YEMEN: Sana’a University honors leading scientists Drs. Tariq AlShami, Melhem AlHabouri & Ali AlMuntasir among top global researchers

 Sana’a University celebrated on Wednesday the achievements of three of its scientists, recognizing them for their positions among the top two percent of researchers globally, as listed by Stanford University.

Dr. Tariq al-Shami, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, received a certificate of appreciation and a cash award of one million Y.R for being ranked first in the field of most cited researchers throughout his career, maintaining this position for the fourth consecutive year.

Dr. Melhem al-Habouri, a faculty member at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, was honored with a certificate and 750,000 Y.R for securing third place among the most cited researchers in the sub-field of Medical Biochemistry and in the broader category of Clinical Medicine.

Dr. Ali al-Muntasir, from the College of Education and Applied Sciences, also received recognition, earning a certificate and 500,000 Y.R for his third-place ranking among Sana’a University scientists and eleventh among researchers from Yemeni universities in the field of Physics and Astronomy.

During the ceremony, Dr. al-Qassim Abbas, rector of Sana’a University, commended the honorees for their exceptional contributions to scientific research. He announced that this recognition will become an annual tradition aimed at fostering scientific advancement within the university, with aspirations to elevate its standing among the world’s leading research institutions.

Dr. al-Qassim emphasized the university’s commitment to investing in scientific research and publishing, which had previously been overlooked. He noted that over the past four years, the university has provided grants to over 700 teaching assistants to enhance their research capabilities.

He also highlighted the importance of legislative measures to encourage publication and innovation among researchers, asserting that a focus on scientific inquiry is essential for national progress, especially in today’s technologically driven landscape.

In response, Dr. Ali al-Muntasir articulated that the honor signifies a pivotal moment in their scientific careers, reflecting years of dedication. He urged for the establishment of specialized research centers in various fields, including renewable energy and artificial intelligence, to further advance Yemen’s scientific endeavors and self-sufficiency.

source/content: saba.ye (headline edited)

_____________

_________

YEMEN

SAUDI ARABIA : Artifacts on display at Makkah exhibition

A highlight of the exhibition is an immersive recreation of the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received his first revelation.

The Hira Cultural District in Makkah is currently hosting the Revelation Exhibition, drawing visitors from all walks of life.

The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to delve into the stories of the prophets, from Adam to Muhammad.

A highlight of the exhibition is an immersive recreation of the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received his first revelation.

Visitors can go back in time to experience the historic moment through state-of-the-art technology and interactive displays.

The exhibition also features a range of artifacts, including a photographed copy of the Qur’an that belonged to the esteemed companion Uthman ibn Affan, and ancient stone inscriptions bearing verses from the Qur’an.

The Hira Cultural District is a cultural and tourism destination which is committed to enriching the visitor experience.

Its Autumn Vacation series of events offers a diverse range of experiences, including equestrian skills demonstrations, a display of traditional caravans, and engaging challenges.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

________

The Hira Cultural District is a cultural and tourism destination which is committed to enriching the visitor experience. (SPA)

_________________

SAUDI ARABIA

ARAB / QATAR : 4th Arab Mathematics Olympiad 2024 begins in Doha

The Fourth Arab Mathematics Olympiad 2024 kicked off Sunday in Doha.

The Olympiad, which will conclude on November 14, is organised by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, in partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.

HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Chairperson of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, said that organizing the Fourth Arab Mathematics Olympiad falls under the umbrella of ALECSO and aims to enhance communication between Arab students, develop the spirit of excellence, creativity, talent and self-confidence, pay attention to the sciences of mathematics and develop its curricula and improving its teaching methods.

She noted in her opening speech that mathematics is one of the basic sciences on which many applied sciences depend, it’s based on thinking, setting hypotheses, and mathematical proofs, stressing that working on developing curricula to improve the quality of education and develop students’ skills has become an urgent need to keep pace with current developments and modern life, in a world characterized by rapid development and technological progress.

She explained that the Arab Mathematics Olympiad comes to crystallize the interest of Arab countries in developing the performance of their students in modern sciences as a basic requirement for sustainable development.

source/content: qatar-tribune.com (headline edited)

_____________

HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Chairperson of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science

__________________

ARAB / QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA : Aid Agency KSrelief wins ‘Global Humanitarian Achievement Award 2024’, Washington, U.S.A

The Saudi aid agency KSrelief was honored with the Global Humanitarian Achievement Award by the National Council on US-Arab Relations, in recognition of relief efforts that have made a substantial impact in crisis regions around the world.

Delano Roosevelt, the council’s second president and CEO, presented the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah said the award is an international acknowledgement of Saudi Arabia’s leading role in relief efforts.

He underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to assisting people in need, supporting those affected by crises, and assisting refugees wherever possible.

He also affirmed that Saudi Arabia has consistently been a leader in charitable and humanitarian initiatives and is at the forefront of donor countries on regional and international fronts.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

______________

Delano Roosevelt, CEO of National Council on US-Arab Relations, presents the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington. (SPA)

___________________

SAUDI ARABIA

LEBANON : Étienne Chaer Just Broke The Powerlifting World Record, Druskininkai, Lithuania

Lebanese athlete Étienne Chaer has made headlines in the world of powerlifting after breaking the IPF Raw Deadlift world record by lifting an impressive 396 kg at the IPF Classic Powerlifting World Championships 2024 in Druskininkai, Lithuania, from June 15 to 23.

At the beginning of the 2024 season, Étienne el-Chaer, a prominent competitor in the junior category, became ineligible to compete in that division.

Undeterred, the young Lebanese athlete moved up to the 120 kg category. He showcased his determination and strength by setting a new IPF Raw Deadlift world record with an astounding 396 kg lift.

His journey during the competition had its challenges. Despite a solid start with a successful 370 kg lift in his initial attempt, he faced technical difficulties in his second attempt at 396 kg, resulting in a disallowed lift due to minor form adjustments post-lift.

However, he showed resilience and determination, regrouping swiftly and securing the record on his third attempt, completing the lift in under five minutes.

His performance highlighted his raw strength, technical skills, and competitive spirit among some of the sport’s top athletes.

Following his achievement, Étienne shared a video of the moment on Instagram, expressing satisfaction with his standing record.

source/content: the961.com (headline edited)

______________

____________

LEBANON

ARAB : Extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit opens in Riyadh to discuss Israeli wars in Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi crown prince calls for Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

An extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit kicked off in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday to discuss Israel’s ongoing wars in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

“We reiterate our rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an opening speech at the summit.

He stressed the need to continue efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lands of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The crown prince also condemned Israeli attempts to prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid to Gaza.

Bin Salman said that his country rejects any threat to the security and sovereignty of Lebanon.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for his part, called on the Arab and Islamic countries to show the highest levels of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

He also demanded the implementation of a UN resolution to halt Israeli assaults on Gaza and to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

More than 50 leaders of Arab and Islamic countries are taking part in the summit, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

source/content: aa.com.tr / ahmedasmar (headline edited)

_______________

_________________________

ARAB / SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA : Jouf breaks 02 Guinness records for the ‘World’s Largest’ & the ‘World’s most modern, organic olive farms’

Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz has praised the country’s leaders and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for supporting the region’s record-breaking developmental and economic initiatives.

Prince Faisal made the comments during a ceremony marking the region’s achievements, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

The certificates honored the company for having the world’s largest and most modern organic olive farm, the SPA reported.

The event was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Rujai, director general of the ministry in the Jouf region. 

Prince Faisal said: “We take pride in the national accomplishments that the Kingdom’s Vision 2023 has realized in promoting self-sufficiency and achieving food security.”

Badawood thanked Prince Faisal for his dedication to serving the people of the region. 

He said Jouf’s agricultural, environmental and water purification projects provide a model for others to follow.

The awarding of the two certificates coincided with Organic Food Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, which the Kingdom marked with a series of events across the country. 

Organic Food Day is aimed at encouraging people to make healthy dietary choices and embodies efforts to achieve sustainable food security, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. 

The ministry aims to encourage farmers to adopt organic farming practices, educate consumers, as well as promote resource sustainability and local production.

As a part of the celebrations, Riyadh is hosting the Saudi International Exhibition for Organic Products from Nov. 11 to 13 to support the local community, and position the nation as a leading hub in this growing sector.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

____________


Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

_________________

SAUDI ARABIA

Awards of 7th El-Gouna Film Festival: Golden Star goes to Ghost Trail, on Syrian refugee in France

The 7th El-Gouna Film Festival ended with the awards announced during the closing ceremony on 1 November.

El-Gouna Golden Star award went to Ghost Trail, a thriller about a Syrian refugee in France. Check all awards below.

International competition

El-Gouna Golden Star award for best narrative film
Ghost Trail (France) by ​Jonathan Millet

The film follows Hamid, who “joins a secret group tracking Syrian regime leaders on the run. His mission takes him to France, pursuing his former torturer for a fateful confrontation,” reads the synopsis on IMDb.

El-Gouna Silver Star 
The Kingdom (France) by Julien Colonna

El-Gouna Bronze Star
Girls Will be Girls (India) by Shuchi Talati won the Fipresci Award.

Best actor
Adam Bessa for his performance in Ghost Trail (France) by ​Jonathan Millet

Best actress
Laura Weissmahr for her performance in Salve Maria (Spain) by Mar Coll

Best Arab narrative feature – shared award
– Thank You For Banking With Us! (Palestine) by Laila Abbas
– Who Do I Belong To (Tunisia) by Meryam Joobeur

Jury special mention
Actor Charles Peccia Galletto for his performance in My Everything by Anne-Sophie Bailly

Documentary competition

El-Gouna Golden Star
We Are Inside (Lebanon) by Farah Kassem

El-Gouna Silver Star
Soundtrack To A Coup d’Etat (Belgium) by Johan Grimonprez

El-Gouna Bronze Star
​A New Kind Of Wilderness (Norway) by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen

Best Arab documentary feature – shared award
– ​The Brink Of Dreams (Egypt) by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir
– My Memory Is Full Of Ghosts (Syria) by Anas Zawahri

Other awards

Fipresci award
Girls Will be Girls (India) by Shuchi Talati Cinema for Humanity award
Disorder (Lebanon) by Lucien Bourjeily, Bane Fakih, Wissam Charaf, and Areej Mahmoud. 

The NetPac award
We Are Inside (Lebanon) by Farah Kassem

El Gouna Green Star award
The Battle For Laikipia (Kenya) by Peter Murimi and Daphne Matziaraki 

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

_____________

__________________

ARAB / EGYPT

QATAR : Historic AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 wins several awards

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has received several awards for a historic edition of the continental championship.

Both Qatar Tourism and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognised the achievements made by Qatar in hosting the tournament earlier this year.

The LOC received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year.

The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona, and Regional Director (Middle East) Basma al-Mayman.


At the AFC Annual Awards, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) received the AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award for the tremendous role they played in delivering a memorable tournament.

The Award was presented by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifah, AFC President, to Jassim Rashid al-Buenain, QFA President.


The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 was hosted by Qatar in the beginning of 2024, having previously organised the competition twice before, in 1988 and 2011. The tournament, which saw Qatar defend its title on home soil, broke records for overall attendance, digital engagement and press coverage.

A total of 86,492 spectators made their way to the iconic Lusail Stadium for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 final.

With that, a record-breaking attendance of 1,509,496 fans was registered for the tournament, surpassing the previous attendance record of 1.04mn set during the 2004 edition hosted by China.

source/content: gulf-times.com (headline edited)

____________

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year. The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji.

___________

QATAR

SAUDI ARABIAN – BRITISH Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament

Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts

Celebrated journalist and editor Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts last week.

The ceremony, held in Committee Room 14, an esteemed space within the House of Parliament usually reserved for significant political announcements, acknowledged Al Omeir’s contributions to media and advocacy.

The assembly was organized by Rebeca Riofrio, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, and brought together leaders from the creative industries.

Among the distinguished guests was Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones, who delivered an impassioned speech underscoring the UK government’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in the arts. Her speech highlighted the importance of advocacy for all artists, echoing the assembly’s overarching theme of resilience and protection within the creative sectors.

Other notable figures such as Joshua Kane and Marine Tanguy were also honored for their impactful contributions to arts and culture.

Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media.

He has been closely connected with the Parliamentary Society for the past five years and has long championed initiatives to protect creatives and uphold the integrity of journalism. His presence, alongside influential figures such as Minister Davies-Jones, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, and Lady Paris Smith, underscored his dedication to advancing a free and supportive media landscape.

As the founder of Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, Al Omeir sought to break free from censorship and provide a space for liberal perspectives, promoting open dialogue on issues affecting the Arab region and beyond.

Nowadays, he serves as one of the advisers for the Parliament News Magazine, a publication that has gained recognition for addressing critical social issues since 2019.

In his ongoing work, Al Omeir uses his platforms to encourage the industry to work collectively to safeguard its talent, highlighting the pervasive challenges that creatives can face, such as violence and substance abuse.

Reflecting on the award, Al Omeir stated: “To receive this recognition in such a revered space as Committee Room 14 is deeply meaningful. Media is not just about information; it’s a powerful force for justice and societal progress. We must use this influence to protect those who bring creativity and truth into our world, ensuring they can express themselves without fear.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

_________

Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media. (Supplied)

____________________________

BRITISH / SAUDI ARABIA