Saudi Students Win TCS Sustainathon for Innovative Water-Saving Device
Saudi students win TCS Sustainathon for water-saving device; Hezbollah warns Israel after deadly attacks.
A group of Saudi students from King Faisal University, King Khalid University, and King Saud University, known as Team Magic AI, won first place and a SR20,000 ($5,330) prize in the inaugural TCS Sustainathon competition for developing a water-saving device that attaches to household taps to monitor consumption and detect leaks.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah admitted that the group suffered a significant blow when communication devices of thousands of its operatives exploded in attacks attributed to Israel, killing 37 people and wounding nearly 3,000 across Lebanon. In a defiant speech, Nasrallah warned Israel of "tough retribution" for what he called a “massacre,” vowing to continue the fight until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached.
In economic news, Saudi Arabia's industrial sector has experienced a boom due to the fee waiver for expatriate workers, leading to a 14.7% GDP increase, with non-oil exports rising by 12% to SR208 billion. The initiative has also spurred foreign investment and job creation, with over 82,000 new jobs for Saudis.
On the financial front, the Saudi Stock Market saw mixed results as the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) surged by 159.53 points (1.34 percent) to close at 12,080.47, with Al-Naifat and Halwani Brothers hitting record highs. However, Banque Saudi Fransi fell to its lowest level since February 2023, and the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dropped by 1.01 percent.
Turning to healthcare, the United Nations, amidst ongoing conflict, is conducting a second round of polio vaccinations in Gaza, targeting 640,000 children and incorporating additional health screenings. This follows the successful first round in September, immunizing 90% of children under 10, and comes after the region's first polio case in 25 years.
Lastly, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during talks in Paris, urged against escalatory actions in the Middle East following Hezbollah device explosions blamed on Israel. Both the US and France emphasized the need for restraint, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza, with French official Stephane Sejourne highlighting the severe impact of the recent violence.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah admitted that the group suffered a significant blow when communication devices of thousands of its operatives exploded in attacks attributed to Israel, killing 37 people and wounding nearly 3,000 across Lebanon. In a defiant speech, Nasrallah warned Israel of "tough retribution" for what he called a “massacre,” vowing to continue the fight until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached.
In economic news, Saudi Arabia's industrial sector has experienced a boom due to the fee waiver for expatriate workers, leading to a 14.7% GDP increase, with non-oil exports rising by 12% to SR208 billion. The initiative has also spurred foreign investment and job creation, with over 82,000 new jobs for Saudis.
On the financial front, the Saudi Stock Market saw mixed results as the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) surged by 159.53 points (1.34 percent) to close at 12,080.47, with Al-Naifat and Halwani Brothers hitting record highs. However, Banque Saudi Fransi fell to its lowest level since February 2023, and the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dropped by 1.01 percent.
Turning to healthcare, the United Nations, amidst ongoing conflict, is conducting a second round of polio vaccinations in Gaza, targeting 640,000 children and incorporating additional health screenings. This follows the successful first round in September, immunizing 90% of children under 10, and comes after the region's first polio case in 25 years.
Lastly, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during talks in Paris, urged against escalatory actions in the Middle East following Hezbollah device explosions blamed on Israel. Both the US and France emphasized the need for restraint, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza, with French official Stephane Sejourne highlighting the severe impact of the recent violence.
