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.
RIYADH, 14 December 2004 — A high-profile businessman-cum-politician, Amar Singh, vice chairman of AB Corp with Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) and closely associated with Indian cinema, is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia to attend Sir Syed Day celebrations organized by India’s Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (Riyadh chapter). General secretary of Samajwadi Party, Singh enjoys good friendship with Big B, Subrata Roy of Sahara India Group and Ambani’s family, which owns giant Reliance Company.
Reaping a windfall from record prices for its crude exports, Saudi Arabia yesterday announced a 2004 budget surplus of SR98 billion ($26.1 billion) and set a balanced budget for 2005 fiscal with revenues and expenditures projected at SR280 billion ($74.6 billion).
The Tatwir group led by Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, the current chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, won the election to the RCCI board, initial results late last night showed.
Saudi businesswomen made history yesterday by casting their votes for the first time in the board election of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A large number of women turned out fervently to vote at the chamber’s women’s section. Women are not eligible to take part in the forthcoming nationwide municipal elections.
RIYADH, 27 November 2004 — A Saudi ophthalmologist who usually has her eyes on the eyes of patients will now have the eyes of the world upon her as she has been named “Arab Woman of the Year.” Dr. Selwa A.F. Al-Hazzaa has become the first Saudi woman to win the prestigious award for excelling in a male-dominated bastion of medical sciences and community service.
RIYADH- Pilgrims and travelers to Saudi Arabia are finding their camera cell phones to be unwelcome visitors. Security officials are conducting intensive searches for the mobile phones equipped with cameras at border points and airports. Now, many pilgrims are thinking twice about bringing their camera cell phones along after hearing of confiscations at entry points.