RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet has condemned the Israeli decision to build more than 1,000 settlement units and offer tenders to build another 650 housing units in a number of settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands.
Chaired by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Cabinet described the Israeli decision as a challenge to the will of the international community and flagrant aggression against the rights of the Palestinian people to impose a status quo to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
At a regional level, the Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of a suicide explosion in the center of Baghdad, and offered condolences to the Iraqi government and people, and voiced the Kingdom’s support for Iraq against acts of terrorism and extremism.
The Cabinet lauded a UN report on Iran’s violation of an embargo imposed by the UN in sending weapons to Yemen. The report said Iran did not comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2216 on the arms embargo and instead helped the Houthi militia to obtain drones and ballistic missiles launched against the Kingdom.
At a global level, the Cabinet appreciated a statement made by US President Donald Trump on the nuclear agreement with Iran and his call for US allies to take strict steps in the face of activities by Iran, which is considered the leading terror supporter globally.
According to the US statement, Iran funded, supplied arms and trained more than 100,000 fighters to spread destruction in the Middle East, supported Assad’s regime to kill his people, while its missiles threatened neighboring countries and international navigation and it practiced mass arrest to silence its people.
The Cabinet praised the US judiciary announcement to establish a special unit to investigate Hezbollah’s drug trafficking to fund terrorism, and to verify and prosecute individuals and networks supporting the terrorist party.
At a local level, the Cabinet commended the announcement made by the Ministry of Housing and the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) on launching 19,481 housing loans and products across the Kingdom in the current year.
The Cabinet also authorized the ministers of education and environment to discuss draft memos of understanding for cooperation in vocational training and wildlife between the Kingdom and Sudan and Mauritania.
Saudi Cabinet condemns Israeli plans to build more settlements in Palestine
Saudi Cabinet condemns Israeli plans to build more settlements in Palestine
Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration
- Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower
DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.
Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.
Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.
There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.
“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.
“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”
Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.
Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.
A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.
Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.
