Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy
Updated 16 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.
In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.
The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.
KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.
Egypt’s president El-Sisi congratulates Syria’s new president Sharaa, statement says
Updated 6 min 24 sec ago
Reuters
CAIRO: Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi congratulated Syria’s new President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who was appointed on Wednesday by armed factions, and wished him success in achieving the Syrian people’s aspirations, El-Sisi said in a statement on Friday.
Sharaa, an Islamist who was once an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, has been trying to gain support from Arab and Western leaders since he led a rebel offensive that toppled former Syrian President Bashar Assad last year.
El-Sisi has cracked down on Islamists in the most populous Arab state, which has wide influence in the Middle East and is a close ally of the United States.
Small plane crashes near Philadelphia mall, multiple casualties on ground, reports say
Updated 8 min 45 sec ago
Reuters
A small plane carrying two people crashed in the vicinity of a shopping mall in Philadelphia, resulting in multiple casualties on the ground, local media reported on Friday.
The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, citing police, said the crash took place shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia.
At least one house and multiple cars are on fire, the newspaper reported.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management confirmed on social media that there was a “major incident” in the area of the reported crash, but provided no other details.
The Philadelphia CBS affiliate showed images of a large fire and several fire trucks at the scene of the crash, and that the status of victims was not immediately known.
Neither the Philadelphia police department nor the fire department immediately responded to requests for comment.
UN ‘alarmed’ at reported summary executions of civilians in Sudan
After months of apparent stalemate in Khartoum, the army last week broke an almost two-year RSF siege of its Khartoum General Command headquarters.
Updated 14 min 18 sec ago
AFP
GENEVA: The UN rights chief said Friday that he was “deeply alarmed” by reports of summary executions of civilians in Khartoum North, allegedly by Sudanese army fighters and allied militia.
“Deliberately taking the life of a civilian or anyone not or no longer directly taking part in hostilities is a war crime,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
The war between Sudan’s army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million, according to the United Nations, and pushed millions to the brink of famine.
After months of apparent stalemate in Khartoum, the army last week broke an almost two-year RSF siege of its Khartoum General Command headquarters.
On the same day, the army reported reclaiming its Signal Corps base in Khartoum North, and expelling the RSF from the Jaili oil refinery north of Khartoum.
The UN rights office said it had verified the killings of at least 18 people, including one woman, in seven separate incidents “attributed to SAF-affiliated fighters and militia since the SAF regained control of the area on 25 January.”
“Many of the victims of these incidents, which took place in the vicinity the Al Jaili oil refinery, were originally from the Darfur or Kordofan regions of Sudan,” it said.
The rights office also highlighted “further disturbing allegations emanating from Khartoum North,” which it was still corroborating.
It noted a video circulated Thursday showing men in SAF uniform and members of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade in Khartoum North “reading out a long list of names of alleged RSF collaborators, saying ‘Zaili’ — Arabic for ‘killed’ — after each name.”
“These reports of summary executions, following similar incidents earlier this month in Al Jazirah State, are deeply disturbing,” Turk said, adding that “such killings must not become normalized.”
He reiterated his call for “all parties to the conflict to take urgent action to protect civilians and to uphold obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.”
“Independent investigations must be held into these incidents in line with relevant international standards.”
The rights office voiced fear of further attacks “amid shocking threats of violence against civilians.”
It said it had reviewed a video showing a member of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade “threatening to slaughter the residents of El Hadj Yusif in East Nile,” an area of Khartoum North.
The office also denounced continued RSF attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the shelling of a camp for displaced people in El-Fasher in North Darfur that killed nine civilians on Wednesday.
And on January 24, a drone attack on a maternity hospital in El-Fasher, attributed to the RSF, left at least 67 dead and 19 injured, it said.
“Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects are abhorrent,” Turk said.
“Such attacks constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.”
How Saudi Arabia is preserving its precious freshwater resources
Vision 2030 prioritizes sustainable water management through conservation programs, advanced irrigation, and public awareness initiatives
US firm Ecolab partners with Saudi companies like Aramco to develop water-saving technologies and improve resource management
Updated 22 min 57 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Water scarcity is a pressing issue in Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting the country’s socio-economic development as well as its environmental sustainability.
As one of the hottest and driest regions in the world, the Kingdom faces many challenges owing to its limited natural freshwater sources and high rates of evaporation.
These harsh realities have forced the country to rely on limited groundwater and desalination plants, where 75 percent of the country’s water supply comes from.
However, the nature of the desalination process raises concerns about environmental sustainability and carbon emissions due to the amount of energy used by these technologies.
In addition, the over-extraction of groundwater for agricultural and domestic use could exhaust natural aquifers and deteriorate water quality.
This realization has pushed officials to explore solutions to develop the water sector in order to meet the needs of the Kingdom’s growing population.
Opinion
This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda emphasizes green development, and sustainable water sources are a key aspect of the plan.
To achieve this objective, the Kingdom is collaborating with foreign companies including the US firm Ecolab to mitigate the severity of water loss.
Christophe Beck, chairman and CEO of Ecolab, outlined some of the company’s strategies to preserve water while reducing energy usage.
“In 2024, we helped preserve enough water for 800 million people, and we are on the path to 1 billion by 2030,” Beck told Arab News.
“We have built our capabilities around the world because of the science we have at our disposal. We have 3,000 people in research and development and digital technology.
Ecolab has been operating in Saudi Arabia for 47 years, collaborating with local firms in managing water supplies, combating potential pollutants and infections, and on human and natural resource protection. (Supplied)
Ecolab employs around 3,000 people in research and development and digital technology to run its operations in 40 different industries across 172 countries. (Supplied)
Ecolab operates in 40 different industries across 172 countries, managing water supplies, combating potential pollutants and infections, and focusing on human and natural resource protection.
The company has been operating in Saudi Arabia for 47 years, collaborating with local firms such as Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and Almarai.
“This country has a lot of natural resources and a lot of ambition. But one thing is missing — water. There are no lakes, no rivers, but there is a lot of sea around us. However, this is not freshwater. That’s a big challenge,” said Beck.
In the oases of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, scientists have found that traditional farming techniques stretching back centuries helped preserve one of the region’s green gems. (Supplied)
The necessity to preserve freshwater has led the Kingdom to introduce water conservation programs, along with promoting efficient irrigation technologies and enhancing public awareness about water usage.
In addition, the National Water Co. has completed several operations to ensure easy access to fresh water for all in any location within Saudi Arabia, including rural areas.
NWC distributed more than 3.7 billion cubic meters of water during the past year in various regions of the Kingdom and treated more than 2.1 billion cubic meters of wastewater during the same year.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Ecolab operates in 172 countries, including Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Taiwan.
• 10% of animal species rely on freshwater ecosystems, according to Nature Conservancy Canada.
• Two-thirds of the world’s population experiences water shortages at least once a year, according to WWF.
However, achieving water security will require a holistic approach that integrates technology, media, and community engagement.
“Awareness helps, as does realizing that no one can solve it alone,” said Beck.
“When I think about Saudi Arabia, I think we have all we need. The natural resources, the industries, the means, and the ambition. But we don’t have water, and we have too few water experts who know how to reuse or recycle water to power the future industries of the Kingdom.
“What I hope to accomplish in Saudi Arabia, and again, we’ve been here for 47 years, is really thinking in the long term, to turn Saudi Arabia into an example of a country that can grow without using more water at the same time.
General view of the Ras al-Khair water desalination plant, owned by the Saudi government's Saline Water Conversion Corporation, along the Gulf coast in eastern Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
“And if Saudi Arabia can do it, many countries around the region can do it, and around the world as well.”
Addressing water scarcity is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of Saudi Arabia’s economy and overall quality of life.
Without significant and immediate action, the challenges associated with water scarcity and with the increasing heat conditions and drought worldwide, are likely going to intensify not only for Saudi Arabia but for several other countries in the region in the coming years.
Saudi FM, US Secretary of State discuss regional situation
The two ministers discussed Saudi-US bilateral relations and strategic partnerships
Updated 22 min 14 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed events in the Middle East with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The pair discussed issues of mutual interest between their nations.
Rubio was recently confirmed as the US’ top diplomat in the administration of President Donald Trump who returned to the White House for a second term.
