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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 KSrelief-led project 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.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat.
In the Al-Dayer governorate of the Jazan region, authorities arrested three Yemenis and Ethiopians for smuggling 90 kg of qat.
In another seizure, land patrols thwarted the smuggling of 59,210 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations in the same governorate.
Authorities in Jazan also arrested a citizen for selling methamphetamine, also known as shabu.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were transferred to the relevant authorities.
Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected].
RIYADH: Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque, located near the historic Emirate Palace in Najran, is undergoing restoration as part of the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.
The project aims to correct previous renovations that introduced non-authentic materials, restoring the mosque to its original heritage style, reflective of the Najran region, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Built in 1966, the mosque spans 1,436 sq. meters and accommodates 1,000 worshippers, the SPA added.
Its construction follows traditional methods, featuring horizontal courses and roofing made from wood extracted from palm trunks, fronds, and tamarisk trees.
The restoration will use the same natural materials as the original construction, preserving the distinctive architectural character of Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque — the first mosque in Najran’s old popular market area.
It is one of 30 mosques across 13 regions included in the project’s second phase, which covers six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan, and one each in the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim.
Phase two follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions, the SPA reported.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving their heritage and historical features.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving their architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing their religious and cultural significance.
It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by preserving architectural heritage and integrating it into modern mosque designs.
TOKYO: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Food Safety Commission of Japan have agreed to collaborate on improving regulatory systems and safety mechanisms.
This was a major outcome of talks held on March 10 between the SFDA’s CEO Hisham S. Aljadhey and the FSCJ’s Chairperson Shigeki Yamamoto.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan Ghazi bin Faisal bin Zaqr and officials from both sides.
The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation mechanisms, the FSCJ’s operational model, global challenges facing the food sector, and best regulatory practices for risk assessment, the SFDA stated in a press release.
The participants also explored avenues for increased research and scientific collaboration between the two sides to improve regulatory systems and enhance food safety.
The SFDA officials are visiting Japan and are participating in the annual meeting of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum which began on Sunday and ends on March 14.
At the IMDRF meeting, the SFDA aims to strengthen international cooperation and exchange expertise with leading global regulatory bodies to ensure the safety of food, medicine, and medical devices in the Kingdom.
This aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key initiative of Saudi Vision 2030. This alignment is a promising sign for the future of the health and medical technology sectors in the Kingdom, the SFDA stated.
The SFDA delegation is also participating in the 27th Management Committee Meeting of the IMDRF in Tokyo which began on Monday and ends March 14.
The meeting was also attended by regulatory bodies from member states to discuss the latest advancements in medical device monitoring and regulation.
The SFDA underscored Saudi Arabia’s advanced regulatory capabilities and commitment to international best practices and emphasized the need to develop local industry and innovation in this sector.
The forum’s participants also discussed the IMDRF’s 2026-2030 strategy, capacity development programs for member states, and related challenges and solutions.
The SFDA became a member of the IMDRF in September 2023.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabian aid agency KSrelief has delivered 6,195 food parcels to some of the world’s neediest people, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.
In Zabre, Burkina Faso, 1,000 parcels were delivered as part of the Etaam Ramadan food basket distribution project, providing sustenance for 6,000 people.
Meanwhile 80 packages were sent to Peqin in Albania, and some 3,390 people benefited from aid delivered to 565 families in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The Pakistani provinces of Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan resulted in nearly 29,000 people being fed as a result of 3,800 parcels received by 3,800 families, while 250 packages went to people in Nawabganj, Bangladesh, and 500 went to Conakry, the capital of Guinea.
The Etaam project, now in its fourth phase, aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.866 million), added SPA.
JEDDAH: Talks between the US and Ukraine aimed at ending the war with Russia took place in Jeddah on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The administration of US President Donald Trump agreed to lift its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, and Kyiv signaled that it was open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement, American and Ukrainian officials said following the talks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin.
“We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio said.
The talks were held at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and took place in the presence of the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
The US was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, while Ukraine was represented by the head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The talks come within the Kingdom’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, thanks to its balanced relations with various parties, and as part of its efforts to enhance global security and peace, SPA said.
They are based on Saudi Arabia’s belief in the importance of adhering to international laws and norms, and that dialogue is the most successful means of resolving disputes and bringing viewpoints closer together, SPA added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the Kingdom early on Tuesday morning after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a brief visit before the talks started.
After the meeting, Saudi Arabia expressed hope that efforts would succeed in ending the crisis in Ukraine in line with international law and the United Nations Charter, including respect for the principles of sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.
Kyiv expressed appreciation for Riyadh’s efforts in hosting talks between Ukraine and the US, and for humanitarian and development aid provided by the Kingdom.
Here follows the full text of the joint US-Ukrainian statement that was published after bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah on Tuesday:
Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the United States and Ukraine took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.
Representatives of both nations praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defense of their nation and agreed that now is the time to begin a process toward lasting peace.
The Ukrainian delegation reiterated the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the US Congress, and the people of the United States for making possible meaningful progress toward peace.
Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.
The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.
The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the above-mentioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.
Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security.
* With AP
