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Border Guard patrols in Asir region foil hashish smuggling attempt

Border Guard patrols in Asir region foil hashish smuggling attempt
Land patrols of the Saudi Border Guard in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region have foiled the smuggling of 23 kg of the narcotic hashish. (SPA/File)
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Updated 11 min 30 sec ago

Border Guard patrols in Asir region foil hashish smuggling attempt

Border Guard patrols in Asir region foil hashish smuggling attempt
  • Security authorities urge citizens and residents to report any information they may have regarding activities related to the smuggling

ABHA: Land patrols of the Saudi Border Guard in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region have foiled the smuggling of 23 kg of the narcotic hashish. Initial legal procedures have been completed and the seized items handed over to the competent authority.

Security patrols thwarted the smuggling of 11 kg of the narcotic qat In the Al-Aridah Governorate in Jazan Province. The smugglers have been handed over to the competent authority.

Elsewhere, authorities in the Eastern Province arrested a resident for promoting the use of methamphetamine. Legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred to the competent authority.

Security authorities urge citizens and residents to report any information they may have regarding activities related to the smuggling or promotion of narcotic drugs.

Reports can be made by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere, as well as through the General Directorate of Narcotics Control’s hotline on 995, or via email.


‘Sustainable Steps’ launched to improve environmental practices

‘Sustainable Steps’ launched to improve environmental practices
Updated 24 min 33 sec ago

‘Sustainable Steps’ launched to improve environmental practices

‘Sustainable Steps’ launched to improve environmental practices
  • The initiative aims to conduct several theoretical and interactive activities on Saturdays and Fridays

RIYADH: The first phase of the “Sustainable Steps†awareness initiative will be launched on Friday to promote responsible environmental behavior and practices.

It is supported by the Environment Fund and run in cooperation with the Rahala Association in Tanuma governorate.

The initiative aims to conduct several theoretical and interactive activities on Saturdays and Fridays to guide tourists and visitors to the governorate’s public parks and engage them in implementing best practices that contribute to preserving natural landmarks and enhancing environmental sustainability.

The Rahala Association is also working to implement the initiative in Al-Sharaf Park and Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Park in cooperation with Tanuma governorate.

“Sustainable Steps†is based on the principles of pre-trip planning, camping on suitable surfaces, waste disposal, reducing the effects of lighting fires, respecting wildlife and not disturbing natural components, and being considerate of other visitors.

Fawaz Al-Enezi, senior vice president of marketing and communications and official spokesperson for the Environment Fund, explained that the initiative was being implemented with the support of the fund, with the aim of raising awareness and empowering associations, civil society organizations and individuals by providing volunteer opportunities. 

Al-Enezi said that the Environment Fund promoted the environmental sector in the Kingdom by enabling initiatives and supporting research and innovation in the environment sector through the Incentives and Grants Program, which included 16 tracks in various fields, with the ease of applying for support through the grants program platform on the fund’s website.


Saudi Food and Drug Authority head: Kingdom places health at heart of Vision 2030

Saudi Food and Drug Authority head: Kingdom places health at heart of Vision 2030
Updated 47 sec ago

Saudi Food and Drug Authority head: Kingdom places health at heart of Vision 2030

Saudi Food and Drug Authority head: Kingdom places health at heart of Vision 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Vision 2030 outlines an ambitious roadmap centered on three core foundations — a vibrant society, a prosperous economy and an ambitious homeland — according to Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, chief executive of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

He said that the Kingdom had rolled out several national initiatives to realize these goals, notably the Health Sector Transformation Program, designed to strengthen public health, improve healthcare accessibility and transition from treatment-focused to prevention-oriented care.

Al-Jadhey made the remarks while participating in the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, taking place in Egypt from Oct. 15-17.

During his address, he said that º£½ÇÖ±²¥, through its Food and Drug Authority, had launched multiple strategic initiatives to advance public health. These included cutting sugar and salt levels in food products to boost nutritional quality, eliminating hydrogenated fats and ensuring the availability of specialized medications for treating serious illnesses.


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)
Updated 16 October 2025

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.