Historic Al-Rumaila Mosque in the Al-Dhahirah district of Riyadh is one of the oldest religious sites being restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques focuses on renovating and restoring religious and cultural significance, while preserving the ancient architectural style using sustainable, environmentally friendly methods.
The project will renovate the mosque in the Najdi style, expanding its area from 1,185 sq. meters to 1,556 sq. meters, and doubling its capacity from 327 to 657 worshippers.
Although the mosque’s exact construction date is unknown, the design will reflect its original form, showcasing the architectural style of old Riyadh mosques, the SPA reported.
The project will use clay construction techniques and natural materials, primarily based on the Najdi style, which adapts well to the local environment and hot desert climate.
Al-Rumaila Mosque is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project. These include six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.
Phase one was completed in 2018, with 30 mosques restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, launched a project distributing Eid Al-Fitr clothing to 1,000 orphaned children from underprivileged Jordanian and Syrian refugee families in Jordan.
The project aims to improve living standards by providing monthly financial support for essential needs and educational sponsorship, including school supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
It also organizes recreational activities during festive seasons to help integrate the children into local communities and boost their psychological well-being.
This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian commitment through KSrelief to support orphans and vulnerable groups worldwide.
Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed 3,398 food baskets and hygiene kits, benefiting 10,194 people in Tell Abyad, Raqqa governorate, Syria.
KSrelief also sent a new shipment of medical supplies to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support hospitals and health care centers in Gaza, which are facing critical shortages.
The aid agency distributed 850 food baskets in Hayya village, Red Sea State, Sudan, benefiting 5,688 people.
In Lebanon, more than 800 food baskets were distributed in Sidon and Arsal, benefiting more than 4,000 people.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 25,362 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 18,504 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,004 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,854 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,533 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 65 percent were Ethiopian, 30 percent Yemeni, and 5 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 62 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and nine were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
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.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday offered condolences to the king of Thailand over the victims of the earthquake that struck Bangkok a day earlier, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The king and the crown prince also expressed their "deepest condolences and sincere sympathy" to the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and extended their wishes for the "safe return of the missing and speedy recovery for the injured."
Thailand and neighboring Myanmar were hit by a 7.7 magnitude quake at midday Friday, killing at least 10 in Bangkok and over 130 in Myanmar.
The full extent of death, injury and destruction was not immediately clear, with officials warning that the toll could go much higher.
In Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city which was the epicenter of the quake, there were reports on social media and local news sites that multiple buildings were destroyed, including one of the city’s largest monasteries.
