Saudi deputy FM, Indonesian counterpart discuss bilateral ties
Two sides reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral ties
Updated 10 January 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji met his Indonesian counterpart Pahala Nugraha Mansury in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Sudan’s paramilitaries launch parallel govt, deepening the crisis
The RSF grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias, mobilized two decades ago by then-President Omar Bashir against populations that identify as Central or East African in Darfur
Updated 19 sec ago
AP
CAIRO: A paramilitary group and its allies in Sudan said they formed a parallel government in areas under the group’s control, which are located mainly in the western region of Darfur where allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity are being investigated.
The move was likely to deepen the crisis in Sudan, which plunged into chaos when tensions between the country’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, exploded into fighting in April 2023 in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
The RSF-led Tasis Alliance appointed Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the paramilitary group, as head of the sovereign council in the new administration. The 15-member council serves as head of the state.
The RSF grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias, mobilized two decades ago by then-President Omar Bashir against populations that identify as Central or East African in Darfur. The Janjaweed were accused of mass killings, rapes and
other atrocities.
In the current war, the RSF has been accused of numerous atrocities. The Biden administration slapped Dagalo with sanctions, saying the RSF and its proxies were committing genocide. The RSF has denied committing genocide.
The alliance spokesman Alaa Al-Din Naqd announced the new administration in a video statement from the Darfur city of Nyala, which is controlled by the RSF and its allied Janjaweed.
Mohammed Hassan Al-Taishi, a civilian politician who was a member of a military-civilian sovereign council that ruled Sudan following the 2019 overthrow of Al-Bashir, was named as prime minister in the RSF-controlled government.
Rebel leader Abdelaziz Al-Hilu, who commands the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) which is active in the southern Kodrofan region, was appointed as Dagalo’s deputy in the council. The SPLM-N is a breakaway faction of the SPLM, the ruling party of neighboring South Sudan.
The announcement came five months after the RSF and its allies signed a charter in February in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, with the aim of establishing a parallel government in RSF-controlled areas.
At the time, many countries, including the US, rejected the RSF efforts and condemned the signing by the paramilitary group and its allies of what they called “transitional constitution” in the Kenya-hosted conference.
The Foreign Ministry of the internationally recognized government in Khartoum condemned the announcement in a statement. It called it a “fake government” and urged the international community to not engage with the RSF-led administration.
The RSF-led move was likely to deepen the division in Sudan. Yasir Arman, a rebel leader, said the move is likely to prolong the conflict and divide Sudan between two rival administrations.
Police terror probe after man detained off Glasgow flight
Unverified videos online appeared to show a man standing up at back of the plane shouting “Allahu akbar” before being tackled to the ground by a passenger
Updated 27 min 13 sec ago
AFP
LONDON: Counter-terrorism agents were investigating Sunday after a man was arrested off an easyJet flight as it arrived in the Scottish city of Glasgow, police said.
“We received a report of a man causing a disturbance on a flight arriving in Glasgow around 8:20 am on Sunday, 27 July, 2025,” Police Scotland said in a statement.
“Officers boarded the plane on its arrival and a 41-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody. Enquiries are continuing.”
Unverified videos spreading online appeared to show a man standing up at the back of the plane shouting “Allahu akbar (God is Greatest)” before being tackled to the ground by a passenger.
Police said they were “aware of videos circulating online and these are being assessed by counter terrorism officers.”
EasyJet confirmed in a statement sent to AFP that a passenger had been removed on Sunday from flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow “due to their behavior onboard.”
“EasyJet’s crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time,” it added.
England beat Spain on penalties in Women’s Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive kick
Updated 40 min 40 sec ago
AFP
BASEL: England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to win the Women’s Euro 2025 and retain their title after Sunday’s final had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive kick in a shoot-out which saw three Spain players, including reigning Ballon d’Or Aitana Bonmati, all fail to convert.
Mariona Caldentey had earlier headed Spain — who beat England 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final — into the lead at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, but Alessia Russo equalized early in the second half.
Young Saudi authors reshape Kingdom’s literary landscape
Writers point to a ‘golden age’ in publishing, but call for legal protections, clearer regulations to support emerging talent
Updated 27 min 27 sec ago
Hajjar Al-Qusayer
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia undergoes a cultural transformation under Vision 2030, a new generation of writers is reshaping the country’s literary scene.
One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways. These writers are contributing to a literary landscape that increasingly embraces genres such as science, fiction, and fantasy.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, Linah Alshaalan, a Saudi author, said the Kingdom’s literary scene today offers a ripe environment full of opportunities for emerging voices.
HIGHLIGHTS
• One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways.
• Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.
“This is a golden age for authors and creatives to come about and to try to find their way and find their path in this field, because it’s full of opportunities for newcomers and also older people,” she told Arab News.
Alshaalan published her first novel in 2024 through a Ministry of Culture initiative focused on supporting literary genres, such as science fiction.
Her book was later nominated for cinematic adaptation. She described this moment as encouraging for new writers seeking to establish themselves in a rapidly evolving scene.
Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author
Alshaalan said the broader transformation underway in the Kingdom is changing how Saudi literature is perceived and consumed.
“Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future,” she said.
Alshaalan also pointed to Gen Z as a key force shaping literary trends in Saudi Arabia, particularly through their rejection of elitism, and embrace of direct, honest storytelling.
Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future.
Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author
“One thing that I really appreciate about Gen Z is that they are kind of undermining this idea that a literary critic or a literary person is somebody who lives in an ivory tower, very high up,” she said.
Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. (Supplied)
She noted that younger readers have become powerful tastemakers in the digital age. “They have a very strong online presence, which means that they have a very loud voice and very strong influence,” she added.
“Gen Zers resonate the most with authentic voices,” Alshaalan said. “People who are speaking from the heart, people who are not trying to hide behind or whatever it is. They are trying to be authentic, and I think authenticity is the number one tool for authors.”
Despite the progress, Alshaalan said there is a need for legal protections and clearer regulations in the publishing industry to support new authors and protect their rights.
Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)
“I think maybe regulating the industry a little bit more to make and implement some rules and some regulation to protect the individual … because (for) an individual writer, an individual author, the biggest challenge is not having legal literacy when it comes to the contracts that you sign with a publisher or whoever,” she said.
“We need to outline the responsibility of the publisher that justifies their percentage of the book,” she added.
Artificial intelligence is another factor shaping the creative landscape. Alshaalan, whose novel centers on a rogue AI, said the technology can be helpful, but not in replacing the human core of storytelling.
Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)
“Now, to write anything, if you just have a concept or an idea, you can just feed it into the AI and see it more fleshed out. It helps people. But a good author that cares about their own integrity would probably not rely on it too much,” she said. “I don’t think it’s ready yet to offer something with meaningful substance.”
Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.
“I believe promoting Saudi Arabia’s presence through writing still requires significant effort. There is still a need for more empowerment,” Aleid told Arab News.
He said translation initiatives are a positive step, but more needs to be done. “The Literature Commission is currently working through the translation initiative to translate Saudi works into other languages, but I think there are additional options, such as encouraging foreign authors to write about Saudi Arabia and publishing new Saudi books in other languages, not just translating older titles,” he added.
Aleid also called for greater representation of young Saudi writers at global forums and highlighted the need for legislation to regulate AI in creative fields.
Kawir Palace provides architectural insights into Makkah’s heritage
The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function
Updated 53 min 17 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The city of Makkah features numerous historical landmarks that reflect its urban development and architectural uniqueness. Among these is Kawir Palace, also known as Biban Palace, one of the oldest and most notable historical palaces.
It embodies authentic architectural elements and symbolizes the social and cultural diversity of the early 20th century, serving as a model of local architecture connected to social changes in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. (SPA)
Owned by a local merchant nicknamed Kawir because of his trade in limestone quarrying, a prevalent building material, the palace’s architecture and strategic location in Makkah’s prominent Biban area highlight its significance.
The palace was built between 1910 and 1920 and is on a hill overlooking the historic Biban area, offering panoramic views, the SPA added.
FASTFACT
After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.
The construction used local materials and techniques, including local stone for the foundation, limestone for wall insulation, and clay, wood, and gypsum for interiors.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)
Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. The ceilings feature handmade gypsum decorations, reflecting local craftsmanship.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation, according to the report.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)
The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function. Traditional methods offer solutions for ventilation, privacy, and thermal insulation, emphasizing local identity over imported styles.
After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.