RIYADH: The Shoura Council called on the Ministry of National Guard on Tuesday to set priorities for development plans for some of its sectors and to employ local talent.
The council adopted the resolution during its ordinary session presided over by Dr. Abdullah bin Salim Al-Mutani, deputy chairman of the council.
Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan, assistant speaker of the council, said in a press statement following the session that he adopted the resolution after hearing the views of the Security Affairs Committee on the members’ comments and opinions on the annual report of the Ministry of National Guard for the fiscal year 1438/1439 AH (2018), put forward during a previous session by the head of the committee, Maj. Gen. Ali Asiri.
The Shoura Council also urged the ministry in its resolution to establish sports and recreational buildings and facilities in the National Guard’s camps.
Al-Samaan added: “In another resolution, the Shoura Council called upon the Ministry of Telecommunications and IT to coordinate with the Presidency of State Security to accelerate the integration of the digital certification program and the National Information Center.”
The council adopted its resolution after hearing the views of the Committee on Transport, Communications and Information Technology on the members’ comments and opinions on the ministry’s annual report for the fiscal year 1438/1439 AH (2018), put forward during a previous session by the head of the committee, Gen. Nasser Al-Otaibi. In its resolution, the council called on the ministry to ensure the implementation of the decision that obliges government agencies to develop their services, data and techniques and ensure their compatibility with the technologies associated with the national platform.
The council called on the ministry to accelerate vacating the frequency bands, which are still hindering the implementation of modern technologies, including fifth-generation wireless (5G), in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The council also urged the ministry to encourage the private sector to establish training centers that help attract competent human resources and train to employ them in the ICT industry.
The council called on the ministry to adopt a government program to increase local content and Saudize the ICT industry in line with Vision 2030. In another resolution adopted during the session, the Shoura Council urged the Decision Support Center to cooperate with the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue and put more effort into developing the system of public opinion surveys and measuring trends across the Kingdom.
The council then discussed the report of the Committee on Hajj, Housing and Services on the annual report of the Ministry of Housing for the fiscal year 1438/1439 AH (2018), put forward by the head of the committee, Dr. Tarek Fadaak.
In the recommendation it submitted to the council, the committee called on the Ministry of Housing to clarify a number of the products delivered to citizens as part of the Sakani program, in addition to what was not delivered and the reasons behind it.
Saudi Shoura urges National Guard Ministry to employ local talent
Saudi Shoura urges National Guard Ministry to employ local talent
- The council called on the ministry to adopt a government program to increase local content and Saudize the ICT industry in line with Vision 2030
- Council wants private sector’s increased role in HR development
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Rain of varying intensities will fall over most parts of Saudi Arabia from Jan. 10 to 12, the National Center for Meteorology stated on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
