RIYADH, 17 January 2005 — Saudi Arabia has launched a major research project to monitor demand of Zam Zam water. The study aims to optimize supply and distribution of Zam Zam, while making sure that sustainable supply limits are not exceeded in order to prevent wastage or possible depletion of the water well. With the dramatic rise in the number of pilgrims from only a few thousands per year reported during 1960s to millions arriving every year during this decade including more than two million reported to perform Haj this year alone, supplies could be under threat.
RIYADH/JAKARTA, 7 January 2005 — A Saudi telethon launched yesterday to mobilize relief aid for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster collected more than SR260 million till the time of going to press, including an SR20 million donation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. Crown Prince Abdullah pledged SR10 million while Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, gave SR5 million.
RIYADH, 5 January 2005 — Saudi Arabia has tripled its assistance to Asia’s tsunami victims to $30 million. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd directed that the $10 million donation announced earlier by the Kingdom be raised to $30 million “in light of the size of the tragedy and the losses” suffered by the countries affected by the disaster, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
RIYADH – Enter Martin Mechamali with poisonous snakes crawling all over him. He intends to show how life is with so many snakes slithering around him on Jan. 5 at Al-Hokair Park in Thumamah in Riyadh.
RIYADH – A Saudi scientist monitoring Sunday’s earthquake has warned of fresh tremors and aftershocks, which can cause more deaths and devastation in Southern Asia. Dr. Khaled S. Al-Damegh of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), said here yesterday that Saudi Arabia’s measurement of the quake has been verified by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which has revised the official magnitude up to 9.0 on the Richter scale.
Saudi citizens need only show their new identity cards at the airport to enter the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 12, 2005, according to a report carried by an authoritative website.
RIYADH, 20 December 2004 — In a major move to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse, Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council has formulated and approved new draft rules and regulations. The new rules aimed at curbing drug abuse and trafficking in the country within the framework of the Islamic Shariah laws were approved at a full-fledged Shoura session presided over by Dr. Saleh ibn Humaid, chairman of the Shoura Council here yesterday.
RIYADH- Three Saudi researchers have won the prestigious Ford Grants for their pioneering efforts in the field of environmental education.
RIYADH – The dreams of Capt. Hanadi Zakariya Hindi have found wings with the announcement made by Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal here yesterday that Hanadi Hindi has been hired by the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). This will make Hanadi Hindi the first accredited female Saudi pilot to fly planes in Saudi Arabia, a country where women are not allowed to drive, when she takes to the skies next year.
RIYADH, 13 December 2004 — In a historic move for two Arab neighbors, Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed a series of accords here yesterday to strengthen political and economic cooperation, while renewing the pledge to combat terrorism.