Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries

Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries
Soudah Development and Warner Bros. Discovery sign partnership to showcase the rich heritage, culture, and natural beauty of Soudah to the world. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 May 2024
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Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries

Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries
  • Media giant teams up with state-owned real estate firm Soudah Development
  • Films will tell ‘captivating stories of Soudah’s natural wonders,’ Discovery says

JEDDAH: Soudah Development, a real estate company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery International to produce three short films to promote the beauty, culture and heritage of the Soudah region in the Kingdom’s southwest.

The partnership will focus on Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain tourism destination in Abha region, set 3,000 meters above sea level.

The documentaries will air around the world this summer on WBD’s Discovery Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel, Eurosport 1 and 2, as well as on international social media platforms.

Eng. Saleh Al-Oraini, CEO of Soudah Development, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Warner Bros. Discovery to unveil the exceptional beauty and cultural significance of the Soudah region, along with Saudi Arabia, on a global scale.

“This collaboration marks a pivotal step in our endeavor to position Soudah as a unique luxury mountain tourism destination and we are confident that it will captivate travelers from around the world.”

The Soudah region’s diverse fauna and flora, landscapes and agricultural traditions, like beekeeping, will all feature in the films.

Mike Rich, head of sports and lifestyle international brand partnerships at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Partnering with Soudah Development presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the unique appeal of Soudah Peaks through our influential media platforms.

“We are thrilled to bring captivating stories of Soudah’s natural wonders and cultural heritage to our viewers. We eagerly anticipate a successful collaboration.”

The partnership comes after Saudi property developer Red Sea Global in April teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery to produce a 45-minute documentary titled “Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals.”

Released on Earth Day, the film chronicles the work of Saudi free diver and environmentalist Salma Shaker and illuminates the remarkable resilience of Red Sea corals and their pivotal role in bolstering global coral health.

“Soudah is not merely a tourist spot, it’s a sanctuary of tranquility and natural marvels,” Saudi environmentalist Hussain Asiri told Arab News.

“With this newfound exposure, I’m sure we will see a concerted effort toward responsible tourism, one that cherishes and conserves our environment while showcasing its magnificence to the world.”

Mohammed Al-Malky, a local tour guide, said: “Soudah’s beauty isn’t just for us to enjoy, it’s a treasure that deserves global recognition. Hopefully, these documentaries will inspire more people to visit and experience the magic of our mountains and valleys.”


Syrian Arab Republic president meets with Saudi crown prince in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
Updated 47 min 21 sec ago
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Syrian Arab Republic president meets with Saudi crown prince in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
  • The president is accompanied by the country’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani

RIYADH: The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday on his first foreign trip since taking office, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Syrian Arab News Agency reported the president was accompanied by the country’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.

A picture posted on social media platform X by the Syrian Arab Republic’s presidency showed Al-Sharaa and Al-Shaibani en route to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sharaa became president after the toppling of the regime of Bashar Assad in December last year.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.


Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha
Updated 02 February 2025
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Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

RIYADH: The moderate climate and abundant flowering trees in the Tihama area of the Baha region attract thousands of beekeepers with hives, creating an ideal environment for honey production from seasonal and mountainous blossoms.

Beekeeper Mohammed Al-Zahrani said that migration from the Sarawat Mountains to Tihama is driven by favorable climate, rainfall, and tree diversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He added that this move revitalizes bees after the ziziphus spina-christi season when their population drops, offering fresh pastures for reproduction.

Beekeeper Ali Al-Ghamdi explained that relocating to the governorates of Qalwa, Al-Hujrah, and Wadi Al-Ahsabah provides bees with a year-round food supply and protection from the cold mountain temperatures that can be fatal.

He stressed that beekeeping requires endurance, knowledge, and experience but remains an important and valuable industry, the SPA reported.

Beekeeper Saleh Al-Omari highlighted the coordination among beekeepers in choosing apiary sites, ensuring proper spacing to prevent crossbreeding, promote nutrition, and avoid disease.

Mohammed Al-Shadwi, chairman of the Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Baha, said around 3,000 beekeepers are registered with the association, including professionals with over 1,000 hives and amateurs with about 100. They represent 16 percent of the Kingdom’s total beekeepers.

The region produces 20 percent of Saudi Arabia’s honey annually, totaling around 1,000 tonnes across 15 varieties, according to the SPA.


Kingdom strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

Kingdom strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair
Updated 02 February 2025
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Kingdom strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

Kingdom strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is taking part in the New Delhi World Book Fair, being held at Pragati Maidan from Feb. 1-9.

Its involvement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and India, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The commission aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s role in the global cultural and literary landscape, raise awareness of its heritage and highlight its publications and contribution to the international literary scene. It also seeks to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between the two countries.

The commission’s pavilion features its literary and cultural initiatives, including “Tarjim” which supports Saudi Arabia’s translation movement. It also hosts sections dedicated to the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language and the King Fahd National Library.

Saudi Arabia was previously guest of honor at the 2024 New Delhi World Book Fair, where it organized various programs and events reflecting the Kingdom’s cultural and creative landscape.


KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue
Updated 02 February 2025
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KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian and relief efforts continue with the distribution of food, hygiene supplies as well as the provision of emergency transport services.

In in Ma’arrat Misrin of Syria’s Idlib Governorate, KSrelief handed out 672 food boxes and 672 hygiene kits as part of the second phase of the food aid and hygiene kit distribution project for populations affected by the earthquake in 2025.

In Lebanon’s Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh district, the aid agency during the past week distributed 175,000 bags of bread to Syrian and Palestinian refugees as well as residents of host communities. The initiative was part of the fourth phase of Al-Amal Charitable Bakery Project in the country.

In the Battagram and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as well as the Sukkur district in Sindh province of Pakistan, 2,160 food packages were given to families in flood-affected areas as part of the Food Security Support Project 2025

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 125 tonnes of dates to Sudan as a gift from the Kingdom.

In north Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Association in the Miniyeh district carried out 61 missions during the past week, including transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn injuries.


Female participation in Riyadh camel racing event

Female participation in Riyadh camel racing event
Updated 02 February 2025
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Female participation in Riyadh camel racing event

Female participation in Riyadh camel racing event
  • The increase in the number of participating women camel riders has also contributed to a rise in the prizes

RIYADH: The number of women taking part in camel racing at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival this year has doubled compared to 2024, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The increase has led the organizing committee to add a second race which includes 18 Saudi female camel riders.

Organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, the festival’s second edition kicked off on Jan. 27 at the Janadriyah Camel Race Track in Riyadh. It will end on Wednesday, Feb. 5 with total prize money of more than SR70 million ($18.7 million) awarded.

The increase in the number of participating women camel riders has also contributed to a rise in the prizes. (SPA photo)

During last year’s festival, 15 female camel riders competed, representing Britain, France, Germany, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

This year has seen 30 female riders from 12 countries take part: Algeria, Bahrain, Britain, France, Germany, Oman, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UAE, US and Yemen.

The increase has contributed to a rise in the prize pot, with the first-placed female rider receiving SR60,000.