Latest news with #Saqr
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- General
- Gulf Insider
Over 1.67million Pilgrims Performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia
1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH in Saudi Arabia, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). According to GASTAT, 1,506,576 pilgrims arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, while 166,654 pilgrims are from within the Kingdom, including both citizens and residents. Hajj 2025 by the numbers: Total pilgrims: 1,673,230 International pilgrims: 1,506,576 Domestic pilgrims (citizens and residents): 166,654 Male pilgrims: 877,841 Female pilgrims: 795,389 How pilgrims arrived: Airports: 1,435,017 Land border crossings: 66,465 Seaports: 5,094 These figures were compiled using administrative records from the Ministry of Interior, part of a standardised statistical model that GASTAT has successfully implemented over the past five years. This method ensures high accuracy, reliability, and consistency in Hajj statistics reporting. As the Kingdom's official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia and is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities, including technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom. Also read: Saudi Arabia: AI-Powered 'Saqr' Drone Deployed For Firefighting And Rescue Missions During Hajj
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Strike, Bahrain Exit
Al Juwayr and Alobud score as Bahrain's World Cup dream ends in Riffa Bahrain saw their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup come to an end on Thursday night, losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa. Musab Al Juwayr's well-taken volley in the 16th minute opened the scoring, before substitute Abdulrahman Alobud sealed the result with a composed finish in the 78th, effectively extinguishing Bahrain's already faint hopes of progressing. The match's telling moment came early. Salem Al Dawsari, one of Saudi Arabia's most consistent performers, delivered a beautiful cross from the left flank. Al Juwayr, arriving unmarked at the edge of the area, struck it first time with his right foot into the bottom corner. Bahraini goalkeeper, Ebrahim Lutfalla, had no chance. Despite moments of promise from the home side, including a lively display from Humaidan in midfield and flashes from Marhoon up front, Bahrain failed to meaningfully test Nawaf Alaqidi in the Saudi goal. As Bahrain pushed in search of an equaliser, they were caught out on the counter in the 78th minute. A swift Saudi move down the right saw Ali Majrashi lead the break before threading a precise ball into the path of Abdulrahman Alobud, who had come on for Mohamed Kanno. Alobud made no mistake and clinically slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to double the lead and end any hopes of a late comeback. The result leaves Bahrain on six points, level with China at the bottom of Group C, and mathematically eliminated from contention for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Their final match, away to China on June 10, will be about restoring pride. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, move up to 13 points-still in third. However, their hopes of direct qualification were dashed earlier in the day when Australia defeated group leaders Japan 1-0 thanks to Aziz Behich's stoppage-time strike in Perth. That result means the Saudis can no longer finish in the top two unless Australia suffer defeat and there is a dramatic swing in goal difference on the final day. Elsewhere, Indonesia beat China 1-0 in Jakarta, with Ole Romeny converting a first-half penalty. That win lifts Indonesia to 12 points, just one behind Saudi Arabia, setting up a critical meeting between the two sides in Jeddah. Japan, already assured of qualification, suffered a rare defeat in Perth, but still lead the group with 20 points. Bahrain vs China (Chongqing Longxing Stadium, China) – 2:00 PM Japan vs Indonesia (Panasonic Stadium Suita, Japan) – 1:35 PM Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia (King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah) – 9:15 PM All eyes will be on Jeddah and Suita, where the final playoff places will be determined. Group C Standings (after Matchday 9): Japan – 20 pts (Qualified for 2026 World Cup) Australia – 18 pts Saudi Arabia – 13 pts Indonesia – 12 pts Bahrain – 6 pts (Eliminated) 6. China – 6 pts (Eliminated) Also read: Saudi Arabia: AI-Powered 'Saqr' Drone Deployed For Firefighting And Rescue Missions During Hajj
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: Three real estate platforms seek FRA licensing for investment funds
Egypt - The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) announced that three real estate share-selling platforms—Nawy, SAFE (a subsidiary of Madinet Masr for Housing and Development), and Saqr, the owner of Farida—have formally initiated procedures to regularise their operations under Egypt's non-banking financial framework. Each platform has begun establishing two entities: one to launch a real estate investment fund, and another to obtain the necessary licences for promotion, underwriting, and fund management activities. In a statement, the FRA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovative startups and entrepreneurs, as part of its broader strategy to foster financial market stability and protect all stakeholders. The announcement follows a series of recent consultations between the authority and representatives from the real estate development sector and digital platforms offering fractional real estate sales to the public. During these meetings, the FRA outlined its regulatory vision for the sector, noting that the real estate fund model provides the most appropriate legal and operational framework for these platforms. This approach supports greater transparency, investor protection, and structured capital mobilisation, while helping diversify funding sources in the property market. The authority emphasised that the move comes as part of a wider initiative launched to enhance discipline and legal compliance in non-banking financial markets. This initiative was prompted by the FRA's monitoring of online platforms and social media pages inviting public investments in real estate shares or offering non-banking financial services without proper authorisation, in violation of financial regulations. In response, the FRA initiated a dialogue with several of these platforms, holding technical and legal workshops to explain the required regulatory and legislative standards. These efforts resulted in the current wave of voluntary compliance and licensing requests. The authority has also begun publishing a regularly updated 'negative list' of unlicensed platforms and services operating outside the law. The FRA welcomed the constructive response from these companies, viewing it as a clear sign of growing awareness about the importance of legal compliance and the benefits of operating under a well-regulated framework. Such compliance, it noted, is critical for ensuring transparent, secure, and trustworthy services that protect investors and support market integrity. The authority concluded by reiterating its commitment to an open-door policy for any company seeking to validate or regularise its business model. It encouraged further engagement with the FRA to support the ongoing development of Egypt's non-banking financial sector, especially in innovative and fast-evolving areas like digital real estate investment. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Gulf Insider
02-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: AI-Powered ‘Saqr' Drone Deployed For Firefighting And Rescue Missions During Hajj
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defence has deployed an advanced AI-powered drone, 'Saqr', to support firefighting and rescue operations during the Hajj season. Developed to meet the demands of modern firefighting, 'Saqr' is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that allow it to access hazardous areas that are beyond the reach of human responders. As part of the authority's enhanced emergency response system, 'Saqr' is specifically designed to operate in high-risk, hard-to-reach environments, delivering rapid assistance where human intervention is limited or unsafe. The drone features multi-functional firefighting and rescue capabilities and can operate continuously for up to 12 hours. Outfitted with thermal imaging cameras, advanced safety protocols, and real-time site transmission, 'Saqr' is fully integrated with the central command and control centre, ensuring seamless coordination and immediate response during emergencies. With the ability to reach high altitudes and carry a payload of approximately 40 kilogrammes, the drone is tailored for deployment in complex environments such as high-rise buildings, industrial zones, hazardous material sites, densely populated areas, and forest fires. The drone's AI-powered systems significantly enhance situational awareness, reduce risks to human responders, and support faster, data-driven decision-making during emergencies—reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to adopting smart technologies for public safety.
Saudi Gazette
01-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
AI-powered ‘Saqr' drone deployed for firefighting and rescue during Hajj
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The General Directorate of Civil Defense has officially deployed its advanced AI-powered drone, 'Saqr,' to support firefighting and rescue missions during the Hajj 1446 season. The drone is part of the authority's enhanced response systems designed to handle emergencies in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas. The Saqr drone is equipped with multi-purpose firefighting capabilities and rescue systems, operating for up to 12 hours continuously. It can reach high altitudes and carry a payload of approximately 40 kilograms. The drone features advanced safety protocols, thermal imaging cameras, and live site transmission capabilities. It is also linked to the central command and control center to support coordinated operations in real time. Designed for rapid deployment, Saqr is tailored for use in high-rise buildings, industrial zones, sites containing hazardous materials, densely populated areas, and forest smart systems enhance situational awareness, reduce risk to human responders, and improve decision-making through live imaging and AI integration.
