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Saudi Culture Minister Launches 2nd Restoration Phase of Riyadh Heritage Buildings

Prince Badr Bin Farhan inspects the project of restoration of urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Badr Bin Farhan inspects the project of restoration of urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Culture Minister Launches 2nd Restoration Phase of Riyadh Heritage Buildings

Prince Badr Bin Farhan inspects the project of restoration of urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Badr Bin Farhan inspects the project of restoration of urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Farhan launched on Monday the second phase of the project to restore urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in the center of Riyadh.

Prince Badr is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission.

The inauguration follows the completion of studies and designs, preparation and management of sites, and temporary strengthening of buildings.

The minister inspected the project which included 15 heritage palaces.

The project aims to preserve urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance, highlight the local identity, and transform these buildings into economic, social, cultural, and tourism resources.

The Heritage Commission has included the sites in the National Urban Heritage Register.

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Buyer Splashes Out $1.3 Million for Tokyo New Year Tuna

The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million US dollars), which was bought jointly by sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group and wholesaler Yamayuki, is carried by a sushi chef at an Onodera sushi restaurant after the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million US dollars), which was bought jointly by sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group and wholesaler Yamayuki, is carried by a sushi chef at an Onodera sushi restaurant after the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
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Buyer Splashes Out $1.3 Million for Tokyo New Year Tuna

The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million US dollars), which was bought jointly by sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group and wholesaler Yamayuki, is carried by a sushi chef at an Onodera sushi restaurant after the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million US dollars), which was bought jointly by sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group and wholesaler Yamayuki, is carried by a sushi chef at an Onodera sushi restaurant after the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan January 5, 2025. (Reuters)

The top bidder at a Tokyo fish market said they paid $1.3 million for a tuna on Sunday, the second highest price ever paid at an annual prestigious new year auction.

Michelin-starred sushi restauranteurs the Onodera Group said they paid 207 million yen for the 276-kilogram (608 pound) bluefin tuna, roughly the size and weight of a motorbike.

It is the second highest price paid at the opening auction of the year in Tokyo's main fish market since comparable data started being collected in 1999.

The powerful buyers have now paid the top price for five years straight -- winning bragging rights and a lucrative frenzy of media attention in Japan.

"The first tuna is something meant to bring in good fortune," Onodera official Shinji Nagao told reporters after the auction. "Our wish is that people will eat this and have a wonderful year."

The Onodera Group paid 114 million yen for the top tuna last year.

But the highest ever auction price was 333.6 million yen for a 278-kilogram bluefin in 2019, as the fish market was moved from its traditional Tsukiji area to a modern facility in nearby Toyosu.

The record bid was made by self-proclaimed "Tuna King" Kiyoshi Kimura, who operates the Sushi Zanmai national restaurant chain.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the new year tunas commanded only a fraction of their usual top prices, as the public were discouraged from dining out and restaurants had limited operations.