Silver jewelry exhibition draws crowds at Abha Festival
Updated 04 July 2025
Arab News
ABHA: A silver jewelry exhibition staged as part of the 26th Abha Shopping Festival has proven very popular with visitors, according to a report published by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.
Highlights from the exhibition included rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches, intricately adorned with silver and agate, long favored in local markets.
Ali Basha, an investor in the silver and agate trade, told the SPA that visitors had been drawn to a wide variety of precious stones and jewelry, with particular interest in Yemeni agate, Turkish and Italian rings, liver agate, and natural agate. He also highlighted the appeal of prayer beads made from yusr, amber, amber dust, and bakelite, along with pure silver pieces plated in rhodium to achieve a brilliant, diamond-like shine.
Basha noted that products were available across a wide range of prices to suit most budgets, with silver rings priced between SR100 and SR1,000 ($27 to $270), and handcrafted silver jewelry pieces ranging from SR100 to SR2,500.
He added that he had witnessed a growing demand for antique silver, particularly pieces inlaid with amber and coral, which remain especially popular among collectors and enthusiasts.
“The silver and agate jewelry market continues to evolve, marked by the rise of contemporary designs crafted entirely by hand, without the use of machinery,” Basha told the SPA. “This careful craftsmanship endows each piece with a distinctive artistic character, deeply appealing to those who value originality and sophisticated elegance.”
He concluded by suggesting that the pieces’ beauty, rich colors, natural luster, and varied designs make them an ideal choice for gifts for both men and women, which he believed contributed to the strong turnout at the exhibition.
Saudi and Jordanian foreign ministers discuss developments in Gaza
Ministers also discussed international developments
Updated 12 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the situation in Gaza with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, on Tuesday evening.
During the call, the ministers discussed the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as recent regional and international developments, particularly those occurring in Gaza and the efforts made regarding these issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Monday, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank at Neom Palace.
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday spoke by phone with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They reviewed developments in the Gaza Strip, including security and humanitarian repercussions, and stressed the need for international efforts to halt the escalation, end the effects of the conflict, and protect civilians.
They also discussed Saudi-Italian ties and ways to develop them, SPA added.
Wearing a thobe on stage, Saudi artist ZezO redefines what global rap can sound and look like
Saudi Arabia has a voice, and we’re just getting started, says rap artist
Updated 12 August 2025
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Zeyad Al-Saadi, better known as ZezO, is not just a name in the Saudi music scene. A molecular and cellular biologist by training, he is an artist whose work blends culture, creativity and determination.
“Music has always been my escape,” he told Arab News. “It’s a way to express what I can’t put into words.”
Born in Saudi Arabia, Al-Saadi moved to Arizona at 15. “Living in America helped me see the world through a different lens, but my Saudi roots have always grounded me,” he said.
Saudi rapper Zeyad Al-Saadi wears a thobe not just to represent his roots but to challenge stereotypes. (Supplied)
Over the next 12 years, he immersed himself in American culture while holding tight to his heritage.
His life changed in 2005. After finishing a biology exam early, a classmate from Iraq invited him to a recording studio.
“That day changed everything for me,” Al-Saadi recalled. “I walked into a recording studio for the first time and felt a rush like never before.”
HIGHLIGHT
Zeyad Al-Saadi sees huge potential in the Kingdom’s emerging music scene.
By nightfall, he had recorded his first song, rushed to buy basic gear, and started teaching himself rap and audio engineering.
The spark had been there for years. “Since 1998, I’ve been captivated by the lyrical brilliance of legends like Rakim, Eminem and Nas,” he said. “They shaped my style and pushed me to find my voice.”
His sound now fuses traditional influences with modern beats.
Saudi rapper Zeyad Al-Saadi wears a thobe not just to represent his roots but to challenge stereotypes. (Supplied)
As a Saudi artist in a predominantly Western rap scene, he is sometimes underestimated: “When people hear ‘Saudi,’ they often put me in a box. They don’t expect someone from here to rap, let alone be good at it.”
This assumption— that if it’s not coming from the West, it can’t be real hip-hop— fuels his passion. He wears a thobe not just to represent his roots but to challenge stereotypes and prove that talent has no borders.
“Saudi Arabia has a voice, and we’re just getting started.”
Saudi Arabia has a voice, and we’re just getting started.
Zeyad Al-Saadi, Saudi rap artist
Al-Saadi sees huge potential in the Kingdom’s emerging music scene. “There’s a hunger and creativity everywhere. I’m always open to collaborating with artists who bring something fresh to the table,” he added.
For the rap artist, music is about learning from each other and growing the scene together. He actively seeks out new artists, keen to explore how their styles can complement his own.
Staying connected with his audience is crucial for Al-Saadi, especially given cultural differences.
“Music cuts through everything — language, background, nationality. When you’re honest in your lyrics, people connect,” he explained.
His commitment to staying true to his roots deepens that connection, allowing him to resonate with fans from diverse backgrounds. “I think my authenticity is what draws people in.”
Social media plays a significant role in promoting his music and message: “It’s changed the game for artists like me. I can drop a verse today, and someone in Brazil might hear it tomorrow.”
The global reach has led to unexpected moments, such as being recognized by American fans at Riyadh airport.
“They had been listening to my music and wanted to know more about my culture. We ended up having a meaningful conversation that turned into a lasting friendship,” he said.
It’s no surprise that for Al-Saadi, music isn’t just personal expression. It’s a bridge.
As he pushes forward, he is determined to open doors for the next generation of Saudi artists.
“Being Saudi is not a limitation; it’s a strength ... We have so much to share, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.”
Saudi Arabia participated for the first time last year and won three bronze medals
Updated 12 August 2025
SPA
RIYADH: A Saudi team is participating in this year’s International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, which is being held in Mumbai, India.
The competition, which runs until Aug. 21, sees the participation of hundreds of students from more than 60 countries.
The olympiad is an annual international science competition for high school students under the age of 20. It was first launched in 2007 in Thailand and tests the skills of participants. Each country is represented by a team of three to five students.
The Kingdom is being represented in this edition by five talented students who were nominated after participating in a series of intensive forums and training sessions held under the supervision of Mawhiba, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Saudi Space Agency, and sponsored by Neo Space Group.
Saudi Arabia participated for the first time last year and won three bronze medals.
The team’s participation is part of the Kingdom’s journey in international scientific competitions to enhance the presence of talented men and women on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia’s presence in this global scientific forum is a continuation of its distinguished journey in international forums in the fields of science, and a consolidation of its role in building a knowledge-enabled generation that contributes to national development and embodies an honorable image of the Kingdom’s students on the global stage.
Security forces called on citizens and residents to report all available information about drug smuggling or promotion by calling the numbers 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, and 999 and 994 elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Updated 12 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi authorities this week arrested foreign nationals across the Kingdom for various drug offenses, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Security patrols in Madinah arrested two Pakistani residents for possessing 1.7 kg of methamphetamine, also known as shabu.
Border Guard land patrols in the Ad-Daer sector in Jazan region arrested 14 Ethiopian nationals for smuggling 340 kg of qat.
Security patrols in Jazan also thwarted the smuggling of 60,279 unregulated medical tablets and 33 kg of hashish in Fifa governorate.
Initial legal procedures were completed against the violators and the seized items were handed over to the competent authorities.
Security forces called on citizens and residents to report all available information about drug smuggling or promotion by calling the numbers 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, and 999 and 994 elsewhere in the Kingdom.
All reports will be handled with strict confidentiality.
