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New Riyadh Metro station opens to the public

New Riyadh Metro station opens to the public
Qasr Al-Hokm is one of four key stations in the Riyadh Metro network. (Supplied)
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Updated 26 February 2025

New Riyadh Metro station opens to the public

New Riyadh Metro station opens to the public
  • Qasr Al-Hokm stop, which covers 22,500 sq. m. across 7 levels and reaches a depth of 35m, links the Blue and Orange Metro lines to city’s bus network
  • The station is conveniently located for government institutions, historical sites, markets and shopping centers

RIYADH: A new station on the Riyadh Metro opens to the public at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City said Qasr Al-Hokm is one of four key stations in the Metro network, serving as a vital hub linking the Blue and Orange lines with the city’s bus services.

The stop is also conveniently located for government institutions, palaces, historical sites, markets, shopping centers and residential neighborhoods in the heart of the city, it added.

The station, which covers 22,500 sq. meters across seven levels and reaches a depth of 35 meters, features a blend of traditional and modern elements in its design, the commission said, which allow natural light to illuminate the interior while providing shade in open spaces. It has 17 elevators and 46 escalators, along with several shops and a shaded public garden.

The Riyadh Metro, which opened to the public on Dec. 1, consists of six interconnected lines with 85 stations. It aims to help address issues arising from the rapid expansion of the capital by reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions through a more environmentally friendly transportation option. It has already carried 18 million passengers since opening.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
Updated 15 sec ago

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts 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 also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.


Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week
Updated 4 min 12 sec ago

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 12,558 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,500 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,000 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 2072 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52 percent were Ethiopian, 47 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 28 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 37 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.


Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
Updated 12 min 55 sec ago

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
  • Shopping festival, water sports, live music light up coastal city for 90 days of fun

JEDDAH: As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, summer events under the theme “Jeddah is Different” launched on Friday night at Jeddah Art Promenade, coinciding with the opening of several new zones for the summer vacation.

The program offers entertainment, culture and tourism across several main destinations, including the city’s iconic landmarks and key facilities.

The opening night featured drone shows, roaming performances and interactive characters, creating an engaging experience for families and visitors.

Throughout the summer, the season includes cultural experiences, entertainment shows, water activities, live music, shopping and other attractions, providing residents and visitors with diverse activities over 90 days.

It supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by diversifying entertainment options and enhancing quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Among the main attractions is the Jeddah Shopping Festival, combining traditional and modern markets, along with promotions and discounts at malls, hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants. The festival will run until Aug. 31.

This year’s season also features the West Coast zone in Obhur, offering entertainment on Jeddah’s coast, women-only beaches, and both day- and night-time activities.

Visitors can enjoy water sports and games at public and private beaches, relax at retreats like Kashta Beach and attend musical performances by the sea.

The Perfume Exhibition showcases a wide range of local and international perfumes, specialized workshops and exclusive launches, with experts and celebrities taking part.

The enclosed, air-conditioned Forest Wonders area offers interactive experiences, including live animal encounters, theatrical and roaming performances, and jungle-themed restaurants until Aug. 30.

Art enthusiasts can attend concerts and art events featuring Arab and Gulf stars, adding a creative dimension to the season.

Events remain open past midnight to avoid the summer heat. More events are expected to be announced later this year, spanning the cultural, artistic and tourism fields.


Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
Updated 12 July 2025

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
  • World faces ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies: Abdullah Al-Swaha 
  • Urgent action needed as next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides, he said at ITU event

GENEVA: ֱ’s minister of communications and IT has called for “decisive international collaboration” to address the inequality in computing infrastructure that could leave other nations behind in the era of artificial intelligence.

In a keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Abdullah Al-Swaha cited the “concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.”

“Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,” the minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Alswaha said that the world could learn lessons from the past phases of technological transformation: The analog era, which took more than a century to connect 800 million people, and the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected.

Minister Al-Swaha said ֱ under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had positioned the Kingdom as a global leader in the age of AI through a series of bold initiatives. (SPA)

In the AI era, he said, current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms that could slow the advances needed to support human progress.

Al-Swaha reiterated ֱ’s ”unwavering commitment” to support and lead international efforts to close the emerging technological divides.

He highlighted ֱ’s efforts to address these gaps, citing the digital empowerment of women in the Kingdom — who now have a participation rate of about 35 percent — and the Kingdom’s top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years.

He also noted that researchers at ֱ’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology rank among the top one percent globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI.

Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha and his delegation. (SPA)

He likewise underlined the Kingdom’s progress in data protection regulations and the development of ”language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.”

Al-Swaha further cited the HUMAIN project launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman “to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer.”

“The Kingdom’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges,” he said.

Al-Swaha emphasized that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides. He called for multination “partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.”


Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
Updated 12 July 2025

Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
  • Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment

RAFHA: The “shaddad” stands as one of the oldest artisanal innovations in the Arabian Peninsula, serving as an essential tool in Bedouin life, SPA reports.

Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment.

Crafted from curved wood and fixed to the front and rear of a camel’s back, the shaddad is supported by a cushion placed between the wooden arcs, ensuring balance and comfort during long journeys. It served as a vital companion during nomadic travel, trade expeditions and the transportation of passengers and goods over vast, rugged terrain.

Its design varies based on function, with one type designated for riding and another for carrying heavy loads — underscoring the bond between humans and camels, the indispensable icons of desert life.

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad endures as a unique heritage icon. (SPA)

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad remains a fixture in cultural and heritage displays, often featured as a decorative piece in guest areas and traditional markets. It serves as a symbol of authenticity and a tangible link to ancestral roots, SPA reports.

This artisanal innovation reflects the resourcefulness of ancient communities in using local materials to create practical tools that reflect sustainability, innovation and a cultural identity centered on the camel as a symbol of endurance, strength and adaptability.

Today, the shaddad endures as a distinctive heritage icon, carrying a powerful message about the importance of preserving folklore and honoring its symbols in cultural forums, reinforcing values of self-reliance and harmony with nature, SPA reports.