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Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan
Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan. (SPA)
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.


Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation
Updated 14 sec ago

Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Ƶ’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.

The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.

The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Ƶ in 2023.

A version of this story originally appeared on . 


Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
Updated 8 min 43 sec ago

Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
  • The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.

In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.

The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.

KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.


New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 
Updated 14 January 2025

New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 
  • Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve

RIYADH: A groundbreaking scientific study has unveiled the first detailed list of reptile species in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Ƶ, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Conducted by the reserve’s development authority, the study was published in the Amphibian & Reptiles Conservation journal.

Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve. Three species were also newly documented, raising the reserve’s known total to 34.

The research highlighted two endangered species, the Egyptian monitor lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) and the Wolfgangboehmei gecko (Tropicolotes wolfgangboehmei), which both face threats from climate change and human activity, according to the study.

Spanning from November 2022 to October 2023, the study employed tools such as genetic barcoding and highlighted the reserve’s ecological diversity.

Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program and the Saudi Green Initiative, the study is part of efforts to protect endangered species and sustain wildlife in Ƶ. Researchers recommended enhanced monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate environmental challenges.


Saudi aid center provides prosthetic services in Yemen

Saudi aid center provides prosthetic services in Yemen
Updated 15 January 2025

Saudi aid center provides prosthetic services in Yemen

Saudi aid center provides prosthetic services in Yemen
  • Sixty-five percent of the beneficiaries were male and 35 percent were female, while 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent were local residents

RIYADH: Hundreds of Yemenis who lost limbs in the country’s civil war were given services through a Saudi-backed medical center in Aden Governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

With the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center provided 452 people with various services, including fitting, and rehabbing prosthetic limbs.

Sixty-five percent of the beneficiaries were male and 35 percent were female, while 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent were local residents, the report said.

A key objective of the project is to improve the capabilities of the health sector and alleviate the suffering of Yemenis through the Kingdom’s humanitarian arm, KSrelief.

 


Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Ƶ

Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Ƶ
Updated 14 January 2025

Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Ƶ

Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Ƶ
  • Event aligns with Kingdom’s goal of replacing imports with domestic production

RIYADH: Gulf Print and Pack 2025 debuted in Ƶ on Tuesday, highlighting the latest technologies, innovations and sustainable solutions from over 150 exhibitors.

The event is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The focus on digital technologies as a key theme for the event, emphasizing their transformative potential for the industry. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

Event director Barry Killengrey told Arab News that hosting GPP in Ƶ was a long-standing aspiration for the organizers. He said its expansion was made possible by a partnership with Informa Tahaluf, a company with a local presence.

“The GPP event in Dubai runs every two years, so this was a timely fashion where we could effectively have one event each year,” he said. “So 2025 was a focus on Ƶ, especially as it aligns with the country’s goal to replace imports with domestic production.”

Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

The event seeks to encourage collaboration and innovation within the commercial printing and packaging sectors, particularly in developing markets like Ƶ. Killengrey said it created vast opportunities across the printing and packaging spectrum.

“In such markets, industries are more fluid compared to the highly specialized and consolidated markets in developed regions,” he explained, adding that commercial printers might move into packaging, and packaging converters might also have a commercial print business.

This isn’t just about showcasing technology. It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.

Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print and Pack 2025 event director

“These industries are highly entrepreneurial and tend to seize faster-growing opportunities,” he said.

Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print and Pack 2025 event director

Killengrey also highlighted the crossover between packaging machinery and printing operations.

“For instance, co-packers often print their own packaging materials, and brand owners or specifiers seek events where they can explore a wide range of machinery applications and market opportunities,” he told Arab News.

Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

The next generation was also creating a much better appetite for longevity in printing and sustainability. Whether it was direct mail, menus or advertising, a focus on sustainable products was key, he added, acknowledging the challenges faced by global brands — particularly in the food and beverage industries — to adopt sustainable practices.

Killengrey said the expo addressed these by emphasizing innovation, design, shorter production runs and the use of diverse, environmentally friendly materials.

He added rapid advancements in digital printing and packaging technologies were expected to grow significantly over the next five to 10 years.

The event also features innovations in digital embellishment, automation and pre-and post-press workflows, offering attendees insights into the latest capabilities in flexible packaging, plate-making, cutting machines, folding machines, and corrugation technologies.

Digital technology is a key theme for the event, emphasizing their transformative potential for the industry.

“This isn’t just about showcasing technology,” Killengrey said. “It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.”