Saudi Arabia set to lead the world in ecotourism and marine conservation

Saudi Arabia set to lead the world in ecotourism and marine conservation

Boats anchored along the Red Sea coast, in Saudi Arabia. (AFP file photo)
Boats anchored along the Red Sea coast, in Saudi Arabia. (AFP file photo)
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Saudi Arabia has embarked on a race to explore unseen parts of the Red Sea, aiming to safeguard and preserve the Kingdom’s biodiversity under Saudi Vision 2030. The Red Sea Decade Expedition — a mission that endeavored to comprehensively explore the Red Sea — has already yielded a long list of discoveries.

The discovery of blue holes in Saudi Arabian waters was among the most remarkable. At about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Al-Qunfudhah, the blue holes can be viewed from the sky as perfectly circular coral reefs that encase a distinct blue color, marking deep water inside.

We sailed toward the southern Red Sea aboard OceanXplorer — a research vessel equipped with manned submersibles, deep-sea robots, a helicopter, and other advanced technologies.

We were aware that the Farasan Bank — a submerged carbonate platform boasting the world’s third-largest coral reef system — held extraordinary structural complexity beneath the sea’s surface, but what we found exceeded our expectations.

We reviewed nautical charts of the Farasan Bank, and an area of seemingly deep water between a labyrinth of extremely shallow coral reefs caught our attention. These areas had not been mapped in more than a century, nor had they been subject to targeted scientific exploration.

Blue holes’ discovery solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a world-class ecotourism destination and global leader in marine conservation.

Shannon Klein

Using OceanXplorer’s helicopter, we surveyed the sea’s surface and found 10 of the blue holes during our first flight. We were not alone in our interest in these unique formations. We were joined by sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and whales with their newly born calves. Some of these animals even showed us how to gain access to the deep waters inside.

We followed a pod of dolphins through a small channel, just deep enough for us to scrape through in a small tender vessel. Once inside, we mapped the structure of the holes, retrieved samples and deployed sensors to characterize the conditions, while OceanXplorer deployed its submersibles and robots to explore the holes’ deep outer walls.

On the outside, shallow coral reefs support a diversity of marine life. Inside, the deep water plummets to 50 meters and the outside walls extend 300 meters below the sea’s surface. The deep-sea vehicles gathered the first images of coral reefs hidden deep below the surface, reaching down as far as 130 meters.

Some marine species cannot be seen with deep-sea vehicles due to their elusive nature. We used advanced technologies to extract DNA from the water samples to catalog the marine life that makes its home in these unique ecosystems.

I had the honor of leading the research team that discovered the blue holes alongside renowned scientists Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, and Prof. Carlos Duarte, the scientific coordinator for the expedition. Their strong leadership forged a multinational, collaborative environment.

Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, the National Center for Wildlife is leading the initiative to expand Saudi Arabia’s protected marine areas to include these unique ecosystems. The blue holes’ discovery solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a world-class ecotourism destination and global leader in marine conservation.

Shannon Klein is a research scientist in the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in the Red Sea Ecology research group at KAUST who focuses on environmental change in the world’s oceans and solutions for rebuilding tropical marine life. X: @Dr_ShannonKlein

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Starbucks reports drop in comparable sales, earnings as global demand suffers

Starbucks reports drop in comparable sales, earnings as global demand suffers
Updated 13 min 46 sec ago
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Starbucks reports drop in comparable sales, earnings as global demand suffers

Starbucks reports drop in comparable sales, earnings as global demand suffers
  • The Seattle-based company’s strategy to drive demand through promotions and improved loyalty program offers fell flat
Starbucks on Wednesday reported a 7 percent drop in global comparable sales for the fourth quarter as the coffee chain struggles to revive demand for its pricey lattes in the key US and China markets.
Last week, Starbucks reported preliminary fourth-quarter results and suspended its annual forecast through the next fiscal year as new CEO Brian Niccol tries to steer the company toward the path to growth.
The Seattle-based company’s strategy to drive demand through promotions and improved loyalty program offers fell flat in the face of muted spending from cost-conscious consumers.
Starbucks is also facing an uphill battle in China, where it is dealing with a choppy macroeconomic recovery and stiff competition from local brands.
Comparable sales in China, the company’s second-largest market after the US, declined for three straight quarters, falling 14 percent in the fourth quarter.
Investors, however, are betting on seasoned industry veteran and ex-Chipotle Mexican Grill head Niccol to simplify the company’s leadership and operating structure, and reinvigorate the coffee-house culture at Starbucks’ US stores.
Shares of the company have risen about 26 percent since Niccol replaced Laxman Narasimhan as CEO in a surprise announcement in August. They were down about 1 percent in extended trading on Wednesday.
International comparable sales fell 9 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with expectations of a 6.5 percent drop, as per data compiled by LSEG.
Starbucks’ loyalty program growth was also tempered in the fourth quarter, with 90-day active members in the US remaining flat sequentially. That compares with a 3 percent sequential rise reported in the third quarter.
The company’s net income fell to $909.3 million, or 80 cents per share, from $1.22 billion, or $1.06 per share, a year earlier in the fourth quarter ended Sept 29.

UN mission in Lebanon targeted 30 times in October

UN mission in Lebanon targeted 30 times in October
Updated 7 min 41 sec ago
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UN mission in Lebanon targeted 30 times in October

UN mission in Lebanon targeted 30 times in October
  • Andrea Tenenti: ‘Peacekeepers performing their monitoring tasks, as well as our cameras, lighting and entire watchtowers, have been deliberately targeted by the IDF’
  • Tenenti: ‘To be clear, the actions of both the IDF and Hezbollah are putting peacekeepers in danger’

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon recorded more than 30 incidents this month resulting in property damage or injury to peacekeepers, about 20 of them from Israeli fire or action, a spokesman said Wednesday.
The UN peacekeeping force has been deployed in Lebanon since Israel’s 1978 invasion of the country. More recently it has been thrust into the front lines of the new war between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel repeatedly calling on peacekeepers to abandon their positions.
Of the 30 incidents this month, “about 20 of those we could attribute to IDF fire or actions, with seven being clearly deliberate,” Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the force, known as UNIFIL, told a news conference held by video.
“What has been very concerning are incidents where peacekeepers performing their monitoring tasks, as well as our cameras, lighting and entire watchtowers, have been deliberately targeted by the IDF,” Tenenti said, referring to the Israeli military.
On Monday a rocket that was probably fired by Hezbollah or an affiliated group hit the headquarters of the UN mission in the Lebanese city of Naqoura, he said.
For about a dozen other incidents, the origin of fire could not be determined.
“To be clear, the actions of both the IDF and Hezbollah are putting peacekeepers in danger,” the spokesman added.


Lebanon PM says hopes for ceasefire with Israel in ‘coming hours or days’

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Updated 13 min 55 sec ago
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Lebanon PM says hopes for ceasefire with Israel in ‘coming hours or days’

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
  • Hochstein was heading to Israel on Wednesday to discuss conditions for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s prime minister said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signalled during a phone call Wednesday that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held on November 5.
“The call today with Hochstein suggested to me that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth” of November, Najib Mikati said in a televised interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.
Hochstein was heading to Israel on Wednesday to discuss conditions for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Hezbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.
“We are doing our best... to have a ceasefire within the coming hours or days,” Mikati told Al-Jadeed, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic.”
Mikati said Hezbollah is no longer linking a ceasefire in Lebanon to a truce in Gaza, however criticizing the group over the “late” reversal.
Previously, Hezbollah had repeatedly declared that it would only stop its attacks on Israel if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.
But Qassem on Wednesday said the group would accept a ceasefire under conditions deemed “appropriate and suitable,” without any mention of the Palestinian territory.
Mikati said a ceasefire would be linked to the implementation of a United Nations resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 states that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in southern Lebanon, while demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
“The Lebanese army is ready to strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon” and ensure that the only weapons and military infrastructure in the area are those controlled by the state, Mikati said.


How the US election works, from how ballots are counted to when we will know the result

How the US election works, from how ballots are counted to when we will know the result
Updated 3 min 7 sec ago
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How the US election works, from how ballots are counted to when we will know the result

How the US election works, from how ballots are counted to when we will know the result
  • With its electoral college system, staggered results, and early voting options, understanding how the election functions can be daunting
  • To cut through the jargon and complexities of the democratic process, here is a breakdown of all you need to know to survive election day

LONDON: Early voting has already begun in the US to decide who will form the next administration in what many believe is among the most consequential — and hotly contested — elections in a generation.

Almost every poll published over the past week has placed the two main contenders, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, neck and neck in the race for the White House.

Analysts predict the result could come down to just a handful of votes. The outcome could have huge implications not only for domestic policy, but also for the international order.

With extensive media coverage, election jargon, and an overwhelming volume of information, understanding the process can feel daunting. Here is a breakdown of all you need to know to survive election day.

The polls

Polls are often excellent indicators of general voter sentiment. However, recent US elections have shown they are far from foolproof.

In 2016, almost every major polling firm predicted Hillary Clinton would defeat Donald Trump. However, pollsters failed to capture Trump’s unexpected support, leading to a surprise victory that confounded many.

In 2020, polls correctly tipped Joe Biden as the likely winner, but underestimated the actual vote share Trump would receive. In the week before the election, polls gave Biden a seven-point lead, yet Trump managed to close the gap by several points on Election Day.

With most polls indicating a close race on Tuesday, many are wondering whether the pollsters have got it right this time around.

Electoral college

About 244 million Americans are eligible to vote in this year’s election. If the turnout matches 2020’s record 67 percent, about 162 million ballots will be cast across 50 states.

A recent Arab News-YouGov poll indicated that Arab Americans are likely to vote in record numbers, with more than 80 percent of eligible voters saying they intend to participate — potentially swinging the outcome in several key states.

When voters cast their ballots, they do not vote directly for their preferred presidential candidate. Rather, they vote for a slate of “electors” who formally choose the president — a process known as the electoral college system.

Due to the quirks of this system, the candidate with the most votes nationally may not necessarily win the presidency. This was the case with Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Al Gore in 2000, both of whom won the popular vote but lost the election.

Former US Vice President Al Gore (left) won the popular vote in 2000 and so did former US first lady and senator Hilary Clinton in the 2016 election. But both lost the race because their rivals won more electoral votes. (AFP/File photos)l 

The electoral college creates what could be defined as 51 mini elections — one in each state and another for Washington, D.C. In 48 states and D.C., the candidate with the majority vote takes all the electors from that state.

However, Maine and Nebraska have a different system, allocating electors by district, meaning their electoral votes may be split between candidates.

In total, 538 electors are distributed among the states. A candidate must secure at least 270 of these to win the presidency.

In the unlikely case that no candidate has the required 270 electoral college votes, then a contingent election takes place. This means the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the US Congress, votes for the president.

How votes are counted

When the polls close on election day, the count begins. In most cases, in-person votes are counted first, followed by early and mail-in ballots.

Results from smaller or less contested states often come in early, while larger, key battleground states like Pennsylvania or Georgia may take hours — or days — to finalize due to stringent verification steps, including signature checks and ballot preparation for electronic scanning.

States like Florida, where mail-in ballots are processed in advance, may report results relatively quickly. Other states, particularly those with late processing times for absentee ballots, might not finalize their tallies until days later.

State and local poll officials collect, verify, and certify the popular vote in each jurisdiction, following procedures for accuracy before final certification by governors and designated officials.

In response to unprecedented threats in 2020, many polling stations have now installed panic buttons, bulletproof glass and armed security to ensure safety across the more than 90,000 polling sites nationwide.

Mail-in and early votes

Although election day is held on the first Tuesday after Nov. 1, many Americans vote early. Early voting allows citizens to cast ballots in person, while others opt for mail-in ballots.

This year, early and mail-in voting are once again expected to play a crucial role, with millions of ballots already cast. President Biden voted early on Monday in his home state of Delaware.

US President Joe Biden casts his early-voting ballot in the 2024 general election in New Castle, Delaware, on October 28, 2024. (AFP)

States vary in how they handle mail-in ballots, with some processing them before election day and others waiting until polls close. In closely contested states, the volume of mail-in ballots could be a decisive factor, potentially delaying results.

Voting by mail has grown in popularity. According to ABC News, as of Tuesday, more than 25.6 million Americans have already returned mail ballots, and more than 65 million — including military personnel serving overseas — have requested absentee ballots.

In 2020, a comparable number voted by mail, though the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased reliance on this option.

Despite its growing popularity, the mail-in voting system has faced accusations of fraud. During the last election, authorities and the postal service were strained by millions of extra ballots.

At the time, Trump said that mail-in voting was a “disaster” and “a whole big scam,” claiming that the Democrats had exploited the system to “steal” the election. The Democrats claim those allegations contributed to the Capitol Hill attack of Jan. 6, 2021.

This election cycle, some states, including Michigan and Nevada, have passed laws permitting early counting of mail-in ballots, which should lead to faster results. However, most states’ absentee voting policies have seen minimal changes, leaving tensions high.

Authorities are closely monitoring the process. In a sign of just how tense the situation has become, officials announced on Tuesday that they were searching for suspects after hundreds of votes deposited in two ballot drop boxes in the Pacific Northwest were destroyed by fire.

When will a winner be declared?

Indiana and Kentucky will be the first states to close their polls at 6 pm ET, followed by seven more states an hour later, including the battleground state of Georgia, which in 2020 voted for Biden. North Carolina, another critical swing state which picked Trump last time around, closes at 7:30 pm ET.

By around 8 p.m. ET, many states will have reported results, most of which are expected to follow traditional patterns. However, early results in solid Republican states like South Carolina could hint at trends in neighboring battlegrounds like Georgia.

By 9 p.m. ET, polls in key swing states such as Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan close, with results trickling in soon after. By midnight ET, most of the nation will have reported, with Hawaii and Alaska closing shortly after, likely providing a clearer picture.

Pennsylvania, which is seen as a bellwether of the overall election outcome, aims to announce its results by early morning on Nov. 6.

The timing of a winner declaration ultimately depends on how close the race is in these key states. If one candidate establishes a clear lead in pivotal swing states early, a winner could be projected by major networks, as Fox News controversially did in 2020, calling Arizona for Biden hours ahead of other broadcasters.

If the race remains tight in crucial states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, or Michigan — all won by Biden last time around — the results may be delayed, possibly into the next day or later.

In 2020, it took four days to project Biden’s win due to a high volume of mail-in ballots. Experts caution that similarly close results this year could lead to a comparable delay.

Possible controversy

As in previous years, the outcome of the election will likely be contested. Delays in ballot counting, especially from mail-in votes, could fuel disputes in states where margins are tight.

Both parties have prepared legal teams to challenge issues surrounding ballot validity, recounts, or other contested results.

Concerns over voter intimidation, misinformation and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud may further stoke tensions, despite the rigorous safeguards put in place.

In its latest assessment, the International Crisis Group noted that while conditions differ from 2020, political divisions remain sharp and risks of unrest remain high, especially if results are contested or take days to finalize.

As the world watches Tuesday’s election closely, there is widespread hope for a fair and peaceful process, marking a fitting conclusion to this tense political season.
 

 


Bahrain king receives Saudi interior minister

Bahrain’s King Hamad receives Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz in Manama.
Bahrain’s King Hamad receives Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz in Manama.
Updated 31 min 47 sec ago
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Bahrain king receives Saudi interior minister

Bahrain’s King Hamad receives Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz in Manama.
  • Prince Abdulaziz was also received by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Interior Minister General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa

RIYADH: Bahrain’s King Hamad received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz at the Sakhir Palace on Wednesday.

Discussions on the close relations and security cooperation between the two countries took place during the meeting, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

King Hamad acknowledged the efforts of the security coordination committee which is a part of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, and highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration, SPA said. 

Prince Abdulaziz was also received by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and his Bahraini counterpart General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa on Wednesday.