JEDDAH: On the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 88th National Day a public library released pictures of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud, who has become a great memory to this day.
The King Abdulaziz Public Library, one of the Kingdom’s major cultural institutions, maintains a vast historical collection of King Abdulaziz, his life and personal accomplishments, as well as galleries of pictures of the Kingdom’s past and present portrayed in various books, documents and manuscripts.
The library maintains a wide variety of images documenting Saudi Arabia’s history and life for researchers and historians, showing the stages of construction and establishment.
They also portray the position of the founding king, which can be seen through his interviews and meetings with a large number of officials, ranging from presidents, kings, ministers, ambassadors and international personalities concerned with the issues of the Arab world and Middle East events.
A series of photographs reveal how King Abdulaziz was keen to meet with citizens and guide them and meet tribal elders and people in direct and open meetings, including King Farouk of Egypt, late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and late US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Other pictures portray the founder’s care for education and his appreciation of scientists and students alike.
The images also capture scenes of life in Makkah, Madinah, the north-west of the Kingdom, and its heritage and archaeological sites, which shed light on the region’s history.
The collection reflects many of the architectural arts of the region during that period, as reflected in the designs of the mosques, palaces and buildings, as well as arts, fashion, social customs, and handicrafts.
Rare photos give glimpse into life of late Saudi Arabia founder King Abdulaziz
Rare photos give glimpse into life of late Saudi Arabia founder King Abdulaziz
JIAT finds coalition hit Houthi vehicle in Yemen in 2018
- Joint Incidents Assessment Team said one guided bomb hit a legitimate military target
- Investigation came after allegations the vehicle contained civilians and firewood
RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team released a statement on Wednesday regarding a claim that the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen targeted a vehicle in the Sanaa governorate in 2018.
The JIAT investigation found that coalition forces did not target a vehicle carrying five people from two families and a firewood load in the Sanaa governorate on March 21, 2018, as claimed.
However, the JIAT, which was set up in May 2016 to assess Saudi military activity in Yemen, found that the air forces targeted a vehicle belonging to the Houthi militia in the Musawarah area in Nihm district, 40 km east of the capital.
The JIAT stated that the air forces targeted the Houthi vehicle 620 meters away from the coordinates mentioned in the claim regarding the civilian vehicle.
It added the legitimate Yemeni government’s ground forces requested air support to target a Houthi vehicle in Musawarah during armed clashes.
The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen’s air forces then launched an airstrike and used one guided bomb to hit the Houthi target, the JIAT added.
The investigation assessed documents related to the operation, including air mission orders and reports, video recordings, and satellite images.
It also reviewed the coalition’s rules of engagement in light of international humanitarian law, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Based on video recordings of the strike, the JIAT found that the Houthi vehicle was on the road in the Nihm district that connects Marib and Sanaa, the SPA reported.
The JIAT added that the road was free of civilians and other vehicles, and there were no buildings around the military target; neither personnel nor firewood load were seen onboard the vehicle, the SPA added.
Education minister opens Saudi Arabia’s first technical high school for gifted boys
- Students will engage in advanced technical projects, research and specialized training programs
RIYADH: Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh, the first government school in the Kingdom specializing in technology.
The event was attended by Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha, Tuwaiq Academy Chairman Faisal Al-Khamisi, and other educational and technical leaders.
The school follows a pioneering global model aimed at developing the technological skills and capabilities of students, empowering them to build and innovate groundbreaking projects.
It also focuses on learning and scientific research, preparing students for local and international technological specializations.
By keeping pace with future advancements, the school enhances the Kingdom’s technological education standards. Students from the school will also represent Saudi Arabia in regional and international competitions and exhibitions.
“Technology has become fundamental to daily life and is an essential tool for navigating the future,” said Naif bin Abed Al-Zari, Riyadh’s education director, highlighting the Ministry of Education’s partnership with Tuwaiq Academy.
Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi, CEO of Tuwaiq Academy, called the partnership a cornerstone for advancing technical education.
The new educational establishment focuses on nurturing future talent through an immersive, application-based curriculum complemented by global certifications in specialized programs.
Al-Hammadi said that students at the school have earned more than 120 professional certifications from major global companies in the first semester of operations alone.
During their visit, the two ministers toured the technical school and academy facilities, observing programs, bootcamps and activities while interacting with students to assess the learning environment.
The school offers specialized programs in programming, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, data science and other fields.
It will prepare students for major competitions like the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Competition and Exhibition, and the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, showcasing Saudi talent in a range of technical fields.
Saudi Arabia expresses condolences to Azerbaijan after deadly plane crash
- Kingdom extends sympathies to victims’ families
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in a plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday.
The Kingdom also extended its sympathies to the government and people of Azerbaijan, wishing a swift recovery to the injured, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Wednesday morning, a passenger plane traveling from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near Aktau, western Kazakhstan, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board.
Later, Kazakh authorities announced that 28 people had survived and that Azerbaijan Airlines had operated the plane.
Unverified video footage circulating on social media platforms appeared to show the plane bursting into flames as it struck the ground, with thick black smoke rising afterward.
Bahrain’s king receives Saudi minister of state in Manama
- King Hamad conveyed greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
RIYADH: Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz in Manama on Wednesday.
Prince Turki conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
King Hamad, who welcomed Prince Turki and his delegation at Al-Safriya Palace, highlighted the strong ties between Riyadh and Manama, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Hamad also conveyed his greetings to King Salman and the crown prince, the SPA added.
Makkah developing smart solutions to counter natural disasters
- Plan includes improving efficiency and operational capabilities of the city’s control room
RIYADH: Makkah municipality is planning to develop several artificial-intelligence and other smart solutions to help mitigate natural disasters, particularly flooding, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The municipality recently signed an agreement with a specialist company to develop these technical solutions, which includes improving the efficiency and operational capabilities of the city’s control room.
In addition, the plan is to enhance governance frameworks that support quality and sustainability goals, and accelerate digital transformation initiatives within the city.
Key features of this collaboration include the development of a smart system for infrastructure monitoring. The Makkah region has experienced heavy rainfall regularly this year.
By improving service efficiency, boosting infrastructure safety, and leveraging technology, the city aims to significantly enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA reported.
Earlier this year the municipality expanded e-services and applications, and developed the city’s infrastructure with multi-level parking lots, and technology-operated facilities.
As a result, Makkah is now ranked 52nd in the global Smart City Index, fifth in the Arab world, and second in the Kingdom after Riyadh.
All these services are contributing to a sustainable urban environment in Makkah, according to the municipality.
Makkah’s new developments are also aimed at enhancing services for the increasing number of pilgrims and visitors traveling to the holy city.
