Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
The state-backed telecoms company added that Qatar is now one of only 10 countries around the world where such a home service is available.
JEDDAH, May 31, (KUNA): The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held their 16th consultative meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attending. The just-several-hour closeddoor meeting was presided over by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
During their gathering, the GCC leaders discussed GCC integration and cooperation and ways of developing them in all fields as well as the current regional and international developments. GCC leaders commended efforts exerted by His Highness the Amir aiming to bring about success in the current peace talks among the Yemeni warring parties in Kuwait, said GCC Secretary General Abullatif Al-Zayani.
Al-Zayani made the statement on Tuesday during a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al- Jubeir at the conclusion of the 16th consultative meeting in Jeddah today.
Meanwhile, Al-Jubeir said the Yemeni peace negotiations are currently held in accordance with the implementation of outcomes of national dialogue, the UN Security Council resolutions, the Gulf initiative, the ceasefire, handover of weapons and the restoration of legitimacy. He hoped that the talks would make further progress so as to restore peace, stability and security to Yemen. He pointed that his country reached an understanding on stopping military operations on southern borders to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to that Arab country. Al-Jubeir regretted, at the same time, that there are some breaches of the ceasefire truce.
The Kingdom stressed the need to reach a political solution to the crisis in Yemen, he said. He pointed out that the countries tasked with Yemen are working to get a peaceful solution as soon as possible. His Highness the Amir and his accompanying delegation have since arrived back to Kuwait.
His Highness the Amir was received at the airport by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, senior sheikhs, Deputy Chief of Kuwait National Guards Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammd Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting National Assembly Speaker Mubarak Salem Al-Harees, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and senior officials.
The accompanying delegation included First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, director of the office of His Highness the Amir Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, head of the Amiri protocols Sheikh Khaled Al- Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, chief of media and cultural affairs at the Amiri Diwan Youssef Al-Roumi, chief of political and economic affairs Sheikh Fawaz Saud Nasser Saud Al-Sabah, and senior officials at the Amiri Diwan and Foreign Ministry.
His Highness the Amir sent on Tuesday a cable to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud thanking him for warm reception and hospitality during the 16th consultative meeting of GCC leaders held earlier Monday.
In the cable, His Highness the Amir lauded the results of the meeting aiming to enhance the bonds of historical and cordial relations among the GCC member states. His Highness the Amir said this would be in favor of meeting the aspirations of Gulf nations towards further prosperity and stability. His Highness the Amir wished King Salman good health and the Kingdom further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership
Layan Damanhouri
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Saudi computer engineer Abdullah Hejazi and his team created “Hofra”, a mobile app that monitors road conditions and alert drivers of potholes and other impeding dangers on their route.
Created in Silicon Valley, the app has been mainly used in the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to Hejazi. It allows users to exchange information about 20,000 road hazards.
The founders say they were impelled to create the app following a fatal accident of a close relative because of a pothole on the road.
Others who have the luck of surviving are left with costly repairs and serious injuries.
“We decided to engineer the solution and came up with this application,” Hejazi told Saudi Gazette.
Following a lot of research, the team worked on a mobile app that operates on crowdsourcing that allows the community to share the responsibility of reporting road hazards.
“We strive to help governments fix the problems that people most complain about as well as be aware of the need of maintenance and improve road conditions,” he said. “The goal is to make it a stand-alone app.”
The app concerns everything to do with the road condition, including potholes, the asphalt’s condition, spilled water, abrasions and construction work.
When asked about the challenges faced, Hejazi said, “We were expecting the app to take a few weeks to develop, but — in reality — it took eight months nonstop. Our team consists of a developer, designer, project manager, and user tester. We found out so many things about roads that we didn’t know about. We went out and asked the opinion of people on the streets. We met experts and learned about potholes and maintenance.”
Hejazi said he looks forward to collaborating with municipalities in Saudi Arabia to enhance the service on a larger scale.
The Kingdom has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world. Up to date, it has reportedly exceedingly reached over 170%.
“Smart devices in Saudi Arabia are in the hands of the young and the old,” he said. “However, Arabic content is very little. I wish Saudi Arabia leads the front in mobile smart technology.”
He adds, “There’s been a lot of buzz about billion-dollar companies born after 2005 that started from mobile apps. Today these companies generate a lot of money and contribute to the growth of the economy. There needs to be enough companies and startups to launch as many apps in the market for the Arab population.”
He expects the smart application market is yet to see growth over the coming years, similar to the dot-com boom.
A partnership between the NBA and Al Mana Fashion Group will see the first NBA Stores open in the Middle East.
Two stores are set to open in Doha during the 2016-17 NBA season, with outlets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to follow.
“This long-term project cements the NBA’s commitment to grow our footprint across the Middle East,” said NBA EMEA Vice President, Global Merchandising Vandana Balachandar.
“As the demand for the NBA continues to grow in the Middle East, our partnership with Al Mana Fashion Group will allow us to provide a comprehensive assortment of NBA merchandise while bringing the official NBA shopping experience to our fans in the region.”
The stores will sell official merchandise of the US professional basketball league, including replica team uniforms, footwear and toys.
The NBA has more than 400 branded outlets globally. It NBA opened its flagship NBA Store in New York on 45th Street and Fifth Avenue in December 2015. It also has three stores in the Philippine capital Manila, with a fourth scheduled to open in Cebu in August.
“The NBA is one of the most successful sports leagues in the world and is watched and enjoyed by millions of people around the globe,” said Andrew Fairall, General Manager of Al Mana Fashion Group – Sports Division.
“With basketball being one of the fastest-growing categories in sports retail in the region, we are very excited to be working with such an iconic brand as we build an exciting new chapter in our illustrious legacy in the Middle East.”
RIYADH, June 24, (KUNA): Kuwaiti Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr. Ali Al-Omair said Thursday his country is keen on cooperation with other GCC member states to implement the GCC railway network. “The GCC leaders instructed their respective governments to attach great importance to this vital project which will facilitate the movement of individuals and commodities among our countries,” he told reporters.
Al-Omair made the press remarks following the extraordinary meeting of the GCC ministers of transport and communication at the GCC Secretariat here. “The meeting discussed the progress made in this mega project,” he said, noting that some GCC members have finalized the designing and started implementing of the project while others are still working on the designs. “We have also discussed the GCC partnership in navigational assistance and standard controls for licensing the ship inspecting companies as well as the single guidelines for traffic controllers,” he revealed.
The planned 2,117 km-long railway will start from Kuwait and proceed towards Dammam city in Saudi Arabia where it will bifurcate into three lines – one to Manama in Bahrain, another to Doha in Qatar and a third to Abu-Dhabi and Al-Ain in the UAE and the Muscat in Oman.