Day: August 9, 2024

Chairman of the Pakistani Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani received yesterday Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Salah bin Muhammed Al-Budair, with whom he discussed the issues of Islamophobia and the necessity of confronting the issue by spreading awareness of the correct teachings of Islam to reflect the true values of the Islamic religion. The chairman expressed his thanks to Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people for its continuous support for Pakistan in facing natural disasters and crises. He also commended the Saudi efforts to combat extremism and terrorism and to spread the values of moderation and balance. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki and a number of leaders in the Pakistani Senate attended the meeting. Source : Saudi Press Agency

Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is buzzing with activity, hosting over 40,000 beehives across 400 sites managed by 140 beekeepers. The reserve is becoming a hub for high-quality honey production, with beekeepers focusing on harvesting the finest Talh and Sidr honey, among other varieties, from the reserve's vast 91,500 square kilometer landscape. Beekeeper Mufleh Al-Jabreen highlighted the vital role of bees in the ecosystem. "Bees are crucial for pollinating flowers, boosting tree productivity, and enhancing seed quality," he said, adding that flower pollination can increase by up to 70% due to their efforts. Al-Jabreen also praised the unique qualities of Talh and Sidr honey, known for their wild flavor and resistance to crystallization. The peak honey production season runs from April to October. Beekeepers have expressed gratitude to the reserve authority for providing essential support, including permits, beehive spacing guidelines, and site allocation. Source : Saudi Press Agency

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the Republic of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam on the country's National Day. HRH the Crown Prince wished Shanmugaratnam continued good health and happiness and for the government and people of Singapore to make steady progress and prosperity. Source : Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Sport and Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal held talks yesterday with the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee Chairman Casey Wasserman, on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The two officials discussed enhancing sports cooperation and Saudi Arabia's participation in the LA28 Olympics. Source : Saudi Press Agency

The Religious Affairs Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has introduced a program designed to enhance the spiritual experience of Umrah performers and visitors. The initiative provides round-the-clock religious guidance within the Grand Mosque. Qualified scholars are stationed at 19 locations throughout the mosque, including entrances, courtyards, and the Mas'a, to answer questions about Islamic faith, worship, and Umrah rituals. Information desks are also available in 11 languages. Source : Saudi Press Agency

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan First Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan on the death of his sister Amnah. Source : Saudi Press Agency

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is a vast, pristine expanse encompassing 130,700 square kilometers across the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Tabuk, and Hail regions. This sanctuary is the Middle East's largest reserve, teeming with natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and archaeological treasures dating back 8,000 years. One of its crown jewels is Harrat Al-Harrah, a volcanic plateau adorned with black basalt rocks and low mountains. Al-Tawil Mountains within the reserve offer a captivating blend of nature and history. Ancient Arabic inscriptions and rock art depicting humans, animals, plants, and prehistoric stone structures dot the landscape. This remarkable site has served as a guiding landmark for travelers for centuries. Historic Jubbah village in Hail is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled within the reserve. This ancient settlement is a testament to the region's rich history. Al-Tubaiq area in Tabuk is renowned for its diverse terrain, including mountains, valleys, and plains. Home to a var iety of plant and animal life, including the iconic ibex and reem gazelle, it is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Source : Saudi Press Agency

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) concluded the voluntary medical project for facial and jaw surgeries and head and neck tumors, which took place in the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from July 29 to August 5. The project engaged 14 volunteers from various medical specialties in cooperation with the Muslim World League. The KSrelief volunteer medical team conducted 69 specialized surgical operations during the campaign, including the removal of benign and cancerous tumors in the mouth, face, and jaw areas and facial and jaw reconstruction surgeries, all of which were successful. This project is an extension of the voluntary medical projects provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of those in need and affected around the world. Source : Saudi Press Agency

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is racing against time in sports training innovations, adopting genuine collaborative partnerships, and creating advanced wearable sensors that aim to revolutionize sports systems, prevent injuries, and provide impactful insights that support superior professional performance and high athletic fitness. This innovation aligns with the goal of Saudi Vision 2030, which is to achieve regional and global excellence in professional sports. Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama from KAUST confirmed that the university benefits from an innovation using advanced electrochemical sensors to monitor drivers' physiological responses. He pointed out that this joint effort enhances drivers' agility and safety by providing detailed insights into body fluid levels, water and salt balance, and other stress indicators. This enables specialized therapeutic interventions and performance enhancement. Salama explained that this information could be beneficial in predicting wh ether some racers will perform well, potentially altering driver rankings and more. He noted that field testing for this collaborative project will begin soon, with the possibility of developing commercially designed wearable devices within two years. Dr. Nazek Al-Atab, the principal researcher at KAUST's Smart Memory Devices and Advanced Applications (SAMA) lab, indicated that wearable technology integrated with smart data storage and versatile computing systems can continuously monitor physical indicators during training and competitions. This technology helps coaches predict and prevent injuries, improve training systems, and even create personalized nutrition plans for athletes. Source : Saudi Press Agency

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has announced the launch of the second phase of the "Technology Localization Centers" initiative. This follows the success of the first phase, which saw the launch of more than 15 centers across six regions across the Kingdom. The initiative aims to enhance cooperation with the private sector to localize application and software development, outsourcing, and communication services within the Kingdom as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the digital economy, create job opportunities, and develop the technical skills of the youth in various regions of the Kingdom. In its second phase, the initiative, in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Program, seeks to expand the number of technology centers further. This expansion will bolster the Kingdom's position as a global digital hub based on technology and innovation, and strengthen ongoing digital transformation efforts. The initiative also supports a wide rang e of leading technology companies that contribute effectively to achieving strategic goals and supporting the growth of the digital economy. The ministry has invited entrepreneurs and interested parties from technology companies to register through the National Information Technology Development Program's website via the link: https://ntdp.gov.sa/ar/initiative/mbadrt-source-tech. Source : Saudi Press Agency