º£½ÇÖ±²¥

Vocational toolkits distributed to people in Yemen

The project aims to empower 1,500 beneficiaries across several Yemeni governorates. (SPA)
The project aims to empower 1,500 beneficiaries across several Yemeni governorates. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 12 sec ago

Vocational toolkits distributed to people in Yemen

The project aims to empower 1,500 beneficiaries across several Yemeni governorates. (SPA)
  • The training covers various fields, including food processing, livestock care, incense and perfume making, photography, background design, gift wrapping, and sewing and embroidery

MARIB: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered equipment to 90 people in Yemen as part of a vocational empowerment project aimed at improving livelihoods in Marib Governorate.

The training covers various fields, including food processing, livestock care, incense and perfume making, photography, background design, gift wrapping, and sewing and embroidery.

The skills are intended to enable beneficiaries to start their own businesses.

The project aims to empower 1,500 beneficiaries across several Yemeni governorates.

The initiative is part of broader humanitarian and relief efforts provided by the Kingdom, through KSrelief, to improve living conditions and create income-generating opportunities for all sections of the Yemeni population.

Ìı


Attempt to smuggle 47,927 captagon pills thwarted

Authorities in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ arrested individuals carrying captagon pills at the Al-Haditha border crossing. (SPA)
Authorities in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ arrested individuals carrying captagon pills at the Al-Haditha border crossing. (SPA)
Updated 18 sec ago

Attempt to smuggle 47,927 captagon pills thwarted

Authorities in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ arrested individuals carrying captagon pills at the Al-Haditha border crossing. (SPA)
  • Al-Harbi said that the authority continues to tighten customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports, standing guard against all smuggling attempts

RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority thwarted an attempt to smuggle 47,927 captagon pills at the Al-Haditha border crossing.

The pills were concealed in a truck entering the Kingdom.

Hamoud Al-Harbi, spokesperson of the authority, said the drugs were discovered when the truck underwent customs procedures and inspections using security technologies upon arrival.

Following the seizure, the authority coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of four individuals identified as the recipients of the seized narcotics within the Kingdom.

Al-Harbi said that the authority continues to tighten customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports, standing guard against all smuggling attempts.

 


Saudi Netzero platform partners with conservation network to boost nature-driven climate technologies

Saudi Netzero platform partners with conservation network to boost nature-driven climate technologies
Updated 57 min 35 sec ago

Saudi Netzero platform partners with conservation network to boost nature-driven climate technologies

Saudi Netzero platform partners with conservation network to boost nature-driven climate technologies
  • Agreement seeks to place Kingdom at forefront of climate innovation, sustainable economic transformation, and the nurturing of entrepreneurs in environmental technologies
  • Netzero works with communities to connect afforestation projects with businesses that want to offset carbon emissions, meet sustainability goals and help restore ecosystems

RIYADH: º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Netzero platform has formed a strategic partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature to help advance the Kingdom’s 2060 net-zero targets, and accelerate nature-based climate solutions throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

The agreement seeks to position º£½ÇÖ±²¥ at the forefront of climate innovation and sustainable economic transformation, and reinforce its expanding role in nurturing the development of entrepreneurs who can create sophisticated environmental technologies on Saudi soil, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The goal is to showcase a distinctly Saudi approach that effectively connects breakthrough innovations with on-the-ground environmental protection and climate responses.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Agreement seeks to place Kingdom at forefront of sustainable economic transformation, and the nurturing of entrepreneurs in environmental technologies.

• Netzero works with communities to connect afforestation projects with businesses that want to offset carbon emissions, meet sustainability goals and help restore ecosystems.

Netzero works with communities to connect afforestation projects with businesses that want to offset their carbon emissions, meet sustainability goals, help restore ecosystems and make a difference for future generations. IUCN is a global environmental network that unites governments, civil society and scientific experts in efforts to conserve nature and promote sustainable development.

Netzero’s founder and CEO, Mohammed Al-Khalid, described the agreement as a watershed moment for the application of Saudi-developed technologies in conservation work. His organization has built cutting-edge digital infrastructure to track environmental impacts, monitor recovery of vegetation, and optimize tree-planting campaigns, he said, resulting in unprecedented transparency in the measurement of outcomes, and improved climate gains.

The partnership will pursue several strategic goals, he added, including the restoration of ecosystems at scale through pioneering nature-based approaches that address climate disruption and rejuvenate native biodiversity; the safeguarding of wildlife and natural habitats by merging intelligent technologies with IUCN’s deep conservation expertise; and the strengthening of local communities through knowledge-sharing initiatives and the development of environmental skills that can promote sustainable livelihoods.

Al-Khalid stressed that the combination of Saudi-engineered environmental technologies with field conservation demonstrates the readiness of the Kingdom to share its technical solutions with the world. Netzero’s digital platforms rank among the region’s pioneering systems in their ability to accurately quantify the effects of carbon, and monitor reforestation efforts through the use of artificial intelligence and geographic data analysis, he added.

Hani El-Shaer, the regional director of IUCN’s Regional Office for West Asia, said the agreement reflects a mutual dedication to the deployment of workable, nature-based solutions that build climate resilience. He added that the pairing of Saudi innovation with global conservation knowledge would produce measurable results in ecosystem recovery, while advancing national and regional environmental agendas.

The Netzero platform was launched through º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s national Sidra program under the auspices of Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

 


Saudi ISEF champion joins Nobel laureate professor’s team at University of California

Saudi ISEF champion joins Nobel laureate professor’s team at University of California
Updated 17 October 2025

Saudi ISEF champion joins Nobel laureate professor’s team at University of California

Saudi ISEF champion joins Nobel laureate professor’s team at University of California

Riyadh: Saudi scholarship student Abdullah Al-Ghamdi is participating in the research team of Professor Omar Yaghi, the Saudi winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, at the University of California, Berkeley, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to SPA, Al-Ghamdi continues his university studies and participates in advanced research in the fields of chemistry, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Al-Ghamdi achieved a national accomplishment by winning the Best Researcher Award at the 2019 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the highest individual Saudi achievement in the competition’s history, before continuing his research career at one of the world’s most prominent scientific institutions.

According to SPA, Al-Ghamdi is involved in implementing scientific projects that include high-throughput synthesis using robotic platforms, crystal characterization using X-ray diffraction and advanced microscopy techniques, as well as molecular simulation and computational data analysis to accelerate the discovery of new materials.

Al-Ghamdi has published research in prestigious international journals, including Nature Synthesis and the Molecular Frontiers Journal. He also leads a project developing a new gallium-based zeolitic framework, resulting in innovative structures that support future applications in sustainability, energy and water.

Professor Yaghi praised Al-Ghamdi’s performance, describing him as the most distinguished undergraduate student he has worked with, noting his diligence, collaborative spirit and advanced research skills.

Tahani Al-Baiz, the Saudi cultural attache to the US and Canada, who oversees South American countries, praised the step, which embodies an advanced model of the fruits of talent discovery and nurturing programs in the Kingdom.

She explained the desired impact of the strategic objectives of the Human Capacity Development Program, which continues to empower Saudi citizens to move from student innovation platforms to the forefront of global research.


Kingdom’s Media Bridges initiative explores global content partnerships at MIPCOM festival

Kingdom’s Media Bridges initiative explores global content partnerships at MIPCOM festival
Updated 17 October 2025

Kingdom’s Media Bridges initiative explores global content partnerships at MIPCOM festival

Kingdom’s Media Bridges initiative explores global content partnerships at MIPCOM festival
  • Session reflects broader push to deepen international collaboration

RIYADH: The Media Bridges initiative, under the auspices of the Saudi Media Forum, convened a strategic workshop with the theme “Toward Global Partnerships in Production and Content Marketing,†at the MIPCOM international festival in Cannes, France, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session reflected º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s broader push to deepen international collaboration in media investment while advancing production capabilities and cutting-edge technologies.

The effort aligned directly with Vision 2030’s emphasis on empowering creative and media industries through expanded strategic partnerships with global players.

Workshop participants examined how traditional media organizations could integrate with digital platforms and international technology firms, creating pathways for Saudi and Arab companies to forge production and marketing alliances suited to the evolving global content landscape.

Those attending explored º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s media infrastructure and investment landscape, with discussions centered on attracting international capital and broadening partnerships across media production and digital content ventures.

The gathering drew a diverse international roster: executives from major technology companies, founders of over-the-top streaming platforms, and experts specializing in media analytics and artificial intelligence applications — bringing varied global perspectives and industry insights to the conversation.

The workshop represented one element in the Saudi Media Forum’s campaign to amplify the Kingdom’s visibility at premier international industry gatherings, positioning º£½ÇÖ±²¥ as a rising center for media innovation.


HorrorCon takes over Jeddah Season 2025 with spine-chilling thrills

HorrorCon takes over Jeddah Season 2025 with spine-chilling thrills
Updated 17 October 2025

HorrorCon takes over Jeddah Season 2025 with spine-chilling thrills

HorrorCon takes over Jeddah Season 2025 with spine-chilling thrills
  • The festival has already drawn excited crowds, with many praising the quality and attention to detail

Jeddah: HorrorCon Festival, running until Nov. 5 as part of Jeddah Season 2025, offers locals and visitors an unforgettable mix of suspense, adventure and thrilling experiences.

It brings together haunted houses, interactive games and adrenaline-pumping attractions for fans of horror and those seeking thrilling adventures. From mazes and arcade-style challenges to storylines that pull visitors into terrifying worlds, the festival introduces a new attraction not seen before in the city. From the moment guests enter, every zone is designed to transport them into a new kingdom of horror.

The festival has already drawn excited crowds, with many praising the quality and attention to detail. “It’s not just scary or creepy, each zone feels like stepping into a completely different world. I had so much fun with my friends visiting Qaid Station and The Dead Zone. We screamed our lungs out, and it was such an exciting experience. I’d love to come back to explore all the zones, because on our first visit we were too scared to go through everything in one day,†said Sara Al-Mutairi, a local resident.

Among the highlights is Horror Hospital, a return of the iconic nightmare venue where guests step into the dark corridors of a haunted medical facility, encountering eerie sounds, unexpected scares and spine-chilling surprises at every turn. Qaid Station, a deserted parking lot, hides a horrifying secret in every bus, visitors navigate tight, dimly lit spaces, facing jump scares and unsettling stories that make every step unpredictable.

Guests can also brave the Field Maze; hearts race as they try to find their way out, after being chased by a vengeful ghost, and encountering unexpected twists and terrifying visuals along the path.

The next zone is Qalat Wadrean, an abandoned house hidden in the winding streets of the old city, a place locals avoid after dark. The story behind this zone is that the house belonged to Sheikha Rahada, a mysterious healer known for mixing potions that promised everything from protection against evil spirits to helping women find love. But whispers of darker deeds persist; some believe her remedies were part of secret midnight rituals invoking jinn, ceremonies that have since become the source of chilling tales passed down through generations. Visitors to Qalat Wadrean navigate its shadowy corridors, where every corner seems alive with the unknown, blending historical intrigue with spine-tingling scares.

For those craving intense action, The Dead Zone invites visitors into a zombie survival experience, where teamwork and quick reflexes are the key to fending off wave after wave of the undead. Meanwhile, The Farm 2 takes guests on a chilling ride through cornfields, past a haunted slaughterhouse, a spooky dog yard, and a possessed farmhouse, combining suspense, sudden frights and detailed set designs to keep excitement high from start to finish.

Another visitor, Mohammed Abdul Samad, said, “The Field Maze was terrifying in the best way. The thrill of being chased feels so real, and the creativity in each attraction is simply amazing.â€

“We came for the haunted houses, but the interactive games and surprises really kept everyone on their toes,†another visitor, Lina Raheem, said.