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Saudi and Bahraini interior ministers inspect upgrades on King Fahd Causeway

The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain. (SPA)
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Updated 31 October 2024

Saudi and Bahraini interior ministers inspect upgrades on King Fahd Causeway

Saudi and Bahraini interior ministers inspect upgrades on King Fahd Causeway

RIYADH: The Saudi Minister of Interior and his Bahraini counterpart visited the King Fahd Causeway on Thursday to inspect ongoing developments aimed at improving transit efficiency between Ƶ and Bahrain.

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud and Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa received briefings on various projects by the King Fahd Causeway Authority, including plans to expand procedure zones and increase the crossing’s capacity, Saudi Press Agency reported.

These upgrades align with directives from the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council to streamline travel between the two nations.

Additionally, the ministers reviewed newly implemented passenger lounges for public transportation users and the prepaid toll routes, which have successfully reduced toll gate waiting times to under 15 seconds.

The improvements are part of broader efforts to enhance travel experiences for the growing number of people using the causeway.


Ƶ, UAE anti-narcotics agencies jointly foil major amphetamine smuggling attempt

Ƶ, UAE anti-narcotics agencies jointly foil major amphetamine smuggling attempt
Updated 24 sec ago

Ƶ, UAE anti-narcotics agencies jointly foil major amphetamine smuggling attempt

Ƶ, UAE anti-narcotics agencies jointly foil major amphetamine smuggling attempt
  • Saudi customs report 1,371 seizures at various ports in a week

RIYADH: Ƶ's General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) has assisted United Arab Emirates authorities in thwarting an attempt to smuggle 89,760 amphetamine pills, the Ministry of Interior's security spokesman said on Sunday.

The banned drugs were hidden in a consignment of clothing accessories, Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Shalhoub stated that proactive monitoring of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, along with information shared by the GDNC with its counterpart Emirati authority, led to the operation's success.

On Saturday, Saudi authorities said customs operations at land, air, and sea ports in the Kingdom recorded 1,371 seizures of prohibited items in a single week.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, or ZATCA, said there were 47 cases involving narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, shabu, and Captagon pills, and 333 cases involving other prohibited substances.

Customs officials also intercepted over 1,046 attempts to smuggle tobacco and its derivatives, 15 cases related to sums of money, and three incidents involving weapons and their accessories, SPA said in a separate report.
 
ZATCA called on the public to support its efforts by reporting smuggling activities through its designated hotline, 1910, via email at [email protected], or by calling the international number 009661910.

It assured the public that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality and financial rewards are offered for accurate information.


Saudi minister discusses digital partnership with Palestinian counterpart

Saudi minister discusses digital partnership with Palestinian counterpart
Updated 31 August 2025

Saudi minister discusses digital partnership with Palestinian counterpart

Saudi minister discusses digital partnership with Palestinian counterpart
  • Abdullah Alswaha and Abdel-Razzak Natsheh focused on strengthening the sharing of innovative experiences in digital government
  • Ƶ is committed to supporting Palestine’s efforts in digital transformation and empowering its future economy, SPA reports

LONDON: Abdullah Alswaha, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Ƶ, met with his Palestinian counterpart, Abdel-Razzak Natsheh, to discuss their countries’ strategic partnership in Riyadh on Sunday.

The two sides held a meeting on the sidelines of the Global Symposium for Regulators, hosted in Riyadh until Sept. 3. They discussed a strategic partnership in digital infrastructure, the digital economy, and innovation, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

The two ministers focused on strengthening the sharing of innovative experiences in digital government and talent development between Palestine and Ƶ.

The Kingdom is committed to supporting Palestine’s efforts in digital transformation and empowering its future economy to achieve sustainable development, the SPA added.


Arab sculptors shape Saudi landscapes in Al-Namas

Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium highlighted the region’s ambition to enhance public spaces with contemporary art.
Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium highlighted the region’s ambition to enhance public spaces with contemporary art.
Updated 31 August 2025

Arab sculptors shape Saudi landscapes in Al-Namas

Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium highlighted the region’s ambition to enhance public spaces with contemporary art.
  • Ten artists crafted works to transform public spaces into cultural canvases during Al-Namas sculpture symposium

MAKKAH: Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium wrapped up in Asir region recently, bringing together leading Arab sculptors under the theme “Linear Rhythms.”

Organized by Al-Namas municipality with artistic direction from Saudi sculptor Mohammed Al-Thaqafi, the symposium, which concluded on Aug. 26, highlighted the governorate’s ambition to strengthen its visual identity and enhance public spaces with contemporary art.

Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium highlighted the region’s ambition to enhance public spaces with contemporary art. (SPA)

The theme drew inspiration from Al-Namas’s striking topography, where mountain ridges and cloud lines merge into sweeping horizons. This natural geometry guided the artists’ designs and interpretations.

Ten renowned sculptors from across the Arab world took part: Saudi representatives Al-Thaqafi, Ali Al-Tokhais, and Ebtesam Saleh were joined by Morocco’s Ikram Kabbaj, the UAE’s Azza Al-Qubaisi, Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Ateeq, Oman’s Yousuf Al-Rawahi, Sudan’s Khalid Abdullah, Tunisia’s Mohammed Bou Aziz, and Egypt’s Omar Toussoun.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Working with locally sourced stone, 10 Arab and Gulf artists created large-scale pieces now installed in gardens and public areas.

• The theme drew inspiration from Al-Namas’s striking topography, where mountain ridges and cloud lines merge into sweeping horizons.

• Participants praised both the artistic exchange and Al-Namas’s natural setting.

Working with locally sourced stone, they created large-scale pieces now installed in gardens and public areas, blending modern creativity with Saudi heritage.

The theme drew inspiration from Al-Namas’s striking topography, where mountain ridges and cloud lines merge into sweeping horizons. (SPA)

Al-Thaqafi told Arab News the event was a platform for celebrating visual culture while making art accessible to the community.

He emphasized sculpture’s role in “advancing visual literacy and urban beautification,” adding that the medium “expresses identity and spirit while transforming public areas into creative showcases of local aesthetics and heritage.”

The theme drew inspiration from Al-Namas’s striking topography, where mountain ridges and cloud lines merge into sweeping horizons. (SPA)

He noted the symposium’s growth in scope and ambition each year, with Al-Namas aspiring to become a regional hub for public art, and he said expressed optimism that other Saudi cities will embrace comparable initiatives.

Participants praised both the artistic exchange and Al-Namas’s natural setting.

Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium highlighted the region’s ambition to enhance public spaces with contemporary art. (SPA)

Egyptian sculptor Toussoun described the invitation as one of the most prestigious moments of his career, drawing inspiration from the region’s “mountainous terrain, valleys, and captivating landscapes.”

Qatari artist Al-Ateeq highlighted the strength of Gulf and Arab participation, saying the symposium offered artists “ideal working conditions” to bring large-scale ambitious visions to life.

With its cool climate, scenic beauty, and cultural vibrancy, Al-Namas continues to position itself as both a tourism draw and a rising cultural destination where art, nature and heritage intersect.

 


Film Commission to launch third Saudi Film Confex in October

The third Saudi Film Confex will be held from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh. (AN file/Huda Bashatah)
The third Saudi Film Confex will be held from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh. (AN file/Huda Bashatah)
Updated 31 August 2025

Film Commission to launch third Saudi Film Confex in October

The third Saudi Film Confex will be held from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh. (AN file/Huda Bashatah)
  • Event will attract leading filmmakers, producers, industry specialists

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission is preparing to launch the third Saudi Film Confex from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh.

The event, called “A Gathering That Transforms the Scene,” will bring together leading filmmakers, local and international producers, and industry specialists from across the global cinematic sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Building on the momentum of previous events, the confex will strengthen its role as a catalyst for the growth and empowerment of the Saudi film industry.

FASTFACT

This year’s Saudi Film Confex will strengthen its role as a catalyst for the growth and empowerment of the Saudi film industry.

Initiatives include driving investment, fostering strategic partnerships, and aligning with the Kingdom’s National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030, which places cultural development among its top priorities.

Positioned as a dynamic networking platform, the Saudi Film Confex connects all players in the filmmaking ecosystem, from production and distribution companies to technical and logistical service providers, as well as investors and funding institutions.

The event will highlight filming and production opportunities, encourage high-value collaborations, reinforce the nation’s film infrastructure, and support startups and entrepreneurs in the sector.

It will include an international conference featuring more than 30 panel discussions and workshops, and covering topics such as film financing, content development, and regulatory frameworks.

The program will also include side events and specialized workshops designed to introduce audiences and young talent to career paths and professional specializations within the industry.

The confex will host an expanded exhibition with more than 130 local, regional, and international participants, with dedicated areas for stakeholders including production companies, equipment rental and cinematic technology providers, streaming, distribution, and government and strategic partners.

The exhibition will also feature participants from related sectors, including educational institutions, film associations, and funding and investment bodies.

Exhibitor registration for the Saudi Film Confex 2025 is now open to local and global companies as well as government and regulatory entities.

Registered exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their projects, showcase the latest innovations and opportunities across the film industry value chain, and build strategic partnerships that will drive market growth and strengthen the Kingdom’s global presence.

The upcoming confex is expanding its content and activities to highlight the industry’s growing economic impact and elevate Saudi talent on the world stage, supporting the creation of a competitive Saudi film sector.

 


Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen

Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen
Updated 31 August 2025

Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen

Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen
  • Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 512,323 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018

RIYADH: Members of Ƶ’s Project Masam removed 968 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 925 unexploded ordnances, 32 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines and seven improvised explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 512,323 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.