Two falcons fetch big bucks at Riyadh auction

Two falcons fetch big bucks at Riyadh auction
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The event, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Aug. 24. (SPA)
Two falcons fetch big bucks at Riyadh auction
2 / 2
The event, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Aug. 24. (SPA)
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Updated 10 August 2024
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Two falcons fetch big bucks at Riyadh auction

Two falcons fetch big bucks at Riyadh auction
  • Enthusiasts bid SR170,000 on Polish falcons as event promotes falconry heritage

RIYADH: The first auction night of this year’s International Falcon Breeders Auction on Friday saw a large crowd of falcon enthusiasts gather to witness the auction of two exceptional falcons.

The event, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Aug. 24.

It features more than 35 elite falcon production farms from 16 countries showcasing their prized birds for sale, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A Falco cherrug, known locally as a Hur, from the Polish Fire Falcons farm, commanded a bid of SR65,000 ($17,320), followed by another falcon from the same farm that sold for SR105,000, bringing the total for the evening to SR170,000.

Twelve auction nights will be held throughout the event. Competitions and auctions are streamed live on TV channels and the club’s social media platforms.

The club announces the falcons on offer before each auction night, SPA reported.

With a history of exceeding SR18 million in sales over the past three years, the auction introduces new international breeding farms and fosters collaboration among producers and investors.

The event provides a valuable networking opportunity for falconers and breeders from around the world. It aligns with the Saudi Falcons Club’s commitment to preserving falconry heritage and promoting the Kingdom as a global center for the sport.

It also aligns with the club’s vision to lead in falconry development, innovation, breeding and care. The event contributes to the cultural and economic landscape while raising awareness about environmental conservation.


Saudi crown prince meets Russian foreign minister

Saudi crown prince meets Russian foreign minister
Updated 5 min 38 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince meets Russian foreign minister

Saudi crown prince meets Russian foreign minister
  • The Saudi foreign minister also met his Russian counterpart 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The meeting followed an earlier discussion between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Lavrov, where they addressed a range of global and regional developments. Both meetings highlighted the mutual desire to enhance cooperation on political, economic, and security matters.

During their talks, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening diplomatic relations and maintaining open dialogue on issues of shared interest, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.


Saudi Arabia’s royal reserve wins top award at Abu Dhabi international exhibition

Saudi Arabia’s royal reserve wins top award at Abu Dhabi international exhibition
Updated 09 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s royal reserve wins top award at Abu Dhabi international exhibition

Saudi Arabia’s royal reserve wins top award at Abu Dhabi international exhibition

RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority has won a top award at the 21st Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.

The authority’s pavilion won the Best Display Platform Award in the Environmental and Cultural Heritage Conservation category on Sunday, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

During the exhibition, the authority highlighted how the northeastern reserve in Saudi Arabia promotes sustainable hunting, and has various eco-friendly camps and lodges.

The pavilion attracted thousands of visitors from across the world, who were able to get more information on tourism options including the “Darb Zubaydah Winter Festival,” and luxury Al-Hasak caravans.

The authority’s pavilion won the Best Display Platform Award in the Environmental and Cultural Heritage Conservation category on Sunday. (Supplied)

The pavilion also showcased leading heritage landmarks including the King Abdulaziz Palace in Lina, Lina Heritage Market, Al-Ashar Pool, and Umm Al-Asafir Waterfall.

There was also a section where visitors could use augmented reality spectacles to view the reserve’s night sky.

The Abu Dhabi exhibition, which ended on Sunday, recorded more than 250,000 visitors from 70 countries.

There were 1,742 brands showcased, in addition to live shows, workshops and education sessions.


13 Ethiopians arrested for suspected illegal entry, drug smuggling in southern Saudi borders

13 Ethiopians arrested for suspected illegal entry, drug smuggling in southern Saudi borders
Updated 09 September 2024
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13 Ethiopians arrested for suspected illegal entry, drug smuggling in southern Saudi borders

13 Ethiopians arrested for suspected illegal entry, drug smuggling in southern Saudi borders
  • Drug haul includes 917kg of qat, 39.5kg of hashish
  • 2 Yemenis, Saudi citizen arrested for peddling drugs

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s southern border forces have arrested 13 Ethiopians for suspected illegal entry and attempting to smuggle 917 kg of qat and other narcotic substances into the country, the Saudi Press Agency said in a series of reports on Sunday.

Two Yemenis and a Saudi Arabia citizen were arrested in separate operations for peddling drugs, the SPA reported.

Seven of the Ethiopian suspects were arrested by the Border Guard in Al-Ardah, Jazan, while allegedly trying to enter the Kingdom with 320 kg of qat, the SPA said in one of eight reports.

Another report said Border Guard land patrols in Al-Dayer, Jazan, arrested four Ethiopians for suspected illegal entry and possession of 39.5 kg of hashish and 19,960 tablets of amphetamine.

In Fifa, Jazan, security patrols arrested two Ethiopians for suspected illegal entry and possession of 59,998 tablets of illegal drugs.

A sample of the narcotic qat plant, a key export of drug traffickers from Yemen. (SPA/File) 

Border Guard patrols reportedly seized, in separate operations, 432 kg of qat in Al-Raboah, Asir; 165 kg of qat in Al-Dayer, Jazan; and an undetermined amount of qat in Al-Farsha, Asir.

In Asir, security patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen arrested a Saudi Arabia citizen for the suspected peddling of hashish and methamphetamine, the SPA reported.

And in Jeddah, officers of the directorate arrested two Yemeni nationals for the suspected peddling of hashish and amphetamine.

The government has called on the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 in other parts of the Kingdom.

Reports to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control can be submitted by using the number 995 or email [email protected].


Saudi leaders congratulate Algerian president on re-election

Saudi leaders congratulate Algerian president on re-election
Updated 09 September 2024
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Saudi leaders congratulate Algerian president on re-election

Saudi leaders congratulate Algerian president on re-election

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday on his re-election, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The King and Crown Prince wished the Algerian people further progress and prosperity.

Tebboune won a second term as president with almost 95 percent of the vote, the country’s electoral authority ANIE said.

More than 5.3 million people voted for him, accounting for “94.65 percent of the vote,” ANIE head Mohamed Charfi told reporters.

ANIE said it only counted the number of voters who cast a ballot for one of the candidates, excluding blank votes.


Saudi FM receives International Organization for Migration chief in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the Director-General of the IOM Amy Pope in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the Director-General of the IOM Amy Pope in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Updated 08 September 2024
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Saudi FM receives International Organization for Migration chief in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the Director-General of the IOM Amy Pope in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
  • During the reception, Prince Faisal and Amy Pope reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IOM and ways to support and enhance them

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the reception, Prince Faisal and Amy Pope reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IOM and ways to support and enhance them.

The two officials also discussed regional and international developments of common interest.