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The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.

The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.

The first units are expected to be delivered in 2026, while the agreement also encompasses a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, a timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance, and provisions of spare parts, maintenance and repairs.

The agreement – which builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the parties of October 2022 –  “marks the largest of its kind in the MENA region and represents an important industry milestone as the largest reported firm order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline that plans to operate the aircraft,” explained Lilium.

“Saudia Group is proud to pioneer the MENA region as the first company to acquire all-electric eVTOL jets,” commented H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group. “This agreement amplified our commitment to the Saudi Vision 2030 and is the result of a collaborative effort… to explore how we can best bring eVTOLs to the skies of Saudi Arabia”.

When in service, operation of the six-passenger Lilium Jets will be managed and run by Saudia Private, a subsidiary of Saudia Group. Lilium adds that the enhanced connectivity offered by its aircraft will benefit business travellers, tourists, and Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages; travelling up to 175km at speeds of up to 250km per hour.

“The Middle East is a priority for Lilium, and Saudi Arabia will be a very large and exciting market for electric, high-speed regional air mobility,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium. “Our partnership will combine Saudia Group’s significant market knowledge with our unique eVTOL technology to transform premium class air travel in the GCC region”.

source/content: aerospaceglobalnews.com (headline edited)

Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, died in 2018. In his final years, he became a global celebrity and conservation icon, helping raise awareness about the brutality of poaching.

There was a lot of hope riding on Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros. He was labelled the “world’s most eligible bachelor” by the dating app Tinder, the “most famous rhino” by various news outlets and a “gentle giant” by the armed guards who watched over him 24-hours-a-day. But Sudan’s life carried the baggage of a species decimated by poaching.

In the Ol Pejeta conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya, AFP photojournalist Tony Karumba captured a celebrated snapshot of Sudan on 5 December 2016, approximately 15 months before the rhino’s death.

At the forefront of Karumba’s image is the tender relationship between the humans at the conservancy and Sudan. The photo is iconic but not iconoclastic, exemplifying an ordinary moment of the all-too-late-yet-genuine care that northern white rhinos received from the species that decimated them. Once lost, gone forever, only to live in photos like Karumba’s photo series. 

As Sudan was released from his pen to pasture, Karumba captured his pictures. “There’s trust and love all over that moment,” says Karumba. “Being in Sudan’s presence always felt for me like a visit with a sage; his demeanour, despite his behemoth self, had a way of conveying a calm patience with me and though his minders would always be hovering just outside my camera’s frame, he [Sudan] was accepting of my wary intrusions and poised as though he was aware of his symbolism as the last icon of his subspecies.”

The photo showcases Sudan’s craniate profile and his two horns, a trait characterising the white rhino subspecies, shaved off to deter poachers. Sudan’s carer calms the two-and-a-half-tonned (2,500 kg)animal, whose head is longer than the man’s torso. Karumba’s vantage, his low viewpoint on Sudan, “emphasised the power and the stature of the rhino,” says Michael Pritchard, programmes director at the Royal Photographic Society in the UK.

“The power of this photograph is the interaction between this impressive animal and this human,” says Pritchard. “There’s a kindness, a relationship.”

source/content: bbc.com / (Riley Farrell)/ (headline edited)

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Tony Karumba’s photo of Sudan with his carer made the rhino a global sensation in his final year (Credit: Getty Images)

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SUDAN

The region continues to break barriers.

When it comes to breaking barriers, the Middle East has certainly made its remarkable mark in the Guinness World Records. For 2023 alone, the region has emerged as an exceptional participant, with 50 records on the world stage out of 40,000 applicants globally.

Here, we identify some of the amazing Guinness World Records set in the Middle East.

World records in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s impressive feats

Among the many marvels from Saudi Arabia, we witness an array of unusual feats and creations. Noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Largest LED Structure and Brightest Suspended Ornament by Noor Riyadh Festival
• Largest Lego Brick Formula 1 Car by Saudi Arabia Motor Federation
• Most LED Lights in a Display by MDLBEAST
• Most Simultaneous Pepper’s Ghost Illusions of a Person by Riyadh Season and General Entertainment Authority, featuring pan-Arab celebrity singer Mohammed Abdo
• Largest Mirrored Building for Maraya by The Royal Commission for AlUla
• Largest Clock Face by Makkah Clock Tower
• Tallest Lighthouse by Jeddah Port Control Tower
• Largest Geodesic Dome by Jeddah Superdome

UAE’s record-setting achievements

Furthermore, the UAE enlightened the world with its humanitarian world records in the Middle East. Its contributory efforts range from:

• Longest Live-Stream (video) by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and pan Arab influencer Hassan Suleiman (AboFlah)
• Largest Donation For A Patient’s Medical Treatment by Emirates Red Crescent
• Most Awareness Ribbons Made In One Hour (team) by Emirates Oncology Society
• First 3D-printed Laboratory by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)
• Largest Synchronized Car Dance by Sony PlayStation Middle East
• Most Contributions To A Color By Numbers by Farah Experiences for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
• Largest Inflatable Aqua Park by Aqua Fun
• Tallest Building for Burj Khalifa
• Longest Zip Wire by RAK Tourism Authority for Toro Verde
• Deepest Swimming Pool For Diving by Deep Dive Dubai
• Tallest Hotel for Gevora Hotel

Unique records across Egypt and Iraq

Meanwhile, Egypt and Iraq have set their own unique world records, making it clear that talent and creativity know no borders.

Egypt

• Mohamed Shehata for the widest arm span on a living person (male) and the widest hand span on a living person (male)
• Mahmoud Ayoub for one of his 30+ records for the most fingertip pushups (one arm) in one minute
• Al Ahly Sporting Club for the most wins of the CAF Champions League
• Heaviest chandelier by Asfour Crystal International S.A.E.

Iraq

• Largest pin-and-thread art by Saeed Howidi
• Most eggs balanced on the back of hand (18 eggs)
• Tallest stack of M&M’s by Ibrahim Sadeq

A showcase of talent from Kuwait to Lebanon

Similarly, Kuwait showcased its unique talents, with LOOPZ achieving the record for the longest indoor slide. Additionally, Yousef Al Refaie accomplished another impressive feat as the youngest person to climb the Seven Volcanic Summits.

In Jordan, another record was broken in the para-sports sector, with Abdelkareem Khatab performing the heaviest powerlift. Further, in Morocco, Ayoub Taoube rightfully earned his title for the most single-leg backward somersaults in 30 seconds.

Moving on to Lebanon, we find Dareen Barbar, a resilient Lebanese athlete who lost her leg at the age of 15. Despite this, Barbar achieved the world record in the Middle East for the longest Samson’s chair or static wall sit.

Triumphs from Qatar to Syria

In Qatar, incredible feats were achieved on multiple fronts:

• Ahmed Al Shahrani set the world record for the fastest crossing of Qatar by wheelchair
• Doha Oasis Quest amazed with its EpiQ, the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster
• The Embassy of India in Qatar united people from all over the world by organizing a yoga lesson that broke the record for the most nationalities in a single yoga session

These records from Qatar reiterate the country’s commitment to inclusivity and overcoming adversity, staying true to the essence of the world-record Middle East achievements.

Meanwhile, all the way in Syria, we find determination personified in the achievement of Mohhamad Feido. This record-breaker executed the most knuckle push-ups while carrying a 40-lb pack in just three minutes—an inspiring testament to his physical strength and tenacity.

From food to the faithful in Algeria

Moving westward, we discover the incredible achievements of Algeria. The International Fair of Algiers birthed the world’s largest Bowl of Couscous, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Adding a spiritual dimension to the world record Middle East landscape, Djamaa el Djazair achieved one for the tallest minaret. It is an iconic symbol of faith, which now stands as another feather in the Algerian World Record cap.

Striking features from Bahrain to Sudan

Heading south, Bahrain beckons with an intriguing record of its own. Adam Saeed, in a true test of geographical knowledge, clinched the record for identifying the most countries by their outline. This achievement broadened the scope of the world record Middle East phenomenon, demonstrating the intellectual prowess that the region harbors.

Symmetrically resonating with Bahrain’s brainy record, Sudan steps up to the plate with the intriguing achievement of Ramdan Rahma. Accordingly, he made an extraordinary record in the impairment classification records for the most penalty kicks achieved in a single hour.

Final thoughts

These fascinating accomplishments not only present individual brilliance but also paint a vivid picture of the devotion, tenacity, and unity that bind the Middle East.

With each world record in the Middle East, these nations inspire people worldwide and prove that talent and creativity know no boundaries.

source/content: economymiddleeast.com (headline edited)

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MIDDLE EAST

Vision 2030 drives Saudi’s tourism growth.

According to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia has welcomed 60 million visitors spending SAR143 billion (US$38.1 billion) in the first half of 2024.

This underscores the significant progress made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector and sets a new benchmark.

At a press conference, the Minister said: “Our country is blessed with a multiplicity of tourist destinations and climate diversity, the moderate weather that the Aseer region enjoys during the summer season and low temperatures compared to most cities in the world.”

Al-Khateeb added that visitors could enjoy diverse attractions, from historic villages to farms rich in local products, along with delicious cuisine telling stories of the past.

The third Aseer Season, running until September 1, is expected to attract substantial visitor interest with its cultural experiences. Key attractions in the Aseer region include Rijal Alma and Shada Palace Museum, alongside Soudah Peaks, the highest point in the Kingdom at 3,015 meters above sea level, which serves as a sustainable luxury destination.

Saudi’s growing market

Al-Khateeb attributed the tourism sector’s growth to Vision 2030, which includes initiatives like the National Tourism Strategy launched in 2019 and the introduction of a tourist visa. He also highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, King Khalid University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University in establishing the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management program. This partnership aims to enhance the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality education.

Al-Khateeb said: “Our goal is to develop tourism capabilities and expand international specialized technical colleges and strategic partnership institutes in the field of tourism and hospitality.”

In addition, the Minister announced plans for 10,000 training opportunities in the Aseer region’s tourism sector, domestically and internationally.

The National Tourism Strategy targets over 150 million local and international visitors by 2030, up from 109 million in 2023.

Al-Khateeb further shared: “The Tourism Development Fund plays an important role in providing financing, allocating SAR7.4 billion to enable over 100 tourism projects around the Kingdom with a value exceeding SAR35 billion.”

This financial support is expected to stimulate tourism development and enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global travel destination.

source/content: hoteliermiddleeast.com (headline edited)

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Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Alkhateeb

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SAUDI ARABIA

Acting in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), an Oman-based firm named RAID (Robotics & AI Development) launched a solar cell cleaning robot.

The innovation is a local device that aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of solar power plants by automatically cleaning solar cells when deemed necessary.

Abdulrahman Affan Al Hajji, Head of RAID Company, said that the solar cell cleaning robot is a unique innovation designed and manufactured locally to clean vast solar cell stations with high efficiency.

Al Hajji added that the project aims to minimise human effort and avoid potential risks involved in manual cleaning operations.

Al Hajji pointed out that the robot was tested at PDO and that the outcome was ‘high efficiency’.

The unit cleaned more than 700 solar panels, with the robot emerging as an ideal device for operating in all weather conditions.

This, he observed, would ensure sustainability in performance, based on the fact that this technology contributes to reducing the volume of water used in cleaning, increasing the productivity of solar energy units and diminishing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

source/content: timesofoman.com (headline edited)

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OMAN

Morocco topped the podium at the Arab U23 Athletics Championships held in Ismailia, Egypt, on July 5-9, winning the championship for the second consecutive time with a total of 32 medals.

Morocco’s medal tally includes 16 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze, ahead of host Egypt with a total of 39 medals (12 gold, 16 silver, and 11 bronze) and Algeria with 15 medals (6 gold, 9 bronze).

The championship featured the participation of athletes from 12 Arab countries.

source/content: barlamantoday.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO / EGYPT

Doha 2024 is slated to break records with the highest number of competing athletes and countries in its 21-edition history as Qatar hosts the flagship aquatics competition for the first time from 2 to 18 February 2024.

The records were announced during a joint press conference held by World Aquatics and the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 Local Organising Committee on the eve of the event. More than 2,600 athletes representing 201 countries and the World Aquatics Refugee Team are in Doha to compete in 75 medal events across six aquatic sports. Having qualification spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on offer adds additional excitement and intrigue to the upcoming event.

Four of the sports will see a record number of participating countries, including swimming, and three will see a record number of competing athletes. Among the athletes are USA’s artistic swimming World Champion Bill May ; defending high diving world champion, Constantin Popovici from Romania; captain of the reigning women’s water polo world champions, Sabrina van der Sloot of the Netherlands; Canada’s Pan American Games gold medallist springboard diver, Pamela Ware; and USA’s two-time world junior open water swimming champion, Katie Grimes.

The five athletes attended the opening press conference where they expressed their excitement for the World Aquatics Championships and praised the quality of the venues in Doha.

The six aquatic sports will take place at three venues across Doha, including the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome (swimming, water polo, artistic swimming) – the biggest aquatic sports complex in the world.

The Hamad Aquatic Centre (diving) and Old Doha Port (open water swimming, high diving) will also host competitions providing a spectacular backdrop for the world’s best athletes.

Speaking ahead of the World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said:

“We are delighted to be in Doha for the World Aquatics Championships. Qatar has proven itself as an excellent host of major sports events and we are very confident that athletes will be provided with the very best conditions to compete. Already we have received positive feedback from athletes who are excited for competitions to get underway. As the first time this region has hosted the World Aquatics Championships, we are also excited by the role the event can play in extending our reach and ensuring everyone can participate, compete in and benefit from aquatic sports.”

Doha 2024 Director General Khaleel Al Jabir said: “The World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 will be a unique celebration of aquatics sports and Qatar’s rich heritage. It is fitting that these Championships are set to break records for participation reinforcing the importance of this event. We are humbled that more athletes, and more countries, than ever before have opted to compete in these Championships. We have no doubt that they will entertain the thousands of spectators in attendance and inspire the next generation of aquatic athletes.”

source/content: worldacquatics. com (headline edited)

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 Image Source: Sports leaders and top aquatics athletes at the opening press conference (Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics)

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QATAR

Nawal El Moutawakel’s most notable achievement is winning the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Former Moroccan Olympic champion Nawal El Moutawakel was elected Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 142nd IOC session in Paris on Wednesday. 

El Moutawakel, alongside Argentinian Gerardo Werthein, will begin their terms on August 10, following the conclusion of the 142nd session. They will succeed Australia’s John Coates and Singapore’s Ser Miang Ng, whose terms are ending, according to an IOC statement.

El Moutawakel previously held this position from 2012 to 2016 and has served on the IOC Executive Board during two terms, from 2008 to 2012 and from 2020 to 2023. 

She made history as the first Moroccan and Arab woman to win an Olympic gold medal, achieving this feat in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. 

In addition, El Moutawakel dominated the Moroccan national championships in the 100m, 200m, and 400m hurdles in the late 1970s and was a top competitor in the Arab region for the same events. She claimed the African championship in the 400m hurdles in 1983 and won the US championship in the same event in 1984.

She also earned gold medals at the Mediterranean Games in 1983 and 1987 and secured a bronze medal at the World University Games in 1985, followed by another gold medal in 1987.

Her contributions to sports have been significant, including her involvement in various Olympic committees and promoting women’s participation in athletics globally.

Born on April 15, 1962 in Casablanca, El Moutawakel pursued athletics at a young age and quickly rose to prominence. Her success on the track paved the way for her to become a prominent figure in international sports administration.

Beyond her administrative roles, she has been an outspoken advocate for promoting women’s participation in sports and has been involved in various initiatives to support athletes worldwide.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Former Moroccan Olympic champion Nawal El Moutawakel

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MOROCCO

The 13th edition of the African Games will end next Sunday, 23 March, with an absolute domination by Egyptian athletes, who top the medals table with 76 gold medals.

Egypt is the biggest sporting power in Africa, as the African Games medals table shows. The Mediterranean country arrived to Accra 2023 having won a total of 650 gold medals and 1,635 total medals in the previous 12 editions of the continent’s premier event. 

Nigeria is second with 470 gold medals (1,326) and South Africa is third with 397 (1,054). Algeria is fourth with 310 gold medals, but has won more medals overall (1,084). 

The North African country topped the medals table with 17 gold medals at the first edition of the African Games in Brazzaville in 1965, when it competed as the United Arab Republic (including the occupied Gaza Strip and Syria), as well as in Lagos in 1973 (25), in Nairobi in 1987 (31), in Egypt in 1991 (90), in Algiers in 2007 (74 after a battle with hosts Algeria, 70), in Brazzaville in 2015 (85) and in the latest edition in Rabat in 2019 with a record of 94 gold medals. 

With just over a week to go until the end of this 13th edition, Egypt are closing in on an astonishing milestone: 100 gold medals at an African Games. With 83 gold, 33 silver and 28 bronze medals – 144 in total – Egypt leads the medal table by a huge margin, more than tripling the tally of the three nations vying for second place: Nigeria (25), South Africa (24) and Algeria (22).

The biggest star of the first two weeks of competition is the swimmer Marwan Elkamash. The two-time bronze medallist at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, Spain, and 200m freestyle and in 4x200m freestyle champion at the 2019 African Games, has broken all the records with five gold medals at Accra 2023: 200, 400, 800, 1.500 and 4×200 freestyle. 

With four gold medals, Farida Osman, one of Africa’s most important swimmers, won the bronze medal in the 50m butterfly at the 2017 World Championships behind two icons such as Sweden’s Sarah Sjöstrom and the Netherlands’ Ranomi Kromowidjojo. She won the 50m and 100m butterfly, the 50m freestyle and the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay in Accra. 

Amin Bassem, ranked 62nd in the FIDE World Chess Ranking, also won four gold medals: Men’s Rapid Individual, Men’s Blitz Individual, Mixed Team Rapid and Mixed Team Blitz, the last two making pair with Shahenda Wafa (a three-time women African champion). She also has a gold medal in the Women’s Rapid Individual and a silver medal in the Women’s Blitz Individual behind 21-year-old Algerian Lina Nassr.

source/content: insidethegames.biz (headline edited)

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Farida Osman won four gold and one silver medal at the 13th African Games. INSTAGRAM

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EGYPT