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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed efforts to de-escalate regional tensions in a phone call on Tuesday.
During the call, the two officials also reviewed the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the US and ways to bolster defense cooperation.
The latest regional and international developments and efforts to promote security and stability in the region were also discussed.
RIYADH: The Madinah Heart International Conference, organized by the Madinah Health Cluster and Saudi Heart Association, concluded with discussions on the latest advances in treating heart diseases.
More than 150 experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad participated, sharing innovative approaches in cardiology, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The three-day event addressed topics such as cardiac emergencies, heart attacks, cardiac MRI in diagnostics, pharmacists’ roles in congenital heart disease management, and challenges and future trends in cardiac anesthesia.
Sessions also covered aortic valve replacement techniques, managing cardiac ischemia in children, and updates on hypertension management and clinical guidelines.
The event included a presentation on the first complete robotic heart transplant, AI integration in cardiology, and workshops on minimally invasive heart surgery techniques.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Border Guard patrols in Jazan intercepted 270 kg of qat in Al-Aridah and 126 kg in Al-Dayer. They also arrested a citizen in Al-Dayer with qat in his vehicle.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested four Nigerians in Jeddah with 39 kg of cocaine.
The directorate also arrested a Pakistani in the Eastern Province for selling methamphetamine, also known as shabu.
In Qassim, a citizen was arrested for selling shabu, hashish, amphetamine, and regulated tablets.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard patrols apprehended five Yemenis and Ethiopians smuggling 110 kg of qat.
In Riyadh, two citizens were arrested with hashish, amphetamines, and regulated tablets, while two others were caught with hashish and 15,735 regulated tablets.
Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and all seized items have been handed to the relevant authorities.
Security authorities reiterated their call for the public to report any information about drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Individuals can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected].
All information will be treated as strictly confidential.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,489 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 10,824 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,638 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,027 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,125 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 42 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 57 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 31 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is currently taking place at the Saudi Falcons Club headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. The festival runs until Dec. 19.
This year’s event “marks a significant milestone with the participation of various companies and commercial institutions, broadening the event’s scope beyond individual falconers,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The club’s spokesperson, Waleed Al-Taweel, highlighted the club’s strategic focus on attracting investment for the falconry sector and explained that by preserving the heritage of falconry and promoting its environmental, cultural, and economic value, the club aims to contribute to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening the nation’s cultural identity.
The festival provides a platform for Saudi and international falconers to showcase their skills and compete across various categories with the aim of qualifying for the prestigious King’s Sword rounds and winning substantial prizes totaling more than SR36 million ($9.6 million).
The festival will also host a falcon beauty pageant, celebrating “the magnificence of these birds,” the SPA reported.
Meanwhile, a talented falconer with physical disabilities, Musaed Al-Rashidi, is making a remarkable impact at the festival.
“Al-Rashidi’s interest in falconry began 18 years ago when he learned the intricacies of the craft from his friends. Over time, his love for the sport deepened, and he became an accomplished falconer,” the SPA wrote.
This year’s festival marks his debut, proudly representing Hafar Al-Batin governorate.
Al-Rashidi reportedly praised the exceptional organization of the festival and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and excellent facilities provided by the club, as well as its “unwavering support for preserving the heritage of falconry.”
The festival is a three-time Guinness World Record holder for hosting the world’s largest gathering of falcons. It brings together top falconers from around the globe to celebrate the cultural heritage of falconry, encourage competition, and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
The club’s CEO, Talal Al-Shamaisi, stated that the festival’s primary aim is “to advance falconry as a cultural hobby while preserving and promoting this Arab tradition.”
He said that the club hopes to position falconry as a “major heritage tourism attraction, fostering national pride and engaging younger generations in a competitive yet spirited environment.”
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) work in Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Jordan continues, with over 10,000 individuals benefiting from the aid agency’s various humanitarian activities.
In Al-Qadarif state of Sudan, KSrelief on Thursday distributed 990 food parcels to vulnerable families as part of the third phase of the food security support project for the country this year. The distributed food packages benefited 5,940 individuals, state news agency SPA reported.
In Zaranj of Afghanistan’s Nimruz province, 350 shelter kits were provided to 350 families – or about 2,100 family members – who returned from Pakistan, and also to those affected by flooding.
In Jordan’s Zaatari Camp, KSrelief-run clinics provided medical assistance to 2,674 Syrian refugees in Jordan during the fourth week of November. Among the services provided included diagnostics and laboratory tests as well as X-rays. General practitioners treated patients dispensed necessary medications, while specialists provided services for dental care, treatment for sinus and ear infections, eye conditions as well as heart issues.
In Miniyeh of northern Lebanon, the Souboul Al-Salam Association ambulance team funded by KSrelief carried out 54 ambulance missions from Nov. 1 to 7, funded by the King Salman
The missions included transporting patients to and from hospitals and aiding individuals injured in road accidents.
