Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries

Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries
Soudah Development and Warner Bros. Discovery sign partnership to showcase the rich heritage, culture, and natural beauty of Soudah to the world. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 May 2024
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Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries

Beauty of Soudah to feature in 3 Discovery documentaries
  • Media giant teams up with state-owned real estate firm Soudah Development
  • Films will tell ‘captivating stories of Soudah’s natural wonders,’ Discovery says

JEDDAH: Soudah Development, a real estate company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery International to produce three short films to promote the beauty, culture and heritage of the Soudah region in the Kingdom’s southwest.

The partnership will focus on Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain tourism destination in Abha region, set 3,000 meters above sea level.

The documentaries will air around the world this summer on WBD’s Discovery Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel, Eurosport 1 and 2, as well as on international social media platforms.

Eng. Saleh Al-Oraini, CEO of Soudah Development, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Warner Bros. Discovery to unveil the exceptional beauty and cultural significance of the Soudah region, along with Saudi Arabia, on a global scale.

“This collaboration marks a pivotal step in our endeavor to position Soudah as a unique luxury mountain tourism destination and we are confident that it will captivate travelers from around the world.”

The Soudah region’s diverse fauna and flora, landscapes and agricultural traditions, like beekeeping, will all feature in the films.

Mike Rich, head of sports and lifestyle international brand partnerships at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Partnering with Soudah Development presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the unique appeal of Soudah Peaks through our influential media platforms.

“We are thrilled to bring captivating stories of Soudah’s natural wonders and cultural heritage to our viewers. We eagerly anticipate a successful collaboration.”

The partnership comes after Saudi property developer Red Sea Global in April teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery to produce a 45-minute documentary titled “Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals.”

Released on Earth Day, the film chronicles the work of Saudi free diver and environmentalist Salma Shaker and illuminates the remarkable resilience of Red Sea corals and their pivotal role in bolstering global coral health.

“Soudah is not merely a tourist spot, it’s a sanctuary of tranquility and natural marvels,” Saudi environmentalist Hussain Asiri told Arab News.

“With this newfound exposure, I’m sure we will see a concerted effort toward responsible tourism, one that cherishes and conserves our environment while showcasing its magnificence to the world.”

Mohammed Al-Malky, a local tour guide, said: “Soudah’s beauty isn’t just for us to enjoy, it’s a treasure that deserves global recognition. Hopefully, these documentaries will inspire more people to visit and experience the magic of our mountains and valleys.”


Rare sand cat spotted in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

Rare sand cat spotted in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region
Updated 7 sec ago
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Rare sand cat spotted in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

Rare sand cat spotted in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region
  • The sand cat is a small-sized nocturnal animal that only comes out after dark in search of food
  • It became almost extinct due to poaching and natural habitat destruction

RIYADH: A rare species of an endangered cat was recently spotted in the east of Arar in the Northern Borders region.

The sand cat is a small-sized nocturnal animal that only comes out after dark in search of food. 

The cat, which became almost extinct due to poaching and natural habitat destruction, is now reappearing in nature due to the spread of natural reserves and the establishment of ecosystems that preserve it and contribute to its reproduction.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the cat stays in burrows during the day to avoid high temperatures, and to stay hydrated and satiated. 

It lives in sandy and stony desert areas, away from people, in rugged terrain that abounds with plants. 

Nasser Al-Majlad, president of the Aman Environmental Association in the Northern Borders region, said that the area was abundant with many wild animals of different categories, species and types, due to the different surrounding conditions, such as the diversity of the terrain; mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys and reefs, in addition to the spread of different kinds of annual and seasonal plants.

He said that the sand cat feeds on small rodents, lizards and snakes, hunts its prey at night when it has the ability to see fully in the dark, and can survive without water as it receives all hydration from its prey. 

The female gives birth in burrows or among rocks, once and sometimes twice a year after a gestation period of between 59 to 68 days. It gives birth to a litter of three to four kittens, which are unable to see for ten days, but begin to be self-reliant in hunting prey after three or four months.  

Al-Majlad said that the sand cat has a sandy to pale yellow-orange coat, with light-colored markings on the top of its body. Its front legs had two black rings and its tail feature two to five black rings with buff bands. 

It has a white belly, a broad flattened head and large, black-tipped and triangular ears, and sharp hearing. The thick hair spread between its fingers and feet protects its paws from the heat of the earth in the summer, and provides the stability to walk on sand dunes.

Al-Majlad said that currently the sand cat only faced threat from hunting by humans. As for its natural enemies, it could protect itself well by quickly running away or hiding in burrows that it dug under perennial trees.  


Saudi Arabia can achieve clean water entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination, executives say

Saudi Arabia can achieve clean water entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination, executives say
Updated 6 min 32 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia can achieve clean water entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination, executives say

Saudi Arabia can achieve clean water entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination, executives say
  • Kingdom already has several desalination plants powered by renewable energy

RIYADH: A nationwide supply of clean water produced entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination in Saudi Arabia is possible, according to top industry executives.

Mohammed Al-Hajjaj, CEO of Engie Saudi Arabia, spoke to Arab News about how advances in technology and affordability meant that fully renewable desalination is a possibility.

“In recent years, we have seen significant advances in energy storage, making it not only feasible and practical, but also increasingly affordable,” he said on the sidelines of the Solar & Storage Live KSA exhibition in Riyadh on Wednesday.

“We anticipate that in the coming years, technological advances will enable the integration of full desalination powered entirely by renewable energy sources, combined with energy storage solutions.”

Al-Hajjaj pointed out that several universities and research institutions in Saudi Arabia were developing technology to achieve fully renewable desalination in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia already has several desalination plants that are powered by renewable energy — including the 90,000 m3/day Al-Khafji and the 600,000 m3/day Jazlah.

Several more are in development, including Engie’s 450,000 m3/day Yanbu 4 and 570,000 m3/day Jubail 3B.

Significant development is needed to increase the capacity of green desalination in the country, which produced an average of 13.2 million m3/day of desalinated water in 2023.

As well as building solar-power desalination plants, Saudi Arabia has big ambitions to decarbonize its entire energy grid and achieve a 50/50 mix of renewable and gas by 2030.

Francois-Xavier Boul, Engie’s managing director MENA (Middle East and North Africa), echoed Al-Hajjaj’s optimism over renewable desalination.

He said: “With the grid becoming greener and greener, you can see a day where that becomes possible.”

One factor that has historically incurred additional costs for renewable energy systems is large-scale battery storage.

Due to intermittency issues — when solar panels are not harvesting energy from sunlight overnight, or when wind levels fall causing turbines to stop spinning — battery storage systems are one way of achieving round-the-clock renewable energy.

Building large battery systems does add costs, but on a positive note for renewable energy utilities providers and governments looking to cut emissions, those costs are plummeting.

A 2023 report from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicted that battery prices would continue to fall through to at least 2050.

Developers from around the world gathered in Riyadh on Wednesday for the Solar & Storage Live KSA exhibition.

The event brought together global renewable companies intending to cultivate new opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s path to net zero.

With ambitious targets to increase renewable energy capacity, the Kingdom is a fertile ground for developers.

Some of the world’s largest solar projects are being built in the country, including the 1.5-GW Sudair, 2-GW Shuaibah 2, 2-GW Ar Rass 2, and 2-GW Haden.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced in December 2023 a significant acceleration in the country’s renewable energy program.

The Kingdom will add 20 GW of renewable energy capacity every year, aiming to achieve a total of 130 GW by 2030.

The new target is a significant step up from the previous target of 58.7 GW. To achieve it, the country’s Ministry of Energy will be responsible for meeting 30 percent of the new capacity, while the Public Investment Fund is developing 70 percent with ACWA Power.


Smugglers of qat arrested in Jazan, Asir

Smugglers of qat arrested in Jazan, Asir
Updated 11 min 57 sec ago
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Smugglers of qat arrested in Jazan, Asir

Smugglers of qat arrested in Jazan, Asir

JAZAN: Saudi Arabia’s Border Guard officers in the Al-Dair area of Jazan have arrested an Ethiopian national for allegedly smuggling 114 kg of qat into the country.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Al-Ardah area of Jazan foiled an alleged attempt to smuggle 280 kg of qat across the border.

Elsewhere, land patrols of the Border Guard in the Al-Rabuah area of the Asir region arrested four Yemeni nationals for allegedly smuggling 122 kg of qat.

All the suspects have been referred to the country’s prosecution authorities, according to recent Saudi Press Agency reports.

The government has urged citizens and residents to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 in other parts of the Kingdom.

Reports to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control can be submitted by calling the number 995 or emailing [email protected].


King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 
Updated 17 min 56 sec ago
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King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

RIYADH: The Global Health Forum 2024 will be held in Riyadh from Oct. 21 to 23 with the participation of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre as a platinum sponsor.

The hospital’s pavilion will present its latest innovations and solutions in the health sector, as well as their effect on healthcare outcomes, the patients’ experience and operational efficiencies.

These innovations include robotic cardiac surgery, organ transplants, CAR-T cell production and pharmacogenetic analysis. The pavilion will also present the capacity command centre and its achievements in employing virtual reality technologies in medical education.

The hospital’s participation in the forum is part of its commitment to explore new trends, envision the future of healthcare and strengthen its position as an institution at the forefront of global healthcare innovation. 

The hospital will introduce pavilion visitors to the achievements that made it a pioneer in the medical field, including performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. The research center is famous for the local production of CAR-T cells.

This achievement is a qualitative addition to specialized healthcare in the Kingdom, reducing the financial burdens previously associated with manufacturing conditions elsewhere.


 


KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide

KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide
Updated 22 min 54 sec ago
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KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide

KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide
  • The center has completed 902 projects related to food and agricultural security worth over $2 billion

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water projects for vulnerable communities worldwide since its formation in 2015, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The center has completed 902 projects related to food and agricultural security worth over $2 billion.

In addition, it has carried out 28 nutrition projects worth $187.6 million, and 99 water and sanitation projects worth $294.3 million globally.

Food security remains a key pillar for the development and strengthening of communities and nations, the SPA report stated.

It boosts local economies, achieves environmental sustainability, improves public health, and reduces poverty and hunger.

This is achieved through land reclamation, good agricultural production, and the provision of water for drinking and other purposes.

KSrelief has been at the forefront of countries dedicated to addressing the risks of famine, desertification, water scarcity, and malnutrition in needy countries around the world.