TABUK: A submerged floating bridge could be built in the $500 billion megacity NEOM after it won a competition to contribute to the giga-project’s construction, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
NEOM, backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, will operate as an independent economic zone that is powered solely by renewable energy sources and has its own laws and regulations.
Dozens of young Saudi men and women entered the “Dream NEOM” challenge, which was organized in conjunction with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s Misk Foundation.
Entrants were tasked with providing creative solutions to the challenges facing NEOM in the fields of energy, health, sustainability, environment and technology.
The winning team created a “Submerged Floating Tunnel Bridge” that will be kind to marine life and help limit air pollution while operational.
Second place was awarded to “Magna Storage Park” team that designed a pumping system to store water and compensate for the energy fluctuation that may result from cloud cover and breaks in the wind.
The third place went to the “NEOM Assist” team for presenting a solution for three health care challenges in the city of NEOM. It is based on providing assistive technologies for people with special needs, while conducting advanced health care and development research.
“NEOM is not seeking ideas from outside the box. It wants to go above and beyond to find innovative and unique ideas,” said NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr. “We will consider all the projects that have been put forth to properly incorporate them in our national project that longs to integrate Saudi men and women.”
Misk Foundation said its Fellowship and Training Initiative sought to attract the best young minds to help accomplish NEOM’s vision, create opportunities and achieve the impossible.
The competition saw the participation of 12 teams that showcased their best innovations and solutions for the NEOM project.
The “Renewable Beauty” team presented technologies to identify energy sources in a way that complemented the megacity’s natural landscapes.
“NEOM Hot Rocks” devised a sustainable and carbon-free project that focused on using energy from rocks to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life, while “Eco-Clusters” found a way to transform waste through a vertical farming facility.
“Cybuild” set up a pioneering architectural project allowing robots to undertake construction tasks from start to finish. “NeoMe Fit” team found a solution that includes health in the city’s future lifestyle.
The entire NEOM project encompasses 26,500 sq. km of land, ranging from scenic coastline to desert to snow-capped mountains.
There is a plan to establish a network of airports in NEOM that will include an international airport with world-class standards. Project planners have identified 16 economic sectors to create a sustainable economy which are expected to eventually generate an estimated annual income of $100 billion.
Submerged floating bridge wins ‘Dream NEOM’ contest in KSA
Submerged floating bridge wins ‘Dream NEOM’ contest in KSA
- Entrants were tasked with providing creative, sustainable solutions for $500bn giga-project in Saudi Arabia’s northwest
Cumin has health benefits but always seek medical consultation first, says SFDA
- Herbs, like any substance with therapeutic effects, should be used with caution, the authority said
- Medical consultation is particularly recommended for those with blood clotting disorders or diabetes
RIYADH: Cumin offers notable health benefits and nutritional value, including aiding digestion and relieving gas, but it should not be used without seeking medical consultation, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) said on Thursday.
Cumin, particularly the Cuminum cyminum species, is an aromatic spice used as a seasoning in food and extracted for its oil for perfumes, and is also a popular remedy in traditional medicine.
But the SFDA emphasized that herbs, like any substance with therapeutic effects, should be used with caution.
"Medical consultation is essential, as certain herbs may interact with medications or affect nutrient absorption," the authority said in an advisory carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
The SFDA recommended adhering to the recommended daily intake of 1.5 to 3 grams of cumin, noting that one teaspoon is equivalent to 5 grams.
Cumin may interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications, potentially mimicking their effects and leading to complications, it said.
Medical consultation is particularly recommended for individuals with blood clotting disorders or diabetes, as well as pregnant and lactating women, the SFDA said.
It warned that cumin may induce uterine contractions, increasing the risk of premature birth, and could also affect hormonal balance during pregnancy.
Cumin may also cause acid reflux or diarrhea and could influence milk production in breastfeeding mothers, potentially leading to colic or diarrhea in infants, the advisory warned.
It further recommended discontinuing cumin consumption at least two weeks before any surgical procedure, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Saudi Arabia condemns attacks by ‘outlaw groups’ in Syria
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned the targeting of security forces and crimes by “outlaw groups” in Syria, a foreign ministry said early Friday.
“The Kingdom affirms its support for the Syrian government in its efforts to maintain security and stability and preserve civil peace,” the statement concluded.
Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in Latakia on Thursday, the province’s security director said, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes.
The fighting killed 48 people on Thursday, a war monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes in the coastal town of Jableh and adjacent villages were “the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was toppled” in December.
Pro-Assad fighters killed 16 security personnel while 28 fighters “loyal” to ousted President Bashar Assad and four civilians were also killed, it said.
The fighting struck in the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted president’s Alawite minority who were considered bastions of support during his rule.
Saudi FM participates in GCC-Jordan ministerial meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated on Thursday in the seventh GCC-Jordan joint ministerial meeting of foreign ministers in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The meeting discussed regional issues including the Palestinian cause and the efforts made to achieve regional security and stability.
It also tackled ways of boosting GCC-Jordanian relations and supporting partnerships.
The meeting was headed by Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya.
Saudi-Moroccan foreign ministers co-chair 14th session of joint committee in Makkah
MAKKAH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita co-chaired in Makkah the 14th session of the Saudi-Moroccan Joint Committee.
The event was attended by senior officials from ministries, government agencies and private-sector institutions from both sides.
The convening of the meeting reaffirms the strong ties between the two countries and aims to boost cooperation in all areas of common interest.
Both sides appreciated the efforts of the entities involved in the committee’s work to meet the aspirations of both leaderships. They also emphasized their commitment to strengthening cooperation across various fields to further elevate their strong relations.
Crackdown on environmental offenders in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Special Forces for Environmental Security in Saudi Arabia took action in three separate incidents of environmental law infringement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The forces apprehended two citizens for environmental offences after they cut protective fencing and entered the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve without proper permits. The authorities have implemented statutory procedures against the offenders and referred them to the authorities.
In a separate incident, authorities arrested a Sudanese resident for environmental offences in the Makkah region, where he was caught burning waste illegally, causing soil pollution and environmental damage. Legal measures were taken against him before referring his case to the authorities.
Authorities also intercepted a Saudi citizen transporting one cubic meter of locally harvested firewood in the Riyadh region. Standard legal procedures were applied, and the confiscated materials were handed over to the relevant authorities.
According to official statements, penalties for cutting or damaging fences in protected areas can reach SR100,000 ($26,665), with offenders required to repair damages and pay compensation.
