Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys
Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys/node/2601241/saudi-arabia
Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys
Short Url
https://arab.news/jtfkj
Updated 18 May 2025
Arab News
Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys
Updated 18 May 2025
Arab News
Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.
In a separate meeting, Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations as well as prominent developments in regional and international arenas.
Designed for over 1m passengers a day, the system is impressing locals as temperatures soar
Updated 9 sec ago
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: As Riyadh sizzles under peak summer heat, residents are turning to the city鈥檚 new metro system for a faster, cooler way to get around, proving that public transport can thrive, even when temperatures soar.
Arab News spoke to Riyadh residents about why the summer sun is no issue when it comes to commuting.
For the past couple of months, Rashid Alikhan has opted to use the metro to get to work, hopping on at SABIC Station and getting off at King Abdullah Financial District.
Commuters say the Riyadh Metro has significantly reduced travel times compared to navigating the city鈥檚 increasingly congested roads. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
鈥淭he most challenging aspect has been getting to the station and back home in a way that made sense. I鈥檇 say parking is an issue if you don鈥檛 go early,鈥 he said.
鈥淚 go before it gets too hot to walk from the parking to the station 鈥 The stations are well AC鈥檇 鈥 but it does get hot, so you just have to bear it.鈥
He recommends that passengers take a seat during the transit, whenever they are available, to minimize the burden of the trip.
HIGHLIGHTS
鈥 Riyadh Metro features driverless trains and air-conditioned cabins with designated seating areas.
鈥 The system is also integrated with the Riyadh Bus network, creating a unified public transport solution.
鈥 Riders can pay via contactless cards, station kiosks, or the Darb app.
鈥淕etting first class is worth it, and avoiding the rush and the sun. If you鈥檙e walking from the car to the station, I see a lot of people taking umbrellas, so that helps.鈥
Commuters say the Riyadh Metro has significantly reduced travel times compared to navigating the city鈥檚 increasingly congested roads. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Commuters say the Riyadh Metro has significantly reduced travel times compared to navigating the city鈥檚 increasingly congested roads.
The system includes several sustainable features, such as energy-efficient trains and stations, and regenerative braking technology that helps cut energy use.
To boost accessibility, rideshare platforms such as Uber are offering free connections through the RPT Link service, which transports passengers to metro stations within a 3 km radius.
Commuters at Qasr Al Hokm Station in Riyadh. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
Nouf Al-Dossari, a content creator, said she relies on the metro for attending events and work-related outings. 鈥淚t has been cost-friendly to me and saves me lots of time,鈥 she said.
鈥淯sually I鈥檇 leave my house an hour before to just reach in time because of the traffic, but now I leave 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled time. It鈥檚 been wonderful.鈥
She encourages others to use the metro during the hot months, but also advises staying hydrated and in the shade as much as possible.
Commuters at Qasr Al Hokm Station in Riyadh. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
鈥淚 believe the most challenging part is trying to find an available seat when coming back home, and even in the morning because everyone is heading to work,鈥 she said.
While she is used to the Riyadh heat, she still uses Uber to reach the stations for safety reasons.
鈥淪ome are located near highways or busy roads which makes it a bit difficult to safely walk to and from,鈥 she explained.
People purchase tickets at the King Abdullah Finance District "KAFD" metro station in the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 1, 2024. (AFP)
Noura Al-Dakhil has been using the metro for her daily commute for over a month and says that the transition has been relatively smooth.
鈥淭he stations I use have a big sidewalk next to it, safety measures, and comfortable access. Although the parking situation isn鈥檛 ideal 鈥 or, let鈥檚 say, nonexistent,鈥 she said.
While she used to walk to a nearby station in cooler months, the summer heat has forced her to adapt.
The metro is built to accommodate up to 1.2 million passengers daily. (Supplied)
鈥淚n the summer, I use my car and park next to the station,鈥 she said. For those without that option, she recommends preparing for the weather, such as using an umbrella.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a game changer. And wear airy fabrics. I switched to cold caffeinated beverages, which helped too.鈥
The metro is built to accommodate up to 1.2 million passengers daily. It features driverless trains and air-conditioned cabins with designated seating areas.
The system is also integrated with the Riyadh Bus network, creating a unified public transport solution. Riders can pay via contactless cards, station kiosks, or the Darb app.
For generations, Al-Samil played a vital role in desert life as a simple storage container for food and water. (SPA)
Updated 13 sec ago
Arab News
Saudi traditional container keeps its cool 鈥 and makes a cultural comeback
Al-Samil is handmade from tanned livestock skin using time-honored methods, and can preserve the quality and taste of ghee, yogurt, and water for extended periods without the need for cooling
Updated 13 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: As part of 黑料社区鈥檚 Year of Handicrafts, a traditional handmade leather container used to store food before the advent of refrigeration is making a comeback in the Northern Borders region.
For generations, Al-Samil played a vital role in desert life as a simple storage container for food and water.
For generations, Al-Samil played a vital role in desert life as a simple storage container for food and water. (SPA)
Now the traditional items are being celebrated as a lasting emblem of Bedouin heritage, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Samil is handmade from tanned livestock skin using time-honored methods, and can preserve the quality and taste of ghee, yogurt, and water for extended periods without the need for cooling.
FASTFACT
At Arar鈥檚 traditional market, local artisans display Al-Samil alongside other crafts, including sadu weaving, spinning tools, and embroidered garments.
More than just functional, Al-Samil reflects a self-sufficient way of life and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
Today, interest in Al-Samil is being reived at heritage festivals and handicraft exhibitions held across cities and governorates in the region.
The container is still valued for storing wild ghee and fermented yogurt, with the leather adding a distinct flavor. Many rural homes and farms still use it.
At Arar鈥檚 traditional market, local artisans display Al-Samil alongside other crafts, including sadu weaving, spinning tools, and embroidered garments.
The market has become a key attraction for both residents and tourists looking to experience the region鈥檚 cultural heritage firsthand, the SPA reported.
Waleed Elkhereiji (R) and Christophe Farnaud in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 29 sec ago
Arab News
Saudi deputy FM receives EU ambassador
They reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the EU, as well as regional and international developments of common interest
Updated 29 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud in Riyadh on Monday.
During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the EU, as well as regional and international developments of common interest, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic and Development Affairs Abdullah bin Zarah received Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, ambassador of Djibouti and dean of the diplomatic corps, in Riyadh on Monday. They discussed economic matters of mutual interest.
New Konoz documentary highlight's Kingdoms advancements towards achieving 2030 goals. (SPA)
Updated 07 July 2025
Tamara Aboalsaud
Documentary shines light on 黑料社区鈥檚 progress, development
Movie celebrates political, economic, cultural, sporting advancements
Updated 07 July 2025
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 transformation toward its Vision 2030 goals has been documented in a new film by the Ministry of Media.
Launched by the ministry鈥檚 Konoz initiative, 鈥淭he Destination鈥 highlights the progress made in the political, economic, medical, sporting, cultural, media and artistic fields.
Mirroring the film's title, 黑料社区 has become a global destination for investment, tourism, and much more. (Supplied)
Its title reflects the Kingdom鈥檚 path toward becoming a global destination for tourism and investment.
Konoz CEO Abdullah Al-Ahmari credited megaprojects and upcoming events such as the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Expo Riyadh 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.
HIGHLIGHT
鈥楾he Destination鈥 includes interviews with key figures from various fields as well as testimonies, quotes and historical records. It is part of a series of films produced by Konoz in cooperation with almost 90 organizations and more than 2,600 individuals.
鈥淭he Konoz initiative aims to document the Kingdom鈥檚 achievements through creative productions,鈥 he said, describing the country as a 鈥渕odel admired by the world.鈥
The film reflected the progress being made on the ground and highlighted the initiative鈥檚 focus on Saudi talent in shaping the Kingdom鈥檚 future, he said.
鈥淭he Destination鈥 includes interviews with key figures from various fields as well as testimonies, quotes and historical records. It is part of a series of films produced by Konoz in cooperation with almost 90 organizations and more than 2,600 individuals.
The Konoz initiative is part of the Human Capacity Development Program under Vision 2030. Its goal is to promote 黑料社区n culture around the world by highlighting the contributions and success stories of its citizens.