Saudi disability body, Amazon introduce Alexa tech to help educate children

The visit showcased how Alexa devices are integrated into the center’s programs. (SPA)
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Updated 12 March 2024
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Saudi disability body, Amazon introduce Alexa tech to help educate children

RIYADH: The Children with Disability Association in Saudi Arabia has collaborated with Amazon to introduce an Alexa program designed for education and rehabilitation.

Arabic content has been created for Alexa devices to address the specific rehabilitation needs of children, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

There have been 28 Alexa devices set up in various classrooms and rehabilitation areas, to help modernize the association’s learning environments.

Ahmed Al-Tamimi, CEO of the Children with Disability Association, led a delegation — including representatives from Alexa, Amazon and the Ministry of Education — on a tour of the Riyadh center on March 7.

The visit showcased how Alexa devices are integrated into the center’s programs and explored the potential of the technology to further support services for specialists and children with disabilities.


Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to fly aid to Lebanon

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to fly aid to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia launches ‘air bridge’ for aid to war-struck Lebanon

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia launched an “air bridge” to transport medical supplies and food aid to Lebanon on Sunday.

The plane that left from King Khalid international airport in Riyadh carried more than 40 tons of relief materials to support those affected by the war in Lebanon.

The Saudi aid plane is also accompanied by a relief team for rescue operations.

Since September 23, Israel has launched an intense air campaign mainly targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, killing more than 1,150 people and displacing upwards of a million people.

The United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Romania and France are also among the countries that have sent aid to Lebanon.


Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy

Updated 12 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy

ANCONA: Saudi Arabia took part in a meeting of health ministers in Ancona, Italy, focusing on global health priorities this week at the invitation of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.

Topics included antimicrobial resistance, the intersection of health and climate, and prolonging human life, all aimed at strengthening international efforts to tackle these challenges, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Rakan bin Khalid bin Duhaish, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation, who was representing the Saudi delegation, emphasized the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance, calling for increased international collaboration.

He also announced that the Kingdom would host the fourth high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance in Jeddah on Nov. 15 and 16.

Duhaish further highlighted the impact of climate change on public health, stressing the Kingdom's commitment to working with global partners to enhance the resilience of health systems.

Saudi Arabia’s participation at the G7 underscores its pivotal role in shaping global health strategies and reflects international trust in its initiatives to promote public health and health security worldwide.


Saudi Arabia leads Arab environmental talks in Jeddah

Updated 12 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia leads Arab environmental talks in Jeddah

  • The Kingdom’s hosting of these meetings highlights “its leading role in promoting joint Arab environmental action at national, regional and international levels”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host the 35th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment from Oct. 13 to 17 in Jeddah.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in cooperation with the Arab League.

The agenda for the 35th session includes discussions on environmental challenges and nature-based solutions, the implementation of decisions taken in previous sessions, and international environmental agreements.

It will also address Arab cooperation on desertification, biodiversity and climate issues, cooperation with the G20 Global Land Initiative, progress on the Middle East Green Initiative, Arab participation in the COP16 conference in Riyadh, and various environmental topics submitted by participating countries.

The Kingdom’s hosting of these meetings highlights “its leading role in promoting joint Arab environmental action at national, regional and international levels,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

 


Saudi Arabia expands cloud seeding for water security

Updated 12 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia expands cloud seeding for water security

  • New aircraft and tech aim to enhance rainfall, sustainability, combat drought

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli launched new programs in Dammam on Saturday, focusing on localizing knowledge, aircraft, and advanced technologies for the Regional Cloud Seeding Program.

The event highlighted the program’s achievements since its first phase in 2022 and introduced new aircraft and technologies for rain enhancement, soon to be operational.

These advancements aim to strengthen technical and human capacities, in line with the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives for sustainability.

Al-Fadhli, chairman of the National Center of Meteorology, emphasized that the program aims to develop local expertise, ensure sustainability, expand coverage, and enhance cloud seeding efficiency.

The program also focuses on reducing aircraft operating costs and increasing the effectiveness of cloud seeding operations.

Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Center of Meteorology and general supervisor of the program, stressed that the program is crucial for water security and natural resource sustainability by utilizing global technologies to improve climate conditions and rainfall.

Ghulam noted significant milestones, including the first rain-seeking flight in April 2022, and ongoing research to optimize weather elements in Saudi Arabia, complementing the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives.

Ayman Al-Bar, executive director of the program, reviewed its objectives, progress, and research, highlighting the impact on water content and vegetation cover.

The program has completed six phases, with 444 flights and over 1,400 flight hours, deploying 8,753 rain-seeding flares to generate 5 billion cubic millimeters of rainfall.

Launched as an outcome of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, the program aims to increase rainfall, expand vegetation cover, and address climate challenges, desertification, and drought. Initial operations began in Riyadh, Hail and Qassim.


Saudi, Pakistani ministers meet in Islamabad

Updated 12 October 2024
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Saudi, Pakistani ministers meet in Islamabad

  • Khalid Al-Falih also met Gen. Syed Asim Munir Ahmed, the Pakistani chief of army staff

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih recently held meetings with Pakistani Minister of Finance Mohammed Aurangzeb; Minister of Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik; and Minister of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, during an official visit to Pakistan.

During the meetings, all sides discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral relations “and ways to develop qualitative investments,” Al-Falih wrote on X on Saturday.

He also met Gen. Syed Asim Munir Ahmed, the Pakistani chief of army staff.

“I expressed my gratitude of the warm welcome and hospitality we received,” Al-Falih added.