The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has affirmed that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel is contingent on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, said in a speech before the Shura Council on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of the Kingdom's concerns, and we renew the Kingdom's rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people, ignoring international and humanitarian law in a new and bitter chapter of suffering.The Saudi Crown Prince appreciated the position of the countries that recognized the Palestinian state as an embodiment of international legitimacy, calling on the rest of the countries to take similar steps.He pointed out that the Kingdom is keen to cooperate with all active countries in the international community, certain that what protects humanity and preserves its civilizational values is the joint pursuit of a better future based on fruitful cooperation between countries and peoples, respecting the independence and values of countries, adopting the principle of good neighborliness, non-interference in their internal affairs, and avoiding resorting to force in resolving disputes.He noted that the Kingdom seeks to enhance regional and international security and peace, by making efforts to reach political solutions to crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya and others, as well as supporting solutions to international crises such as the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.The Saudi Crown Prince added that the Kingdom has achieved many essential achievements during the recent stage, and from the models of these non-oil activities in the Kingdom, it recorded its highest contribution to the real GDP at (50%) last year, which enhances the sustainability and comprehensiveness of growth and achieves high quality in economic diversification, and the Public Investment Fund continues its role in achieving its goals to be a driving force for investment, and unemployment among citizens, both male and female, recorded its lowest historical level in the first quarter of 2024 AD, reaching (7.6%), after its rate was (12.8%) in 2017 AD.He added that the percentage of home ownership for citizens increased from (47%) in 2016 to more than (63%), and in the field of tourism, the achievements preceded the target date, as the national tourism strategy launched in 2019 set a target of (one hundred) million tourists in 2030, and this target was exceeded and reached (one hundred and nine) million tourists in 2023, and the Kingdom achieved the sixteenth rank among the most competitive countries, and with the exploration of natural resources, the Kingdom becomes one of the largest natural resource stores in the world, and your country has also achieved an advanced position in the field of renewable energy, and has become one of the most active regionally and internationally.

Approaching a decade since Barcelona last won the Champions League, the Catalan giants face Monaco in this season’s European opener today aiming to make a statement. The club are desperate to battle their way back into the European elite after years in the wilderness and after a strong start under new coach Hansi Flick, their hopes are rising.There were some signs they were on the right track in Europe last season when they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in four years. After a 3-2 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg they collapsed at home after Ronald Araujo was sent off in the first half with Barca leading by a goal.PSG netted three times to oust Xavi Hernandez’s side 6-4 on aggregate and the coach was sacked at the end of a disappointing trophyless season. Flick’s Barcelona have five wins from five in La Liga and have Spain’s teenage Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal playing a decisive role in their attack. The winger has developed at an alarming rate since making his Barcelona debut aged just 15 in April 2023.Now 17, Yamal struck twice as Barcelona thrashed Girona 4-1 in the league on Sunday, avenging two heavy defeats by their fellow Catalans last season and demonstrating the team’s early progress. “Lamine is a difference-maker... for me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age,” said admiring Girona coach Michel Sanchez. “It is difficult to imagine that after (Lionel) Messi another one would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he’s a player than can reach that level.”Even though comparisons to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Barcelona’s best ever player, pile pressure on Yamal, they keep flooding in. Yamal’s emergence is yet another feather in the cap of the club’s feted La Masia youth academy and as shown on the way to glory with Spain in Germany this summer, he can make the difference for his team in any match.The winger already has three goals and four assists this season, well on the way of matching his tally of 12 goal contributions last term. Barcelona are still stricken by economic difficulties, signing only Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig this summer and struggling for a few weeks to register him with La Liga, but they have an immediate superstar in Yamal.Pau Cubarsi, also 17, is another from La Masia playing at a high level, along with other homegrown squad members like Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado and Gavi, who is on the comeback trail after a long-term injury. The emergence of these players can help Barca battle with the continent’s best on a more even footing despite their financial handcuffs. Barca welcome Bayern Munich to their temporary Olympic Stadium home and travel to face last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the pick of their group stage fixtures.

UCC Holding, the leading construction and infrastructure company in Qatar and Denmark’s COBOD, the world’s leading manufacturer of concrete 3D printers, have signed a contract to supply the world’s largest third-generation 3D printers that will be used to build schools in Qatar.The signing ceremony took place today in Doha, between Mr. Ramez Al Khayyat, President of UCC Holding, and Mr. Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO and Founder of COBOD, along with other dignitaries and key stakeholders.A World-Record Setting and Sustainable InitiativeUCC Holding and COBOD will collaborate to build schools using third-generation 3D printers, covering a total area of ​​40,000 square meters, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest buildings built using 3D printing technology worldwide.Sustainability at the CoreThe project places a high priority on sustainability, with COBOD’s advanced 3D printing technology specifically designed to reduce material waste and improve efficiency, resulting in reduced concrete consumption, a critical factor in reducing the carbon footprint of the construction process. By using 3D printing, the schools will be built with fewer raw materials while ensuring structural integrity, making the construction process environmentally friendly. COBOD technology also enables the automated construction of concrete buildings and structures through improved designs that enhance the efficiency of concrete and reinforcement use, which is in line with the State of Qatar’s sustainable development goals according to Qatar National Vision 2030.Mr. Moutaz Al Khayyat, Chairman of UCC Holding, stated that he is proud of this important partnership, “The partnership with COBOD is a leap not only for the construction sector in Qatar, but also globally. We always strive to adopt the latest technologies that contribute to achieving sustainability and efficiency in our operations, and this project is part of our commitment to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. Through this advanced technology, we set new standards for sustainable construction and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of our operations.”Mr. Ramez Al Khayat, President of UCC Holding, stressed the importance of this step for the company and the construction sector in general, saying: “This partnership with COBOD represents a significant step forward for the construction sector in the State of Qatar and the world. Adopting technology in all fields is a fundamental element of our corporate strategy, and adopting advanced construction methods contributes to reducing the project’s labor requirements, improving the quality of work, reducing waste, shortening project execution times, reducing the use of materials, in addition to reducing carbon emissions, and thus preserving the environment.”"Our partnership with UCC Holding and the schools project represents an exceptional leap forward for the construction industry pushing it years ahead in terms of use of the technology, scale of the projects and aims for a more sustainable future. Through 3D printing, we can reduce waste, minimize the use of materials, cut down on CO2 emissions, and build in a way that respects the environment," said Mr. Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO and Founder of COBOD.According to the agreement, COBOD will provide consulting on the design, manufacturing, installation, and supervision of concrete printers. COBOD will also provide on-site training and technical support to UCC Holding to ensure the 3D printing process is implemented efficiently.Construction for the two schools is scheduled to begin in 2025, and the use of COBOD’s third-generation 3D printers will ensure a streamlined and efficient process. Each school will have a two-story structure, featuring a 100 x 100-meter footprint. The two BOD XL printers from COBOD will have a record-breaking size of 50m in length, 30m in width and 15m in height each. The printers will operate at the fastest printing speed possible, ensuring rapid completion while maintaining high standards of safety and sustainability.