Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash Kills 14 Nationals
A helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed on Sunday in Ras Tanura on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast on the Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, killing 14 nationals, the state news agency reported, adding that the cause was unknown.
"The relevant authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash," the news agency said.
The incident took place at 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), the agency added.
Saudi FM Discusses Strengthening GCC-ASEAN Partnership, Expanding Cooperation
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated on Thursday in the joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held in New York on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Interlocutors reviewed the progress of the GCC-ASEAN partnership considering the development of ties between the two sides in recent years. They also explored ways to transform existing cooperation into practical projects and initiatives that advance shared interests.
The ministers discussed opportunities to expand cooperation across several priority sectors including economic, trade, investment and development fields. They highlighted the importance of maintaining coordination and consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
King Abdulaziz Mosque in North Riyadh Preserves Founder’s Legacy in National Memory
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has directed, following a proposal by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, that a mosque to be built in northern Riyadh be named after King Abdulaziz.
An 88,000-square-meter site along King Abdulaziz Road has been allocated for the project.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh Region, welcomed the directive on behalf of the region’s residents, describing it as a tribute to the legacy of the Kingdom’s founder and his place in the national memory.
He noted that building and caring for mosques has long been a cornerstone of the Saudi leadership’s approach, with the King Abdulaziz Mosque continuing that tradition.
According to Prince Faisal, the mosque also reflects the leadership’s attention to the Kingdom’s history and its leaders, embodying values of loyalty while reinforcing national unity and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted history.
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Riyadh Region, described the directive as a tribute by the leadership to legacy of King Abdulaziz and to the achievements Saudi Arabia has made since he unified the country.
He characterized the Kingdom’s history, heritage, unity and cohesion between its leaders and people as a source of pride, adding that the mosque’s name reflected appreciation for King Abdulaziz’s efforts to build and care for mosques.
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of Riyadh Region, called the mosque an important addition to the capital amid rapid urban and population growth in northern Riyadh.
Its location, size and integrated facilities will serve residents and visitors while meeting demand for a major mosque as well as religious, educational and community facilities, he noted.
The project will include a library, a Quran memorization school, a mortuary washing facility, open courtyards and other community amenities. Its design is intended to make it a prominent architectural landmark at the capital’s northern entrance.
The mayor emphasized that naming the mosque after King Abdulaziz gives the project particular significance, linking a new landmark in the modern capital with the history and legacy of the Kingdom’s founder.
A Saudi tradition of mosque construction
The naming also commemorates King Abdulaziz’s role in unifying Saudi Arabia and his efforts to build and maintain mosques across the Kingdom.
During his reign, mosque construction and preservation became an important part of state-building. In 1344 AH, he ordered the comprehensive restoration of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, followed by the establishment of a facility to produce the Kaaba’s kiswa in Ajyad in 1346 AH. His reign also saw the introduction of electric lighting and the roofing of the Masa’a, the walkway between Safa and Marwah.
Those efforts extended to restoring and establishing major mosques across the Kingdom. King Abdulaziz also established administrative and financial structures to ensure their continued maintenance and care through the creation of the Directorate of Endowments, laying the foundations for Saudi Arabia’s continuing approach to preserving the architectural and cultural significance of mosques.
The new mosque will stand along King Abdulaziz Road in a rapidly developing area of northern Riyadh. Covering 88,000 square meters. It s intended to become a prominent landmark serving residents and visitors while carrying the name of the Kingdom’s founder and meeting the area’s religious and urban needs.
Saudi Arabia Joins High-Level Roundtable on Peace and Early Recovery in Gaza
On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adviser and Special Envoy to the Foreign Minister for Negotiations and Peace Efforts Dr. Manal Radwan participated in a high-level roundtable titled “From Sharm El-Sheikh to Phase II – Consolidating Peace and Early Recovery", the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Hosted by Egypt and co-chaired by France, Germany, and the European Commission, the meeting was held at the headquarters of Egypt’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, with the participation of regional and international partners, representatives of various UN organizations, and members of the Board of Peace.
