Eight new native plant species discovered in 黑料社区/node/2582704/saudi-arabia
Eight new native plant species discovered in 黑料社区
MEWA and NEOM have discovered eight native plant species that were not previously recorded in the Kingdom. (X: @MEWA_KSA)
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Updated 11 December 2024
Arab News
Eight new native plant species discovered in 黑料社区
Discovery is part of the NEOM flora program,聽which aims to protect 95 percent of natural lands and restore and document the region鈥檚 unique biodiversity
Two-phase program included a comprehensive study of the geology, soil, watershed hydrology, ecology and topography of NEOM
Updated 11 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and NEOM have discovered eight native plant species that were not previously recorded in the Kingdom,聽the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
This discovery is part of the NEOM flora program,聽which aims to protect 95 percent of natural lands and restore and document the region鈥檚 unique biodiversity.
The two-phase program included a comprehensive study of the geology, soil, watershed hydrology, ecology and topography of NEOM.
鈥淭he new plant species have been documented at the National Herbarium within the Seed Center and Plant Genetic Resources Bank in Riyadh, representing a significant addition to 黑料社区鈥檚 recorded flora,鈥 said Ahmad Alayadh, deputy minister for agriculture.
The eight species are: Bituminaria flaccida (Nabelek) Greuter, Cicer judaicum Boiss, Crambe hispanica L, Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC, Hyoscyamus boveanus (Dunal) Asch & Schweinf, Muscari longipes subsp Longipes, Phagnalon nitidum Fresen, and Plantago sinaica (Barneoud) Decne.
Dhiya Zaidan, senior manager of landscape聽architecture at NEOM, said: 鈥淥ver the past two and a half years, this initiative has yielded remarkable results, including documenting 345 local plant species, 28 rare species, and eight new registered plant species not previously recorded in the Kingdom.
鈥淭his would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our researchers and scientists on the ground.鈥
Launched in 2021, the NEOM flora program is a key initiative to document and conserve the region鈥檚 natural heritage, enhancing knowledge of local vegetation and plant species.
No limits 鈥 disabled Saudi graduate is ready for next chapter
Saeed Al-Dosari has overcome challenges to attain a diploma and shape his future聽
Updated 11 October 2025
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: Saeed Al-Dosari embodies the spirit of Saudi determination. Born without hands, he has gone on to earn a diploma in business intelligence and data analytics from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Al-Kharj, proving perseverance and ambition can turn obstacles into opportunities.
鈥淚 embarked on my study path with great excitement despite all the challenges,鈥 he told Arab News. 鈥淚 chose my field because I believed it matched my abilities and reflected my passions. I wanted to prove to myself and to others that a disability does not stand in the way of ambition.鈥
Among his toughest challenges were tasks requiring manual work 鈥 such as writing 鈥 but Al-Dosari refused to give up: 鈥淚 overcame every obstacle with the help of technology and the unwavering support of my classmates and professors,鈥 he said.
Relying on specialized assistive software and devices, he felt supported and praised the university鈥檚 efforts to make learning more accessible.
Of his professors and classmates, he said: 鈥淭hey were incredibly supportive, always mindful of my situation and encouraging me to keep going. Some even dedicated extra time to assist me.鈥
Al-Dosari added his classmates鈥 encouragement gave him a 鈥渢remendous boost,鈥 and that any negative experiences only increased his motivation.
He admitted he initially feared his condition would hinder his dreams. 鈥淣aturally, I was afraid at first,鈥 he said, adding that faith, family and persistence helped him move forward and believe determination made anything possible.
鈥淓very small achievement I accomplished reinforced my belief that I could continue on my path,鈥 he said, paying special tribute to his mother: 鈥淢y mother has been my pillar of strength; her prayers, second only to God鈥檚 guidance, carried me through.鈥
Describing his graduation, Al-Dosari said: 鈥淕raduation day is the day of my dreams 鈥 a feeling beyond words. I felt I had triumphed over every challenge, and my gown was a true badge of pride.鈥
Looking ahead, he plans to enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully to his community.
鈥淎nd God willing, if the opportunity arises, I will continue my studies,鈥 he said, adding he hoped to inspire others facing similar challenges: 鈥淣ever give up. It is the challenges that forge resilience. The start may be tough, but the reward at the end makes it all worthwhile.鈥
Some people see disability as a barrier, but Al-Dosari said: 鈥淒isability is not in the body; the true limitation lies in the mind. Many successful people around the world have faced disabilities, yet they proved otherwise.鈥
He added: 鈥淚f you cannot change reality, change your perspective of it.鈥
Dr. Issa bin Khalaf Al-Dosari, dean of student affairs and the university鈥檚 official spokesperson, said: 鈥淭he university is committed to enabling students with disabilities to engage fully in academic and research activities,鈥 adding its efforts aligned with Saudi Vision 2030鈥檚 goals for empowerment and inclusion.
RIYADH: Three falcons, two from Mongolia and one local, were sold for SR428,000 ($114,000) at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, amid fierce competition among bidders and strong engagement from those attending.
The Friday session began with the sale of the first Mongolian falcon, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), which sold for SR90,000. The second Mongolian falcon, a hur qarnas (mature falcon), went for SR78,000.
The evening concluded with the sale of a shaheen falcon from the Al-Lith area, owned by falconers Omar Al-Khairi, Mahmoud Al-Barakati, and Hassan Al-Abbas. Bidding for it started at SR50,000 before it was sold for SR260,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
This year鈥檚 exhibition features, for the first time, a dedicated zone for Mongolian falcons, highlighting their esteemed status among falconers in the Kingdom and the wider region.
Renowned for their high quality, large size, long wingspan, and endurance, these falcons also display a range of colors, from pale white to dark brown, making them highly sought after by enthusiasts and professionals.
The exhibition sold 10 Mongolian falcons for a total of more than SR2.6 million during last week鈥檚 auction nights, underscoring the growing demand and prestige of these prized birds.
TOKYO: The 11th 黑料社区 Royal Cup, a thrilling 1,600-meter horse race for 2-year-olds, was triumphantly claimed by Ecolo Alba, a remarkable colt trained by Yasuhito Tamura and expertly ridden by Rusei Sakai, at the prestigious Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday.
After a nail-biting start, jockey Sakai spurred Ecolo Alba to a thrilling victory, crossing the finish line 1.5 lengths ahead of the seventh-favorite, Galilea. The crowd erupted as the favorite, Zoro Astro, came in third, just a neck behind.
Sakai told Arab News Japan it was a strong race and a great win, and he was happy to have his name as a winner in a race as prestigious as the 黑料社区 Royal Cup.
Sakai told other media he was worried in the early stages, but once Ecolo Alba found his rhythm, he reacted well.
Fourth place was taken by Margot Blow, followed by Chubs Carnegie, Yu Pharaoh, Edinburgh, and Nishino Ace Sama.
Jockey Rusei Sakai talks to Arab News Japan after the race. (ANJ)
The 11th 黑料社区 Royal Cup was graced by the attendance of Abdullah Alaseeri, Secretary General of the Saudi Equestrian Authority, Mohamed Al Khatham, the deputy Secretary General of the Saudi Equestrian Authority, and Anas Alnowaiser, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Embassy of 黑料社区.
Diplomats and other dignitaries attend along with representatives from various sectors associated with Saudi-Japanese business and cultural interactions, Arab ambassadors, and Japanese officials.
Amidst a backdrop of overcast skies and a gentle drizzle, Alasseri proudly handed the gleaming Cup to its owner, who stood beaming with joy. The crowd roared with enthusiasm, their cheers resonating through the damp air, a testament to their unwavering support.
鈥淭his is a momentous occasion, initiated by the late King Abdullah,鈥 Alaseeri shared with Arab News Japan. 鈥淚t is a testament to the successful diplomatic relationship between our two nations. We look forward to further strengthening our ties with Japan in various areas. This event is a celebration of our cultural and sports exchanges, and I am hopeful that we will host more such events in Riyadh in the future.鈥
The event commenced with the national anthems of Japan and 黑料社区, highlighting the strong diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
Hidenori Takagi, the Manager of the Tokyo Racecourse, welcomed the guests at a special ceremony and expressed his delight at the flourishing friendship and excellent collaboration that the Japan Racing Association, the Jockey Club of 黑料社区, and the horse racing industries of both countries have developed over time.
Hideki Hagiwara, a counselor at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), stated in his welcoming remarks that horse racing in Japan is regulated by MAFF. Earlier this year, a Japanese horse won the Saudi Cup, which is the world鈥檚 richest horse race held in Riyadh. In celebration of this achievement, MAFF organized a food promotion event in collaboration with the Saudi Embassy.
This event took place at the racecourse, where guests had the opportunity to enjoy halal food and visit booths showcasing the producers of each product.
Ecolo Alba was reportedly sold for 楼77 million at this year鈥檚 Chiba auction and won its first race in July by two and a half lengths.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 21,403 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 12,439 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,650 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 4,314 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,874 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 45 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 36 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 29 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
RIYADH: Thirty Saudi students graduated from the AI Application Engineering Bootcamp, organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, which ended recently in London.
A collaboration with the University of Oxford, the program trained bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 graduates in artificial intelligence, computer science and related fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Supervised by international experts, participants gained advanced skills in deep learning, computer vision and generative models, enabling them to design and implement AI solutions across diverse environments.
Over three weeks, the trainees received direct experience with frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, computer vision tools like YOLO, and natural language processing and generative models on Hugging Face.
The bootcamp was part of the authority鈥檚 ongoing efforts to empower national talent in advanced AI fields through partnerships with leading global institutions, the SPA reported.
It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi youth in modern technologies and supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based society.
