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RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has opened bidding for its “Coffee City” in Baha’s Qalwah governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The aim is to enhance local production by planting 300,000 coffee trees over an area of 5 million square meters.
Businesses seeking to invest should submit their bids through the Furas platform by Sept. 9.
RIYADH: The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Wednesday.
He arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday, landing at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
In Madinah, the president visited and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions made a historic debut as the first Middle Eastern sponsor of AnimeJapan 2025, one of the world’s largest anime events.
Held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, the four-day festival drew more than 150,000 visitors and featured over 100 global exhibitors, organizers said in a statement.
A subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, known as Misk, Manga Production’s participation underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing position in the global anime industry.
Attendees experienced interactive exhibitions, including traditional Saudi attire try-ons and authentic Saudi coffee tastings, offering a unique fusion of heritage and creativity.
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, delivered a keynote speech titled “A New Era of Animation! The Future of ‘Saudinimation’ Driven by Japan and Saudi Arabia,” outlining the collaborative opportunities between the two nations.
He said: “The overwhelming response reflects our mission to position Saudi creativity globally. AnimeJapan 2025 was a milestone in fostering co-production and content partnerships, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision to be a hub for entertainment innovation.”
The pavilion also welcomed high-profile Japanese officials, including Akamatsu Ken, vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and Kobayashi Fumiaki, vice minister of the environment, signaling strong governmental interest in cultural exchange.
Abdulaziz Al-Mowani, director of marketing and communications, said: “This platform allowed us to share Saudi Arabia’s creative identity while forging strategic media and industry connections.
“Effective storytelling bridges cultures, and the event proved the power of our narrative.”
JEDDAH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has launched the first dedicated palliative care program for adolescents and young adults in the Arab world.
This initiative aims to improve the quality of life of young patients with life-threatening illnesses by offering integrated care throughout their treatment journey.
The program not only enhances patient care but also serves as a model for similar initiatives, addressing a critical gap in palliative services for young patients across the Arab world.
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancers, heart disease, neurological disorders and organ failure. It also offers psychological and social support, aids decision-making and improves the overall patient experience.
For adolescents and young adults, the program addresses age-specific challenges including balancing treatment with education or work, coping with the psychological impact of illness and maintaining autonomy in care decisions.
The program features a multidisciplinary team of palliative care physicians, specialized nurses, social workers and mental health experts to support both patients and their families.
The World Health Organization reports that only 14 percent of patients globally who need palliative care receive it, highlighting a significant service gap.
Research shows that integrating palliative care into treatment plans for young patients with critical illnesses reduces symptom burden and improves overall quality of life. Cancer patients, in particular, often face inadequate pain management, psychological support, and guidance during their treatment.
The program has earned accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the European Society for Medical Oncology and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.
This ensures the highest standards of clinical competency, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based, culturally sensitive palliative care.
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center.
Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security.
The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons.
He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly.
Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features.
He observed the center’s operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In Syria, 170 packages were distributed to families in need in the Rif Dimashq governorate as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.
In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 1,300 baskets to vulnerable groups in the Al-Wadi district of the Marib governorate, benefiting 9,100 individuals. In the Aden governorate, 1,188 parcels were given to people with disabilities.
The Etaam project in Yemen targets displaced individuals, those in greatest need, and people with disabilities in Aden, Hadramout, Marib, Al-Mahra, Shabwah, and Hajjah, benefiting 160,812 individuals.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Additionally, KSrelief distributed 564 food baskets to people in need in Deir Ammar, northern Lebanon, benefiting 2,820 individuals.
In Syria, KSrelief provided food baskets and hygiene kits to 803 families in Harem, benefiting 4,818 individuals.
