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11 months ago
Individuals from 40 countries competed with their camels in a beauty pageant during the International Camel Organization round of the eighth King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Al-Sayahid on Saturday. Held under the slogan “Glory to its people,” competitors from a range of ages took part in the contest. The festival, which started on Dec. 1, will conclude on Jan. 15. Shafiq Khan, a Welshman who took first place, told Arab News how friendly the Saudi people were and how delighted he was to see so many kinds of camels. “So, I’ve always had a love for camels, but we don’t get to see them in the United Kingdom; they don’t have them here. I just find that seeing the camels here brings the true heritage of Saudi Arabia and makes you feel like you are years back in history,” Khan said. His camel, “Massakata,” which means “the silent one,” took first place after her white, long neck caught the audience’s attention. “She’s beautiful; she’s white; she’s just the best thing that can happen, and she became number one today,” Khan said. “She’s worked hard, she’s been looked after, and she did what she had to do today. She came as a champion, […]
11 months ago
The number of Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia has more than doubled during 2023 compared to last year, a Saudi news portal has reported. Around 380,000 Filipinos are estimated working in Saudi Arabia against 143,000 last year, Sabq said, citing figures from the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). There are around 1.8 million Filipino workers in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council of which Saudi Arabia is a member, according to DMW, the executive department of the Philippine government tasked to protect rights of overseas Filipino workers. A total of 725,000 Filipinos are living in Saudi Arabia, according to recent Saudi statistics. Relations between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines have recently grown. Last October, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Philippines on the sidelines of a GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh. Recruitment On the same occasion, Saudi and Philippine officials in the private sector of both countries signed a memorandum of understanding aimed to provide “professional” manpower from the Philippines to meet the needs of the labour market in the kingdom through partnerships with specialised international firms. The deal was sealed between human resources sectors in the two countries at a Saudi-Philippine roundtable […]
12 months ago
A teacher at a private school in Saudi Arabia has been expelled from his job and referred for an official investigation after making offensive remarks at fans of a club in the kingdom, a Saudi news portal reported. The action against the employee was taken by authorities in charge of private schools after the man wrote an online post on his personal account using “disgraceful and inappropriate phrases” against supporters of a Saudi club and a sports commentator. “Based on our categorical rejection of such behaviour, insults and serious transgressions, the schools administration has expelled the employee from work and referred him to official agencies to complete investigations with him,” authorities were quoted as saying in a statement. Neither the offender’s nationality nor the name of the club was given. Saudi authorities have in recent months exposed several cyber offences. Last week, a Saudi media regulator fined an online celebrity SR100,000 and revoked her licence over remarks deemed harmful to family values. The General Authority of Media Regulation said the Snapchat influencer had appeared in a video and used “inappropriate phrases inciting family damage”. The regulator did not name the celebrity, but some media reports alleged she is Asma Al […]
12 months ago
EVIQ, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, a newly launched joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), has announced the opening of a research and development (R&D) facility in Riyadh that is a first-of-its-kind in the region. The new facility will be used for testing a spectrum of chargers and software, to ensure the deployment of best-in-class equipment and related software, reinforcing EVIQ’s commitment to quality, efficiency, and driving the evolution in the EV sector across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also give EV drivers in Saudi Arabia the confidence that EVIQ chargers have been thoroughly tested to the highest quality and safety standards for operating in the Kingdom. EVIQ CEO Mohammad Bakr Gazzaz said: “The launch of our R&D facility is a testament to our commitment to quality and sustainable development of the Kingdom’s EV infrastructure. “Our state-of-the-art facility ensures that EVIQ remains at the cutting-edge of EV charging solution development, bringing users the optimal charging experience, and ensuring that every EV driver in Saudi Arabia has access to reliable and efficient charging solutions. “This facility is a cornerstone in our strategy to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. By focusing on […]
12 months ago
The Education Department in the Jeddah Governorate announced on Monday the suspension of in-person classes in schools in the governorates of Jeddah, Rabigh and Khulais in the Makkah region on Tuesday. This is in the wake of the rain forecast issued by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), as well as out of the department’s keenness on ensuring everyone’s safety, the department said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency. The Education Department stated that classes will be held remotely via the ministry’s Madrasati platform for all students. The teachers and employees of schools and education offices shall attend duty remotely, the statement added. According to an NCM forecast, there is a possibility for moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by dust storms and hail, to hit these governorates from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on Tuesday.
1 year ago
Two Saudi secondary school students have claimed first place in a World Robot Olympiad final in Panama. Mujtaba Hussein Salem and Majed Abdullah Al-Majed, both from Al-Ahsa, triumphed against student competitors from around the world in the Virtual Robot Challenges category. Elementary students Fatima Ali Al-Rashid and Fatima Akil Salem finished fifth in the Future Innovators category. Scores of students in different age groups competed in a variety of categories at the international olympiad, held from Nov. 7-9. Hamad bin Muhammed Al-Issa, general director of Al-Ahsa Education, described the Saudi students’ performance as a “significant accomplishment.” Many teams of Al-Ahsa students have performed well while representing the Kingdom in global competitions, he added. “Not only are our students drawn to the world of artificial intelligence, but they also lead in this field worldwide. This is certainly a win for the Kingdom and its people,” he said. “To every loyal teacher who has provided support, and to every school principal who has worked hard to unleash the students’ potential in all fields, I hope your efforts will be blessed and I wish you all the best, as such achievements do not happen out of nowhere or by chance, but are the results of dedicated work […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia has unveiled a plan for schoolteachers to study the Chinese language in China, a key trade partner to the kingdom. The Saudi Ministry of Education has announced receiving applications from teachers nationwide to go on scholarships to study the Chinese language and help teach it in the homeland. A successful applicant to the scholarship should be 40 years old at most, and the performance evaluation in the last two years of the job should not be less than the excellent grade and has not been subjected to a disciplinary penalty in the two years prior to candidacy for the scholarship. Moreover, the candidate should pledge to teach the Chinese language in different education stages and to work in the ministry’s schools for a period equivalent to that of the scholarship. Applicants, moreover, should pass a Chinese course in Saudi Arabia and a culture harmony evaluation. The ministry noted that the programme aims to enable the scholar to gain writing and speaking skills of teaching the Chinese language in the kingdom’s schools. Starting from the current academic year in Saudi Arabia, the second-grade students in public and private secondary schools were introduced to the Chinese language under an enriching […]
1 year ago
Petromin, a leading name in the automotive industry, made history on November 13, 2023, with the grand launch of the first-of-its-kind hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) maintenance network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This pioneering initiative, in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 goals, marked a significant step toward sustainable transportation solutions. Petromin EV AUTO CARE stands as a beacon of progress, embracing the future of transportation with a team of highly skilled technicians and state-of-the-art equipment to provide trusted maintenance solutions to hybrid and electric vehicle owners. With 12 fully operational workshops by Q1 2024 and an ambitious plan to convert the entire network into hybrid workshops. The event, attended by esteemed members of the media and influential personalities, underscored the importance of investing in green technologies and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among citizens. What set Petromin EV AUTO CARE apart was its unwavering dedication to quality and expertise. All technicians employed at this state-of-the-art network are certified by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) UK, an international professional body for 21st-century automotive. This accredited certification reflected Petromin’s commitment to maintaining the highest industry standards and providing customers with superior automotive care.
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia started charging an annual fee for the issuance and renewal of Vehicle Registration License (istimara) in accordance with the vehicle’s fuel efficiency effective from Sunday, Oct. 22. In the first phase, the fee will be applicable to only owners of 2024 model new light vehicles. The second phase will come into force during the year 2024 and will cover owners of all light and heavy vehicles. The annual fee will be calculated according to two criteria. The first criterion is engine capacity for all light vehicles model 2015 and before and all heavy vehicles while the criterion will be fuel efficiency for light vehicles model 2016 and later. The fee has been divided into five levels according to fuel consumption efficiency and no fee will be charged for low-consumption vehicles. It is noteworthy that the Council of Ministers decided in August 2021 to charge an annual fee for the issuance and renewal of vehicle licenses according to their fuel efficiency. A number of government agencies are participating in the application of the annual fee and these include the Ministry of Commerce; the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization; the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority; the General Traffic Department; […]
1 year ago
In a pioneering move toward sustainable transportation, Red Sea Global (RSG), the mastermind behind regenerative tourism destinations such as Amaala and The Red Sea, has achieved a significant milestone by completing the installation of the largest off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Saudi Arabia. Comprising more than 150 strategically placed charging stations, this network spans phase one of The Red Sea destination area. It is designed to support RSG’s initial fleet of 80 electric vehicles, including models from Lucid and Mercedes, ensuring these luxury EVs remain charged and operational on the roads. John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG, expressed the company’s commitment to combining sustainability and luxury in a unique manner, stating, “Our ambition to combine sustainability and luxury like never before takes a new form as we drive The Red Sea into the future of next-gen, smart mobility, fully powered by sunlight.” The exclusive use of electric vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz EQS and Lucid Air, is reserved for guest transport during their stay at The Red Sea. These luxury EVs will facilitate seamless travel experiences for guests, whether arriving at the destination, departing, or moving within the various resorts and facilities. Advance bookings or on-demand services will allow guests […]
14 hours ago
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