Saudi border guards thwart qat smuggling attempts

Saudi border guards thwart qat smuggling attempts
The seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority and preliminary legal procedures were completed (SPA)
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Updated 21 January 2024
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Saudi border guards thwart qat smuggling attempts

Saudi border guards thwart qat smuggling attempts
  • Tips related to smuggling crimes and breaches of common customs law are treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for valid tips.

 

JAZAN: Saudi border guards in Jazan region foiled attempts to smuggle a total of 565 kg of qat.
The seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority and preliminary legal procedures were completed, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Two Yemeni residents in Asir province were also arrested for attempting to sell 147 kg of qat.
The flowering shrub is native to the Arabian Peninsula. Individuals chew its leaves for its stimulant effects.
The Saudi government urges anyone with information related to suspected smuggling operations or customs violations to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number 00 966 114208417, or email [email protected].
Tips related to smuggling crimes and breaches of common customs law are treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for valid tips.


Kingdom’s ‘Saudi House’ to showcase transformation in Davos

Kingdom’s ‘Saudi House’ to showcase transformation in Davos
Updated 6 sec ago
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Kingdom’s ‘Saudi House’ to showcase transformation in Davos

Kingdom’s ‘Saudi House’ to showcase transformation in Davos
  • Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim sees WEF annual meeting as a platform for dialogue and collaboration
  • Says centralized hub to serve as meeting point for Saudi government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders

RIYADH: This year, the Saudi delegation to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, will feature, for the first time, a “Saudi House.”

The centralized hub will serve as a meeting point for government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders participating in the forum.

“Saudi House was designed to facilitate the participation of all the (Saudi) government entities taking part in Davos in one location,” Faisal Alibrahim, the Saudi minister of economy and planning, said in an interview with Arab News.

“We think putting everyone in one place will create the vibrancy that can demonstrate and echo the vibrancy we are seeing here in the Kingdom.”

Speaking ahead of the trip, he spoke of the importance of the Davos summit as a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

“We’re going there because the Kingdom today is a more integrated player,” Alibrahim said.

“We’ve learned more about what we need to do and what we need to achieve, but we also learned more about what we can offer to our partners, to people from all around the world,” he added.

Using this opportunity to create a positive impact on the global economy, Alibrahim will champion a key call in Davos for global leadership to move beyond tepid economic growth and embrace a more ambitious, “intrepid leadership-led” approach.

“Today, the world is looking at two things that sometimes can be seen as in conflicting directions,” he said. “One, we’re at this tepid growth trajectory today, between 2.7 percent and 3.2 percent, according to the World Bank or the IMF, and we’ve been in this economic stalemate for a few years for various reasons.”

He highlighted the stark contrast between this sluggish economic growth and the immense potential unlocked by technological advancements and innovation.

Alibrahim argued that a new era of “intrepid leadership-led” growth is essential to bridge this gap. “We need bold leadership,” he said. “We need to move from tepid growth to intrepid leadership-led growth that can really bring the two together and unlock the potential of the globe. That’s the wider theme.”

This is part of a full interview with Alibrahim, which discussed the importance of a stable Middle East for global prosperity, attracting foreign investment, how the Kingdom is shielded from external shocks and geopolitics, and balancing ambitious giga-projects with prudence, among other topics.


Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah

Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah
Updated 19 January 2025
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Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah

Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah
  • Mahmoud Abbas praises Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi’s efforts to strengthen relations between Palestine and Saudi Arabia

LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, the Saudi ambassador to Palestine, in Ramallah on Sunday.

Abbas honored Al-Sudairi with the Star of Al-Quds medal during his visit to the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority.

 Al-Sudairi became the first non-resident Saudi ambassador to Palestine and consul-general of Jerusalem since 1948 when he was appointed in August 2023.

Last September, he visited Ramallah for the first time to present his credentials to the Palestinian president.

Abbas extended his greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian people and their cause, the Palestine News and Information Agency reported.

He also praised Al-Sudairi’s efforts to strengthen the friendly relations between Palestine and Saudi Arabia, the agency reported.


More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah
Updated 19 January 2025
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More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

RIYADH: The Hira Winter events, organized by the Hira Cultural District and which recently concluded in Makkah, attracted more than 84,000 visitors.

Highlights included the Revelation Exhibition, which used cutting-edge technology to simulate the story of Prophet Muhammad’s revelation, blending tradition and innovation.

The exhibition featured a pavilion detailing the Cave of Hira and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Mother of Believers, along with a depiction of the first revelation.

Rare historical artifacts, such as a photographed copy of the Qur’an manuscript of Uthman bin Affan and ancient stone inscriptions of Qur’anic verses, gave visitors a unique experience that combined the past and present.

Poetic performances inspired by Arab heritage underscored poetry’s role as the Arabs' diwan (repository of culture) and a tool for documenting events and emotions.

Poetic jousts highlighted live interaction and pride in the Arabic language and literature, enriching the cultural experience.

The Caravan Experience revived the cultural heritage of camel caravans, underlining their role in ancient Arab trade and society.

Visitors were taken back to ancient trade routes where camels played a key role in transporting goods and facilitating travel.

The Challenge Zone attracted adventure enthusiasts with various games blending entertainment and competition.

The Winter Theater delighted visitors with interactive performances, including contests and games inspired by winter traditions.

The district also featured a Crafts and Heritage Industries Market, where visitors explored local products, bought souvenirs, and enjoyed traditional and contemporary food and beverages, creating a holistic experience of entertainment, culture and shopping.

The Hira Cultural District is an area of approximately 67,000 sq. meters near Jabal Hira, one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks. It is a tourist and educational destination, bridging the past and present, and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and visitor experiences.


Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka
Updated 19 January 2025
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Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

TOKYO: Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Bin Faisal Binzagr told Arab News Japan that he has high hopes of achieving the goals for which he was appointed general commissioner of the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

“We are striving to create an amazing experience for our visitors,” he said. “We are capturing the essence of our Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 and bringing it live to Japan.”

Binzagr shared that the construction work on the Kingdom’s pavilion is progressing rapidly, with around 85 percent already complete. This progress is a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to the Expo, and we can all look forward to the grand opening in April.

Binzagr extended a warm invitation to visitors to “come and immerse themselves in our past, our present, and our future. Experience our rich heritage, our diverse food, our vibrant music, our colorful culture, and our ambitious future aspirations.”

This invitation is an opportunity to discover the beauty and potential of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi ambassador expressed his sincere hope that visitors would be inspired to visit the Kingdom. This desire reflects the warm welcome and value the Kingdom places on its visitors.

“We want you to experience our pavilion,” he said. “We are confident that when you do, you will want to visit Saudi, perhaps even do business, partner with us, dream with us, or work with us to make a wonderful world.”

The Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s culture, traditions and transformation and look towards a sustainable form of human development.

Binzagr’s responsibilities as the general commissioner of the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka include supervising efforts and initiatives to strengthen relations between the Kingdom and Japan and ensuring the successful representation of Saudi Arabia at the Expo.

• This article also appears on Arab News Japan


Effat University conference maps out pathways for sustainable tech

Effat University conference maps out pathways for sustainable tech
Updated 19 January 2025
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Effat University conference maps out pathways for sustainable tech

Effat University conference maps out pathways for sustainable tech

JEDDAH: Experts at the 22nd International Learning and Technology Conference have underlined the critical role of synergy between humans and machines in driving sustainability and educational innovation.

The event, organized by Effat University in Jeddah, had the theme “Human-Machine Dynamics: Fueling a Sustainable Future” and brought together speakers who discussed how technology could be harnessed to address global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.

It focused on the transformative potential of human-machine dynamics in education, emphasizing innovative approaches that combined human insights and machine intelligence to address sustainability challenges.

The two-day conference featured a dynamic exchange of ideas through keynote speeches, an engaging panel discussion and interactive workshops, all highlighting the latest advancements in human-machine dynamics.

The keynote speakers at the inaugural session were Dina Hasan Al-Nahdy, chair of CES Consulting; Mohammed-Slim Alouini, Al-Khawarizmi distinguished professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; and Ahmed Hassan, president of Elsewedy University of Technology.

In her speech, “Technological Innovations for Sustainability,” Al-Nahdy stressed the need for the optimal use of technology to reduce emissions.

“It is required to capture emissions before entering and polluting the atmosphere by converting it into energy,” she said, adding: “Technology is the heartbeat of driving sustainability.”

Alouini spoke on “Towards Connecting the Remaining Unconnected,” while Hassan addressed “Generative AI for University Contributions to SDGs.”

Effat University President Dr. Haifa Jamalallail said the university reviewed and accepted 70 papers out of a total of 117 submissions from 330 authors and researchers worldwide. She added the university has been committed to sustainability over the years, recognizing its importance in addressing global climate change crises.

“The outcome of the conference is that sustainability is not only a word but an action that needs to be taken into account to make sure academia are interactors with other stakeholders like governments and industries in reducing emissions and ensuring sustainability,” she said.

Referring to the role of Effat University in research, community service, and teaching and learning, Jamalallail said the conference significantly contributed to achieving sustainability by bridging learning and technology.

“These days technology is the one that helps us significantly in reducing emission footprint and thus we are joining with the global mission in ensuring sustainability,” she said.

In her opening remarks, conference chair and dean of Effat College of Engineering, Akila Sarirete, highlighted the legacy of the university in organizing the conference since 2002.

She said the conference offered groundbreaking insights into areas such as human-machine interfaces, sustainable education, smart campuses, technological transformation, policy ethics, human-centric technology in education, and the role of artificial intelligence in health and environmental well-being.

“These discussions offered fresh perspectives on integrating advanced technologies into educational frameworks,” she added.

This year’s event also featured a high school competition, themed “Human-Machine Fusion,” in which 30 local schools took part. Students from Pakistan International School Jeddah secured both first and second prizes, while third place went to International Indian School Jeddah.