RIYADH, 13 September 2004 — It seemed like a scene from a sci-fi movie enacted at King Saud University (KSU). The robot moved slowly across the room toward 13-year-old Saudi girl Sheikha Al-Ajazi maneuvering over her motionless body. Three gangly arms slowly descended, penetrating the abdomen of the girl, whose weight exceeded 102 kg at the time of operation with major BMI (body mass index) inconsistencies and ailments reported to a panel of doctors and surgeons because of morbid obesity
RIYADH, 10 September 2004 — With some 90 percent Saudi households having satellite TVs, the Kingdom has a much larger Al-Jazeera viewership base than US-sponsored Al-Hurra, a new survey reveals. Al Hurra’s credibility ratings were also found to be quite poor all over Saudi Arabia in contrast with the high scores of Doha-based Al-Jazeera and Dubai-based Al-Arabiya.
RIYADH- A Pakistan International Airlines plane bound for Riyadh with 229 people on-board caught fire after taking off from Lahore airport in eastern Pakistan. “PIA’s flight No. PK-643 made an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire,” said an official statement released by the airline. All passengers were safe, it added.
RIYADH – Prisoners will be able to take part in the upcoming municipal elections. Gen. Ali Al-Harithy, director general of prisons, said prisoners would be allowed to vote in the Kingdom’s first nationwide elections due later this year, as the chance – to participate “is open to everyone with no exceptions.
RIYADH, 18 August 2004 — Philippine officials said yesterday 17 Filipino nationals are facing the death penalty overseas, including 11 in Saudi Arabia. Foreign Undersecretary Jose Brillantes was quoted in Manila as saying five other OFWs were sentenced to death in Malaysia and one in the United States. Brillantes’ count, as reported by news agencies from Manila, included 13 OFWs in Saudi Arabia’s death row, for a total of 19 worldwide.
RIYADH, July 25 – Making a headway with Saudi oil industry and emerging to be the second leading desalination company in the world, Metito Arabia Industries, the local pioneering Saudi company involved in waste water treatment and desalination, has bagged SR50 million waste water treatment contracts.
RIYADH- American Express has announced its summer promotions for this year, which include special offers from a variety of cooperating businesses. Lasting until mid-August, the promotion period coincides with the summer shopping season.
RIYADH, 1 July 2004 — The body of the Filipino suspect involved in the attempted rape and murder of two Pakistani women at the heavily-fortified Seder Village residential compound was found here Tuesday. The suspect was named as Don David Prado, 45, according to the Philippine Embassy quoting from the police investigation. The man, who had been at large since June 24 after committing the double murder and fleeing the upmarket residential complex, is believed to have taken his own life.
RIYADH, 30 June 2004 — Seven expatriate car washers were detained in a raid but later released, as part of occasional crackdowns on this section of casual labor. “Some of them were briefly detained and later released after their residence permits were found to be in order,” said two car washers, Mujahidul Islam and Majid Kutty. Islam, a Bangladeshi car washer, said those detained included four Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian.
RIYADH- The Supreme Commission for Tourism is to focus increasingly on the preservation of the Kingdom’s threatened historical sites, highlighting a recently restored palace in Taif as an example of the cultural attractions the Kingdom has to offer.