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.



Australian Hiker Found Alive after Surviving for Two Weeks on Berries and Muesli Bars

A general view of Cooma Hospital where hiker Hadi Nazari was transferred to for a health check in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
A general view of Cooma Hospital where hiker Hadi Nazari was transferred to for a health check in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
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Australian Hiker Found Alive after Surviving for Two Weeks on Berries and Muesli Bars

A general view of Cooma Hospital where hiker Hadi Nazari was transferred to for a health check in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
A general view of Cooma Hospital where hiker Hadi Nazari was transferred to for a health check in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, 08 January 2025. (EPA)

An Australian student missing for two weeks near the country's tallest mountain was found on Wednesday, after surviving by foraging for berries, drinking water from a creek and finding two muesli bars left behind by other hikers, police said.

Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old university student from Melbourne, went missing from his group of friends on December 26 in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Nazari was found on Wednesday afternoon by a group of hikers who alerted the authorities, police in the state of New South Wales said.

“This is the fourteenth day we've been looking for him and for him to come out and be in such good spirits and in such great condition, it’s incredible," NSW Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot said.

The student was in "really good spirits" with no significant injuries, he added.

More than 300 people had searched for Nazari across rugged bushland, police said. The national park is home to the 2,228 meter (7,310 foot) Mount Kosciuszko.