RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), met the Swedish special envoy for Yemen, Peter Semneby, at the headquarters of KSrelief in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, Al-Rabeeah reviewed the 590 projects that the Kingdom has implemented through KSrelief in Yemen so far.
They discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs in Yemen, and the efforts made to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Semneby praised the pioneering role provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief in support of countries in need, and the special attention given to the Yemeni people.
Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed more than 27 tons of food baskets to displaced families in Yemen’s Marib governorate, benefiting 1,554 individuals. The center also continued distributing Ramadan food baskets to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and Lebanese families in Lebanon.
Saudi aid agency chief meets Swedish envoy for Yemen
https://arab.news/jy5j3
Saudi aid agency chief meets Swedish envoy for Yemen
- KSrelief distributed more than 27 tons of food baskets to displaced families in Yemen’s Marib governorate, benefiting 1,554 individuals
Riyadh pavilion showcases Saudi literary, cultural diversity at Argentina book fair
- Riyadh’s selection highlights the city’s growing role in the global cultural scene, as well as its commitment to fostering dialogue, embracing diversity, and using culture as a bridge for human connection and knowledge exchange
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched the Riyadh pavilion at the 49th Buenos Aires International Book Fair in Argentina.
Running from April 22 to May 12, the event features the Kingdom’s capital as guest of honor, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Riyadh’s selection highlights the city’s growing role in the global cultural scene, as well as its commitment to fostering dialogue, embracing diversity, and using culture as a bridge for human connection and knowledge exchange.
Saudi delegation includes representatives from the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Heritage Commission, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, and King Fahad National Library are also taking part.
The Riyadh pavilion boosts Saudi cultural presence in Latin America, presenting the capital as a model of civilization aligned with Vision 2030. It features diverse literary and cultural content, including Spanish translations to foster cross-cultural understanding.
The launch was attended by Literature Commission CEO Abdullatif Alwasel, Buenos Aires Chief of Government Jorge Macri, Minister of Culture Gabriela Ricardes, and Fundacion El Libro President Christian Rainone.
During the fair, the Heritage Commission will highlight the richness of Saudi cultural heritage through global promotion and awareness efforts.
Its program includes live artisan demonstrations, panel discussions, and displays of archaeological replicas, along with publications documenting the Kingdom’s cultural legacy.
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language is showcasing recent publications, including scientific books and research journals, emphasizing its role in enhancing linguistic knowledge.
It also highlights its work in language planning, computational linguistics, education, and cultural initiatives, alongside digital projects and tools.
The academy promotes Arabic publishing in new regions, encourages cultural and linguistic diversity, and fosters collaboration with communities interested in Arab culture.
Cannes film festival says to ‘honor’ slain Gaza photojournalist
- The film features conversations between Farsi and Hassouna as the 25-year-old photographer documents the impact of Israel’s devastating war on the Palestinian territory
- Hassouna was killed along relatives in a strike on her family home in Gaza last Wednesday, the day after the documentary was announced as part of the ACID Cannes selection
PARIS: The Cannes film festival said Wednesday that the screening of a documentary about Gaza photojournalist Fatima Hassouna at the event next month would honor her work after the “horror” of her death in an Israeli air strike last week.
“Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” by Iranian director Sepideh Farsi is to be shown at ACID Cannes, at this year’s May 13-24 festival, which runs parallel to the main competition.
The film features conversations between Farsi and Hassouna as the 25-year-old photographer documents the impact of Israel’s devastating war on the Palestinian territory.
Hassouna was killed along with 10 relatives in an air strike on her family home in northern Gaza last Wednesday, the day after the documentary was announced as part of the ACID Cannes selection.
The Israeli military, which media freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has accused of carrying out a “massacre” of Palestinian journalists, claimed it had targeted a Hamas member.
“The Cannes Film Festival wishes to express its horror and deep sorrow at this tragedy, which has moved and shocked the entire world,” the festival said in a statement on Hassouna sent to AFP.
“While a film is little in the face of such a tragedy, its screening at the ACID section in Cannes on May 15 will be, in addition to the message of the film itself, a way of honoring the memory of the young woman, a victim like so many others of the war,” it added.
Just before her death, Hassouna wrote on social media that “if I die, I want a loud death. I don’t want to be just breaking news, or a number in a group.”
“She was such a light, so talented. When you see the film you’ll understand,” Farsi told Hollywood news website Deadline after her death. “I had talked to her a few hours before to tell her that the film was in Cannes and to invite her.”
Cannes festival organizers also announced new films on Wednesday in its main competition that will compete for its coveted Palme d’Or award.
American filmmaker Lynne Ramsay (“We Need To Talk About Kevin“) has been selected for the main competition with her thriller “Die My Love” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson.
Out of the 21 films in the main competition this year, seven have been made by women directors, the joint highest total.
Iran’s Saeed Roustaee is also set to compete for the main prize with his latest feature, “Mother and Child,” three years after showing “Leila’s Brothers” in Cannes which led to him being sentenced to six months in prison in Iran.
The festival has also secured the world premiere for the first film directed by former Twilight star Kristen Stewart — “The Chronology of Water” — which will screen in the secondary “Un Certain Regard” competition.
She will be up against fellow American actress-turned-director Scarlett Johansson whose director debut “Eleanor the Great” has also been selected in the same section.
The death of Hassouna last week has transformed the screening of the documentary about her into a prominent event at Cannes.
The ACID festival said her “life force seemed like a miracle” in a statement released after her death.
“This is no longer the same film that we are going to support and present in all theaters, starting with Cannes,” it added.
RSF also denounced her death. “Her name joins those of nearly 200 journalists killed in 18 months. This carnage must stop,” it wrote on the Bluesky social media website.
Also at Cannes, Palestinian twins Tarzan and Arab Nasser will showcase their latest film “Once Upon a Time In Gaza,” a tale of murder and friendship set in the war-torn territory, in the secondary “Un Certain Regard” section.
An attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023 set off the war. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israeli forces have since killed more than 51,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Emirati FM holds talks with Nepal’s president and prime minister in Kathmandu
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan emphasizes commitment of the UAE to the enhancement of bilateral relations
- Areas identified for improved collaborations include the economic, commercial, investment and developmental sectors, as well as trade
LONDON: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE’s foreign minister, met the president and prime minister of Nepal in Kathmandu on Wednesday as part of a diplomatic visit to the country.
President Ram Chandra Paudel expressed his country’s desire to strengthen and enhance relations with the UAE, as he and Sheikh Abdullah discussed ways in which collaboration might be improved in several areas, including the economic, commercial, investment and developmental sectors, the Emirates News Agency reported.
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli also talked with the foreign minister about how to boost bilateral relations. They focused in particular on enhancement of economic and trade cooperation, and explored sectors that could help support sustainable development in both countries.
Sheikh Abdullah said his country is committed to the strengthening of relations with Nepal and investment in available opportunities, and he praised the ongoing development of cooperation in various sectors.
Other officials present at the meetings included Ahmed bin Ali Al-Sayegh, an Emirati minister of state; Saeed Mubarak Al-Hajeri, assistant minister for economic and trade affairs; Abdulla Balalaa, assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability affairs; and Abdullah Al-Shamsi, the UAE’s ambassador to Nepal.
Juve’s top-four dream hits the snooze button in Parma loss
- Juve sit fifth on 59 points, one behind Bologna who occupy the final Champions League spot
- The second half unfolded in the same lifeless fashion as the first
MILAN: Juventus stumbled to a 1–0 defeat at Parma on Wednesday, failing to impress with a sleepy performance as they slipped out of the top four with the season now edging toward its conclusion.
Juve sit fifth on 59 points, one behind Bologna who occupy the final Champions League spot, with five rounds remaining. Parma, meanwhile, took a significant step away from the relegation zone and have 31 points — six clear of 18th-placed Venezia.
The first half was a dull affair, with both sides appearing to have already clocked off for an early end-of-season break, drifting through the motions and barely creating any real chances until the final minutes.
Mateo Pellegrino lit up the home crowd right before the break, soaring through the air in first-half stoppage time to meet a looping cross and head the ball with pinpoint precision into the net for the only goal of the match.
The second half unfolded in the same lifeless fashion as the first, with Juve applying some late pressure but failing to find an equalizer.
Saudi ambassador to UK voted MENA diplomat of the year
- Prince Khalid bin Bandar picked up his award at a ceremony in London attended by the diplomatic community
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, has been named “Diplomat of the Year” for the Middle East and North Africa at a ceremony in London.
Prince Khalid was voted for by fellow diplomats representing more than 180 missions accredited to the UK, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The award, run by London-based “Diplomat Magazine,” recognizes ambassadors and diplomats who have made outstanding contributions to diplomatic work in the UK.
Prince Khalid was presented with the award during the magazine’s annual ceremony at London Hilton on Park Lane on Tuesday. The event was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners from more than 90 countries.
