KSrelief official meets International Medical Corps chief and WHO director-general
Updated 27 September 2024
Arab News
NEW YORK: The supervisor-general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the chief executive of the International Medical Corps met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiah and Nancy Aossey discussed issues of mutual interest related to humanitarian affairs, along with ways to increase cooperation in providing relief and medical assistance worldwide.
Aossey commended KSrelief’s medical programs, which are helping improve health conditions in various countries.
Al-Rabiah also met with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss humanitarian projects in the healthcare sector.
Ghebreyesus commended medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief, highlighting the strategic partnership between their respective organizations.
Authorities working to repatriate body of Saudi poet who died while hiking
Saud Al-Qahtani reportedly slipped and fell from a cliff on Jebel Samhan on Monday
Updated 8 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Oman is working with authorities to repatriate the body of poet Saud Al-Qahtani who fell to his death from a cliff at Jebel Samhan, near Salalah, according to an embassy post on X on Tuesday.
Al-Qahtani was reportedly hiking in the mountainous area on Monday when he slipped and fell.
Rescue and ambulance teams from Oman’s Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority, and several citizens, were present at the site, the CDAA posted on X on Monday.
Al-Qahtani sustained severe injuries that led to his death, the authority said.
The CDAA has issued a warning for members of the public to exercise caution when exploring mountainous areas, and stressed the importance of adhering to safety regulations.
KSrelief, children association partner to enhance rehabilitation, humanitarian services
Updated 8 min 2 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Children with Disabilities Association in Riyadh, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
It was signed by Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the association’s board of directors, and Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor general at KSrelief.
The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between the two parties in delivering rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, as well as providing relief and humanitarian assistance internationally.
It also seeks to promote joint participation in various events, including conferences, workshops, meetings, and exhibitions, the SPA added.
The agreement is part of KSrelief’s ongoing efforts to build strategic partnerships with key local organizations to advance global humanitarian and relief work.
Slovenian super white falcon fetches $40,000 at Saudi auction
Mathlouth gyrfalcon is the most expensive sale so far
Auction now a top global attraction, says local official
Updated 20 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: A falcon chick fetched SR151,000 ($40,000) at the annual International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham here on Tuesday, becoming the most expensive sale so far at the gathering.
The bidding for the Mathlouth gyrfalcon hybrid super white, from the farm of the Slovenian breeder GP, started at SR50,000. The bird is under a year old, about 40 centimeters in height, and weighs just over 1 kg.
The identity of the buyer has not been revealed and it is usual practice for the bird to be named after it is sold.
The hybrid was not the only bird sold on Tuesday, the fourth night of the auction organized by the Saudi Falcons Club and held at its headquarters until Aug. 25.
The bidding for the Mathlouth gyr super white, from the Slovenian breeder GP, started at SR50,000. (SPA)
Bidders also competed for a gyrfalcon shaheen falcon, from British breeder YLS, with the dark brown chick, weighing 1.1 kg, eventually selling for SR51,000.
The gyrfalcon, or gyr, is the largest species in the world and ranges in color from pure white to brown. The birds have large, broad-winged and long-tailed bodies and are highly sought-after by breeders and enthusiasts.
A Mathlouth gyrfalcon, a gyrfalcon shaheen and a gyrfalcon pure will go under the hammer on Wednesday night.
Last year, a peregrine falcon chick named Ultra White sold for SR400,000 in a record for the event. Its American breeder Pacific Northwest Falcons also sold another peregrine chick named Super White for SR86,000.
That auction concluded with SR10 million in sales after 866 falcons were bought. A domestic auction by the club last year raised nearly SR6 million.
The bidding for the Mathlouth gyr super white, from the Slovenian breeder GP, started at SR50,000. (SPA)
With a history of exceeding SR18 million in sales over the past three years, the auction introduces new international breeding farms and fosters collaboration among producers and investors.
Walid Al-Taweel, spokesperson for the Saudi Falcons Club, told Arab News on Tuesday the auction has attracted some of the world’s top breeders and falconers.
“The auction utilizes modern technologies in sales and medical examinations. It also features live broadcasting, which allows real-time viewing of the auction from around the world,” he said.
The annual auction also provides a platform for falconers to learn about the latest breeding and hybridization techniques and share knowledge with fellow experts from around the world.
The bidding for the Mathlouth gyr super white, from the Slovenian breeder GP, started at SR50,000. (SPA)
It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic, and historical heritage in line with Vision 2030.
Speaking to Arab News on Monday, New Zealand Ambassador Charles Kingston described the visit as “fun and fascinating.”
“Beautiful falcons on display and a wonderful showcase of the Kingdom’s rich heritage and culture,” he said.
A common companion of Bedouin travelers, hunting with falcons was also an integral part of Arabian culture for thousands of years.
Saudi ambassador to Switzerland presents credentials
The president welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his duties
Updated 19 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Switzerland Abdulrahman Al-Dawood presented his credentials as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter during a reception ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Bern on Tuesday.
During the reception, Al-Dawood conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Swiss people to Keller-Sutter.
The Swiss president asked Al-Dawood to convey her greetings to the Saudi leadership and praised the level of relations between their countries.She also expressed her wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Kingdom and its people.
The president welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his duties, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Cabinet condemns Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ policy, reaffirms support for Palestine
Members denounce latest Israeli plans for settlements near Jerusalem, call on international community to take action to halt crimes against the Palestinian people
Ministers reiterate Kingdom’s support for diplomatic efforts to resolve war in Ukraine, welcome US president’s meetings with Russian, Ukrainian and European counterparts
Updated 19 August 2025
Arab News
NEOM: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding his vision for a so-called “Greater Israel,” and rejected what it described as expansionist settlement projects that violate the rule of international law and undermine Palestinian rights.
During a meeting in NEOM chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Cabinet members reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm stance on the historical and legal right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent, sovereign state on their lands.
Ministers also denounced recent approvals for new Israeli settlements in areas around occupied Jerusalem, and called on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to take immediate action to halt what they described as crimes against the Palestinian people and ensure that Israeli authorities comply with UN resolutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
After the meeting, the acting minister of media, Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, said the Cabinet had addressed other regional and international issues, and reiterated Saudi support for diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Members welcomed US President Donald Trump’s recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Tuesday was World Humanitarian Day, and to mark the occasion the Cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to aid efforts, noting the Kingdom’s prominent position among the ranks of the world’s largest donor nations.
On the domestic from, members reviewed achievements in the education sector ahead of the start of the new academic year, including curriculum development, the integration of artificial intelligence, expanded technical training, and support for innovation and the development of talent.
They also approved several cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with international partners in a variety of fields including sports and tourism, customs, health, and the development of small and medium enterprises. Agreements with the US, Spain, Syria, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Grenada and the Maldives were endorsed.
In addition, Cabinet members approved the introduction of new systems governing handicrafts, environmental coordination, and promotions and transfers within senior government ranks, the SPA added.
