Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia
Saudi authorities urge members of the public to report any information connected to drug smuggling or related activities. (SPA/File)
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Updated 30 July 2024
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Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations in operations throughout the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Border Guard land patrols in Al-Dayer governorate, Jazan region, arrested seven Ethiopian and Yemeni citizens trying to smuggle 115 kg of qat.

Land patrols in Jazan’s Al-Ardah governorate also thwarted the smuggling of 140 kg of qat.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a citizen in the Northern Borders region for selling amphetamine, while the directorate also arrested two citizens in the Eastern Province for selling 6.8 kg of hashish.

In Asir, a citizen was arrested for selling and smuggling 205 kg of qat.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed for all the suspects involved and all seized items have been handed over to the relevant authorities.

The Saudi government urges anyone with information related to suspected smuggling operations or customs offenses to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number +966 114 208417, or to email [email protected].

Tips received relating to smuggling and breaches of common customs law are treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for valid tips.


Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh

Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh
Updated 14 sec ago
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Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh

Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh
  • The event will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver

RIYADH: Everything that glitters could be gold at the Jewels of the World exhibition in Riyadh, where top local and international jewelry designers are displaying their latest pieces to entice the region’s clientele.

The event, inaugurated by Karim Al-Anzi, president of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver.

The opening night drew crowds of jewelry enthusiasts eager to meet top designers and trendsetters in the industry.

The Jewels of the World is an exclusive boutique event “celebrating the elegant craftmanship of these distinctive pieces,” according to Nader Freiha, the organizer of the exhibition.

Saudi Arabia is making major strides toward solidifying its status as a global hub for many industries by hosting various events, he told Arab News.

The exhibition “gathers prominent talent from around the world to showcase their creativity and amazing designs,” he added.

“We are excited to celebrate our 10th jewelry and watches exhibition in the Kingdom, having started this journey in 2016,” Freiha said. “To mark this special occasion, we’ve created 10 unique AI-generated paintings, each reflecting one of the past editions we’ve held. You can view all 10 paintings on display as we commemorate this milestone.”

One of the exhibition highlights is designer Karen Suen’s display featuring a necklace crafted with about 80 carats of emeralds and diamonds.

The Jewels of the World exhibition features more than 60 jewelry brands from around the world whose collections reflect various styles, from contemporary to one-of-a-kind designs. With their diamond, gold and other precious gemstones, the intricate and innovative craftmanship on display is captivating guests.

Atef Nsouli, chairman of Nsouli Jewelry, noted a significant upward trend in jewelry design, with both local and regional markets showing great promise. He said that the Saudi community has a sophisticated taste for jewelry and diamonds, actively seeking the best pieces while keenly following the latest fashion trends and high-quality craftsmanship.

Nsouli expressed optimism about the sector’s future, emphasizing that quality lies at the forefront of competitiveness among manufacturers and retailers.

Rashid Al-Emadi, executive director of Qatar’s Blue Diamond Group, commented on the continuous evolution of the jewelry sector within the Qatari group to meet the needs of connoisseurs in the Gulf country and the region.

He said people in GCC countries have developed a deep understanding of jewelry, including its types and the precision involved in its production, adding that the regional audience has a refined sense of style and knows exactly what to wear for any occasion.

Al-Emadi also noted that the Saudi market is experiencing intense competition, particularly when it comes to innovative design.


Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats

Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats
Updated 11 min 48 sec ago
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Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats

Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats
  • Celebration of culture, heritage, music and culinary delights from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11

Riyadh: The Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11, offering a magical fusion of history, culture, music, and culinary delights that capture the spirit of this ancient city. 

Named after AlUla Old Town’s traditional sundial, this festival in the AlUla Moments calendar marks the start of the winter planting season.

According to a press release from AlUla Moments, Winter at Tantora will spotlight Saudi Arabia’s vibrant music scene. It will feature acclaimed Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme and the National Arab Orchestra for a unique classical music experience. 

The “Macintosh” show will reimagine iconic Arab hits with performances by contemporary stars Ayedh, Aziz Maraka, Zeina Imad and Daffy, under maestro Ahmad Al-Oud.

Music lovers will be captivated by Lebanese composer Marwan Khoury’s collaboration with Croatian cellist Hauser — a not-to-miss partnership.

The Immersive Theater Experience will merge stage action and film, transforming cinema into a sensory delight for fans of both mediums. 

Sanaam AlUla Night celebrates the Year of the Camel, blending traditional music with Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. The “In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta – Discovery Tour” offers insights into AlUla’s historical role along the Incense Road.

In Tantora Old Town, vibrant traditional performances, crafts, masterclasses, and storytelling showcase AlUla’s rich cultural heritage.

The Shorfat Tantora concerts return, turning balconies into stages as local and regional orchestras fill the streets with enchanting melodies.

Visitors can also explore AlUla Citrus Season, which highlights the area’s seasonal bounty with a fresh fruit market, handmade products, and competitions.

The Al-Manshiyah Carnival will bring out one’s inner child, while the Future Ancient Makers Space offers families hands-on activities that bring history to life in AlUla Old Town. 

Culinary highlights include the return of chef Alain Ducasse’s oasis-to-table dining experience and SASS’ AlUla, a Mediterranean fine-dining establishment blending Monaco’s elegance with a Saudi twist.


KSrelief aids earthquake victims in Turkiye

KSrelief aids earthquake victims in Turkiye
Updated 04 November 2024
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KSrelief aids earthquake victims in Turkiye

KSrelief aids earthquake victims in Turkiye

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded a week-long voluntary medical program for specialized surgeries at health clinics in Reyhanli, Turkiye, aimed at helping victims of the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake.

During the campaign, the medical team treated 493 patients in the family medicine clinic, 355 in the dermatology clinic, 338 in the optometry clinic, and 173 in the endocrinology clinic, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In February 2023, KSrelief launched a campaign through the Sahem platform to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye. The appeal has so far raised more than SR524 million ($139.5 million) from over 3.4 million donations.

Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,105 projects worth more than $7.1 billion in 104 countries, in cooperation with 454 local, regional, and international partners.

The bulk of the support has gone to Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($501 million), Syria ($447 million), and Somalia ($233 million).

KSrelief’s programs cover food security, health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, telecommunications, and logistics.


KSrelief assists people who are visually impaired in Morocco, Afghanistan

KSrelief assists people who are visually impaired in Morocco, Afghanistan
Updated 04 November 2024
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KSrelief assists people who are visually impaired in Morocco, Afghanistan

KSrelief assists people who are visually impaired in Morocco, Afghanistan
  • The projects are a part of the Saudi Noor Voluntary Project

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, has been assisting people with visual challenges in Morocco and Afghanistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The projects are a part of the Saudi Noor Voluntary Project, according to the SPA.

In Morocco’s Boulemane, KSrelief’s team examined 5,120 individuals, distributed 1,050 pairs of spectacles, and performed 482 specialized operations between Oct. 24 and 31.

In Afghanistan’s Kabul, the volunteers, in cooperation with the World Sight Foundation, examined 4,160 cases and performed 442 specialized surgeries from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1.

The projects for people with visual disabilities are a part of ongoing voluntary medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, the SPA reported.


Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage

Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage
Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage

Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage
  • Her toys reflect Islam, Arab culture, says founder Shahd Al-Athel
  • Products encourage children to play with palm and not pine, Xmas trees

MAKKAH: The Jawlah Foundation in Saudi Arabia has been creating toys and games since 2020 to give children a deeper connection with Arab culture while improving their cognitive abilities.

Founder Shahd Al-Athel, a Saudi education specialist, who spoke to Arab News recently, said the company was founded because she saw “a clear gap in the content of children’s toys.”

Al-Athel said that the market for children’s toys “does not reflect our Islamic environment or represent the identity of our Arab children.”

“For instance, instead of playing with toys such as palm trees, children were engaging with Christmas trees and pine trees.”

Al-Athel spent her formative years in the US, which she says shaped her childhood activities and ideas on traditions, and she felt disconnected from her heritage.

While her friends in the US engaged in customs that reflected their identity and heritage, she yearned to do so herself.

At 15, Al-Athel moved to Saudi Arabia, where she experienced the warmth of family relationships and the richness of Arab and Islamic culture for the first time.

In the Kingdom, Al-Athel developed a sense of belonging, and gained a great deal of knowledge about her identity at secondary school by engaging in activities with fellow learners.

At university, Al-Athel decided to specialize in education. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Hartford in the US, followed by a master’s degree in educational technology and digital design from New York University.

Al-Athel said she worked for the children’s television show “Sesame Street” in New York, contributing to the development of English-language content tailored for a culturally diverse audience.

However, she felt that the work did not align with her ambition to create educational content for Arab children, prompting her to leave the company.

Returning to Saudi Arabia, she joined Saudi Aramco and worked at the entrepreneurship center Wa’ed, which serves as an incubator for businesses and startups.

Al-Athel spent a year at Wa’ed, during which she learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and gained experience in project management that would ultimately prepare her to establish her own company.

After giving birth to her first son, Abdullah, the family moved to Malaysia. As a dedicated mother keen on shaping his identity, she sought methods to teach Abdullah Arabic.

However, she found it challenging to find suitable educational materials for this purpose.

These were all experiences that inspired her to eventually create Jawlah.