Saudi foreign minister discusses Gaza situation with US secretary of state
The two officials also discussed US president Joe Biden’s three-phase proposal to end the Gaza war
Updated 01 June 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday morning.
The two discussed the situation in Gaza and the exchange deal proposed by US president Joe Biden.
During the call, the minister expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces and the provision of urgent aid to civilians.
The US president on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Middle East war.
Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete ceasefire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.
The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.
KSrelief distributes food parcels to those in need in Mali, Pakistan
Updated 21 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has provided food aid to people in need in Mali and Pakistan, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Some 500 parcels were distributed in the Koulikoro region of Mali, benefiting vulnerable groups including displaced people and those with disabilities as part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in the country.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a further 1,450 food parcels were given out in the Dadu and Sanghar districts in Sindh province and the Torghar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Saudi ambassador to US represents Kingdom at Trump inauguration ceremony
Princess Reema bint Bandar passes on congratulations of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Trump as he begins second term as US president
Updated 20 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, represented the Kingdom at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday.
The princess passed on the congratulations of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Trump on the day of his second inauguration as US president. She also conveyed the hopes of the Saudi leadership that he will enjoy success in his duties, the Saudi Press Agency reported
“As our two nations celebrate 80 years of friendship, it was my honor to convey our leadership’s heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to President Donald Trump and the American people on his inauguration,” Princess Reema wrote in a message posted on social media platform X.
“The relationship between our two countries is historic and we look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of both our peoples, our region and the world.”
As he was sworn in as 47th president of the US, Trump promised a “revolution of common sense.” He takes charge as Republicans also assume unified control of the Capitol and set out to reshape the country’s institutions.
Jeddah’s oldest school to begin new chapter as museum
We still visit to remember the good old days, says 82-year-old alum
Updated 20 January 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: The first school formally established in the Arabian Peninsula is poised for a new chapter as a museum, according to Ali Al-Sulimani, the managing director.
The historical section of Al-Falah School building will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture for its transformation into a cultural landmark.
It was built in 1905 by Saudi businessman Sheikh Mohammed Ali Zainal Alireza as the first boys’ school in Jeddah at a time when the Hijaz, the western part of modern Saudi Arabia, was partially under Ottoman Turkish rule and both poverty and illiteracy were common.
An archival image of students in class. (Supplied)
Although Zainal went through major financial crises, he continued funding the school with help from other business families. Eventually, the Kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz visited it and appreciated its great educational and social role, and arranged for government support.
The school marks the onset of modern education in Saudi Arabia and has been the alma mater of numerous national figures, including former Minister of Information Mohammed Abdu Yamani, former Minister of Commerce Abdullah Zail, former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ahmed Zaki Yamani, and former Minister of Hajj Hamid Harasani among others.
Al-Falah School, is located in the heart of the historical area in Jeddah, has continued to the present day, and includes two buildings, the older of them dating back more than 120 years.
The school offers three levels of education — elementary, intermediate and high school — with each having its own playground. (AN photo by Ghazi Mahdi)
According to Al-Sulimani the older building will be a fully integrated museum, including a cultural space, a cafe with a heritage theme and seating areas where visitors can learn about the historical area and the history of the school.
“The old part was handed over to the Ministry of Culture to be prepared to comply with the development plans for the old buildings in the historic area,” he said.
One former pupil, 82-year-old Hamza Awfi, told Arab News: “The school was based on a solid foundation. It is the place I considered as our second home. Here I have met many students who graduated and later held important leadership positions and I still remember them, young and old.
It was a place of knowledge and it provided me a wonderful environment and opportunity to learn and grow myself in every field.
Ahmed Abdulgader Al-Noaman, 72-year-old alum
“We really hold great memories, and by the way, I and other friends who graduated from this school, still go and visit it from time to time to remember our old good days.”
Awfi added that keeping the modern building for education as a symbol of resilience and enlightenment while at the same time transforming the old building into a museum is a great idea.
Another former pupil, 72-year-old Ahmed Abdulgader Al-Noaman, told Arab News: “My four years at Al-Falah have been an excellent memory to cherish for a lifetime. The time spent has been full of learning opportunities. It was a place of knowledge and it provided me a wonderful environment and opportunity to learn and grow myself in every field.”
The school offers three levels of education — elementary, intermediate and high school — with each having its own playground. Today, the old U-shaped building stands in the center of the complex and is used by elementary students. The classrooms remain their original size, which is considered small by current standards.
The floors, ceilings, and doors of the school’s original building are made from wood they were restored, with their traditional character retained in order to preserve the school’s history and heritage. The original green dome still rests on top of the old building.
Turki Alalshikh launches City Hub entertainment project in 7 Saudi cities
Project works exclusively with Saudi companies
Jazan, Alkhobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al-Baha, Taif, and Tabuk to host City Hub
Updated 20 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: A new project bringing a range of entertainment offerings to seven Saudi cities has been announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
The City Hub project will begin its journey in Jazan on Jan. 23, followed by stops in Alkhobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al-Baha, Taif, and concluding in Tabuk in August after spending 14 days in each city.
The project exclusively works with Saudi companies, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities in the Kingdom’s entertainment industry, according to organizers.
Covering an area of more than 20,000 square meters in each city, City Hub will provide a diverse range of entertainment including video games, circus acts, and a “Horror Zone.”
One of the main attractions is the “Play and Learn Festival,” which offers children a hands-on experience in various professional fields, including innovation, banking, and medicine.
This initiative was designed to allow young visitors to explore future career paths through interactive activities, organizers said in a statement.
An electronic games zone will feature esports tournaments with titles such as EAFC24 and TEKKEN 8, presenting prizes to winners.
For thrill-seekers, the “Horror Zone” promises an immersive experience, complete with lifelike challenges.
Meanwhile, the circus tent will host a variety of performances, including dancing fountains, trapeze acts, and the adrenaline-filled 360-degree motorcycle cage performance.
A pet bird zone allows guests to engage with rare birds in a natural setting.
Visitors can also enjoy a diverse marketplace and a curated selection of local and international restaurants, ensuring a rich culinary experience.
Each city will host City Hub for 14 days, underscoring GEA’s commitment to promoting local content.
Saudi fund chief receives GCC representative to UNHCR
They discussed ways to enhance development cooperation between the Saudi fund and UNHCR
Updated 20 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al-Marshad received the senior adviser and GCC Representative to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Khaled Khalifa, and an accompanying delegation in Riyadh on Monday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance development cooperation between the Saudi fund and UNHCR, the former’s official account wrote on X.
Al-Marshad also received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petreno and discussed bilateral cooperation during a recent meeting in Riyadh.
