JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has announced that the first stage of a drone factory in Riyadh is almost complete.
KACST’s Supervisor General of Special Programs Khaled Al-Hussan, who is overseeing the Saudi drone project, said that the factory is projected to manufacture drones suitable for military and civil purposes, scientific research, urban planning and security.
One of the drones that will be manufactured at the facility is the Saqr 1 drone which is made of carbon and glass fiber and is equipped with a satellite communications system. The drone can fly within a range of 2,500 km for 24 to 48 hours.
When it comes to who will use the drones, Al-Hussan told Arab News that “Taqnia Aeronautics is the party concerned with marketing and determining the market demand for the projected drones.”
KACST has also produced another three drones of medium size — the Saqr 2, 3 and 4. The units were first developed in 2012 with a total of 38 built as of August 2014.
Saqr 2 can fly for eight-hours at a speed of 120 km per hour at an altitude of 5,000 meters while the Saqr 4 is capable of carrying a load of up to 5 kg.
The Saqr 4 can reach a maximum speed of 120 kph at an altitude of 5,000 meters and can fly for five to six hours.
All the models are equipped with cameras for aerial photography.
First stage of Saudi drone factory complete: KACST
First stage of Saudi drone factory complete: KACST
Syrian refugees benefit from KSrelief’s volunteer program
- The week-long program involved 23 volunteers who assisted more than 900 Syrian refugees
RIYADH: The 25th volunteer training program organized by Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The week-long program involved 23 volunteers who assisted more than 900 Syrian refugees.
Run in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the program offered training courses in areas such as tablet and mobile phone maintenance, sewing and embroidery, ceramics, pottery, and carpentry.
It also included English language courses, interactive science courses in chemistry and physics, and activities to enhance children’s creative and social skills.
Additionally, the program provided medical services at the camp’s clinics in specialties such as ophthalmology, dermatology, diabetic foot care, and physical and occupational therapy.
Workshops for wheelchair maintenance and repair and about medical equipment were also held.
This program was one of KSrelief’s volunteer initiatives and emphasized the importance of volunteer work.
Saudi Arabia and UK conclude talks on development and aid, make recommendations
- The nations agree during 2-day event to establish a framework for cooperation in support of efforts to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
- They also agree to collaborate on projects in Bangladesh, Ukraine and Sudan, and enhance cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and UK authorities
RIYADH: The Second Strategic Dialogue on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance between Saudi Arabia and the UK concluded on Tuesday with a high-level plenary session.
Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, the assistant general supervisor for planning and development at Saudi aid agency KSrelief, reviewed several recommendations by both sides, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They included an agreement to establish a framework for cooperation between the countries in support of efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and to continue discussions of goals on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Ghamdi said both countries also agreed to collaborate on projects in Bangladesh, Ukraine and Sudan, including the exchange of expertise, skills and research, and field visits. They will also work to enhance cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and UK authorities, through a memorandum of cooperation signed on the sidelines of the talks.
The two-day event, which began on Monday at the KSrelief headquarters in Riyadh, was chaired by the organization’s general supervisor, Abdullah Al-Rabeeah. The Saudi delegation included the Kingdom’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, and the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan Al-Murshid.
The British delegation was led by Andrew Mitchell, the deputy foreign secretary and minister of state for development and Africa, and included the British ambassador to the Kingdom, Neil Crompton.
Earlier on Tuesday, representatives of the countries took part in two roundtable meetings on “the effectiveness of aid, research and study impact” and “community resilience, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.”
The former considered ways to: facilitate the exchange of successful strategies and the lessons that can be learned from them; promote effective development practices; develop concrete and implementable recommendations to integrate community resilience; monitor and evaluate future projects; and strengthen the existing partnership between the countries through a shared commitment to the provision of effective aid and sustainable development.
It also discussed opportunities to enhance coordination among donors to improve the effectiveness of aid, and the importance of cooperation in efforts to strengthen the interconnected nature of humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts to help ensure peace and prosperity in fragile and high-risk countries, in addition to the basic principles for enhancing programs in support of an interconnected approach that can ensure sustainability and resilience.
The participants in the latter roundtable exchanged views on the progress made in efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, ways in which this might be accelerated, and the challenges they face. They also agreed on prioritization of Saudi-British efforts to achieve the goals, and explored opportunities for the development of this cooperation.
All is rosy in Taif as fans flock to flower festival
- Taif’s annual show features a floral carpet of over million flowers
- Farmers, vendors optimistic about increase in sales at the event
JEDDAH: Visitors are flocking to the 19th Taif Rose Festival at Al-Raddaf Park where the flowers are in full bloom, highlighting the region’s rich floral heritage.
The festival, themed “Qetaf” meaning “picking time,” coincides with the harvest season and will run until May 12. The organizers include the Taif Rose Cooperative Society and Taif Municipality.
There has been an impressive turnout of Taif residents and domestic and international tourists. The exhibitors — mostly farmers and vendors — are optimistic that increased revenues will help boost rose cultivation and production.
Abdullah Altwairqi, a local farmer and festival participant, said: “Participating in the Taif Rose Festival has become a tradition for me. The atmosphere improves each year, and the revenue and exposure we receive from visitors make it worthwhile.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Exhibitors at the Taif Rose Festival are optimistic that increased revenues will help boost rose cultivation and production.
• The flower carpet set up by the municipality in the center of the park was designed with decorative patterns inspired by the province’s heritage.
• It covers 5,206 square meters and was crafted using over a million flower and rose seedlings, making it the largest in the history of the festival.
At his booth, Altwairqi showcased various flowers and fruit, including Taif roses, peaches, prickly pears, figs, mulberries, grapes, blackberries, pomegranates, as well as aromatic plants.
Altwairqi urged people to visit the Rose Flavor cafe where they can savor hot and cold beverages infused with the flavor of Taif roses and other aromatic flowers including lavender, which is also abundant in the region.
The flower carpet set up by the municipality in the center of the park left visitors awestruck. Covering 5,206 square meters, it was crafted using over a million flower and rose seedlings, making it the largest in the history of the festival.
Faiz Al-Thibaiti, director-general of media and corporate communication at Taif Municipality, told Arab News: “The flower carpet was designed with decorative patterns inspired by the province’s heritage.”
He said the carpet has ensured the event has become “one of the most important tourism festivals in the Kingdom, attracting thousands of visitors and tourists from various regions of the country.”
NUMBER
70k
The rose-picking season in Taif starts around the end of March or early April, lasting between 35 to 45 days, with an average of 70,000 roses picked daily.
The decorations adorning the flower carpet draw inspiration from the intricate designs found on the walls and facades of Taif’s ancient structures, including Al-Kaki Palace in Al-Salama and King Saud Palace.
Al-Thibaiti added: “Preparations for the festival started early, with the Taif Rose Cooperative Society detailing participation criteria to highlight Taif roses, including their cultivation, harvesting, and distillation into fine perfumes. This adds to Taif’s unique tourist appeal. The festival provides a platform for producers, experts, and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and boost this important sector.”
Among the highlights are the rose and flower path, product stalls, goods market, government booths, and the agricultural nursery.
Interactive fountain shows accompanied by national tunes were also among the attractions, with a crossing to the upper pedestrian bridge from where visitors can view the massive flower carpet.
Artwork, flower arrangements, and hanging floral baskets scattered throughout the park added to the flair of the event.
Al-Thibaiti said: “The significant turnout at the current festival comes amid increasing rose production year after year, indicating the success of this agricultural sector in achieving high revenues while continuing to promote the Taif rose product.”
Taifrosethon
The five-day Taifrosethon began on May 7, which is being held to encourage entrepreneurship in the region with technological solutions to enrich the industry.
The event includes various skills training and technical workshops covering trade, cultural heritage, and tourism.
The top-three winners will receive $2,666, $1,866 and $1,333 respectively. Participants are required to enter as teams, each with three to five members.
Taif’s roses
The Taif province produces more than 200 million roses each season. According to the local chamber of industry, each tree produces an average of 250 roses daily throughout the harvest season, which lasts for about 45 days.
The rose-picking season starts around the end of March or early April, lasting between 35 to 45 days, with an average of 70,000 roses picked daily.
Taif roses feature an exquisite, sweet fragrance and vibrant pink hues on delicate petals, and are a hallmark of the region’s natural beauty.
Cultivated in the high-altitude climate of Taif, these roses thrive in the cool temperatures and fertile soil of the region.
They are meticulously harvested by hand to preserve their quality, with the petals carefully collected for various purposes.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco receives Saudi Arabia minister of state Prince Turki
CASABLANCA: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI received Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers, in Casablanca on Tuesday.
During his meeting with King Mohammed, Prince Turki conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Prince Turki also delivered a letter to King Mohammed.
King Mohammed thanked the Saudi minister for the letter and “noted the distinguished relations that bind the two brotherly countries and peoples in all fields,” Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli settlers’ attack on Jordan’s aid convoy heading to Gaza
- Kingdom calls on international community to take all necessary measures to hold Israel accountable for its violations
- Jordan and Kuwait also condemned the attack
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a Jordanian humanitarian aid convoy that was heading to the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday, in the second incident of its kind in less than a week.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that said “the repetition of these attacks is a result of the failure of the Israeli occupation forces to carry out their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and is considered systematic complicity in preventing the necessary humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip.”
The Kingdom called on the international community to take all necessary measures to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
It also urged it to assume its responsibility to protect and secure the crossing of aid convoys, and to ensure their arrival into the Palestinian enclave to contribute to alleviating the humanitarian crisis there, the ministry statement added.
Jordan also condemned the attack and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said: “Israel is responsible for the settler attack on the aid convoys.”
Qudah stressed that the Israeli government’s failure to stop the attacks was a violation of its legal obligations, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Qudah added that the aid convoy, run by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, was attacked by Israeli settlers on its way to the Beit Hanoun Crossing, also known as the Erez Crossing, in northern Gaza, adding that “its cargo was tampered with.”
He said that the convoy later managed to continue its journey despite the attack and reached its destination in war-ravaged Gaza.
Kuwait also condemned the assaults by Israeli settlers and affirmed its position calling for the international community to assume its responsibility by deploring these attacks so that they may be avoided.
The Kuwaiti foreign ministry said this would aim “to guarantee the sustainable delivery of these aid convoys to the Palestinian people in order to curb the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip caused by ongoing” Israeli attacks.
