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Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen
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The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Supplied)
Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen
2 / 2
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Supplied)
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Updated 4 min 47 sec ago

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Project Masam removed 614 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included three anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines, 574 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 469,576 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services
Updated 9 sec ago

Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services
  • The initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience
  • The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders

RIYADH: The Digital Government Authority has launched the Platform Code, a national framework for designing and developing government platform interfaces in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ.

Unveiled during an event in Riyadh, the initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience.

The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders.

Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, said that the Platform Code aligns with local and global digital standards.

He described it as a critical step toward comprehensive digital transformation, enhancing compliance, and fostering efficient and impactful services aligned with ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s strategic digital goals.

The Platform Code, an open-source design system, integrates coding frameworks, design tools, and community guidelines, enabling rapid development of unified user experiences. It allows designers and developers to address specific needs using pre-built assets.

The authority also unveiled the Saudi Digital Strategy, focused on growing the digital economy and expanding opportunities for public and private sector products.

Other initiatives included the Digital Transformation Ambassador program, fostering an integrated digital community, and the Scene Program, promoting holistic user experiences locally and globally through advanced frameworks and tools.

Committed to advancing digital governance, the authority aims to position ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ as a global leader in innovative digital services.

It leverages cutting-edge technologies like AI and emerging tech while offering consultancy programs and fostering leadership in digital transformation.

These efforts contribute to Vision 2030’s goals of enhanced service quality and economic growth.


KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia

KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts conducted through KSrelief. (SPA)
Updated 18 November 2024

KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia

KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia

RIYADH: Hundreds of shelter kits have been distributed to people in Afghanistan and Somalia by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Over the weekend, 200 kits were handed out as part of a project to help Afghan returnees from Pakistan and those affected by floods.

The project will provide 4,882 in total containing tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other essential supplies to almost 30,000 people in need across 13 Afghan provinces.

In Somalia, 1,000 shelter kits, 1,000 clothing parcels, and 80 tents were given to displaced people in the Banadir region, benefitting 6,000 people.


KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria

KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria
The aid is part of the ongoing assistance provided by KSrelief to some of the world’s most in need. (SPA)
Updated 18 November 2024

KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria

KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered more aid to those most in need in Lebanon, Chad and Syria, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

In Chari-Baguirmi, Chad, the agency delivered 1,600 food parcels that benefitted 9,600 people. A further 333 food aid parcels and 333 hygiene kits were distributed in the Idlib region of Syria to help 1,998 individuals from 333 families who were affected by last year’s devastating earthquake.

And in Lebanon, winter clothing vouchers were given to 300 orphans and people with special needs in Akkar governorate. These will help them buy clothing for the forthcoming winter.


Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom
Updated 17 November 2024

Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom
  • Session attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua on Sunday.

The meeting focused on reviewing the strong relations between the two nations and discussing various issues of mutual interest, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session was attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides, SPA added.


King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
Updated 17 November 2024

King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
  • Pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025
  • Minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that Saudi leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims

RIYADH: ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.

The pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and general supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah program Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh thanked the Saudi leadership for enabling Muslims from different countries of the world to perform the minor pilgrimage with ease and peace of mind.

The minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that the leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims.

He added it would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims in various parts of the world and develop fruitful communication between scholars and influential figures who are hosted by the program.

The program has benefitted people from more than 140 countries since it was launched, the minister said.