Ƶ

Diriyah supports local creativity, national brands

The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)
1 / 3
The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)
Diriyah supports local creativity, national brands
2 / 3
The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)
Diriyah supports local creativity, national brands
3 / 3
The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 13 sec ago

Diriyah supports local creativity, national brands

The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)
  • The initiative supports creative industries by connecting the public with local entrepreneurs and innovators, boosting the cultural economy and encouraging artistic and craft production

RIYADH: A daily event featuring Saudi brand stores and promoting local art, accessories and modern designs is taking place in Diriyah’s JAX District.

The event, which began on Wednesday and runs until July 8, is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products.




The event is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. (SPA)

Brands taking part are presenting a range of innovative pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative supports creative industries by connecting the public with local entrepreneurs and innovators, boosting the cultural economy and encouraging artistic and craft production.


Riyadh mayor attends National Day celebration of Rwanda

Riyadh mayor attends National Day celebration of Rwanda
Updated 5 sec ago

Riyadh mayor attends National Day celebration of Rwanda

Riyadh mayor attends National Day celebration of Rwanda
  • Ƶ’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki recently met Pakistani federal secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Drug Control, Mohammed Khurram Agha

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf attended the National Day celebration held by the Embassy of Rwanda at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The mayor was received by Rwandan Ambassador to the Kingdom Eugene Segore Kayihura and other officials.

Separately, Ƶ’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki recently met Pakistani federal secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Drug Control, Mohammed Khurram Agha. The pair discussed topics of common interest, the ambassador wrote on X.

 


Saudi heritage on display at Hail festival

Saudi heritage on display at Hail festival
Updated 05 July 2025

Saudi heritage on display at Hail festival

Saudi heritage on display at Hail festival

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail is captivating visitors with a rich array of handicrafts that blend artistry and historical authenticity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The 30-day festival offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the dedication behind creating everyday necessities and celebrating the success of local craftswomen.

More than 40 activities are on display, allowing visitors to explore traditional skills such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival supports local craftspeople by providing a platform to showcase their work directly to the public. It also celebrates the Kingdom’s national identity and cultural heritage, in line with the Year of Handicrafts 2025.


Ƶ expands aid project for flood-affected families in Pakistan

Ƶ expands aid project for flood-affected families in Pakistan
Updated 05 July 2025

Ƶ expands aid project for flood-affected families in Pakistan

Ƶ expands aid project for flood-affected families in Pakistan
  • The project “reflects the directives of the Saudi leadership and its continued support for the people of Pakistan.”

Riyadh: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has launched the third phase of its food security support project in Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The launch ceremony was held at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, attended by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, and other officials.

Al-Malki said the project “reflects the directives of the Saudi leadership and its continued support for the people of Pakistan.”

He added that it is part of a series of KSrelief initiatives intended to help vulnerable families, particularly those affected by floods across the country.

The project will distribute more than 30,000 food baskets in various regions of Pakistan. Each basket contains essential food items sufficient for a family for one month, the SPA reported.

The project will assist a total of 210,000 people, Al-Malki added.

Hussain expressed the gratitude of the Pakistani government and people for Ƶ’s ongoing humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, KSrelief concluded the Saudi Noor program to combat blindness and its causes in Settat, Morocco, on Saturday.

During the week-long campaign, medical volunteers examined 2,525 patients, performed 276 surgeries, and distributed 957 pairs of glasses.

In Yemen, a KSrelief team visited vocational training centers in Seiyun district, Hadramout governorate, to assess the Vocational Pathways project aimed at empowering young men and women.

The team reviewed training programs in motorcycle electrical maintenance and sewing and tailoring, which are benefiting 40 participants from both the host community and displaced populations.

The project is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts to benefit Yemeni youth through vocational training and tools, contributing to sustainable development for the country.

In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 500 food baskets to displaced families in several towns in Blue Nile State, benefiting 3,266 people. The agency also distributed 1,550 food baskets in El-Gadarif State, benefiting 10,230 individuals.

-ENDS-


Kingdom arrests 17,863 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 17,863 illegals in one week
Updated 05 July 2025

Kingdom arrests 17,863 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 17,863 illegals in one week
  • A total of 10,746 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,362 were held over illegal border crossing attempts

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 17,863 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 10,746 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,362 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,755 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,507 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 65 percent were Ethiopian, 33 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 99 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 26 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

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 ($267,000), 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.


Japan, GCC conclude second round of FTA negotiations

Japan, GCC conclude second round of FTA negotiations
Updated 05 July 2025

Japan, GCC conclude second round of FTA negotiations

Japan, GCC conclude second round of FTA negotiations
  • Proposals were reviewed by both sides, with a focus on strengthening trade relations, finding areas to cooperate and fostering partnerships

TOKYO: The second round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the GCC countries and Japan ended in Tokyo on Friday.

Taking part in the discussions — which covered topics including goods, technical barriers, terms of services, financial and telecommunications services, and intellectual property — was a government delegation led by the General Authority for Foreign Trade.

Proposals were reviewed by both sides, with a focus on strengthening trade relations, finding areas to cooperate and fostering partnerships.

Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, deputy governor of the General Authority for International Organizations and Agreements and head of the Saudi Negotiating Team, said he was looking forward to completing the remaining negotiation rounds and reaching an ambitious final agreement which would be beneficial to the volume of trade between both sides.

He added the negotiation rounds highlighted economic ties between the GCC and Japan and supported Ƶ’s Vision 2030.

During a meeting with the Saudi ambassador to Japan, Dr. Ghazi bin Faisal Binzagr, Al-Asali stressed the importance of free trade negotiations with Japan as they emphasized the commitment of both Ƶ and the GCC countries to enhancing relations with Japan and achieving the goals of the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030.

The Kingdom’s delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Saudi Export Development Authority, Communications, Space and Technology Commission, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Central Bank.