https://arab.news/589hg
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent separate cables of congratulations on Sunday to South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election for a new term.
King Salman expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success to Ramaphosa and for the progress and prosperity of his country, SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia has enjoyed excellent relations with South Africa, which have been strengthened and developed in every aspect.
RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has unveiled Jax Film Studios, a new production complex in Riyadh, marking a step forward in the Kingdom’s efforts to develop a connected and competitive film and media industry.
Scheduled for completion later this year, the studio spans more than 7,000 sq. meters and features two soundstages of 1,500 sq. meters, along with a virtual production stage using Sony’s latest screen technology.
The complex also includes a private cinema, meeting rooms, production prep areas, dining spaces, and a VIP lounge — designed to accommodate a range of needs, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The facility provides convenient access to hotels, the international airport, restaurants, and a growing network of creative and technical professionals.
Filmmakers can find local crews, equipment, and post-production services to support their projects, all within a 20-minute radius.
Saudi Film Commission’s CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “Jax Film Studios represents a cornerstone of our strategy to develop a world-class film infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
“As we become one of the region’s premier production hubs, this facility is built to meet the highest international standards — empowering local creatives while attracting global talent.”
Abduljalil Alnasser, the commission’s general manager of sector development and investment attraction, said: “With Jax Film Studios we are introducing one of the world’s most advanced and largest virtual production stages, powered by Sony’s latest innovations, unlocking limitless creative possibilities.”
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority revealed the Kingdom’s progress in digital transformation and smart city development during its participation in Saudi events at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
The authority outlined national efforts to adopt data and artificial intelligence technologies to improve service efficiency and support sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mishari Almishari, deputy director of the authority’s National Information Center, said that Saudi Arabia was steadily moving toward a more integrated digital society under Vision 2030, which identified digital transformation as a key development goal.
He noted that the authority’s establishment in 2019 marked a significant step, coordinating efforts through three main entities: the National Information Center, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, and the National Data Management Office.
The authority plays a central role in data and AI regulation and development, according to Almishari, contributing to the Kingdom’s growing position in data and AI-based innovation.
He also highlighted support for smart city systems through projects like the National Smart C Platform, the Smart Riyadh Operations Center, and initiatives promoting innovation, such as training camps, incubators, accelerators, and national hackathons.
The authority’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects Saudi Arabia’s aim to contribute to global AI development and build a more inclusive digital future.
RIYADH: The Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region continues to welcome Hajj pilgrims arriving from Iraq, with volunteers from various government and charitable organizations providing support.
Teams from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority offer medical services and health education to ensure the safety of pilgrims, delivering urgent care when needed, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Volunteers from the Northern Borders Health Cluster perform medical examinations and monitor health conditions, safeguarding pilgrims’ well-being from arrival to departure.
Volunteers from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development help organize pilgrim movement, oversee transport and provide logistical support.
They also assist the elderly and people with disabilities, ensuring smooth and accessible mobility, the SPA reported.
Teams from the Ministry of Sport offer guidance at entry points and educate pilgrims on organizational procedures.
Students from Northern Borders University assist with translation, facilitating communication with non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims.
Volunteers from various associations guide pilgrims on entrance and exit routes to ensure smooth movement.
Saudi volunteers ensure pilgrims have a straightforward and enriching Hajj journey, working tirelessly in several sectors to maintain top-level service, according to the SPA.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage — required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to do so — will begin in Makkah on June 4 and end on June 9.
RIYADH: Filipino conjoined twin sisters Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa arrived in Riyadh on Saturday and are being assessed for possible separation surgery under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.
The twins were taken to the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital at the Ministry of National Guard upon arrival at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Klea Ann and Maurice Ann, accompanied by their parents, were brought to the Kingdom from Manila upon royal directives.
They are the third conjoined twins from the Philippines to be placed on the program.
The program’s medical and surgical team is led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who is also an adviser at the Royal Court and director general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief.
The twin’s parents expressed their gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous care and warm reception, as well as the comprehensive medical attention they received, SPA reported.
In an interview published on Saturday in Arab News, the twin’s mother, Maricel Misa, said that since her children were born seven years ago, she had been praying that one day someone would help them to live a normal life.
Misa, who owns a small shop with her husband in Lubang Island in Mindoro Oriental province, central Philippines, were unable to afford the expensive operation the twins needed. Her prayers were answered when she got a call from the Saudi Embassy in Manila and was told that the Kingdom was willing to help.
“We saw a post from Saudi Arabia about conjoined twins from the Philippines who had undergone surgery there, and I commented, saying I hope we can be helped too. Someone noticed my comment and reached out to me,” Misa said.
Since its founding in 1990, the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has separated more than 140 children born sharing internal organs with their siblings. Among them were Filipino conjoined twins Ann and Mae Manz — joined at the abdomen, pelvis, and perineum — who were separated by Dr. Al-Rabeeah and his team in March 2004.
A second Filipino pair, Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph — joined at the lower chest and abdomen and shared one liver — were successfully separated in September 2024.
Al-Rabeeah said that the program “reflects the Kingdom’s principles of mercy and human solidarity without discrimination.”
