RIYADH: The Kingdom’s embassy in the US issued an emergency advisory to Saudis in Florida and neighboring states as Hurricane Milton restrengthened to a Category 5 as it barreled toward the state on Tuesday.
The embassy asked Saudis to follow guidelines by state authorities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
As of 3 a.m. Saudi time, the storm was more than 700 kilometers southwest of Tampa, with winds of 265 kph, and is expected to make landfall some time on Wednesday or Thursday.
Authorities have told millions to evacuate before it hits land as Milton is said to be the strongest storm in the Gulf of Mexico since 2005.
President Joe Biden, who postponed a foreign trip to Europe and Africa, also urged residents to flee what he said could be the worst natural disaster in the state for a century.
“It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s not hyperbole,” he said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the Biden administration had provided all that he had asked for and said thousands of National Guard personnel will be activated to help during the crisis.
Last month Hurricane Helene, Category 4, hit the Big Bend region of Florida, killing more than 200 people and causing nearly $40 billion worth of damage. Helene was the deadliest to hit the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The embassy issued the following emergency numbers (202) 746-3555, (202) 746-0666, (202) 746-9777 and (202) 746-2888.
Saudi embassy in US issues advisory to citizens on Hurricane Milton
https://arab.news/8hvs4
Saudi embassy in US issues advisory to citizens on Hurricane Milton
- US President urged residents to “evacuate now, now, now.”
- Landfall is expected in the next 24 hours
Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets
- ‘MDLBEAST put us on the international map,’ say Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash
JEDDAH: The music festival Balad Beast concluded its fourth edition this weekend, having transformed Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage district of Al-Balad into an open-air celebration of music, culture and creativity that attracted thousands of music lovers over two nights.
The festival, organized by Saudi music platform MDLBEAST, featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds.
Speaking to Arab News, MDLBEAST chief creative officer Ahmad Al-Ammary, also known as DJ Baloo, described Balad Beast as a “cultural takeover” adding that finding the right spaces for dance floors was a challenge, “but Balad is constantly evolving and we work with that change.”
Addressing the challenges of working in a heritage area, he said: “Balad is sensitive and condensed, so logistics can be complex. In our first year, heavy rain flooded one of the planned squares and we had to relocate the Souq Stage to a much smaller space, but it worked and it has remained there ever since.
HIGHLIGHT
Reggae superstar Shaggy noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“Yes, the alleys are narrow and the district is old, but they’re full of ideas, patterns, colors and visuals. Everything flows here,” he continued. “As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.”
Balad Beast featured performances from international artists including US rapper Playboi Carti, making his first appearance in Saudi Arabia; US rapper Destroy Lonely; Swedish DJ and producer Alesso; and Bosnian-German DJ Solomun on the opening night. The following night saw French-Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka, reggae superstar Shaggy, Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo, British DJ Pawsa, and US rapper Tyga, and more take the stage, while Saudi and regional artists including Cosmicat, TUL8TE, Zeina, Vinyl Mode, Moayed, Dish Dash, Musab, Varoo and HiFi appeared across the festival, offering audiences a mix of global and local talent.
Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash reflected on the festival organizer’s impact for local artists.
As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.
Ahmad Al-Ammary, MDLBEAST chief creative officer
“MDLBEAST put us on the international map,” the brothers told Arab News. “It helped us get recognized by festivals, promoters and event organizers abroad. When we travel, people don’t expect this level of talent coming from Saudi Arabia, especially considering we didn’t have this scene before.”
Shaggy, who performed a hit-filled set during the festival, told Arab News: “I’ve been blessed with some incredible songs, and I see music as a gift and a tool for service. When I go on stage, I’m there to entertain people, to make them smile and feel good, but that service also supports many livelihoods from the people working at this festival to those who work with me. These songs have become part of people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Shaggy also noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“I’ve performed in Saudi Arabia more than once, and while there are certain rules that are different, it’s not an issue for me. My focus is always on delivering the hits and giving the audience a great time,” he said.
“There’s a big misconception. People have more freedom than (outsiders) think. Everyone has been extremely nice.”
Asked what advice he would offer to aspiring artists, Shaggy said: “Understand that what you’re given is a gift and a form of service. Stay humble, do the work, and remember why you’re doing it.”
As Al-Ammary noted, there are many such aspiring artists now making a name for themselves in the Kingdom.
“Talent is emerging everywhere, at different levels,” he said. “The scene is still in a mysterious and surprising phase. There’s a rawness to it.”
