Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea film festival postponed due to coronavirus
Updated 04 March 2020
Arab News
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The organizers released a statement on Tuesday saying that the decision was driven by the safety and wellbeing of guests, staff and audiences being of “primary consideration.”
The statement said: “It’s with feelings of deep sadness that we have had to take this tough decision. The spread of coronavirus is a battle we all must face around the globe, and its with no hesitation that we are respecting all the measures needed to meet the current health emergency.
The organizers thanked people for their “support and understanding” and assured film fans the festival would take place at a later date “as soon as feasible” as they “remained committed to all filmmakers, producers, partners and audiences.”
The 10-day event was set to feature a number of local and regional movies and high-profile guests such as director Spike Lee were scheduled to attend.
Coding a brighter tomorrow: Saudi female students drive social change through apps
Afrah bin Jubeir and Jawaher Al-Anzi recently showcased their abilities in Apple’s Swift Student Challenge
Updated 7 sec ago
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Two Saudi students have used their skills in coding and app creation to put social issues under the spotlight.
Afrah bin Jubeir and Jawaher Al-Anzi recently showcased their abilities in Apple’s Swift Student Challenge, where they were named among the top coding winners.
“This challenge offers us a platform to acquire skills that are applicable in the real world, and I am very excited to share the solutions and innovations I developed,” said Jubeir. “It is an opportunity not only to boost my knowledge and skills but also to make a positive impact in the tech community.”
Passionate about the sea and marine life, the 26-year-old created an app called “Fin’s Adventure.” It was developed not only as an entertaining game but also an educational tool to promote awareness of maritime environment matters and the importance of preserving the oceans.
“The game revolves around a fish character named ‘Fin’ who tries to survive in an ocean filled with plastic pieces,” Jubeir told Arab News. “The player will have to help Fin avoid these threats and promote awareness of the importance of keeping the oceans clean.”
The inspiration behind “Fin’s Adventure” came after Jubeir attended a conference where she noticed games had significant capabilities to convey educational messages and raise awareness.
Afrah bin Jubeir's “Fin’s Adventur.” was developed not only as an entertaining game but also an educational tool to promote awareness of maritime environment matters.
She designed the game to be exciting and educational, introducing players to the negative impacts of plastic pollution and encouraging them to take small steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
“Owing to its fun and interactive delivery method, the game attracts both kids and adults, making it an effective tool that contributes to changing behaviors in the long run,” she said.
Jubeir began her vocational training in September 2023 when she joined the Apple Developer Academy. A nine-month program enhanced her software skills and understanding of advanced technologies, before she decided to apply to the Swift Student Challenge.
She said other students considering an application should ensure they understood the necessary requirements first. They should start with a unique idea addressing a specific problem, before going on to develop a seamless design and attractive user experience.
“Ask for feedback from your friends and acquaintances to improve your project and remember that any challenge you face is an opportunity to learn and progress. Even if you don’t win, the opportunity itself adds to your experiences and teaches you,” she said.
Al-Anzi, a 27-year-old from Riyadh, competed against 350 other students from 35 countries and was named one of 50 Distinguished Winners in the challenge.
Her app, “My Child,” aims to help children with speech impediments and was inspired by her own story.
Jawaher Al-Anzi's app, “My Child,” aims to help children with speech impediments.
As a child, following the death of her grandfather, she developed a stutter. She eventually overcame it and, years later, began training at the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh.
“It took around a month to build the application, from coming up with the idea to executing it,” she told Arab News.
“The application will contribute to solving stuttering among all members of the community of different ages. Hopefully, in the near future, it will be available for download on the App Store.”
She said her experience of participating in the Apple competition paved the way for her app creation.
“It’s an opportunity to create an application and learn how to build projects and new techniques, in addition to creating an application that contributes to helping society as a whole.”
Asked what advice she would give others hoping to follow in her footsteps, she said it would be the same advice that was given in the Apple academy: “Everyone can code.”
EU ambassador holds Europe Day celebration in Riyadh
Attending as guest of honor was Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed El Khereiji
Updated 14 min 42 sec ago
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, marked his first Europe Day celebration in the Kingdom, inviting fellow European nation ambassadors, Saudi foreign affairs officials, and friends of the embassy to celebrate the occasion in his residence in the diplomatic quarter.
“There is a very dynamic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the European Union,” Farnaud told Arab News.
He added: “It’s political, economic, and it’s also cultural, and since the Kingdom is in the process of this very impressive, this very spectacular transformation, it is important for us as Europeans to be present because we have strong relationships.”
Attending as guest of honor was Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed El Khereiji.
Discussing Saudi-EU ties, Farnaud said: “I think it is important that we do more, and I think that the challenges of the world now, which are pandemics, economic transitions ... but also the globalization which is going on, it needs countries to have partners, reliable partners people that you know, that you can trust, and which whom you can bring solutions.
“For me as European ambassador, it is key to build on that with Saudi Arabia because I think the potential of this country is enormous and I am glad that people enjoyed tonight because it’s a good sign for the relations.”
To open the Europe Day celebration, the ambassador gave his opening remarks highlighting the bilateral ties between not only Saudi Arabia and the EU but also the wider GCC region.
Farnaud noted the multiple visits of EU officials to the region, including Josep Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, and vice president of the European Commission to the Kingdom.
“Regular exchanges foster a useful dialogue. Last January, the European Union and the GCC held their first regional security dialogue followed by a high-level forum on regional security and cooperation at a ministerial level last month in Luxembourg.
“These exchanges reflecting common views and interests for the most part are indispensable. We must work together to contribute to lasting solutions,” he said.
Europe Day is celebrated annually on May 9 in all EU member states to mark the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman which laid the foundations for the modern-day EU.
Saudi Arabia and the EU have maintained strong relations over the decades, and developed cooperation in key strategic areas and sectors.
Farnaud also highlighted Saudi Arabia and the EU’s strong trade relations, saying that the EU is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner.
Within the same day of the national day celebrations, the European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia held its inauguration with guests including Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant minister of investment; and Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf.
Saudi foreign minister receives letter from counterpart in Belarus on developing ties
Updated 47 min 10 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has received a written message from Sergei Aleinik, his counterpart in Belarus, regarding bilateral relations between the countries and ways to support and enhance them.
The message was received by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during a meeting in Riyadh with his opposite number in Belarus Evgeny Shestakov, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The parties discussed ways to strengthen relations, along with regional and international developments.
MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz has highlighted the importance of equipping public places and developing programs to meet the needs of people with autism spectrum disorder, helping them to actively engage in the community.
An agreement was signed between Al-Madinah Association for Autism (Tamakkon) and the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, accrediting Madinah as “an autism-friendly city.”
The governor praised the role of Tamakkon in expanding services and boosting learning opportunities for beneficiaries around the region.
He also inspected the Prince Faisal bin Salman Autism Center’s facilities and services, including diagnostic and comprehensive assessment clinics, speech therapy clinics, and a number of departments that provide comprehensive care from early childhood.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to UAE president after passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan
Updated 09 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince extended their condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Thursday after the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
In separate cables of condolences, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prayed that God have mercy on the deceased and forgive him.
Sheikh Hazza, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, was buried on Thursday.
