First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza

Update First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
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Saudi plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. (Supplied)
Update First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
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Saudi plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 November 2023
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First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza

First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
  • Saudi aid agency KSRelief’s team meets WHO regional director to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza
  • Besides air bridge, KSrelief studying the possibility of operating a sea bridge

RIYADH: The first Saudi relief plane to help Palestinians in Gaza left on Thursday from the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, heading to Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt in preparation for transportation to the besieged territory.

The plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of the Saudi popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Adviser to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said: “This air bridge will continue during the coming days, and the KSrelief is studying the possibility of operating a sea bridge according to the need and speed of arrival, stressing the humanitarian role that the Kingdom plays in extending a helping hand to brotherly and friendly countries during various crises and tribulations, and embodying the depth of brotherly relations and the strong bonds of kinship that links the Kingdom and Palestine.”




First Saudi Relief Plane departs to help the Palestinians in Gaza. (Supplied)

Meanwhile, the KSrelief team has held coordination meetings in Cairo with a number of agencies and organizations to discuss delivery of Saudi aid to the Gaza Strip.

The KSrelief team met Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent Dr. Rami Al-Nazir, and the two sides discussed ways of delivering humanitarian aid and relief through the Rafah crossing to those affected in Gaza.

The KSrelief team also met in Cairo on Thursday with Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the World Health Organization’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza.

They discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for relief, in addition to discussing ways of providing health care and supporting medical facilities to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians affected by the Israeli siege, the KSrelief media center told Arab News.




KSrelief team in Cairo with World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza. (Supplied)

The mechanism of delivering medical assistance in the Gaza Strip, and areas of partnership and cooperation to improve the health situation in the Palestinian territory, were also discussed.

Al-Mandhari praised the multiple programs and projects provided by KSrelief to support those in need around the world.

He also expressed his appreciation for the center’s professionalism in aid delivery, which reflected Saudi Arabia’s keenness to support the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.


Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Updated 34 min 44 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and its partners had convened a global alliance to push forward a two-state solution agenda to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday.

The agenda is based on the conviction that a permanent settlement can only come via the establishment of a Palestinian state, the top Saudi diplomat said.

“What we are trying to do is build a coalition aimed at implementing the two-state solution and that needs certain building blocks, including capacity building within the Palestinian authority,” Prince Farhan said.

He said the Kingdom and allies would organize meetings at the senior working level in Riyadh, Brussels, Cairo, Oslo, Amman, and Ankara as part of the plan.

“I fail to understand how the continuation of war can be the only option,” he said. “There must be other options, and therefore I will reiterate our call for a ceasefire and for diplomacy to prevail.”

The decades-long conflict has come to a boiling point after Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border and attacked Israeli settlements on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 people.

Israeli retaliatory action has laid waste to much of Gaza and killed over 41,000 in the enclave.

The conflict now has spread more widely to Lebanon. Israel has been attacking the southern part of the country where the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is strongest.

World powers fear that the conflict could escalate further, especially if Iran gets involved.

A call to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah by the US and France and their allies has been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

Asked about the Israeli premier's response, the Saudi diplomat said: “I wish I could tell you. I was surprised.”

Prince Faisal said the ceasefire proposal had been worded carefully to take into account the interests of both Lebanon and Israel.

There has been ongoing efforts to bring about an end to hostilities in the region, but all have failed except a brief pause in November when a number of hostages were exchanged between the Israelis and Palestinians.

“We have seen since the start of the war a pattern, every time we are told we are close to a ceasefire in Gaza, it does not happen,” Prince Faisal said.

“Similarly, when we were with our partners working together on a very concrete call for a ceasefire in regard to Lebanon, our impression was that was acceptable, only to learn now that, no, it is not acceptable.”

He said that the group was attempting to set the groundwork for the solution. As for Saudi Arabia, the focus was on establishing the Palestinian state.

 

 


Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

NEW YORK: Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, the Saudi minister of economy and planning, met with Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of arts, culture and creative economy, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York.

The meeting focused on exploring areas of cooperation and addressing topics of shared interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
  • During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz received his Jordanian counterpart Mazen Abdullah Hilal Al-Faraya in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed. 

The two ministers also signed a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Jordan that aims to combat illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors.


‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
Updated 26 September 2024
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‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
  • The event marks the 20th anniversary of German Archaeological Institute’s excavations in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A new art exhibition inspired by early archaeological exploration in Saudi Arabia has opened in Riyadh.

The Goethe-Institut in Riyadh, in partnership with the German Embassy and the German Archaeological Institute, or DAI, in Berlin, recently opened “Echoes of Time,” an exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of DAI excavations in Saudi Arabia.

Curated by Salma Al-Khalidi, the exhibition displays work from Saudi artist Daniah Al-Saleh and German artist Susanne Kriemann.

“The Saudi art scene is fantastic,” Al-Saleh told Arab News. “It’s alive and expanding, with numerous opportunities for artists thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the government.

“It’s an amazing time to be an artist, especially with the backing of the German Archaeological Institute and the German Embassy. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work and collaborate with fellow artists.”

The opening reception was held on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. and was attended by Michael Kindsgrab, the German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with several members from the German Embassy and DAI.

Set against the archaeological landscapes of Tayma and AlUla, the exhibition encourages viewers to perceive the desert as a place where history and modernity intersect, emphasizing the significance of environmental stewardship in global discussions about history and ecology.

Al-Saleh’s artwork, “A Stone’s Palette,” utilizes carnelian beads from ancient sites like Rujum Sa’sa’ and Tell Saq, blending ancient materials with contemporary techniques to create mixed-media pieces.

“Initially, my proposal focused on the Nabatean queens, but the German archaeologists were more interested in the Bronze Age. In our discussions, I discovered that carnelian beads were consistently found at various sites. In Tayma, there’s a carnelian bead factory that dates back about 5,000 years, leading me to shift my focus to these beads,” Al-Saleh explained.

Susanne Kriemann’s work, “Datadust Skin on Sand,” contrasts ancient artifacts with modern waste found in Qurh and Tayma. Her photographic prints combine archaeological discoveries with microplastics, shedding light on the environmental impact of plastic pollution in desert landscapes and offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary ecological issues.

Kriemann described her process: “I began early one morning when it was still dark, taking photos of a mountain every 10 minutes, capturing a hidden watchtower. I selected about 12 images depicting the slowly rising sun mirrored in the tower’s colors. I used Datadust textile, which is employed in archaeological sites, to create layers in my work.”

The exhibition is running at the Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.


Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

RIYADH: From virtual assistant devices to extravagant light shows, Saudi Arabia has achieved more than 233 Guinness World Records over the years.

Guinness World Records lists human achievements and extremes of nature, and has great expectations for the country over the coming months.

The Kingdom has been placed second behind the UAE in the Middle East and North Africa region for its record-breaking streak.

Each region within the Kingdom has achieved notable Guinness World Records, setting the bar high.

Hassan Ibrahim, head of brand communications at Guinness World Records MENA and Turkiye, told Arab News that since the company’s expansion in the Middle East, “there has been a surge in record-breaking requests including many from Saudi Arabia.

“We’ve seen an increase in record attempts across various fields, such as art, with the largest coffee painting, environmental initiatives like the largest bottle cap mosaic, and gaming, with the most gaming consoles connected to a single TV. There have also been notable achievements in other areas, such as the youngest newspaper columnist (Ritaj Al-Hazmi).

All world records require thorough research to ensure that they meet the strict criteria set by Guinness World Records, including being globally competitive, breakable, verifiable and standardized, Ibrahim said.

“No world record is easy to achieve or monitor — each attempt undergoes a rigorous assessment process before a final decision is made. Guinness World Records is dedicated to publishing accurate and verified facts about the world, so as the term ‘facts’ suggests, the results of our findings should be accurate and true descriptions of what has been achieved.”

Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the creation of the darkest man-made substance by scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in 2015, in a collaboration between Prof. Yu Han and Prof. Andrea Fratalocchi.

The substance is a black material made of gold nanoparticles and called “dark chamaleon dimers,” which absorb more than 99 percent of visible light.

“It is also amazing to witness a local university breaking a record for the darkest man-made substance, or a community event creating the largest human awareness ribbon. Universities, charities, children and schools all contribute to this incredible variety of accomplishments.”

 
RIYADH

The most recent record broken was by Diriyah, which made history on Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day by setting a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest display of virtual assistant devices.

The show featured more than 500 Amazon Echo devices and Alexa voice assistants and was part of Diriyah’s celebrations of the Kingdom’s national day.

Noor Riyadh, an annual citywide festival celebrating the beauty of light and art, has secured 14 Guinness World Records, with its most prominent title being the largest light art festival in the world.

Architect and Designer Nouf Al-Moneef has been the festival director of Noor Riyadh since its launch in 2021. She told Arab News that preparing for Noor Riyadh’s records involved meticulous planning, collaboration with experts, advanced technical setups, securing permits, and rehearsals.

“A large, passionate team provided not only logistical support but also emotional encouragement, ensuring everyone stayed motivated and focused on delivering a flawless execution.”

She said that the festival’s record-breaking projects were driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to promote cultural growth, gain global recognition and showcase innovation.

“The festival is also influenced by the history and legacy of light art and its pioneers, celebrating creativity through large-scale, impactful works that push artistic boundaries.”

In 2023, Riyadh Season, a range of entertainment cultural and sporting events held in Saudi Arabia’s Capital, also received Guinness World Records.

During the same year, Saudi Arabia entered Guinness World Records with the creation of the largest sustainable farm in the world, with a total area of more than 3.2 million sq m.

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli received the registration certificate from the Guinness World Records during a ceremony held by the Saudi Reef Program at its headquarters in Riyadh.

 
EASTERN PROVINCE

Saudi columnist and author Ritaj Al-Hazmi has been awarded two Guinness World Records, in 2024 as the world’s youngest female newspaper columnist at the age of 15 and in 2020 for being the youngest female to publish a book series at the age of 12. 

 
JEDDAH

In 2023, Olympic athlete Kariman Abuljadayel achieved the fastest time to row 10 km in open water at 57 min 24 sec in Jeddah.

In 2021, the largest LEGO® brick F1 car was 5.73m x 2.32m x 1.15m (18ft 9in x 7ft 7in x 3ft 9in) and was created by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in Jeddah.

 
ALULA

AlUla Moments set the Guinness World Record for the largest hot air balloon glow show twice — first in 2019 with 100 balloons, and then surpassed this achievement in 2022 by lighting up the skies with 142 balloons.

In 2019, the Royal Commission for AlUla achieved a GWR for the largest mirrored building covered by 9,740 m² (104,840 ft² 71 in²) of mirrored facade.