JEDDAH: A delegation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid And Relief Center arrived in Japan, headed by Director of Operations Support Department, Faleh Al-Subaie, reported the state-run SPA.
The visit was organized in accordance with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and with the cooperation of the Japanese Red Cross and the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo, to make a symbolic contribution to the victims of the rains and floods that hit Japan last July.
It also aims to recognize the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan at official and personal levels.
“This visit underscores the strength of the good relations between the Kingdom and Japan, the distinguished partnership between the two friendly countries, the continuation of the initiatives of the Kingdom and its positive humanitarian status in various countries, to reach all parts of the world,” said Al-Subaie
The Director General of the International Department of Japanese Red Cross Yousso Tanaka expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom, represented by KSRelief for this contribution to support the areas affected by natural disasters in Japan, indicating that it will strengthen the existing friendship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, general supervisor of KSRelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashemi, also the representatives of a number of international and humanitarian humanitarian organizations, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE recently launched the “Imdad” initiative for $500 million to meet Yemen’s food needs and targeting around 12 million Yemenis.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah said methods were discussed to meet the needs of the food security and nutrition sectors in the most affected areas in Yemen, mechanisms of access, especially under the control of the Houthi militia, and identify partners able to access those areas.
These methods are according to recent reports issued by the United Nations, indicating that the most vulnerable groups will be targeted children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah stressed that the UN and international organizations must stand firm in the face of the violations committed by the Houthi terrorist militia that have deprived the Yemeni people of their values and restricted their freedom.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah stressed both countries keenness to help the Yemeni people in all areas, adding “a team of specialists has been formed in the two countries to develop details and mechanisms of access to the most affected groups, hoping to see the actual and positive results of the initiative soon on the ground as well as its intended impact and required effectiveness.
A separate KSRelief team also visited Saudi schools in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to inspect the educational services provided to students of Rohingya refugees.
The project aims to provide educational services to students of Rohingya minority in Malaysia through teaching the Holy Qur’an, Arabic language, computer skills, science and mathematics, in addition to enhancing their educational process and mental health.
The Saudi schools in Kuala Lumpur were established in 1991 under the umbrella of the Saudi Embassy in Malaysia.
KSRelief meets with Japanese, international relief agencies
KSRelief meets with Japanese, international relief agencies
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The project is considered the backbone of public transport network in Riyadh and an element of the transportation system in the city, SPA said.
King Salman watched an introductory film about the project, which is distinguished by its exceptional design and technical specifications.
The Riyadh Metro consists of a network that includes six train lines measuring 176 kilometers, 85 stations including four main stations.
“The Public Transport Project in Riyadh City, with its train and bus components, is the fruit of King Salman’s efforts and is based on his insightful vision when he was Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh,” the crown prince said.
Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals
- Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
- Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track
RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.
Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.
The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.
Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.
The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.
It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.
At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.
The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.
The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.
Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair
- Al-Sheikh highlights role of Council of Senior Scholars on Islamic issues
- Council ‘keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region’
RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday received the chairperson of Pakistan’s senate at the presidential headquarters in Riyadh.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by a delegation of members of the upper house in the Pakistani parliament.
Al-Sheikh, who is also chairperson of the Council of Senior Scholars, and president general of scientific research and ifta, highlighted the depth and distinguished brotherly Islamic relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He highlighted the significant role the Council of Senior Scholars performs in the Kingdom to explain Shariah rulings about issues that concern Muslims. It has issued more than 30,000 fatwas and 200 rulings.
The council is keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region, he added.
He said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continue to serve the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring that visitors and pilgrims receive appropriate services.
Gilani expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia, noting the great role the Kingdom is playing through its leadership as well as the ties it has developed with Pakistan on various issues.
The meeting was attended by the secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed, and Shoura Council member Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.
New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability
- NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
- Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.
These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.
He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.
The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.
These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.
The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
- Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
- Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.
Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.
Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.
The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.
Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.