King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve. (SPA)
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Updated 17 March 2025
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King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

  • The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East

RIYADH: The field team at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve recorded the birth of a Nubian ibex in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve.

This effort aligns with its commitment to protecting wildlife, including endangered species, and providing a thriving environment for their growth and reproduction, the SPA reported.

The authority added that the reproduction of animals within the reserve reflects the quality and suitability of its natural habitats for wildlife.

The reserve has recorded over 120 mammal births, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Nubian ibex, and Arabian gazelle, across its designated areas.

As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.


Heritage of date preservation continues in Al-Jouf

Updated 11 sec ago
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Heritage of date preservation continues in Al-Jouf

RIYADH: Among the many inherited traditional social practices in the Al-Jouf region is the custom of “stuffing” dates.

Fresh dates harvested in the summer are preserved in a way that ensures they can be stored safely and eaten throughout the winter.

Despite developing agricultural production techniques that are used in modern factories, families in the region hold to this ancient tradition. 

Ahmed Al-Arfaj and his family carry out the process of stuffing and preserving their farm’s date harvest every year and he is keen to teach it to his children — who will pass it on to future generations in turn. 

They rely on the production of Hilwah Al-Jouf dates, he explained, with the start of the process being what is known as “Al-Laqat” (picking) or “Al-Haddad” (harvesting). The dates are then dried under the sun’s rays to ensure all the moisture evaporates.

The next stage is “Al-Taqmi‘” (sorting), where the pits are extracted and any unsuitable dates removed. They are then packed into containers and tightly sealed; a modern technique, as previously large clay vessels called “Al-Khawabi” were used for storage.

Al-Arfaj added the custom was known locally as “Al-Maknuz” (preserving). It is used to produce date molasses and “Al-Mujarrash” (processed) dates in which the sugars have crystallized, giving them a unique taste and flavor.

The Al-Jouf region celebrates its production with the annual date festival held in Dumat Al-Jandal. As well as highlighting the various types of dates, the event serves as an important marketing tool.
 


Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step toward regional stability

Updated 18 September 2025
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Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step toward regional stability

 KARACHI: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Wednesday, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, in what experts described as a landmark move that reflects shifting global alignments and decades of close cooperation between the two allies.

The accord was concluded in Riyadh during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Sharing a copy of the joint statement on X early on Thursday, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman described the two nations as “One front against any aggressor ... Always 
and forever.”
Pakistani analysts meanwhile said the agreement underscored both countries’ intent to formalize longstanding security ties while also reflecting broader shifts in the regional and global order.
“The defense pact between Pakistan and KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) … will have a long-term impact on the power matrix of both South Asia and the Middle East,” Huma Baqai, an academic and foreign affairs expert, told Arab News.
“This development is definitely indicative of a changing global order and new alliances in the making. It may also result in a domino effect of more Gulf and Arab states seeking such alliances with Pakistan.”
She said Saudi Arabia’s decision was a recognition of Pakistan’s military capabilities, demonstrated during its May 2025 conflict with India.
The two South Asian neighbors fought a four-day war earlier this year after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement, but the hostilities — the deadliest since 2019 — left more than 70 people dead before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.
In Islamabad’s telling, it shot down at least six Indian aircraft during the fighting and forced New Delhi to agree to a ceasefire.


Security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali described the accord as “international recognition that Pakistan is not just a South Asian power but a power which can contribute toward preserving peace and security in the Middle East as well.”
He said “Saudi confidence in Pakistan’s military is evidence that the international community views Pakistan as a capable and responsible power after Islamabad gave a befitting response to New Delhi in the May 2025 conflict.”
Defense analyst Muhammad Samrez Salik, a retired major general, said the agreement would build on more than eight decades of close security ties between the two countries:
“The latest defense pact will augur well for the defense and security of both nations and for regional stability. KSA has recognized that and decided to benefit from Pakistan’s military capabilities. I expect and hope that KSA will also help Pakistan achieve economic stability.”
Baqai added that the pact could also be seen “as a positive development which would definitely have a ripple effect on the Pakistani economy.”
Jeddah-based Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, a former Pakistani federal minister, said the pact “symbolizes the trust, fraternity, and unshakable bond that has always existed between our two nations — rooted in faith, mutual respect and common destiny.”
He added that this remarkable milestone  embodies the shared vision of the crown prince “for a secure, prosperous, and united Muslim Ummah.”
Earlier on Thursday, Sharif wrote on X that talks with the Saudi crown prince covered a wide range of issues, including regional challenges and steps to enhance bilateral cooperation.
“On the bilateral front, I greatly value HRH’s consistent support and his keen interest in expanding Saudi investments, trade and business ties between our two countries,” 
he posted.
“It is my fervent prayer that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s friendship continues to flourish and attain new heights of glory.”

 


KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan

Updated 18 September 2025
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KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan

  • Elite group of leaders, policymakers, investors, innovators to attend

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre will participate in the C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan. Under the theme “A Tri-Nation Collaboration: Building Bridges Beyond Borders in Healthcare,” it begins on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The event will see an elite group of leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from around the world explore opportunities for collaboration in developing the future of the healthcare sector.

As part of the summit’s activities, Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Al-Fayyadh, adviser at the Royal Court and CEO of KFSHRC, will deliver a keynote address called “King Faisal’s Vision for Integrated Healthcare and Investment in a New Infrastructure for Modern Medicine.” It will highlight the transformative journey of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom toward a patient-centered, interconnected system.

He will also review the impact of public-private partnerships, foreign investments, and regulatory reforms on the future of the medical sector in Saudi Arabia.

The summit will also witness the participation of several of the hospital’s leaders in multiple panel discussions. Dr. Esam Abdullah Albanyan, chief of education and training, will speak at a session showcasing opportunities for collaboration in the fields of biotechnology, robotics, and elderly care.

Assistant CEO Dr. Osama Alswailem will take part in a session to highlight the role of precision medicine and data science in enhancing early diagnosis.

The summit’s program will include a variety of sessions on the role of public-private partnerships as a key driver to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Other sessions will look at groundbreaking advances in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using biomarkers and digital technologies, as well as discussions on lessons learned from epidemic experiences to strengthen future preparedness, and exploration of innovations shaping the next generation of global healthcare systems.


Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh

Updated 18 September 2025
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Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh

RIYADH: Authorities have launched the date season at Al-Rabwah market in Riyadh, featuring a select group of farmers, exhibitors and families working in the cottage industry.

The event attracted a remarkable crowd of visitors from across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Rabwah Date Season is one of the Kingdom’s premier annual events, which is vital in supporting local farmers and boosting the date industry’s sales.

Over 30 varieties of dates, renowned for their quality and produced in the Kingdom’s farms, are on display.

The event also highlights date-processing industries and offers innovative date-inspired products.

Family-friendly zones, tasting areas, and comprehensive support services ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Cultural and awareness activities are also featured, focusing on the importance of palm trees and dates to the Kingdom’s food and economic heritage.


Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive

Updated 18 September 2025
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Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive

RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority, in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and King Abdulaziz University, has launched a joint virtual center for innovation in desalination technologies.

The aim is to drive sustainability, make use of advanced materials and renewable energy, and foster research collaboration to enhance national capabilities in water technology.

The center’s establishment is the result of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the partners, which sets the foundation for cooperation in key areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported. This includes the development of local membranes to improve primary water treatment efficiency, software development, and the creation of joint research laboratories for graduate students.

This partnership underscores the authority’s commitment to strengthening academic and institutional collaborations, unifying efforts to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to water challenges, and ensuring the security of the Kingdom’s water resources.