New campaign showcases Makkah’s heritage

The initiative aims to showcase the city’s rich historical and cultural sites and increase their visibility among visitors and residents. (File/SPA)
The initiative aims to showcase the city’s rich historical and cultural sites and increase their visibility among visitors and residents. (File/SPA)
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Updated 23 June 2025
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New campaign showcases Makkah’s heritage

The initiative aims to showcase the city’s rich historical and cultural sites and increase their visibility among visitors.
  • The campaign provides an integrated cultural and spiritual experience
  • It highlights key sites such as the Clock Tower Museum, Mount Arafat and the Cave of Hira

MAKKAH: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has launched a new campaign titled “Makkah: A Living Legacy,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

It aims to showcase the city’s rich historical and cultural sites, increase their visibility among visitors and residents, and highlight Makkah’s unique identity and evolving history.

The campaign provides an integrated cultural and spiritual experience. It highlights key sites such as the Clock Tower Museum, the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, Mount Arafat and the Cave of Hira — where Prophet Muhammad received the first Qur’anic revelation.

The initiative is part of the commission’s broader strategy to preserve, develop and rehabilitate more than 98 sites across the city.

It also seeks to enhance the visitor experience, introduce new investment opportunities and revitalize sites while ensuring their sustainability as vibrant cultural destinations.


Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk
Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may cause overheating and pose a fire risk.

The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker at the toll-free number 8008500030 to arrange a replacement or full refund, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Consumers can check if their device is included in the recall and start the replacement or refund process by visiting anker.com/mmrc2506.

Users are also advised to verify the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website ecalls.sa.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and stressed the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.


GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting
Updated 14 min 53 sec ago
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GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi participated in the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments, including the Gulf visa project.

The passport departments of the interior ministries of GCC countries, through a series of joint meetings, are making efforts to launch a unified tourist visa project in the near future, the General Secretariat said in a report.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” Albudaiwi said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Updated 33 min 47 sec ago
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed. 


Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement
  • Trade volume between Kingdom, Japan reached $36bn in 2024
  • Saudi team oversees and monitors progress of trade negotiations

TOKYO: Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, the General Authority for Foreign Trade’s deputy governor for international agreements and organizations, is in Tokyo to lead the Kingdom’s delegation in the second round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the GCC and Japan, which began on June 30 and will run until July 4.

According to GAFT, the Saudi negotiating team includes nine technical teams focused on goods, services, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, and government procurement.

Comprising 46 government agencies, the teams prepare the Kingdom’s positions on negotiations and proposals within the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, and submit relevant reports to the negotiating team.

In 2024, the trade volume between Saudi Arabia and Japan reached about $36 billion. The most significant exports from the Kingdom were mineral products and organic chemical products. In contrast, the primary imports from Japan included automobiles and automotive components, as well as machinery and mechanical tools.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s exports totaled about $28 billion, while imports amounted to around $8 billion.

The Saudi team oversees and monitors the progress of trade negotiations to ensure they align with the Kingdom’s trade objectives and policies. Additionally, the team participates in the negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom’s positions, making their role integral to the process.

The General Authority for Foreign Trade aims to enhance trade gains, strengthen global presence, and engage with international organizations for sustainable development. The authority plays a crucial role in negotiations, representing the Kingdom’s interests and ensuring trade agreements align with its objectives.


Saudi crown prince receives Indonesian president in Jeddah

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday.
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives Indonesian president in Jeddah

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday.
  • Prince Mohammed and Prabowo chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council on Wednesday

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders held an official session of talks during which they discussed Saudi-Indonesian relations and cooperation in various fields. Ways to develop and strengthen them were also reviewed, SPA said.

Regional and international developments and efforts made with regard to them were also discussed by the leaders.

Prince Mohammed and Prabowo also chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council after which they signed the minutes of the meeting.

Prabowo’s visit is his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office.