Saudi Arabia’s Ithra welcomes the return to school with a new educational experience

Back to School is designed to help get the new school year off to a successful start. (SPA)
Updated 30 August 2019
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Saudi Arabia’s Ithra welcomes the return to school with a new educational experience

  • Back to School is designed to help get the new school year off to a successful start

JEDDAH: The King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) launches its Back to School program on Thursday aiming for a school year full of success and achievements. The program enables students, parents and teachers to prepare for the school year, offering a series of interactive workshops, talks, shows and storytelling sessions over three weeks with three focuses — emotional intelligence, health and safety and financial intelligence — supplying them with the most important life skills.
In the first week, Aug. 29-31, the program highlights “Emotional Intelligence,” where students, parents and teachers engage in interactive workshops, talks, storytelling and activities, and share knowledge on self-expression and self-control. Participants learn about different types of art for relaxation techniques as a way to connect with their inner selves for better self-awareness; learn how to adapt to new changes when moving from one school to other; and engage in a challenge to build a fort using different materials.
In the second week, Sept. 5-7, the offering addresses “Health and Safety,” presenting tools for improving academic skills, heightening sport performance, enhancing communication skills and increasing self-esteem and confidence. A discussion session will be offered with the education team to share thoughts and enter in a discussion. In addition, there is a workshop to engage the students in activities and games that will increase their focus and attention and improve their memory in preparation for the new school year.

HIGHLIGHT#

Back to School: A program for fun, education and training.

The third and last week, Sept.12-14, addresses “Financial Intelligence.” This focuses on the practice of interactive training and the acquisition of learning skills through fun, in addition to motivating trainees to self-learning and discovering ways to achieve this type of learning. In a pleasant narrative style, children learn about the concepts of money and expenses.
They also learn about the savings process and play an entertaining interactive game where they can accumulate points.
Back to School is designed to help get the new school year off to a successful start. As a cultural hub, aiming to inspire, create and collaborate, Ithra is excited to launch this interactive program for audiences in the Kingdom with the aim of offering an enriching experience that enriches their experience. More information can be viewed on the website: www.ithra.com.
 


Saudi border security foil attempt to smuggle thousands of captagon pills from Yemen

Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi border security foil attempt to smuggle thousands of captagon pills from Yemen

  • Col. Osama Al-Assad, commander of the battalion, said the seizure was made during routine inspection procedures at the land crossing
  • Security personnel grew suspicious of an incoming vehicle and, after a thorough search, discovered the pills

RIYADH: The “Al-Wadiah Port Security and Protection Battalion” thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4,925 Captagon pills bound for Saudi Arabia from areas under Houthi control in Yemen.

Col. Osama Al-Assad, commander of the battalion, said the seizure was made during routine inspection procedures at the land crossing.

Security personnel grew suspicious of an incoming vehicle and, after a thorough search, discovered the pills professionally concealed in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad said the confiscated drugs were documented in line with legal procedures and the suspects were referred to the competent authorities for further investigation.

He stressed that coordination with the Saudi side remains strong and ongoing at the highest levels, expressing appreciation to the Kingdom for its continued support to Yemen in general and to the battalion in particular, helping bolster border security between the two neighbors.

In a recent interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad revealed that most drug smuggling networks operating from Yemen into Saudi territory are directly linked to the Houthi militants.

He noted that the battalion had previously arrested a Houthi leader attempting to enter Saudi Arabia using a forged passport and Umrah visa, suggesting the motives were security-related rather than religious.

Regarding the latest operation, Al-Assad said preliminary investigations indicate that most drug shipments intercepted at the crossing originate from Houthi-controlled areas.

He accused the group of relying on drug trafficking as a source of funding for its activities, posing a threat to Yemen’s national security, neighboring countries, and regional stability.

The battalion’s mission includes securing and protecting the Al-Wadiah crossing, combating various forms of smuggling, including drugs, human trafficking, forged documents, and unidentified individuals, and arresting wanted suspects, including members of al-Qaeda and fugitives evading court rulings.