Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season

Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season
Sidr honey, which is renowned for its health benefits, is particularly prized for its antioxidant properties and ability to strengthen the immune system. (SPA)
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Updated 23 November 2024
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Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season

Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season
  • Unique taste, aroma make it popular locally, internationally

RIYADH: The Asir region is currently in the midst of the Sidr honey season, with local markets flooded with high-quality honey produced from the nectar of Sidr trees.

The recent heavy rainfall in the region has led to a prolific flowering of Sidr trees, providing ideal conditions for bees to produce abundant and flavorful honey, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sidr honey, which is renowned for its health benefits, is particularly prized for its antioxidant properties and ability to strengthen the immune system.

The unique taste and aroma of the honey have made it a sought-after commodity, both locally and internationally, the SPA reported.

Beekeepers in Tihama Asir have been busy harvesting the golden nectar, with prices ranging from SR350 to SR500 ($93-133) per kg.

The region’s diverse ecosystem, characterized by its fertile valleys and abundant flora, provides an optimal environment for beekeeping.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is actively supporting the development of the beekeeping industry. Initiatives such as the beekeeping and honey production development initiative improve practices, protect bee populations, and enhance the quality of honey.

By promoting sustainable beekeeping and preserving the natural habitats of bees, the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its position as a leading producer of high-quality honey while contributing to the global market.


Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen
Updated 5 sec ago
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Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project for Landmine Clearance, or Masam, removed 1,058 explosive devices from several parts of Yemen during the first week of March.

The project of the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief cleared 1,034 unexploded ordnances and 24 anti-tank mines, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Since its launch, the Masam project has removed 484,401 explosive devices across the country.


Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid

Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid
Updated 13 min 49 sec ago
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Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid

Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid
  • The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently distributed more than 1,900 food aid parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In Mauritania’s Tiaret district of Nouakchott, 3,390 people benefitted from 565 food parcels.

Also, 751 packages were handed out in the Karaan district of Somalia’s Banadir governorate, benefiting 4,506 people.

In addition, 590 parcels were distributed in the Romania cities of Bucharest and Constanta, benefiting 2,950 people.

The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s move to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip in what the Kingdom described as a practice of “collective punishment” against Palestinians in Gaza.

The Kingdom stressed its categorical rejection of Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, a foreign ministry statement said.

It reiterated its call on the international community to take urgent measures to restore electricity and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip immediately without conditions or restrictions.

The Kingdom “renewed its call to activate international accountability mechanisms for these serious violations,” the statement concluded.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.

It also suspended last week supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed an agreement between the interim Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that controls the country’s northeast.

The Kingdom praised the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to safeguard domestic peace in Syria and efforts made to complete the path of building state institutions, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said on Monday.

The deal includes a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.

The deal was signed by interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The deal to be implemented by the end of the year would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, airports and oil fields in the northeast under the central government’s control. Prisons where about 9,000 suspected members of the Daesh group are also expected to come under government control.

— With input from AP


Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
  • Rubio in Kingdom ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending conflict with Russia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening. 

Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending three years of conflict with Russia.

They reviewed relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance and develop them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, exchanged views on them, as well as efforts made toward achieving security and stability, SPA added.

The reception was attended by Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump’s national security advisor.

On the Saudi side, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Saudi ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, were also in attendance.

The top US diplomat is in Jeddah ahead of the talks with Ukrainian officials expected on Tuesday, leading a delegation that also includes Waltz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Kingdom on Monday.