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Saudi leadership send cables of condolences after passing of former Kenya PM

º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
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Updated 8 min 36 sec ago

Saudi leadership send cables of condolences after passing of former Kenya PM

º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
  • Odinga died at the age of 80 on Wednesday during a health visit to India
  • Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and a state funeral

RIYADH: º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto after the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Odinga died at the age of 80 on Wednesday during a health visit to India.

Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and a state funeral, calling Odinga “Kenya’s foremost statesman and one of Africa’s greatest sons.â€

King Salman expressed his “deepest condolences†to Ruto, Odinga’s family, and the Kenyan people. The crown prince sent a similar cable.


Saudi FM holds telephone call with Pakistani counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on Thursday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on Thursday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. (AFP)
Updated 16 October 2025

Saudi FM holds telephone call with Pakistani counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on Thursday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. (AFP)
  • During the call, they discussed Saudi-Pakistani relations and efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on Thursday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, they discussed Saudi-Pakistani relations and efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.


Saudi Falcons Club Auction sees sale of two birds

Saudi Falcons Club Auction sees sale of two birds
Updated 16 October 2025

Saudi Falcons Club Auction sees sale of two birds

Saudi Falcons Club Auction sees sale of two birds
  • The birds of prey fetch large sums from falconers who prize their breeding, rarity and hunting capabilities

RIYADH: The most expensive falcon from this year’s Saudi Falcons Club Auction in Riyadh was sold for SR360,000 ($95,986), the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The bidding for the Shaheen falcon began at SR150,000 before a series of competitive bids brought the total to the SR360,000 mark.

Total sales for the evening reached SR461,000 for the sale of two falcons.

A second falcon, also a Shaheen, was sold for SR101,000.

The birds of prey fetch large sums from falconers who prize their breeding, rarity and hunting capabilities.

The auction has become a key event for falconers worldwide, attracting sellers and buyers of elite local and international breeding stock.

The Saudi Falcons Club continues to support falconers from the Kingdom and abroad by offering transportation, accommodation and official sales documentation.

The auction is also broadcast live on television and social media platforms, expanding its reach and promoting falconry’s cultural and economic significance.

The auction plays a key role in preserving the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, promoting falconry among new generations and generating economic value for participants.

These efforts reflect the club’s broader mission to safeguard the traditions of falconry and strengthen its place in Saudi society.

Recognized as one of the world’s largest specialized falcon auctions, the Malham event has created investment opportunities in the sector, according to the SPA.

The auction has also helped local farms adopt international best practices and contributed to º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s emergence as a global falconry hub.


º£½ÇÖ±²¥ reaffirms safety efforts on World Food Day

The Kingdom marked World Food Day on Oct. 16. (@saudimomrah)
The Kingdom marked World Food Day on Oct. 16. (@saudimomrah)
Updated 16 October 2025

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ reaffirms safety efforts on World Food Day

The Kingdom marked World Food Day on Oct. 16. (@saudimomrah)
  • To advance digital transformation, ministry has implemented a digital health certificate system for workers in food-related sectors and public health activities

RIYADH: The Kingdom marked World Food Day on Oct. 16 by the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing reaffirming its commitment to enhancing food safety and improving health supervision of eating establishments across the country, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

To advance digital transformation and regulatory efficiency, the ministry has implemented a digital health certificate system for workers in food-related sectors and public health activities — issuing over 1.2 million health certificates in 2024 — and updated the requirements manual to simplify processes.

The ministry has also coordinated with the Ministry of Health to unify medical examinations for residency permits and expatriate health certificates, launching a joint initiative with the Human Resources Development Fund to support Saudi workers.

The government is enhancing field monitoring by increasing inspections and regulatory tours to improve food safety compliance.

In addition, updated requirements for food sectors have been implemented to enhance public health and hygiene standards.

A revised penalties schedule for food violations ensures fairness and compliance, supported by effective supervisory and legislative mechanisms to promote a safe food environment.


KSrelief, Reef Saudi to advance sustainable agriculture

KSrelief, Reef Saudi to advance sustainable agriculture
Updated 16 October 2025

KSrelief, Reef Saudi to advance sustainable agriculture

KSrelief, Reef Saudi to advance sustainable agriculture
  • The two sides will work to unify efforts in knowledge transfer
  • The cooperation includes joint scientific research

RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, and Mansour Al-Mushaiti, deputy minister of environment, water and agriculture, attended the signing of an agreement between KSrelief and the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, also known as Reef Saudi.
According to a Saudi Press Agency report, the agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in sustainable agricultural development and humanitarian and relief efforts.
The two sides will work to unify efforts in knowledge transfer, localize agricultural technologies, and promote sustainable farming practices.
The cooperation includes joint scientific research, capacity building, and the qualification of specialized personnel.
The deal provides for the formation of a joint working team to oversee implementation, develop detailed action plans, and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for joint programs and projects.
The goal is to maximize developmental impact and optimize the use of national expertise.


Saudi Handicrafts Week set for November

Saudi Handicrafts Week set for November
Updated 16 October 2025

Saudi Handicrafts Week set for November

Saudi Handicrafts Week set for November
  • The gathering will feature participation from more than 40 countries
  • The event aims to empower local businesspeople

RIYADH: The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, also known as Banan, will be held from Nov. 13 to 26 in Riyadh, under the patronage of Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan.
The gathering will feature participation from more than 40 countries, alongside over 400 local craftspeople and 20 partners, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The event, part of the Year of Handicrafts 2025, aims to empower local businesspeople, enabling them to enhance their market presence and leverage their skills.
China, the guest of honor, will showcase the nation’s rich tradition of crafts.
Prince Bader, who is also chairman of the Saudi Heritage Commission, has announced that Syria will participate for the first time, featuring its traditional arts and products.
A spotlight will also be placed on the House of Artisans, an initiative that supports craftspeople in the Kingdom.