First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza

Update First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
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Saudi plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. (Supplied)
Update First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
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Saudi plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 November 2023
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First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza

First Saudi relief plane departs to help Palestinians in Gaza
  • Saudi aid agency KSRelief’s team meets WHO regional director to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza
  • Besides air bridge, KSrelief studying the possibility of operating a sea bridge

RIYADH: The first Saudi relief plane to help Palestinians in Gaza left on Thursday from the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, heading to Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt in preparation for transportation to the besieged territory.

The plane is carrying 35 tons of relief and shelter materials as part of the Saudi popular campaign to help Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Adviser to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said: “This air bridge will continue during the coming days, and the KSrelief is studying the possibility of operating a sea bridge according to the need and speed of arrival, stressing the humanitarian role that the Kingdom plays in extending a helping hand to brotherly and friendly countries during various crises and tribulations, and embodying the depth of brotherly relations and the strong bonds of kinship that links the Kingdom and Palestine.”




First Saudi Relief Plane departs to help the Palestinians in Gaza. (Supplied)

Meanwhile, the KSrelief team has held coordination meetings in Cairo with a number of agencies and organizations to discuss delivery of Saudi aid to the Gaza Strip.

The KSrelief team met Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent Dr. Rami Al-Nazir, and the two sides discussed ways of delivering humanitarian aid and relief through the Rafah crossing to those affected in Gaza.

The KSrelief team also met in Cairo on Thursday with Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the World Health Organization’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza.

They discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for relief, in addition to discussing ways of providing health care and supporting medical facilities to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians affected by the Israeli siege, the KSrelief media center told Arab News.




KSrelief team in Cairo with World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean to discuss Saudi aid delivery to Gaza. (Supplied)

The mechanism of delivering medical assistance in the Gaza Strip, and areas of partnership and cooperation to improve the health situation in the Palestinian territory, were also discussed.

Al-Mandhari praised the multiple programs and projects provided by KSrelief to support those in need around the world.

He also expressed his appreciation for the center’s professionalism in aid delivery, which reflected Saudi Arabia’s keenness to support the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.


Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world

Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world
Updated 19 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world

Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world
  • Remarkable milestone of 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development
  • Achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant leap in the field of artificial intelligence, securing 14th position globally and topping the Arab world in the Global AI Index for 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The Global AI Index is one of the indicators of the international classification of artificial intelligence issued by UK-based news website Tortoise Media.
The remarkable milestone of a 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development.
The Kingdom’s continued leadership in the Government Strategy sub-pillar solidifies its position as a global AI leader. Its seventh-place ranking in the Commercial Ecosystem sub-pillar further demonstrates its commitment to investing in AI technologies and fostering a thriving AI ecosystem.
The Global AI Index, a comprehensive assessment of AI capabilities across 83 countries, evaluates performance based on 122 indicators grouped into three pillars: Implementation, Innovation and Investment.
These pillars are further divided into seven sub-pillars: Talent, Infrastructure, Operating Environment, Research, Development, Government Strategy and Commercial Ecosystem.
The achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs the board of directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the SPA report added.
Under his guidance, the SDAIA has been instrumental in advancing the field of data and AI, developing national capabilities and fostering innovation. This strategic approach positions Saudi Arabia as a leading data-driven and AI-powered economy.


Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest

Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest
Updated 19 September 2024
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Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest

Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest
  • Team Magic AI’s gadget can help people reduce waste at home
  • ‘Building a sustainable future begins today,’ Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah says

RIYADH: A group of Saudi students have developed an award-winning device that can be attached to household taps to conserve water.

Team Magic AI, from King Faisal University, King Khalid University and King Saud University, took first place and a SR20,000 ($5,330) cash prize in the inaugural TCS Sustainathon competition with their device.

The competition, organized by Tata Consultancy Services, challenged students to develop sustainable solutions for urban environments.

The winning device monitors consumption and detects leaks, allowing users to reduce the amount of water they waste in their homes.

Abdulrahman Al-Hassan, one of the winning students from King Saud University, said: “Our goal was to make water conservation achievable for everyone.

“The TCS Sustainathon provided a platform to collaborate and bring our idea to life. We’re excited to see how this solution can evolve and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

The competition drew over 300 participants and more than 65 submissions, with the top 12 teams presenting their ideas to a panel of judges at the King Khalid Foundation headquarters in Riyadh.

The event was held in the presence of Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah, CEO of the KKF.

As well as the cash prize, Team Magic AI won an internship at TCS, where they will have access to the resources they need to develop their product.

The second- and third-place teams won SR15,000 and SR10,000 respectively, while all of the other finalists received SR5,000 and gift vouchers in recognition of their contributions.

The competition, which is supported by the KKF, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, focused on using technology to address pressing sustainability issues in Saudi cities.

Sumanta Roy, president and regional head of TCS Middle East & Africa, said: “Saudi Arabia is rapidly urbanizing and TCS is committed to supporting the development of urban environments where people and nature coexist. The innovative solutions presented reflect a deep understanding of the challenges facing our modern-day cities.”

Princess Nouf emphasized the competition’s alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

“Building a sustainable future begins today through decisions that improve the environment, economy and society together. Sustainability is a deep commitment to our communities,” she said.


Royal order approves bylaws of King Salman Non-Profit Foundation

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 19 September 2024
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Royal order approves bylaws of King Salman Non-Profit Foundation

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
  • The foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king issued a royal order approving the bylaws of the King Salman Non-Profit Foundation, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said.

“Investing in people and developing their culture and pride in their identity is a permanent approach that we will always continue,” King Salman wrote on X.

“Because we seek to confront human challenges and sustain the prosperity of societies, we are launching the King Salman Non-Profit Foundation, and we look forward to making a lasting impact on individuals and society,” he added.


KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 

KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 
Updated 19 September 2024
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KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 

KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 
  • The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivered almost 1,400 food aid parcels to thousands of people in Yemen’s Taiz Governorate and Sudan’s Red Sea State, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.

In the Mawasit District of Taiz, 381 food parcels were delivered, benefiting 2,667 people from 381 of the neediest families affected by flooding.

Sudan’s Red Sea State received 1,000 food parcels for 5,791 people.

The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan.

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 3,104 cartons of dates to the needy, orphans and people with special needs living in Wadi Al-Ain and Hawra in Yemen’s Hadramout Governorate.


Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death

Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death
Updated 18 September 2024
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Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death

Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death
  • Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud conveyed the messages of sympathy to Kuwait’s emir and the country’s prime minister

KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia’s interior minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud visited Kuwait on Wednesday to convey to the country’s emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the condolences of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the death last week of Sheikh Bader Nasser Al-Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Prince Abdulaziz also offered the Saudi leaders’ condolences to Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The officials who welcomed the minister included Kuwait’s deputy prime minister, the minister of defense and the minister of interior.
Sheikh Bader, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family, died on Sept. 10 at the age of 70.