Saudi military industries authority to participate in Farnborough airshow
Participation in FIA aims to highlight the capabilities of the Saudi military and defense industries sector
GAMI welcomes investors from around the world who are interested in investing in the military industries sector
Updated 17 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) will participate in the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2024, one of the world’s largest and most influential defense and aerospace exhibitions.
The event will occur from July 22 to 26, 2024, in Hampshire, London, United Kingdom.
GAMI aims to showcase its efforts in developing the military industries sector in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of enhancing national military manufacturing capabilities and making the sector a significant contributor to the Saudi economy and its defense and security independence.
The participation in FIA aims to highlight the capabilities of the Saudi military and defense industries sector and the achievements made by GAMI in building industrial and service capabilities in the Kingdom, in line with its strategic role in localizing over 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.
GAMI welcomes investors from around the world who are interested in investing in the promising military industries sector in the Kingdom.
The authority will showcase the supply chains it has established for small and medium-sized local and foreign companies as part of its efforts to create numerous investment opportunities in the military industries sector, in addition to strengthening international partnerships to achieve strategic independence for the military industries.
This will enable the sector to develop military and security systems and industries.
This participation comes at a time of rapid development and localization in the military industries sector in the Kingdom, as well as an increase in investment opportunities and abundant local capabilities to meet the operational needs of military devices.
It is in line with the Kingdom’s focus on the sector by creating strategic partnerships and engaging with international investors interested in investing in Saudi Arabia.
From thin to thriving: Saudi content creator shares health tips to thousands
Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram
Updated 7 min 12 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Saudi nutrition and culinary content creator Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram who struggle with being underweight.
Known online as Heem Fit, Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking.
“All of my recipes are healthy and without deprivation. The basic idea of all my recipes is to maintain the beautiful flavor and increase the nutritional value, and my followers love them,” he told Arab News.
“Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” says Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani. (Supplied)
The 27-year-old computer engineer began with a struggle against extreme thinness, leading him to discover not only the importance of nutrition, but also his love for creating delicious meals.
“I never expected that one day I would practice weight training and be in the field of cooking,” he added.
His transformation started when he faced a significant challenge: Despite trying a range of methods, he struggled to gain weight. Growing up, Al-Dosaimani often cooked alongside his mother, who encouraged him to eat more. “I would tell her I wanted to gain weight, and she’d say I had to eat a lot, but I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2017, Al-Dosaimani took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills.
• The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time.
In 2017, he took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills. “I found joy in cooking and could spend hours in the kitchen without noticing the time fly by.”
The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time. Realizing that he was not eating as much as he thought, Al-Dosaimani delved into the world of nutrition.
“I started learning about calories, macronutrients and how to meet my dietary needs effectively,” he said.
Known online as Heem Fit, Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking. (Supplied)
By early 2021, Al-Dosaimani decided to share his journey and knowledge with a broader audience. “I wanted to change people’s perceptions of healthy eating.”
He started creating content and, to date, has filmed more than 250 recipes across various social media platforms, reaching thousands of viewers. His primary goal is to raise awareness about healthy eating and reshape how people perceive it.
“At first, appearing in front of the camera was difficult for me, and I did not like to show my face. Of course, the editing and the way of filming were a challenge, but with time, I was able to develop myself and present the recipe better, and I showed my face,” Al-Dosaimani added.
Throughout his journey, he has faced several challenges, including a lack of nutritional knowledge that delayed his progress. “Not being fully versed in nutrition led to delayed results,” he said. He also encountered misconceptions about healthy eating resulting in bland food that lacks flavor, which he combats by creating delicious recipes that mirror fast food favorites. “I love making burger recipes because I’m a burger lover,” he added.
For those looking to gain weight and be healthy, Al-Dosaimani highlights the importance of a structured meal plan alongside a resistance training regimen to build muscle mass.
“It’s essential to eat high-calorie, low-volume foods that provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming you,” he said.
Understanding calories and macronutrients has been crucial in Al-Dosaimani’s journey. “Once you grasp these concepts, you can enjoy your food without feeling deprived or restricted. That mindset shift is vital,” he said.
The most rewarding aspect of his work is the positive feedback he receives from those who have benefited from his recipes. “I love hearing from people who have changed their bodies because of my recipes,” he added.
Looking ahead, Al-Dosaimani is excited about an upcoming project: “I’m working on an e-book dedicated to healthy recipes, which will also have educational content to enhance nutrition awareness.”
Reflecting on his transformation, Al-Dosaimani said he would advise his younger self to seek out the right methods to gain weight and to deepen his understanding of nutrition. “Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” he said.
His passion for cooking and helping others continues to drive him as he evolves in his fitness and culinary pursuits.
“Through my journey, I not only changed my life, but also hope to inspire countless others to embrace healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle.”
Saudi Arabia takes major strides in cloud seeding to combat water scarcity
Plan for more aircraft and local pilots for cloud-seeding operations
Need better ‘quantity and quality’ rainfall, says meteorology official
Updated 18 min 6 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom has taken significant strides in its cloud-seeding program to increase rainfall, expand green areas, and combat desertification across the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Ayman Al-Bar, executive director of the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, told the SPA on Thursday that the process involves aircraft and drones dispersing environmentally safe materials into clouds over carefully selected areas.
The process involves aircraft and drones dispersing environmentally safe materials into clouds over carefully selected areas, official said. (SPA)
By targeting specific areas, a single cloud can increase its rainfall by up to 20 percent under ideal conditions, said Al-Bar.
In 2023, the program targeted six regions in Saudi Arabia, conducting 415 cloud-seeding flights, and dispersing 7,876 flares with four aircraft for over 1,300 hours.
Research on the operations was conducted by a separate aircraft for over 110 hours.
FASTFACTS
• Plan for more aircraft and local pilots for cloud-seeding operations.
• Need better ‘quantity and quality’ rainfall, says meteorology official.
Al-Bar added: “The initiative has now entered its fifth phase, marking a new milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance water security. Our approach is tailored to enhance both the quantity and quality of rainfall from specific cloud types.”
Hussein bin Mohammed Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for the National Center of Meteorology, told the SPA that last year’s total rainfall was an estimated 4 billion cubic millimeters.
Al-Qahtani also highlighted the center’s efforts to localize cloud-seeding expertise, with 18 Saudi Arabia pilots joining the program.
According to the SPA, Saudi Arabia began its cloud-seeding initiative in 2004 and partnered with Weather Modification Inc. under the scientific oversight of the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
This collaboration focused on conducting cloud-seeding experiments in the Asir region, coupled with a comprehensive feasibility study.
Building on its initial findings, the Kingdom expanded its efforts in 2006-2007. During this period, a six-month cloud-seeding trial was conducted across central Saudi Arabia, encompassing the regions of Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail.
The program reached a new milestone in 2009 with a contract involving the WMI. This phase saw the deployment of 10 specialized aircraft for cloud-seeding operations, involving several elite Saudi Arabia scientists.
It takes about 30 minutes for the effects of cloud seeding to be seen, depending on the delivery method, which includes direct injection at the cloud top, base seeding or releasing the agent in the updraft below the cloud base.
Materials used vary based on temperature conditions, including solid carbon dioxide, or dry ice, used at low temperatures, and calcium chloride particles used at higher temperatures to form condensation nuclei.
Saudi industry minister meets heads of Chinese lithium, copper mining firms
Updated 11 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef on Friday met representatives of Chinese mining companies to discuss cooperation and investment opportunities in the mining industry.
The talks centered on the processing and production of lithium, which is used in electric vehicle batteries, and the processing and refining of copper.
Alkhorayef spoke to the chairman of General Lithium Corp. about the Kingdom’s goals in the electric vehicle industry and discussed investment opportunities, cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The meeting was also attended by Industry and Mineral Resources Assistant Minister for Planning and Development Abdullah Al-Ahmari, National Industrial Development Center CEO Saleh Al-Sulami and Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones CEO Majed Rafed Al-Argoubi.
Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition
Updated 06 September 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: The Saudi Museums Commission is set to launch “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” an exhibition of Chinese contemporary art in Saudi Arabia, at the Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax in Diriyah.
The exhibition will feature works from more than 30 Chinese artists, showcasing over 50 artworks that delve into the transformative nature of contemporary society.
According to a statement, the event will explore a wide range of cultural and societal themes, emphasizing the significance of writing in both Arabic and Chinese traditions. It also addresses universal concepts such as nostalgia, memory and modernism. One of the key themes is the role of the garden in Chinese culture, alongside an exploration of commodification and capital in contemporary Chinese society.
Set to run from the end of September to January, the exhibition will display a curated selection of artworks, some loaned from private collections and others created specifically for the exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Visitors can engage with large sculptures, immersive installations, videos, paintings and photography, all of which offer a fresh perspective on Chinese contemporary art.
Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, said: “Visitors will encounter a wide range of works across different mediums, presenting a non-traditional view of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibition highlights universal themes of memory, nostalgia, progress and modernism, while exploring the balance between individual and collective identity.
“It presents works from an important period in Chinese contemporary art, from the late 90s to early 2000s, along with several site-specific pieces. The curatorial narrative draws on the shared cultural values of calligraphy and gardens in both Arab and Chinese traditions, with the Literati garden as a central theme, inviting visitors to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the experience,” he told Arab News.
SAMOCA @ Jax, inaugurated in 2023, is part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural program under Vision 2030. It serves as a dynamic platform for both local and international artists to collaborate, exchange ideas and contribute to the evolving landscape of contemporary art in the Kingdom.
Tickets for the exhibition will soon be available on the Discover Culture platform.
Rare Griffon vulture breeding colonies discovered at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve
Updated 06 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Three rare breeding colonies of the Eurasian Griffon vultures have been discovered at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, the royal reserve’s authority has announced.
The Griffon vultures, listed as Endangered in the Middle East, and other vulture species globally are facing a serious conservation crisis and the discovery was welcomed in time for the World Vulture Awareness Day being celebrated during first Saturday in September each year.
“The endangered Griffon vulture is an uncommon breeding resident in Saudi Arabia. Using drones four active nests with adults incubating eggs and raising chicks have been discovered by Reserve scientists and are being closely monitored,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, said in a statement.
“Griffon vultures are a significant indicator of the Reserve’s improving environmental health. These breeding colonies are a testament to the Reserve’s conservation work and role as a sanctuary for Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage.”
The 24,500-square kilometer Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the deep Red Sea in the west, and is home to 15 distinct ecosystems and over 50 percent of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
Griffon vulture individuals have previously been recorded roosting throughout the Reserve’s mountain ranges. However, this was the first time breeding colonies with nesting sites have been confirmed.
Four active nests in three separate breeding colonies with adults incubating eggs and chicks approximately two – three months of age were discovered in the sand-stone mountains of the Jabel Qaraqir section of the Reserve. A further 37 potential nesting sites are also being monitored, the authority said.
In 2023, two Griffon vultures were tagged and released into the Reserve in a joint initiative with the National Centre for Wildlife.
