Saudi interior minister checks workflow at Mina’s Hajj command center

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif at Mina’s command and control center on Monday. (SPA)
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Updated 20 July 2021
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Saudi interior minister checks workflow at Mina’s Hajj command center

  • Visit follows center’s renovation, including expansion of CCTV suite

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, has inspected the workflow at Mina’s command and control center.

During a meeting with security personnel, Prince Abdul Aziz followed up on the procedures to safely conduct Hajj this year.

Prince Abdul Aziz conveyed King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s greetings to those taking part in the Hajj season.

He stressed the need to abide by the precautionary and preventive measures and health protocols as the Kingdom continues to battle with the coronavirus disease (2019).

The meeting reviewed the current stages of the Hajj security plans and preparations by personnel to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Prince Abdul Aziz recently inaugurated the expansion and renovation of the security headquarters in Mina and its CCTV surveillance room, which has been equipped with the latest technology along with increasing its operational capacity.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Interior Minister Dr. Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations Affairs Gen. Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani and Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior Dr. Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Faleh.

 

 


Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to coral reef protection at Red Sea forum

Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to coral reef protection at Red Sea forum

  • Forum coincides with the 38th International Coral Reef Initiative meeting
  • SHAMS CEO Khaled Asfahani said that the Kingdom has the capability to drive initiatives that bolster the protection of the Red Sea

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has reiterated its firm dedication to protecting coral reefs and marine environments at the Red Sea Coral Reef Forum, held by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, known as SHAMS, in Jeddah from Sept. 9 to 13.

The Kingdom’s position is consistent with sustainable development objectives and is bound to solidify its global leadership in environmental conservation and natural resource preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The forum coincides with the 38th International Coral Reef Initiative meeting, which gathers a diverse group of experts, environmental scientists, decision-makers, university students, and marine environment enthusiasts.

SHAMS CEO Khaled Asfahani said that the forum is part of ongoing efforts to preserve marine environments, address the problems Red Sea coral reefs face, and discuss effective protection strategies.

He added that the forum also focuses on the need to develop joint projects to ensure environmental sustainability, promote the blue economy, and increase awareness about the importance of preserving marine environments to protect coral reefs in the Red Sea and beyond.

Asfahani said that the Kingdom has the capability to drive initiatives that bolster the protection of the Red Sea, making it a global example in marine environment conservation due to visionary leadership focused on environmental protection.

“SHAMS is dedicated to safeguarding the marine environment in the Kingdom, but its ambitions extend beyond borders,” said Asfahani.

He urged increased cooperation to protect marine ecosystems, both in the Red Sea and worldwide, with the aim of protecting natural heritage.

Asfahani stressed that the Red Sea holds vast potential and is a model of biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods for millions of people.


Saudi Cabinet reviews efforts by Muslim, Arab countries toward establishing Palestinian state

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 8 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi Cabinet reviews efforts by Muslim, Arab countries toward establishing Palestinian state

RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet reviewed efforts by Muslim and Arab countries to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It also reviewed efforts to restore the Palestinians’ legitimate rights and and halt Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws.

The Cabinet also praised the efforts of the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan Group to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, expand the delivery of humanitarian aid, and work toward a ceasefire agreement.

The group is made up of countries mediating between the warring parties in Sudan and include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and the US.

At talks held in August in Switzerland, ALPS said it had secured promises to let aid flow through the Adre border crossing from Chad into the Darfur region and along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

Between August 20 and 30, 59 aid trucks carrying medical, food, nutrition, emergency shelter and essential household items crossed from Chad to Darfur via the Adre border crossing point, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said.

The Cabinet also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the UN World Data Forum 2026 in Riyadh, granted in recognition of the Kingdom’s achievements in the statistical sector and its track record in hosting successful international events.


Saudi embassy in Damascus reopens after 12-year closure

Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Damascus reopened on Monday with a ceremony to mark the occasion. (@ksaembsy)
Updated 34 min 34 sec ago
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Saudi embassy in Damascus reopens after 12-year closure

  • Al-Haris said the embassy and its staff were keen to exert all efforts to strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Damascus reopened on Monday with a ceremony to mark the occasion.

The celebration was attended by a number of Syrian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and a group of dignitaries and intellectuals, the embassy said.

Acting Charge d’Affaires Abdullah Al-Haris stated in a speech on Monday that “this day is an important moment in the history of relations” between the Kingdom and Syria.

Al-Haris added that the embassy and its staff were keen to exert all efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia shut its embassy in Syria and withdrew all its staff in March 2012, a year after the Syrian civil war started in 2011.


Manga Productions, stc play launch new anime game

Updated 10 September 2024
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Manga Productions, stc play launch new anime game

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a Misk Foundation subsidiary, has launched the game “Future’s Folktales Hopper Quest” in collaboration with stc play, the gaming arm of stc Group.

Inspired by the successful “Future’s Folktales” series, the game is available on the App Store, Google Play Store, and App Gallery.

Developed by Saudi professionals, the game features stories inspired by the Arabian Peninsula, multiple characters, and five unique worlds, including “Future Riyadh.”

Free to download on mobile, it supports Arabic, English, and Japanese. The game offers daily challenges and engaging dialogues. It has been downloaded over 278,000 times worldwide during its trial launch.

Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “stc play is a leading player in the gaming field, and we are looking forward to collaborating to further elevate our vibrant gaming community.”

Bader Almarshoud, head of stc play, said: “We are passionate about creating a vibrant gaming community where players can dive into a world of rich content crafted around their preferences.

“By combining our innovative technological solutions with the creative brilliance of Manga Productions, we offer gamers an engaging and immersive adventure.”

Ohoud Al-Qahtani, senior game producer at Manga Productions, said: “To provide the best gaming experience, we constantly work on developing and improving the product through several updates based on data collected from players.

“In our daily work, we also focus on developing our tools, team skills, and mechanisms for executing game development tasks continuously.”

The first game in the “Future’s Folktales” series, produced by Manga Productions in 2020, achieved global success, airing on over 40 platforms and garnering over 100 million views.


Asir highlights tourism opportunities at Hong Kong forum 

Updated 10 September 2024
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Asir highlights tourism opportunities at Hong Kong forum 

RIYADH: The Asir Region Development Authority is participating in the International Hospitality Investment Forum in Hong Kong to introduce investors to the region’s tourism sector. 

The authority has a pavilion at the exhibition, running until Sept. 11, and held meetings with international investors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Sultan Al-Shehri, chief of investment at the authority, participated in a session titled “Catalysts of Tourism and Hospitality Investment: Infrastructure, Regulation, Policy and Mega Projects.” 

During the session, he said the authority in the Asir region was seeking partnerships for development in the crucial tourism sector. 

The ongoing developments in Asir, Al-Shehri said, reflect the Kingdom’s broader investment and economic diversification ambitions. The aim is to position the region as a global, year-round tourist hotspot. 

The authority’s participation in the forum coincides with the conclusion of this year's summer season. An estimated 1.1 million tourists visited Asir over the last seven months.

There was an increase in tourists to Asir from 6.8 million in 2022 to 7.6 million in 2023.