Tag: Records of MENA

DUBAI, U.A.E & U.K: Drydocks World announces the official start of work on the Norfolk Vanguard project in the United Kingdom

Drydocks World celebrated the official launch of work on the Norfolk Vanguard East and West Wind Energy platforms in the United Kingdom, where the Drydocks World arena in Dubai witnessed the project’s inauguration ceremony.


The project, according to a statement issued today by the company, includes two eastern and western switching platforms that will be implemented over the next five years, including offshore construction and sailing installations. In the first part of the project, the western Norfolk Vanguard platform will be used to efficiently transfer electrical energy from offshore wind turbines. to the mainland, and major manufacturing operations will also take place year-round at Drydocks World.


The West and East Norfolk Vanguard platform projects are located in the southern North Sea, between 50-80 kilometers from the coast of Norfolk in eastern England. The planned capacity of each of the two platforms reaches 1.4 gigawatts, and these two projects will contribute greatly to enhancing the production of renewable energy. in the UK.


Dr. Captain Rado Antolović, CEO of Drydocks World, said: “Thanks to our cooperation with Aker Solutions and Siemens Energy on these two projects, we will be able to benefit from our combined expertise in renewable energy projects, especially Drydocks World’s expertise in DC platforms.” High voltage and high voltage alternating current, which is an important new step that confirms our commitment to supporting the transition towards renewable energy.”


Drydocks International had concluded a pre-commitment agreement with Aker Solutions in November 2023, to deliver the eastern and western Norfolk Vanguard platforms in the United Kingdom, and during the months of February and March of this year, the two final agreements for the project were signed.


The scope of this strategic cooperation focused on engineering, procurement, construction and installation works for a marine substation for high-voltage direct current electricity. This cooperation also aims to raise the standards of solutions provided in the field of sustainable energy.


It is noteworthy that Drydocks World has successfully delivered two high-voltage direct current platforms and two high-voltage alternating current platforms in the North Sea, including the famous “Dolwyn 2”, “Burwen 3” and “Holland Kast Zuid Alpha and Beta” platform projects.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

JORDANIAN Fashion Designer Kish Jeane Breaks World Record with outfits for Lebanese Superstar Najwa Karam

Jordanian Fashion Designer Kish Jeane, breaks Guinness World Records by making the longest cape in the world for Lebanese superstar, Najwa Karam.

The cape is 55.7m long, with 118m of fabric and 3m of gold reflective leather used to craft it.

Jeane, who is known for his use of reflective leather in his designs, designed the cape drawing from Greek mythology for inspiration . He also added the name of Najwa’s most recent album “Charisma” in Arabic calligraphy on the back of the cape.

Najwa Karam also wore a gold cage shoulder piece with a white jumpsuit, also designed by Jeane. She wore both outfits to her welcoming event in Jordan, celebrating her participation in the Jerash Festival .

Kish Jeane will also be the first Jordanian designer to participate in New York Fashion Week, as he will be presenting his Spring Summer 2024 Collection there.

source/content: jordannews.jo (headline edited)

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(Photos: Handouts Kish Jeane)

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JORDAN

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Pavilion at Doha Horticultural Expo 2023 Wins 5 Awards, sets World Records

Kingdom dazzles with record-breaking LED display and inspiring sustainability schemes.

The Saudi pavilion at the Doha Horticultural Expo 2023 won five awards, set world records and drew 1.8 million visitors to its expansive site spanning 5,000 sq. meters.

The pavilion’s lush green design drew inspiration from Mount Tuwaiq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Saleh Bindakhil, the head director of the Saudi campaign, said that the pavilion provided a “groundbreaking digital experience” centered on agriculture and environmental sustainability.

It showcased more than 80 successful Saudi projects and initiatives in line with the exhibition’s objectives, he added.

The pavilion, which aimed to inspire the global community to combat desertification, secured five awards and set world records, Bindakhil said.

It broke the Guinness World Record for the largest display of exterior LED screens, with an impressive array of 435 external LED columns.

Additionally, the pavilion received a Gold Muse Award in the conceptual design and events category, and a Gold French Design Award in the interior design and architecture category.

It clinched the LIV Award in architectural and landscape design, along with a silver award from the Bureau International des Expositions in the self-built pavilions category.

The pavilion welcomed visitors from around the world, offering communications in seven languages: Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Persian.

Its numerous sections showcased the diversity and richness of the Kingdom.

The pavilion also highlighted the pivotal role of agriculture and major sustainable projects in Saudi Arabia.

The Doha expo, which began in October last year and ended on March 28, aimed to promote environmental solutions to a global audience.

The event included four key pillars: Modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The pavilion’s lush green design drew inspiration from Mount Tuwaiq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

FUJAIRAH, U.A.E: Fujairah Scientific Center Wins 02 golds and 02 silvers at the ‘International Science and Technology Festival’, Tunisia

The Fujairah Science Club won two gold medals for the drone project and the helicopter project, and two silver medals for the desert watering hole project and the iron waste sorter project, at the conclusion of the International Science and Technology Festival in Tunisia.

During the ceremony, which was attended by His Excellency Bashir Attia, Secretary-General of the Mahdia Province in Tunisia, and Hatem Suleiman, President of the Tunisian Society for Science and Technology, His Excellency Dr. Saif Al-Maili, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fujairah Science Club, delivered a speech to the participants, congratulating them on their victory and urging them to continue scientific research and develop their capabilities and capabilities.

Al-Maili said that the club’s participation in such scientific demonstrations places the club, its members and pioneers in the ranks of centers, universities and associations concerned with science and technology, indicating that the benefit of these participations is in creating partnerships, opening new horizons and working to transfer experience and knowledge among the participating parties.

It is noteworthy that the number of countries participating in the festival is 40 countries from all over the world, and the number of participants reached approximately 1,200 participants

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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FUJAIRAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

QATAR: Bader Mubarak Al Marri, the Qatari Sportsman reviving the ancient tradition of Horseback Archery

SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world who are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.

Horseback archery stands out among the many equestrian disciplines that combine modern riding techniques and ancient tradition. The sport combines the skill of riding with the precision of archery, and it holds a special place in Arabian heritage.

Archery is difficult enough when stationary, but try doing it while riding a horse travelling more than 30 miles per hour. Qatari horseback archery gold medalist, Bader Mubarak Al Marri, is well accustomed to this.

A life-altering call

Bader took six lessons of horseback riding before giving it up. “What kept me from horseback riding in 2018 was a lack of time, an unfavourable atmosphere and the scarcity of people in the field,” Bader explains.

Bader’s surprising journey to becoming a champion began when he received a surprise call from Fuad Almudahka, the founder of the Equestrian Sport Centre in Qatar.

The life-changing phone call happened in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bader found himself at home with a lot of spare time on his hands at this time, so he decided to take up Fuad’s offer.

“Coach Fuad contacted me saying, ‘Bader, I have workshops in horseback archery. If you’d like to take part, we welcome you at the Horseback Archery Equestrian Centre,'” Bader recalls.

Not good enough

After completing Fuad’s workshop, Bader wanted to enter Qatar’s ‘Al Nashab’ crossbow event. Coach Fuad was against it and advised him to develop his riding skills first.

Undeterred, Bader converted Fuad’s feedback into inspiration and vowed to do his best to improve his skills. “Let me train these two months,” he said to Fuad. “I’ll enter the contest if I improve my horseback riding skills. If I can’t, I won’t,” Bader promised Fuad.

Man on a mission

Bader was a man on a mission. He spent the next two months at AlSamriya Riding School , training in archery once a week and horseback riding for the rest of the week.

With so much training Bader found he had the speed, and precision needed for target archery, also known as Qabak archery. According to the World Horseback Archery Federation , Qabak is a category where the competitor rides the horse at speed and fires an arrow at a circular target at the top of a poll.

Despite being prepared for the tournament, Bader was surprised to have won first place after three rounds. “No way, that’s impossible,” Bader said to himself. “There are more experienced and skilled players in the sport than myself,” he said.

Local to international gold

Bader travelled to Turkey for his first international competition. He didn’t win that time around, but his confidence grew. He aimed to get acquainted with other international archers and gain skills.

“Bader returned to Qatar motivated, and he worked hard for the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa,” recalls Azeez Al Qahtani, a fellow rider and mentor.

Undeterred, Bader used that experience in Turkey to his advantage at the horse archery World Championship qualifiers. “On January 20, 2023, I got first place in the Qabak track held in South Africa,” Bader tells SCENES about his most significant accomplishment to date.

“The gold medal he got was well deserved,” AbdelAzeez says. “Bader winning that medal really makes people wonder, ‘What is this sport?’ Practice makes everything perfect, and Bader is a demonstration of that,” he adds.

‘Arabs were particularly skilled at it’

Various cultures around the world have practised horseback archery for centuries. In Arab history, its roots run deep, and many wish to preserve a connection to an exciting bygone era.

“Previously, it wasn’t a sport. It was for hunting and battle. Arabs were particularly skilled at it,” explains Abdel Aziz. “Today, all the international players who made the sport alive again go back to a specific old Arabic book called ‘Arab Archery’,” he adds.

Even though it has a long history, horseback archery is now considered a modern sport. And Bader hopes his recent success will lead to more riders emerging from Qatar.

source/content: euronews.com / euronews.culture (headline edited)

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QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Scientists’ new Bacteria Discovery at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center could help global fight against antibiotic resistance

Saudi scientists’ use of a special DNA sequencing process to identify a new bacterial species could help in global efforts to combat resistance to antibiotics.

The discovery by experts at Riyadh’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center was expected to throw new light on bacterial-drug interactions, fostering innovative therapeutic approaches.

A technique known as whole-genome sequencing was used to spot the new species, stenotrophomonas riyadhensis.

According to the center, the findings will contribute significantly to global antibiotic resistance efforts, while throwing a spotlight on the center’s growing reputation for scientific research and patient care.

In a statement, the center said WGS underscored the “potential of genomic tests in diagnosing and treating bacterial infections, particularly in critical environments like intensive care units and among immunocompromised patients.”

It added that the discovery represented “substantial progress” in the fight to combat antibiotic resistance, the development of pharmaceuticals, and the prevention of disease spread.

The new species, discovered during a 2019 investigation into an outbreak at the center’s intensive care unit, was initially presumed to be a variant of pseudomonas aeruginosa, known for its antibiotic resistance.

However, further WGS analysis revealed that riyadhensis deviated from the pseudomonas genus, belonging instead to the stenotrophomonas family. It exhibited distinct genetic and morphological traits, setting it apart from any other scientifically recognized members.

Head of the center’s infectious disease and immunity department, Dr. Ahmad Al-Qahtani, said: “Traditional bacterial identification methods may lead to misidentification; in contrast, WGS analysis offers a precise and targeted approach that ensures accurate identification and provides detailed insights into resistance mechanisms, proving its significance in disease outbreak investigations and patient care improvements.”

Dr. Reem Almaghrabi, head of transplant infectious diseases at the center’s Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, highlighted the importance of the discovery in the use of advanced technologies, such as WGS, to develop faster and more accurate diagnostic methods.

She said the approach had established the groundwork for scientific collaboration at all levels, enhancing global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance.

Almaghrabi noted that understanding the nuances of new bacterial species, particularly their antibiotic resistance, was crucial in modern healthcare and was the primary means of combating bacterial infections.

“As these bacteria continuously evolve their resistance, they pose a significant and ongoing threat to human health,” she added.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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A technique known as whole-genome sequencing was used to spot the new species, stenotrophomonas riyadhensis. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

ALGERIA: Kaylia Nemour, the 17-year-old Algerian World Champion Gymnast

Who is Kaylia Nemour, the 17-year-old Algerian world champion gymnast?

Kaylia Nemour, the 17-year-old Algerian gymnast, won gold on the women’s uneven bars at the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany, marking a milestone in her career.


Evolving within the Avoine-Beaumont club, the Algerian gymnast has established herself as a promising star in the discipline and aims to maintain her status at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Nemour’s participation towards the Paris 2024 Olympics was secured on October 2, 2023, when she earned her place at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, with a silver medal on the uneven bars.

Arriving at the World Cup Final in Germany 2024 as the favorite, Nemour lived up to expectations by scoring 15.433 on the uneven bars, mirroring her qualifying score. Her performance on Saturday not only secured her first place on the podium, but also highlighted her formidable competitiveness on her favorite apparatus.

“Qualifying was particularly successful. One of her best performances ever, a cut above the World or African Championships. She’s matured and grown, which makes the movement even prettier and more pleasing to watch,” explained her coach Marc Chirilcenco to La Nouvelle République.

More competitions to come


In addition to her uneven bars triumph, Nemour is also preparing for upcoming competitions, including the World Cup stops in Baku, Azerbaijan March 7-10, and Doha, Qatar, April 17-20, followed by the African Championships in Marrakech, Morocco April 30-May 7.

source/content: kawa-news.com (headline edited)

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ALGERIA

EGYPT: Sherine Abdel-Wahab First Arab Artist Awarded at ‘Billboard Women in Music’

Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel-Wahab became the first Arab artist to be awarded at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.

Sherine, 43, claimed the title of Billboard Arabia, a partnership between Billboard and SRMG, a Saudi-integrated media group.

She became one of seven winners of the Global Force Awards at Billboard Women in Music, part of the Billboard Awards held at the YouTube Theatre in Los Angeles on 7 March.

Global Force also included Annalisa (Billboard Italy), Maria Becerra (Billboard Argentina), Sarah Geronimo (Billboard Philippines), Nini Nutsubidze (Billboard Georgia), Tia Ray (Billboard China), and Luísa Sonza (Billboard Brasil).

Sherine was awarded for her Kalam Eineh at No. 1 and El-Watar El-Hassas at No. 2 which topped Billboard Arabia’s global flagship charts.

In her acceptance speech, Sherine expressed her appreciation for Billboard, saying “I am very proud you enjoyed my work, and of course, I am thrilled and proud that there is a music award specially for women. I hope that my work will always reach the entire world.”

Billboard Arabia was launched in June 2023 to shed light on Arab artists, while pledging “to be the premiere global destination for artists with Arab roots.”

According to Billboard Arabia, the platform follows the well-established parameters set by Billboard over eight decades, drawing data from leading digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Anghami, YouTube, and Apple Music, reflecting Arab music preferences globally.

In its inaugural year, Billboard Arabia included ElGrandeToto, Marwan Pablo, Amr Diab, and Ahmed Saad in its top five Arab artists.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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Still from Sherine Abdel-Wahab s acceptance speech

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EGYPT

MOROCCO’s Ilias Akhomach Ranks Among Top 3 Arab Dribblers in Europe

The new Atlas Lion played in Morocco’s first friendly game against Angola and is expected to be present in the second friendly against Mauritania on March 26.

Moroccan international footballer Ilias Akhomach is one of the top 3 most successful Arab dribblers in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, according to the sports statistics website Sofascore.

The Villarreal CF’s right-winger has no fewer than 39 successful dribbles and comes after Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri with 45 successful dribbles and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Taamari with 40 dribbles.

For the young Moroccan, who is participating in his debut season with the Spanish club, this is a huge honor. His coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has confidence in him because of his rapid rise to the starting lineup.

The 19-year-old player was recently called up by  Walid Regragui, the Moroccan national football team’s coach, to take part in the Atlas Lions’ training camp. 

On his official Instagram account, Akhomach expressed his joy over his selection to defend the Moroccan colors, saying: “Thanks God the dream has come true. I am proud of wearing the national jersey.”

Speaking to the media, the Moroccan player stated: “I always give my all when I play football … Since I was a child, I have always dreamt of being here and the opportunity has come now.” 

Akhomach made his debut in the friendly match against Angola, replacing Eliesse Ben Seghir in the 88th minute.

The game ended with a 1-0 victory in favor of Morocco with Angola’s defender David Carmo scoring an own-goal in the 72nd minute.

Akhomach is also expected to be back in the second friendly game against Mauritania on March 26, which will take place at the Adrar stadium in Agadir at 10 p.m.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Ilias Akhomach during the Morocco-Angola match

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MOROCCO

DUBAI, U.A.E / BAHRAIN / LIBYA: Sheikh Mansoor honours Winners of 27th Dubai International Quran Award 2024

Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum named Islamic Personality of the Year.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has honoured Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the Islamic Personality of The Year award.

The award was coferred at the closing ceremony of the 27th edition of The Dubai International Quran Award in recognition of her efforts and contributions in supporting Islamic, humanitarian, charitable and social causes.

The award was received on behalf of her by Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a the ceremony held at The Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed also honoured members of the award jury alongside 10 awardees.

Mohammed Al Ammri from Bahrain took top honours during the awards ceremony, followed by Naji bin Sliman from Libya, while Sheikh Tijan Ambi from Gambia took third place.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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The grand ceremony of the 27th edition of The Dubai International Quran Award in Dubai.Image Credit: DMO/X

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / BAHRAIN / LIBYA