MADRID: Spain’s government will take control of Catalonia and rule it directly if Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont does not drop a bid to split the region from Spain by Thursday at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said.
“Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he must answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the declaration (of independence),” Saenz de Santamaria said.
Madrid had given Puigdemont until Monday 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence with a “Yes” or “No,” but the Catalan leader did not directly answer the question.
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Catalan leader must drop independence by Thursday — Spain Deputy PM
Catalan leader must drop independence by Thursday — Spain Deputy PM
KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport
- KSrelief dispatched dozens of aid trucks and planes after collapse of Assad regime
RIYADH: The 11th Saudi relief plane landed at Damascus International Airport in on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian airlift launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre.
After the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime early in December, KSrelief has sent dozens of trucks and planes loaded with food, shelter, and medical supplies to meet the urgent basic needs of Syrians.
Experts discuss AI’s role in enhancing pilgrim experiences
- Discussions at Jeddah conference focus on crowd control, personalized services, sustainable solutions
- Tamer Bdran, vice president of NEC Saudi Arabia Ltd., discussed the role of global technical solutions tailored to the unique needs of Hajj and Umrah
JEDDAH: Industry experts gathered to discuss how artificial intelligence can enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience for millions of pilgrims worldwide.
The discussions took place at the fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, running until Jan. 16.
The event, themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” is hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, featuring over 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovations to improve the pilgrim experience.
The conversation began with an overview of the current state of Hajj and Umrah, with speakers noting that only 5 percent of available technical capabilities have been utilized so far.
Mohammed Al-Hamid, director of the AI Center at the Ministry of Interior, shared in the session “Personalizing Services for the Guests of Allah: Data and Digital Solutions” that the ministry has made significant progress in data and AI infrastructure.
He added that the ministry has played a key role in transforming the Hajj and Umrah experience into a seamless journey driven by technological innovation.
Al-Hamid said that AI can help manage crowds by tracking movements, identifying potential hazards, and making real-time adjustments to traffic flow.
“We are using AI to develop long-term solutions that enhance the sustainability of Hajj services, including managing human density by analyzing crowd flow and predicting congestion, offering multilingual guidance, utilizing big data to anticipate pilgrims' needs, and efficiently distributing human and technical resources,” he added.
Speakers then expressed optimism about how AI could address the urgent need for faster and more effective services.
Abdulaziz Al-Matahami, deputy minister of planning and digital transformation at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said that the ministry first digitized traditional services, then moved to integrate government agencies to offer customized services for each pilgrim and Umrah performer.
He highlighted the new version of the Nusuk app, which provides comprehensive services such as hotel and flight reservations, historical tours, and permits for the Two Holy Mosques.
Al-Matahami also announced the launch of the Nusuk Business platform, aimed at enhancing integration with entrepreneurs to deliver innovative solutions for serving pilgrims.
In another session titled “Advanced Solutions and Technologies for Effective Crowd Management,” Fahad Al-Ghamdi, CEO of human resources at National Security Services Co., explained that the company operates as an integrated security system, offering consulting, risk analysis, and advanced technical solutions, such as mobile command and control centers with cameras supported by AI to analyze data in real time.
Tamer Bdran, vice president of NEC Saudi Arabia Ltd., discussed the role of global technical solutions tailored to the unique needs of Hajj and Umrah.
He said: “Technologies such as facial and fingerprint recognition, along with simulating crowd flow using supercomputing, have improved planning and reduced waiting times at ports and airports.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Spain Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin visited the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at the conference. She was briefed on the ministry's efforts and initiatives to ensure a safe Hajj experience, including AI-enhanced security systems, digital solutions for crowd management at holy sites, the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, and the Makkah Route initiative.
Russia planned ‘acts of terrorism’ in the air, Polish PM says
- The explosions occurred in depots in Britain, Germany and Poland in July
- Russia has denied involvement in the incidents and Tusk did not mention them specifically
WARSAW: Russia planned ‘acts of terrorism’ in the air against Poland and other countries, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw.
Security officials have said that parcels that exploded at logistics depots in Europe were part of a test run for a Russian plot to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the United States. The explosions occurred in depots in Britain, Germany and Poland in July. Russia has denied involvement in the incidents and Tusk did not mention them specifically.
“The latest information can confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of terrorism in the air not only against Poland,” Tusk told a news conference. He did not say what acts he was referring to or elaborate on the contents of the information.
Moscow has regularly denied any involvement in the courier depot explosions, as well as break-ins, arson and attacks on individuals which Western officials say were carried out by operatives paid by Russia. The Russian embassy in Warsaw has not immediately replied to an emailed request for comment on Tusk’s statement.
Istanbul toll from tainted alcohol rises to 19 dead in 48 hours
- The figure raised a toll given late Tuesday of 11 dead in 24 hours, Anadolu said
- A total of 65 people were affected, with 43 people still being treated in hospital and three others discharged
ISTANBUL: Nineteen people who drank tainted alcohol in Istanbul have died in the past 48 hours, with dozens more being treated for poisoning, the Anadolu news agency reported Wednesday.
The figure raised a toll given late Tuesday of 11 dead in 24 hours, Anadolu said.
A total of 65 people were affected, with 43 people still being treated in hospital and three others discharged.
Among them were 26 foreign nationals, the agency said without saying if any had died.
There was no immediate comment from the health ministry.
"The death toll is rising," wrote Istanbul governor Davut Gul on X late Tuesday, saying the "licences of 63 business selling counterfeit alcohol were cancelled and they were closed".
One of those was a business posing as a restaurant that was selling counterfeit alcohol in water bottles for 30 lira ($0.85) each, the private NTV channel said.
In 2024, 110 people fell ill after drinking tainted alcohol in Istanbul, of whom 48 died, the governorate said.
Alcohol tainted with methanol is thought to be the cause, methanol being a toxic substance that can be added to liquor to increase its potency but which can cause blindness, liver damage and death.
Poisonings from adulterated alcohol are quite common in Türkiye, where private production has shot up as authorities crank up taxes on alcoholic drinks.
The most commonly faked product is raki, Türkiye’s aniseed-flavoured national liquor whose price has leapt to around 1,300 lira ($37.20) a litre in supermarkets.
On January 1, Türkiye’s minimum wage rose to 22,104 lira ($600).
Türkiye’s authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been accused of trying to Islamise society in the officially secular state, has often criticised the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Partnership with Saudi Arabia will address global critical mineral challenges, says UK minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UK are deepening mining ties as the British government seeks to secure critical minerals for industries such as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
On Jan. 14, the two nations signed an agreement to collaborate on mineral resource development, emphasizing sustainable practices, technology transfer, and economic growth.
In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the ongoing Future Minerals Forum, the UK Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, highlighted the growing collaboration between the two Kingdoms.
She emphasized the importance of partnerships in the critical minerals sector, which are vital for advancements in AI, green energy transitions, and emerging technologies.
“The quantity of critical minerals we’re going to need in the future is significantly bigger than we have today, and I think Saudi Arabia has taken quite a leadership role with the Future Minerals Forum, convening so many countries to come together and talk about this,” Jones said.
The minister outlined the challenges and opportunities as both countries work to address the surging global demand for essential minerals. She expressed confidence in the potential of the UK-Saudi partnership to tackle these challenges effectively.
The UK’s expertise in mining finance, as well as it universities — renowned for research and technical knowledge — position it as a valuable partner for Saudi Arabia in mining and exploration.
Jones emphasized that Britain’s focus on mining finance, combined with its global academic reputation, strengthens the collaboration.
“We wanted to have a relationship where we work together on some of these challenges, and I think this is the start of what will be a strengthening relationship going forward,” she said.
The minister expressed excitement about future collaborations, including sustainable mining practices, innovative financing structures, and technological advancements to meet the growing demand for critical minerals.
The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is taking a proactive approach to shaping its industrial future, especially in sectors integral to the global green transition and technological progress.
“We’re looking at things slightly differently,” said Jones. “We’re trying to be more proactive in devising what are the industries of the future that we need in the UK. Where do we get our supply chains from? How do we make sure we’re secure?”
As part of its new industrial strategy, Britain is prioritizing critical minerals, recognizing their essential role in advanced manufacturing, green energy, and AI.
Jones highlighted the government’s determination to position the UK as a key player in the global minerals market and equip domestic industries for future demands.
“We’re setting the directions of all of our companies and our businesses know the sectors that we want to grow and the direction that we want to go in,” she said.
To support this strategy, the British government has established funding mechanisms like the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance to mitigate risks associated with critical minerals mining, technology development, and sustainable practices.
In addition to the UK-Saudi partnership, Jones discussed opportunities for joint investment in mining projects in third countries.
She proposed collaboration on initiatives in Africa, where both nations have significant interests and could combine resources to meet growing mineral demands.
“Can the UK and Saudi Arabia have a project in an African country? We have several kinds of ideas, thoughts that we could do together,” she said.
Jones also highlighted the rising interest in mining within the UK, citing developments such as lithium and tin mining in Cornwall, which could support both the UK’s industrial needs and the global green transition.
The conversation touched on the ethical and environmental challenges associated with mining. Jones acknowledged the industry’s troubled history, including issues of worker mistreatment, environmental damage, and resource mismanagement.
As demand for minerals grows, she stressed the need for mining practices to evolve, becoming more sustainable and equitable.
“Historically, mining has been difficult in terms of the way that countries and people have been treated,” Jones said. “We’ve got to make sure where mining is sustainable and helping the countries that are supporting those mines, we have to make sure we’re creating wealth there and these things are hard, and that’s why countries need to work together.”
She concluded by emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in addressing critical mineral challenges.
“I think we can talk to each other between Saudi Arabia and ourselves about how some of these funding mechanisms work, how we support each other’s companies, and how we develop and help other countries to, to develop what they need as well. But it’s a huge challenge and that’s why we’re here,” Jones said.
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