Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz and his accompanying delegation on Monday at Bayan Palace in Kuwait.
Prince Turki conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
They reviewed the strong fraternal relations between their countries and ways to strengthen them across various fields.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid and dignitaries from both sides.
Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip
850 km journey sparked social media campaign to capture the unusual sight
Updated 13 September 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media.
From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
Large crowds of locals gathered to witness the unusual sight. During their former service with Saudia, the Boeing 777-200ER models carried 341 passengers in three-class cabins.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, ‘Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,’ to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
• They covered a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
According to the General Entertainment Authority, five retired aircraft in total will be converted into shops and restaurants and used for staging interactive experiences for adults and children as part of the Boulevard Runway project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Saudia Airlines.
The authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, “Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,” to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The campaign encourages locals to share images of the aircraft throughout the road trip.
Alalshik also launched a competition, with a luxury car as the prize, for the best photograph of the planes.
Many people who learned about the final voyage gathered on the side of the highway to Riyadh.
“We have seen large airplanes transporting trucks and vehicles from one place to another, but here we have videos and photos where a truck is actually carrying airplanes. It is not something that we normally see on our roads,” said Ahmed Al-Shalaan from Riyadh on X.
The ferrying of the aircraft has led to some memorable moments caught on camera as people documented their encounters with the unusual motorcade. It also created traffic jams as motorists driving down the highways were awestruck at the sight of the planes.
Many slowed down and some stopped to take photographs and selfies with the aircraft in the background.
“This is quite a unique experience, which we rarely see in our lifetime. I think that is why people are crowding to see it,” said Abdulsalam Al-Ahmad from Madinah on X.
On Thursday, residents in Umm Aldome in Taif were treated to an unusual sight as the aircraft arrived in their small town and a special breakfast was organized for the drivers in celebration of their arrival.
Abdullah Al-Omair, a local, said on X: “It is a historical day here in Umm Aldome and we are so happy to see the giant aircraft passing by our town.”
Hajjaj Al-Zahrani, head of the transporting team, spoke to media in the town and said: “This journey has been amazing and what we have witnessed on the road was incredibly amazing.
“Residents of all cities we have been through have been very generous with us and they did everything to make the journey easy for us.”
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility to represent nation’s tourism program
Updated 13 September 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia actor Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, 10, who has been an ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program 2024, has brought an intense passion and energy to the role.
With a career marked by appearances in commercials and TV series, Al-Qahtani’s journey from actor to ambassador highlights a deep connection to his cultural roots and commitment to promoting the country globally.
Al-Qahtani told Arab News: “I’ve always loved performing. I started by acting in ads for big brands like Infiniti Cars, Al-Rajhi Bank and Aramco. These opportunities allowed me to explore different facets of acting and build a solid foundation in the industry.”
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
His experience includes campaigns for the ministries of health and environment, water and agriculture, as well as the Misk Foundation.
His acting career has been marked by outstanding performances in series including “Al-Deek Al-Azraq” and “Orim.”
Al-Qahtani’s upcoming film, “Shahd,” has also generated considerable excitement among his fans. “Acting is my real passion … Growing up, my culture deeply influenced the roles I chose. I feel fortunate to work on projects that resonate with my heritage and bring our stories to life.”
It’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it.
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
Transitioning to his role as the ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program, Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility.
“I’m thrilled … it’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it,” he said.
As part of his duties, Al-Qahtani has been touring Saudi Arabia, exploring various summer destinations and participating in local events.
Al-Qahtani said: “Every place I visit has its own unique charm. Boulevard City in Riyadh is incredibly dynamic, while Jeddah Corniche offers a beautiful blend of sea and city. Abha, where I grew up, holds a special place in my heart, and I’m always excited to share its beauty with others.”
One of the standout moments of his tour was attending the King Cup final in Jeddah. “It was a significant event, and representing the summer program there was a source of immense pride for me. It felt like a perfect blend of sports and cultural celebration.”
A particularly memorable experience for him was meeting Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb in Asir. The meeting offered Al-Qahtani insights into the ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
“Meeting the minister was an invaluable experience,” he said. “I learned a lot about the strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. It was inspiring to see the commitment and vision behind these efforts.”
During the interaction, Al-Qahtani held a kite adorned with the program’s logo and Al-Khateeb drew a picture symbolizing summer on it. “(It) was a special moment for me. It felt like a meaningful connection to the program and underscored the collaborative spirit of this initiative.”
Looking ahead, Al-Qahtani is enthusiastic about continuing his acting career while remaining committed to his ambassadorial role.
“I’m excited to keep working as an actor and take on new challenges,” he added. “I’m also dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural and artistic scene. Football is another passion of mine, and I hope to explore opportunities in that area as well.”
The four-month Saudi Summer Program runs until the end of September and includes Asir, Baha, Taif, Jeddah, Riyadh, the Red Sea and AlUla. There have been hundreds of events offered with more than 100 partners.
The Balsam index, developed in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority and international collaborators, aims to “set global benchmarks for assessing AI models in Arabic language tasks”
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the Balsam index, a tool for evaluating and measuring Arabic large language models. The launch took place on Friday during the 3rd Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh.
The Balsam index, developed in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority and international collaborators, aims to “set global benchmarks for assessing AI models in Arabic language tasks,” according to a press release. It will “help assess the latest models being developed to add new features and capabilities.”
During a key session on AI models for Arabic, Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, discussed language evolution. He said that while written languages have historically endured, future linguistic survival will “depend on effective AI integration.”
Al-Washmi commended the support of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, chairman of the academy’s board of trustees, in aligning the academy’s efforts with Saudi Vision 2030’s human-development goals.
Saudi Arabia to join regional nations in celebrating Arab Meteorological Day
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday will join other nations in the region in celebrating Arab Meteorological Day, which falls on Sept. 15 every year, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The slogan of the day is “Climate Impact and Adaptation Programs,” and looks to seek solutions to the challenges facing Arab countries in addressing the effects of climate change and related environmental and economic issues.
This year’s celebration aims to shed light on joint Arab efforts to enhance the ability to confront climate change and ensure a sustainable future for future generations.
It also seeks to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, enhance adaptation programs to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and infrastructure, raise the level of regional cooperation between Arab countries in exchanging knowledge and expertise, and support research and development in the fields of weather and climate forecasting, SPA added.
The Kingdom’s National Center of Meteorology organizes various events in various regions of the Kingdom, with the aim of highlighting the importance of the Arab Meteorological Day, and reviewing the Kingdom’s role in confronting climate change.
Saudi ambassador receives Azerbaijan’s official in Baku
The two sides discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News
BAKU: Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Essam bin Saleh Al-Jutaili received Mammad Musayev, president of Azerbaijan’s National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations, the Saudi Embassy reported on X on Friday.
In another meeting, he also spoke to the executive director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency, Yusuf Abdullayev.
During the meetings, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.
