KONOZ Wins Two Golden Palm Awards at Saudi Film Festival

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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KONOZ Wins Two Golden Palm Awards at Saudi Film Festival

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The two films “Horizon” and “Bakhrush," produced by the Saudi Treasures initiative (KONOZ) of the Ministry of Media, have won the Golden Palm Award at the 10th annual Saudi Film Festival.
“Horizon” won the award for best film about the Saudi environment, while the film “Bakhrush” won the award for best cinematography.
“Horizon” contributes to increasing awareness of environmental diversity in the Kingdom, introducing unique geographical areas, and to efforts exerted to protect wildlife, preserve rare species, and introduce the world to the Kingdom’s various treasures by showing its picturesque nature, SPA reported.

"Horizon" is a result of the Kingdom's efforts to protect the environment being among the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030, prioritizing preserving wildlife and enacting regulations under the supervision of the National Center for Wildlife.
“Bakhruh” tells the story of the Wadi Quraish battle, led by Bakhrush bin Allas Al-Zahrani, who fought alongside the first Saudi State.



Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
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Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)

Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and humid air was flowing.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the affected area’s residents to “put safety first” and pay close attention to the latest information from the authorities.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, one person went missing in Yuzawa city — in the Akita prefecture — after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.

Rescue workers in the city evacuated 11 people from the flooded area with the help of a boat.

In the neighboring Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in the hardest-hit Yuza and Sakata towns within an hour earlier Thursday.

Thousands of residents in the area were advised to take shelter at higher and safer grounds, but it was not immediately known how many people took that advice.

Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to East Japan Railway Company.

The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of more rainfall in the region through Friday evening, urging residents to remain cautious.