National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic

National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic
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National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic
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National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic
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Updated 22 September 2024
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National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic

National Day: LuLu sets world record for largest flower pot mosaic

In a dazzling display of creativity and national pride, LuLu has officially secured the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest flower pot mosaic. This stunning floral masterpiece, spanning 94 square meters, was unveiled in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, crafted with an incredible 125,000 fresh flowers. This world record event was held under the patronage of Governorate of Jeddah, Amana Jeddah, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Lenobadir volunteering initiative, and in partnership with Comfort, a fabric softener brand.

The achievement was recognized during a ceremony held at ROSHN Waterfront Jeddah, where Guinness World Records adjudicator Mbali Masechaba Nkos presented the certificate to LuLu’s western region team. The event was attended by Ahmed Alqarni, director general of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture — Makkah region. 

“This record-breaking event stands as a testament to LuLu’s commitment to fostering national pride and embodies the spirit of unity of the nation,” said Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Saudi.

The floral mosaic, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, showcases the theme “Dream and Achieve,” capturing the aspirations and hopes of the Saudi people. The event gathered numerous attendees who marveled at the display, celebrating national pride. Attendees also got the opportunity to participate in various activities and win exciting prizes, including iPhones, AirPods, televisions, and exclusive annual gym memberships.

LuLu hosted the event in association with ROSHN, and Rotana SN. Rafeek Muhammed Ali, regional director, Lulu — western region, and other senior officials were also in attendance.


Daesh claims responsibility for killing Chinese national in Afghanistan

Daesh claims responsibility for killing Chinese national in Afghanistan
Updated 6 min 4 sec ago
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Daesh claims responsibility for killing Chinese national in Afghanistan

Daesh claims responsibility for killing Chinese national in Afghanistan
  • Daesh said it had targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death and damage to his vehicle
  • China said it was “deeply shocked” by the attack and demanded the Afghan side thoroughly investigate the incident

KABUL: Daesh (Islamic State) has claimed responsibility for the killing of a Chinese national in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province, it said in a post on its Telegram channel late on Wednesday.

Afghan police in the province had said on Wednesday that a Chinese citizen was murdered and a preliminary investigation had been launched, but it was not clear who was behind the attack.

Daesh said it had targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death and damage to his vehicle.

China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday it was “deeply shocked” by the attack and had demanded that the Afghan side thoroughly investigate the incident and severely punish the perpetrators.

“We urge the Afghan interim government to take resolute and effective measures to ensure the security of Chinese civil institutions and projects in Afghanistan,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has said it wants to boost trade and investment ties.

The Taliban took over in 2021, vowing to restore security to the war-torn nation.

Attacks have continued, including an assault in 2022 on a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese investors. Daesh has claimed responsibility for many of them.


Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank

Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank
Updated 25 min 39 sec ago
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Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank

Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank
  • The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30

Ramallah: The Israeli military said Thursday it killed two Palestinian militants overnight near the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, where a large-scale raid is underway, accusing them of murdering three Israelis.
In a statement, the military said that Israeli forces found the two militants barricaded in a house in the village of Burqin.
“After an exchange of fire, they were eliminated by the forces,” it said, adding one soldier was injured in the exchange.
The military identified those killed as Mohammed Nazzal and Qutaiba Shalabi, accusing them of being “affiliated with Islamic Jihad” and responsible for a deadly shooting on an Israeli bus in early January.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30.
“The bodies are being withheld” by the army, it added in a statement.
Three Israelis were killed and six injured in a January 6 attack near the village of Al-Funduq, also in the West Bank.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said at the time he had directed the military to “act with force” to find the attackers, vowing on X that “anyone who... enables or supports the murder and harm of Jews will pay a heavy price.”
The night that followed the attack saw several instances of violent altercations with settlers in that part of the West Bank, including in the village of Hajja, whose mayor told AFP it had come under attack.
Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 850 Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict began.
During the same period, at least 29 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the territory, according to Israeli official figures.


PIF launches $4bn 2-part bond

PIF launches $4bn 2-part bond
Updated 38 min 45 sec ago
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PIF launches $4bn 2-part bond

PIF launches $4bn 2-part bond

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has launched a $4 billion two-part bond, Arab News has been told.

The sovereign wealth fund confirmed that it had sold $2.4 billion of five-year debt instruments at 95 basis points over US Treasuries and $1.6 billion of nine-year securities at 110 basis points over the same benchmark.

The move comes just weeks after PIF closed its first Murabaha credit facility, securing $7 billion in funding, in what was a key step in the fund's plan to raise capital over the next several years. 

PIF manages $925 billion in assets, and is set to increase that to $2 trillion by 2030, a report from monitoring organization Global SWF forecast earlier in January.

 


Qatar drafting new laws aimed at boosting foreign investment

Qatar drafting new laws aimed at boosting foreign investment
Updated 41 min 24 sec ago
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Qatar drafting new laws aimed at boosting foreign investment

Qatar drafting new laws aimed at boosting foreign investment
  • Qatar plans new bankruptcy, PPP, and commercial registration laws
  • Qatar aims for $100 billion FDI by 2030

DOHA: Qatar plans to introduce three new laws as part of a sweeping review of legislation designed to make the Gulf Arab state more attractive to foreign investors, the new minister of commerce and economy told Reuters.
Sheikh Faisal bin Thani said in an interview that Qatar plans to introduce new legislation including a bankruptcy law, a public private partnership law and a new commercial registration law.
“We’re looking at 27 laws and regulations across 17 government ministries that affect 500-plus activities,” he said, describing the legislative review.
Sheikh Faisal said he expects the new bankruptcy and public private partnership laws to be drafted before the end of March.
Qatar, one of the world’s top exporters of liquefied natural gas, has set a cumulative target of attracting $100 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2030, according to the latest version of its national development strategy published last year.
But it has a long way to go to meet that target, and FDI inflows have significantly lagged behind neighboring Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
Saudi Arabia, which also has a target to attract $100 billion in FDI by 2030 as part of its national investment strategy, saw FDI inflows of $26 billion in 2023, after a change to how it calculates FDI, while the Emirates, the Gulf region’s commercial and tourism hub, attracted just over $30 billion according to the UN’s trade and development agency.
In contrast, Qatar’s FDI inflows in 2023 were negative $474 million, down from $76.1 million in 2022. Negative FDI inflows indicate that disinvestment was more than new investment.
While Qatar does offer similar incentives to foreign investors as its neighbors, such as a favorable tax environment, free zone facilities and some long term residency schemes, the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia are considered far ahead in terms of regulatory reforms and business friendly laws.
Qatar’s new laws also come as part of the Gulf Arab state’s efforts to activate its private sector and transition away from government-funded growth.
Sheikh Faisal joined the government in November after serving at Qatar’s $510 billion sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, most recently as chief investment officer for Asia and Africa.


NATO allies must pay ‘fair share’ before adding members: US envoy

NATO allies must pay ‘fair share’ before adding members: US envoy
Updated 23 January 2025
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NATO allies must pay ‘fair share’ before adding members: US envoy

NATO allies must pay ‘fair share’ before adding members: US envoy
  • NATO allies must pay their “fair share” on defense before considering enlarging the alliance, a US presidential envoy said Thursday, as NATO’s chief said members will need to ramp up defense spending

DAVOS: NATO allies must pay their “fair share” on defense before considering enlarging the alliance, a US presidential envoy said Thursday, as NATO’s chief said members will need to ramp up defense spending.
“You cannot ask the American people to expand the umbrella of NATO when the current members aren’t paying their fair share, and that includes the Dutch who need to step up,” US envoy Richard Grenell said by video link at an event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in response to NATO chief Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister.
“We have collectively to move up and we will decide on the exact number later this year, but it will be considerably more than two (percent),” Rutte said, referring to the alliance’s target of defense spending of two percent of GDP.