Latest news with #Saudi
Express Tribune
9 minutes ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
With AI and more shade, KSA set for a searing Hajj
With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than a million Hajj pilgrims amid punishing summer heat. Saudi Arabia's Hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities and organisers ahead of this year's pilgrimage. "One of the big challenges that we always face is the increasing temperature across the different years and this is an issue that we give top priority," he told AFP during an exclusive interview in Riyadh. The issue is all the more pressing as officials work to prevent a repeat of last year's Hajj, which saw more than 1,300 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.24 degrees Fahrenheit). This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajj, he added. Such efforts build on the work of previous years that have seen renovations to areas around the Grand Mosque and asphalt areas covered with a special layer to help reduce surface temperatures. "These new changes will definitely ensure the safety and the better experience of pilgrims when they perform their Hajj," said Rabiah. He said this week that more than a million people from across the globe had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, with more still pouring in. The latest artificial intelligence software will help monitor the deluge of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Makkah. "We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback," the minister said. Crowd management has proved perilous in the past, notably in 2015 when a stampede caused about 2,300 deaths. Along with expanding infrastructure and deploying more personnel, Saudi officials have been cracking down to prevent pilgrims without the right paperwork from entering Makkah. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. AFP
CairoScene
34 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Submissions Open for the RSIFF's 48-hour Film Challenge
Applications are open to Saudi nationals and residents aged 18 to 25 with a submission deadline of June 15th, 2025. The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened submissions for its annual 48-hour Film Challenge, inviting aspiring filmmakers across Saudi Arabia to push the boundaries of storytelling. Applications are now open and will close on June 15th, 2025. The challenge is open to Saudi nationals and residents aged 18 to 25. Teams must include two to five members. While all experience levels are welcome, including first-timers, the team leader (who should also serve as the director) must be a Saudi national, and is responsible for submitting the application. Applicants must submit a letter in English (max 1,000 words) explaining their motivation for joining, what they aim to bring to the challenge, and why they want to compete for a residency in France. A short script and links to past film or media work may also be included, though not required. Selected teams will take part in a two-day online workshop on July 11th–12th, covering all aspects of short film production. Attendance is mandatory, except for the writing session, which is for the team's writer and director. Filming will take place on July 18th to the 19th. Teams will create a three to seven minute film exploring one main theme—de-coding, playing, creating, or thinking—and one sub-theme such as memory, time, technology, or breath. A surprise element revealed 24 hours before the shoot must also be included. Films can be in Arabic or English. Arabic submissions must include English or French subtitles. All content must be newly created for the challenge.
CairoScene
34 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Saudi Rock Band Sound of Ruby Drop New EP ‘Jaxx Invasion'
Saudi Arabia's pioneering rock band just dropped a live record, with over 30 new tracks on the way. May 30, 2025 Sound of Ruby, one of Saudi Arabia's first and longest-running rock bands, have just released 'Jaxx Invasion', their first official live album, and are currently working on a four-LP project featuring over 30 new tracks. This new phase follows a string of recent releases - 'Rock Puffs' in 2022 and 'Betamax' in 2024 - which marked their return after a long hiatus. Now, the band is entering one of its most active and creative periods yet. Formed in the Eastern Province in the 1990s by vocalist and composer Mohammad Al Hajjaj, Sound of Ruby helped shape Saudi Arabia's underground rock scene. Despite lineup changes over the years, the group has stayed true to its raw, DIY ethos. Guitarist Nader Al Fassam and producer/multi-instrumentalist Kamal Khalil have long been part of the band's core, and drummer Faris Al-Shawaf recently joined, continuing the legacy of his brother, Talal. Blending punk, noise, and local influences, Sound of Ruby's music draws from American acts like Black Flag and The Butthole Surfers, while also referencing Saudi folk artists like Fahad Bin Saeed and Bashir Shannan. Beyond the music, the band played a key role in building Saudi's alternative scene. In the 2000s, Hajjaj and Khalil launched S.A. Metal, one of the country's first online forums for heavy music, and organized underground gigs that laid the groundwork for future scenes.
Kuwait Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Saudis in ‘difficult' talks to keep Ronaldo next season: PIF source
RIYADH: Saudi officials are in 'difficult' talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al-Nassr. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival in 2023 heralded a rush of late-career players to the oil-rich country, could transfer to Al-Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said. 'There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play' in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football. 'First option is a transfer to Al-Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup or to Asia champion Al-Ahli,' the source added. The oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund behind a number of big-ticket Saudi investments, controls a group of Pro League clubs including Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. Ronaldo posted 'This chapter is over' hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up this week with Al-Nassr finishing third and trophyless once again. A special transfer window opens from June 1-10 to allow the 32 teams involved in the newly expanded Club World Cup to sign players. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said 'there are discussions' over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the tournament in the United States from June 14. Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 40, joined Al-Nassr in early 2023 from Manchester United and his contract expires at the end of next month. 'Ronaldo's presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia,' the PIF source said. Ronaldo's announcement comes just months after Brazilian star Neymar ended his injury-plagued 18-month stay in January, after playing just seven times for Al-Hilal -- on a reported salary of around $104 million a year. Although Ronaldo was the Pro League's top scorer with 25 goals, he has been unable to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al-Nassr, who lost in the Asian Champions League semi-finals last month. Last year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could end his career with Al-Nassr, the Riyadh team favored by a number of Saudi royals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. During a recent interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: 'And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. 'There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows.' Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo's move, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034. — AFP
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Breaking News Live Updates: "Excellent discussions": All-Party delegation wraps up Saudi visit with focus on terrorism and strategic ties
30 May 2025 | 07:14:39 AM IST Breaking News Live Updates: The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda in Saudi Arabia informed that they held discussions with Saudi officials, policy think tanks, the media, and members of the Indian diaspora over two days in Riyadh. Breaking News Live Updates: The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda in Saudi Arabia informed that they held discussions with Saudi officials, policy think tanks, the media, and members of the Indian diaspora over two days in Riyadh."We have had excellent discussions in Saudi Arabia. This is the third country that our delegation visited, and we had two full days of discussions with senior government officials, with think tanks who play the role of shaping policy in Saudi Arabia, with the media, and the Indian diaspora," Panda told ANI on Thursday (local time).Panda said discussions were open and direct, especially on terrorism, where both countries share a zero-tolerance added, "We have had free and frank discussions about the terrorism challenge we have been facing. Saudi Arabia has a policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism, like us. PM Narendra Modi was here when the terrorist attack happened and the joint statement given by the two governments made it very clear that there is no tolerance for any kind of terrorism." Show more US Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby pots on 'X': "It was great to meet today with India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor. The US-India alliance is on fundamentally strong ground based on shared interests and mutual respect. We here at DOD are striving hard to elevate defense cooperation as part of this critical partnership." A US federal appeals court has temporarily reinstated President Donald Trump's broad 'Liberation Day' tariffs, just one day after a lower trade court ruled he had unlawfully invoked emergency powers to impose them. While the ruling restores the White House's leverage for now, legal experts say a longer battle looms. Trump's administration is expected to pursue alternative authorities if the appeal fails. Businesses and foreign governments remain cautious as tariff-related uncertainty continues to impact trade and global markets. Read full story here An unpredictable trade war and daunting environmental targets are on the agenda for global airline bosses at an annual summit in India, as the industry's outlook is clouded by concerns that geopolitical uncertainty will dampen travel demand and raise people are flying than ever before after a full post-pandemic passenger market recovery, but airlines globally are facing rising cost pressures, extended plane delivery delays, lingering supply chain bottlenecks and falling top of this, President Donald Trump's evolving trade war has upended the global aerospace industry's decades-old tariff-free status and added a new layer of volatility and carriers in Europe and Asia report strong demand for flying, the U.S. airline sector has been hit by a recent slump in travel demand, with carriers struggling to forecast passenger behaviour and operational costs. India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan is in Singapore for the 22nd Shangri La Dialogue, one of the biggest defence fora being held here from Friday to the crucial dialogue, Gen Chauhan will speak on the 'Future Wars and Warfare' on Saturday. He will then participate in the simultaneous special sessions and speak on the topic 'Defence Innovation Solutions for Future Challenges'.Gen Chauhan is also scheduled to hold bilaterals with senior defence officials and military leaders from Australia, the EU, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, the UK, and the US, officials said. U.S. federal authorities are investigating an effort to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the report said Wiles had told associates that some of her cellphone contacts had been hacked, allowing the impersonator to access private phone incident affected her personal phone, not her government phone, the report Journal reported that in recent weeks, senators, governors, top U.S. business executives and other figures received messages and calls from a person who claimed to be Wiles, citing the people familiar with the messages. The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda in Saudi Arabia informed that they held discussions with Saudi officials, policy think tanks, the media, and members of the Indian diaspora over two days in Riyadh."We have had excellent discussions in Saudi Arabia. This is the third country that our delegation visited, and we had two full days of discussions with senior government officials, with think tanks who play the role of shaping policy in Saudi Arabia, with the media, and the Indian diaspora," Panda told ANI on Thursday (local time).Panda said discussions were open and direct, especially on terrorism, where both countries share a zero-tolerance added, "We have had free and frank discussions about the terrorism challenge we have been facing. Saudi Arabia has a policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism, like us. PM Narendra Modi was here when the terrorist attack happened and the joint statement given by the two governments made it very clear that there is no tolerance for any kind of terrorism."
