Day: September 7, 2024

The Public Health Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health issued a statement this evening, announcing that "the Israeli enemy's targeting of a Lebanese Civil Defense team while working to extinguish fires caused by the recent Israeli raids on the town of Froun today, has led to the martyrdom of three paramedics and the injury of two others, one of whom is in critical condition.' 'The Public Health Ministry condemns this blatant Israeli attack that targeted a team in an official apparatus affiliated with the Lebanese state, noting that it is the second of its kind against an ambulance team in less than twelve hours,' the statement added. 'The Ministry affirms that the Israeli enemy's insistence on accumulating such attacks prohibited by international law is nothing but a confirmation of its barbarism and aggressive intentions that leave no room for carrying out humanitarian missions that are usually allowed even in the most brutal and harshest wars,' the statement concluded. Source: Na tional News Agency - Lebanon

Marine patrols from the Border Guards in the Madinah region have swiftly come to the aid of an Egyptian sailor who experienced a health emergency while aboard a commercial ship at sea. The sailor was administered first aid on the spot before being transferred to a hospital, where he is now receiving necessary medical care. The General Directorate of Border Guards urges the public to dial emergency numbers (911) in the Makkah and Eastern regions and (994) across the rest of the Kingdom for immediate assistance in emergencies. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Elephant Clock, a magnificent invention by the Arab Muslim scholar Al-Jazari (1136 AD-1206 AD), stands as a symbol of innovation and a stunning testament to the fusion of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Displayed at the King Salman Science Oasis during the Science and Technology Festival, 'STEAM', this 800-year-old creation offers a glimpse into the brilliance of Islamic civilization's golden age. The clock is proof of advanced scientific principles and precise water technologies, and the roots of modern scientific revolutions. Based on Greek hydraulic systems, it uses water flow and gears to measure time with remarkable accuracy, regulated by mathematical calculations. Its design is not just a technical marvel, it celebrates a blend of diverse cultures. The elephant symbolizes Indian and African heritage, the dragon represents Chinese culture, the phoenix signifies ancient Egypt, while the water and the carpet evoke Greek and Persian influences, respectively. The turban atop the clock marks its Islamic origin, reflecting the broader legacy of Arab innovation. This exquisite piece, housed at the King Salman Science Oasis, transcends time, reminding visitors of the pivotal role the Islamic civilization played in the world's scientific advancements. The clock is part of the ongoing festival, which runs until the end of September, and continues to inspire generations to endeavor to come up with more innovations. Source: Saudi Press Agency

King Faisal University grants educational opportunities to 176 non-Saudi students of both genders in the academic year 1446 AH. The students, from various Arab and other countries, will be pursuing bachelor's and diploma-level degrees. The selection includes both residents in the Kingdom and young people from abroad; students will be enrolled in 14 different colleges covering a range of specializations. Dean of Admission and Registration Dr. Mohammed bin Abdel-Wahhab Al-Fredan stressed that this initiative aligns with the university's goal of promoting international cultural diversity in its academic and research environment. He also said that King Faisal University will offer a variety of services to support the new students, helping them to integrate smoothly into the academic atmosphere. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef has commenced an official visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to discuss increased industrial cooperation, investment in the Kingdom, and mutual opportunities in automation, innovation, and technology solutions. The visit will include meetings with officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Innovation, Technology, and Industry, the Department of Trade and Economic Development, and the Global Research Collaboration Center InnoHK. Alkhorayef will also visit Hutchison Ports, meet with the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and hold discussions with officials from Cyberport, a company renowned for advanced technology solutions, as well as the Johnson Electric Group and other commercial and industrial companies. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, maintains economic relations with the Kingdom. In 2023, the total volume of Saudi non-oil exports to Hong Kong amounted t o SAR1 billion, while the total volume of the Kingdom's imports from Hong Kong during the same year reached SAR6.6 billion. The Kingdom's most prominent exports to Hong Kong include ordinary metals and their products, optical tools and devices, medical devices, and electrical equipment, while the Kingdom's most significant imports from Hong Kong consist of clothing, natural pearls, ordinary metals, and leather products. Alkhorayef is leading a delegation from the industry and mineral resources sector, which includes Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development Dr. Abdullah Al-Ahmari, National Center for Industrial Development CEO Eng. Saleh Al-Solami, and Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) CEO Eng. Majed Al-Arqoubi. The visit is part of an economic tour of East Asia, covering China and Singapore as well. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) will hold the first international edition of the International AI Olympiad (IAIO) between September 8-12, in which some 25 countries are expected to take place. The event will be held in collaboration with the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) and the International Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) in Slovenia, under UNESCO auspices. SDAIA aims to establish this international Olympiad as a premier platform for AI competitions, nurturing talent, and fostering skill development. The event will be a forum for scientists and enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas, enhance capabilities, and explore the latest advancements in the field. Moreover, SDAIA envisions IAIO as a catalyst for future global expansions, serving as a powerful motivator for young men and women the world over to engage in activities pertaining to AI. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation eq uipped with a profound understanding of the transformative technologies that have become an integral part of humanity's daily lives and business systems. In preparation for the Olympiad, SDAIA conducted a series of virtual lectures on AI, on the Olympiad website, designed to qualify international teams for the competition and empower interested students from various countries to expand their knowledge in this crucial domain. The lectures spanned five weeks and covered diverse topics such as Introduction to AI, Social Impact of AI (ethics, fairness), Kernel Methods, Working with Data, Deployed Deep Generative Models, Supervised Learning, AI-Search, Learning Evaluation, Reinforcement Learning, and Unsupervised Learning. Each participating country fielded a team of up to four students, who will compete individually over two days during the third edition of the Global AI Summit. The first day is slated to focus on scientific questions, while the second involve solving scientific problems using AI technologi es through a specially designed platform. IAIO aligns with SDAIA's commitment to raising the Kingdom's global standing, making it a leading force in data and AI. It also contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the UN by raising awareness about the significance of advanced technologies and equipping communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to master them. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Ministry of Culture will grant the National Cultural Awards on Monday at King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh. The event, in its fourth edition, will honor pioneers excelling in various cultural tracks. Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan expressed gratitude for the Crown Prince's generous patronage, which, he said, "reflects the wise leadership's interest in the cultural sector and in supporting creativity in the field of culture". He also emphasized that through this initiative, the Ministry of Culture honors the most significant achievements that contribute to the development and creativity of the cultural sector. Honored at the event will be the winners of 16 cultural awards: Cultural Pioneer of the Year, Youth Culture Award, International Cultural Excellence Award, Business Owners Award, Cultural Institutions Award, Film Award, Fashion Award, Music Aw ard, National Heritage Award, Literature Award, Theater and Performing Arts Award, Visual Arts Award, Architecture and Design Award, Culinary Arts Award, Publishing Award, and Translation Award. Source: Saudi Press Agency

To mark the International Day of Clean Air, the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) highlighted its commitment to ensuring clean air for all. The center operates a network of 240 strategically located air quality monitoring stations across the Kingdom. The NCEC director of environmental data, Dr. Mohammed Al-Daghriri, said that these stations continuously monitor air quality indicators, including PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Real-time data is transmitted to the central unit via the XR system, enabling rapid response to any pollution concerns. Daily reports are submitted to relevant authorities for immediate action. By publishing daily air quality indicators, NCEC empowers citizens to make informed decisions and avoid areas with high pollution levels. This contributes significantly to the public's health and well-being. The air quality index, a measure of air pollutants, helps assess the level of pollution and its impact on human health and e nvironment. The focus is on local pollutants with direct health effects, such as fine particles and harmful gases. In line with its broader environmental goals, Saudi Arabia aims to reduce carbon emissions by 15-20% by 2030. Initiatives to achieve this target include promoting the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, developing the circular economy, and increasing green spaces. 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 Federative Republic of Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his country's Independence Day. HRH the Crown Prince wished da Silva continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Brazil steady progress and prosperity. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to Federative Republic of Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his country's Independence Day. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished da Silva continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Brazil steady progress and prosperity. Source: Saudi Press Agency