Jeddah governor receives Ghana’s consul general/node/2611504/saudi-arabia
Jeddah governor receives Ghana’s consul general
Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi (R) holds talks with Abdul Rahaman Adam in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Updated 18 sec ago
SPA
Jeddah governor receives Ghana’s consul general
The Saudi leadership aims to boost ties with African countries at all levels
Updated 18 sec ago
SPA
JEDDAH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi received Ghana’s Consul General Abdul Rahaman Adam at his office on Monday.
The officials held discussions on topics of common interest. The Saudi leadership aims to boost ties with African countries at all levels.
Last month, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with African countries, promoting trade and integration and enhancing consultation and coordination on shared issues.
The minister described Africa as a continent of opportunities with natural resources, a young population and renewable potential.
“Africa hosts the largest number of Saudi diplomatic and consular missions, and the Kingdom intends to increase its embassies in Africa to more than 40 in the coming years,” he said.
Local researcher reveals ’s impressive underground attractions
Updated 14 sec ago
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: is home to a vast network of caves and geological cavities formed over millions of years. The sites provide dramatic natural formations and rich stories about the region’s history.
With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, these underground wonders are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
In an interview with Arab News, cave researcher and adventurer Hassan Al-Rashidi shared his experiences exploring these hidden landscapes, describing how his passion began in childhood.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
He said: “The real starting point came in 2018 when I began filming and uploading videos for some friends, which received great interaction from the public. This encouraged me even more, especially after people from across the Kingdom reached out (by) asking to explore unknown sites.”
Among the many sites he has visited, Al-Rashidi enthuses over Abu Al-Waul Cave in Madinah’s Khaybar Governorate, east of Al-Thamad village, as the most remarkable for depth and natural formations.
It lies in the middle of Harrat Khaybar and is surrounded by other notable caves such as Maker Al-Shaiheen, Umm Jersan, Abu Jamajem, and Al-Sibaa Cave.
HIGHLIGHTS
• With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, caves are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
• Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected.
• Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archeological value.
Abu Al-Waul is the longest cave discovered in the Kingdom so far, stretching 5 km, and is still being studied, Al-Rashidi said.
According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are ‘a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.’ (Supplied)
The interiors of caves vary, with stalactites and stalagmites creating unique and stunning visuals.
Wildlife sightings are common, and Al-Rashidi said: “We have observed animals such as foxes, hyenas, and wolves, which use caves as a safe shelter during the day, coming out at night to hunt and bring food for their young.”
He added that cave exploration required careful preparation, from modern distance-measuring devices, and ropes and supports for slippery areas, to food, water, first aid kits, sturdy footwear, helmets, and lighting with spare batteries.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
Al-Rashidi added that volcanic caves form when the outer layer of lava cools while the inner part remains molten and flows onward, while calcareous sandstone caves date back millions of years and are formed from compacted sand layers shaped by rainfall and other climatic factors.
Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected.
Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archaeological value.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
Highlighting their cultural and economic potential, Al-Rashidi called caves “a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.”
He believes Saudi Vision 2030 — supported by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — offers the Kingdom a real chance to develop cave tourism as a sustainable economic resource.
He said: “Caves can be an economic resource through tourism and scientific research, as well as by opening employment and educational opportunities, in addition to (being the basis of) national research for the benefit of the nation’s citizens.”
According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are ‘a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.’ (Supplied)
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within.
Al-Rashidi said that developing the sector will require improved infrastructure and the imposition of strict safety measures, in addition to providing engaging visitor experiences while encouraging strong public awareness of preserving the natural sites.
Saudi crown prince, Palestinian president discuss upcoming peace conference
During call the pair discussed security and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip
Mahmoud Abbas praised ’s crucial role in garnering international support for recognizing the State of Palestine at the UN
Updated 11 August 2025
Arab News
LONDON: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the latest developments and ongoing challenges facing Palestinians and their cause during a phone call on Monday.
They discussed the security and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip, and the crown prince condemned crimes committed against the Palestinian people, stressing the need for the international community to address the resulting humanitarian crisis and protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Abbas praised ’s crucial role in garnering international support for recognizing the State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 Middle East War borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Wafa news agency reported.
They discussed preparations for the International Peace Conference in New York on Sept. 22, where several countries, including France, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, are set to recognize Palestinian statehood.
In July, and France co-chaired a high-level UN conference to gather support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Since Israel began military operations in Gaza after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israeli settler activity in the West Bank, meanwhile, has also been condemned by members of the international community, with more countries moving away from the stance that Palestinian statehood could only be achieved through a negotiated peace with Israel.
The crown prince and the Palestinian president also reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing joint coordination and enhanced Arab and international solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Wafa agency added.
French Falcon Center sells all its falcons within 5 days at International Falcon Breeders Auction
Auction, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh, runs until Aug. 25, with the participation of leading international and local farms
Philippe Hertel, owner of Phil Falcons Center, said that this year’s sales were far better than in previous years
Updated 11 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: French falcon breeder Philippe Hertel said all falcons he showcased at the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 were sold within five days of the auction’s launch.
The auction, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh, runs until Aug. 25, with the participation of leading international and local farms.
Hertel, owner of Phil Falcons Center, said that this year’s sales were far better than in previous years. He said that this year he focused on the quality of the falcons rather than quantity, which was reflected in both demand and results.
“I regularly participate in the auction, and each year we see significant improvements in organization and increased participation,” Hertel said. “This is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the Saudi Falcons Club to enhance this heritage and encourage investment in the falconry sector.”
The event runs for 21 days and brings together top falcon breeds from around the world in the largest event of its kind globally.
Alkhobar launches tree digitization project to become smart green city
Updated 11 August 2025
Arab News
Jeddah: The Eastern Province Municipality has launched a project to document and digitize trees in Alkhobar, aiming to make it the first smart green city in the region.
The first phase will involve the recording and digital tagging of more than 100,000 trees.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Alkhobar’s global standing, as the city ranks 61st in the 2025 Smart Cities Index.
Officials said that the project reflects the municipality’s commitment to environmental sustainability while creating economic opportunities by encouraging private sector participation in tree-planting campaigns.
Each tree will be fitted with an electronic tag carrying detailed information such as its species, location and care guidelines, in both Arabic and English.
The tags will be geo-linked to create a comprehensive database of Alkhobar’s green assets.
The project will also promote investment in smart cities and sustainable infrastructure, raise environmental awareness and enhance social responsibility, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
More than 10,000 trees have already been tagged in areas including the Southern Corniche, the waterfront, the Northern Corniche and along main roads. The program will eventually cover all trees across the city.
The initiative aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, plant 10 billion trees, and protect 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and marine areas by 2030.
Across the Kingdom, cities are adopting sustainable urban strategies to improve air quality, expand green spaces and enhance biodiversity.
’s broader smart city vision includes megaprojects such as NEOM with its futuristic developments, The Line, Oxagon, Trojena and Sindalah, powered entirely by renewable energy.
Riyadh is advancing with integrated smart transport, digital healthcare and its massive Green Riyadh afforestation program.
Jeddah Economic City is being designed with smart energy grids and automated waste systems, while King Abdullah Economic City focuses on port innovation and digital ecosystems.
Qiddiya City near Riyadh is set to become a global entertainment and sports hub with AI-driven operations, and Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh is pioneering a global-first district dedicated to education, innovation and culture.
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welcomes moves by Australia, New Zealand toward recognizing Palestinian state/node/2611439/saudi-arabia
welcomes moves by Australia, New Zealand toward recognizing Palestinian state
praised these developments as part of a growing international consensus in support of the two-state solution
Updated 11 August 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Monday the recent announcements by Australia and New Zealand signaling steps toward recognizing the State of Palestine.
The Kingdom commended Australia’s declaration of its intention to formally recognize Palestine, as well as New Zealand’s announcement that it is considering such recognition, a statement from the ministry said.
praised these developments as part of a growing international consensus in support of the two-state solution.
The Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The Kingdom appreciates the positions of countries that contribute to strengthening the path toward a just and comprehensive peace,” the statement said, adding that recognition of Palestine is a crucial step toward ending the decades-long conflict.
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