More than 2,000 people joined the second annual “Beat Diabetes Walkathon” organized here by the retail conglomerate Al Bandar Trading (BT) in support of a global call for action against diabetes. The walkathon, under the title ‘Efhas Taslam’ led by Prince Bandar bin Saud K. Al-Saud, chairman of Al Bandar Trading, has become an iconic annual event to raise awareness about diabetes in Saudi Arabia drawing participation from all sections of society.
“The walkathon was organized by Al Bandar Trading in association with the Ministry of Health (MoH) with aim to educate as many people as possible about the growing propensity of diabetes,” said Prince Bandar, while speaking on the occasion here yesterday.
According to the MoH, the number of Saudis affected by diabetes exceeds 4.5 million mark and its prevalence is growing every day in this country. The location chosen for the historic walk was beside BT’s Centrepoint and Home Centre outlet at Exit-9 in Riyadh.
Extending his support to the cause, Prince Bandar also joined the participants in the two km walk along with Khalid Al-Sharfa, director of Al-Bandar Trading, actor Yousef Al-Jarrah and Al-Bandar Trading Chief Administrative Officer Abdullah Al Ahmed. Several top executives of the company including Vittal Prabhu, chief operating officer of Al Bandar Trading (Corporate); Ravi Krishnan, chief operating officer of Al Bandar Trading (Central Region); and other Bandar Trading officials and staffs also participated donning their blue T-shirts and caps.
Prince Bandar said: “Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate and currently affects over 366 million people worldwide.” Awareness is one of the key factors in controlling this dreaded condition as half the people who have diabetes don’t know what ailment they have or they are suffering from, he added.
“I urge everyone to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels to ensure early detection and better management of diabetes”, said the prince, while expressing concerns over the progressively growing number of diabetes patients in the country. “As we endeavor toward building a healthy society, we feel that it is the need of the hour to foster a better and seamless understanding of the condition and help the community achieve a healthy, active lifestyle,” he remarked.
"Through our on-going ‘Beat Diabetes Campaign’, Al Bandar Trading as a responsible organization intends to reach as many people as possible to raise awareness about the condition," added Al Sharfa.
He appreciated the efforts of Al Bandar Trading (an enterprise of the Landmark Group), which is one of the Kingdom’s largest retail conglomerate with brands like Centrepoint, Citymax, Home Centre, Emax, ICONIC, New Look, Koton, Shoexpress, Babyshop, Splash, Lifestyle, Shoe Mart and other International Brands under its portfolio. The group has been actively participating in several national events as part of their corporate social responsibilities program.
Last year, the Al Bandar Trading organized a walkathon in Riyadh, with over 2,000 people prticipating. A large number of people also took the opportunity to take a free blood glucose test. The group has also partnered with several organizations, including the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), to spread awareness about diabetes. The group intends to conduct many more such kinds of society-centric activities in the near future in its endeavor to create a better society.
Thousands join ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathon
Thousands join ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathon
KSrelief’s Masam Project clears 840 mines
- The Masam team successfully cleared four unexploded ordnances in Zinjibar
- The team successfully removed 14 unexploded ordnances from Al-Waht district
ADEN: The Masam Project, an initiative launched by the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, successfully dismantled 840 mines across various regions of Yemen during the third week of November, including 29 anti-personnel mines, 129 anti-tank mines, and 682 unexploded ordnances.
The Masam team successfully cleared four unexploded ordnances in Zinjibar in the Abyan Governorate, and 162 in Aden Governorate. Two anti-tank mines in Al-Khawkhah and one unexploded ordnance in Hays, in Al-Hudaydah Governorate, were also removed. The team cleared one anti-personnel mine and one unexploded ordnance in the Qataba district of Al-Dhale Governorate.
The team successfully removed 14 unexploded ordnances from Al-Waht district and 22 from Al-Madaribah in Lahj Governorate, while in Marib Governorate four unexploded ordnances were cleared in the Al-Wadi district, along with 12 anti-personnel mines and 120 anti-tank mines in the Marib district.
Authorities enforce ban on non-compliant trucks
- This initiative reflects the authority’s commitment to regulating the sector
- Foreign trucks are restricted to transporting goods from abroad to designated delivery points
RIYADH: The Transport General Authority has announced the seizure of many foreign trucks found violating transportation regulations and legislation while transporting goods between cities in the Kingdom.
This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with relevant authorities, reflects the authority’s commitment to regulating the sector, promoting compliance, ensuring fair competition, enhancing the security and safety of transportation services, and preserving public resources and road infrastructure.
The authority said that the mechanism adopted to control foreign truck transport operations — in coordination with various government entities — prohibits traders, factories, importers, institutions and companies from contracting with non-Saudi vehicles.
Foreign trucks are restricted to transporting goods from abroad to designated delivery points in Saudi cities or on their way back to their country of origin. This return must originate from the same delivery point or from any city along the return route. Such operations also require a permit issued by the authority.
Saudi citizen wanted on suspicion of corruption extradited to Kingdom from Russia
- Abdullah bin Awadh Aydha Al-Harthi was wanted on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption crimes
RIYADH: A Saudi citizen suspected of corruption crimes has been extradited back to the Kingdom from Russia, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, Nazaha, announced on Friday.
Abdullah bin Awadh Aydha Al-Harthi was wanted on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption crimes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The transfer was carried out as part of a memorandum of understanding between Nazaha and Russia’s Public Prosecution, and “underscores the strong commitment of both nations to uphold the rule of law and promote international cooperation in the fight against corruption,” SPA added.
Nazaha highlighted the role played by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office in responding to its official request to extradite Al-Harthi and praised the support of the global Globe E Network and INTERPOL for its continued assistance in tracking individuals involved in corruption crimes and curtailing their safe havens.
Nazaha reaffirmed its resolve to pursue corrupt individuals both within and beyond the Kingdom’s borders, holding them accountable in accordance with Sharia and legal frameworks.
The authority said it remained steadfast in its mission to recover state funds and assets misappropriated through corruption, ensuring they are returned to the national treasury.
Heritage Commission, KSGAAL launch global blog to preserve cultural and linguistic heritage
- The Naqsh blog aims to preserve Arab cultural and linguistic heritage
- Naqsh is a visually documented linguistic blog for Arabic inscriptions found on stones, tablets, rocks or any other artifacts in the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission, in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, launched the Naqsh blog on Thursday on the sidelines of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week exhibition.
The Naqsh blog aims to preserve Arab cultural and linguistic heritage, providing a reliable source for researchers and those interested in archaeology, history, the Arabic language and comparative studies, an official statement said.
The blog also seeks to enhance the scientific reference for trustworthy Arabic data and develop AI models for analyzing and interpreting inscriptions, in alignment with the objectives of the Human Capital Development Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives, and the National Culture Strategy.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said that the path of linguistic blogs served related scholars and researchers and was an integral part of the academy’s linguistic work, projects and institutional initiatives.
Naqsh is a visually documented linguistic blog for Arabic inscriptions found on stones, tablets, rocks or any other artifacts in the Kingdom.
The blog includes commemorative, religious, literary and commercial inscriptions that reflect the cultural and social conditions throughout the ages, he said.
The blog highlights the historical and linguistic significance of Arabic inscriptions, understanding the linguistic and cultural development in the region, and also serves as a crucial source for studying the evolution of writing and Arabic calligraphy through the ages, he said.
In early 2024, KSGAAL launched the “Falak” platform for linguistic databases, which includes several linguistic platforms featuring advanced computational tools.
These tools facilitate text analysis and linguistic data tagging and enable Arabic language enthusiasts to collaborate in the field of Arabic language computing.
The “Falak” platform also aims to enhance the scientific reference for reliable Arabic linguistic data. It is one of the academy’s prominent initiatives in the field of linguistic computing, containing more than 1.5 billion words.
Sami Al-Mukhayzim, chairman of the Saudi Historical Society, told Arab News that the Naqsh blog serves as a highly significant historical resource.
Inscriptions are among the oldest tools documenting vivid and accurate information about ancient civilizations. These inscriptions contribute to illustrating the development of writing, ideas, beliefs and the daily interactions of those civilizations, he said.
Abdullah Al-Khuzam, a craft trainer at the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, said that documenting human heritage was one of the fundamental administrative and civilizational methods and an essential enabler for building a growing future grounded in a distinctive historical and archaeological depth.
The Naqsh blog will serve as a reference for future generations, providing them with a foundation as they venture into new and contemporary horizons, drawing inspiration from heritage to develop ideas in a modern form that suits today’s world, he said.
Saudi, Japanese agencies agree to cooperation on humanitarian work
Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have agreed to cooperate on humanitarian work.
KSrelief director of partnerships and international relations, Hana Omar, and JICA’s representative from its Yemen office Kato Ken met on the sidelines of the International Conjoined Twins Conference in Riyadh.
They discussed humanitarian relief affairs, topics on the agenda of the conference, and prospects for cooperation between the two organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
JICA praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief programs.
