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ALECSO Partners with Saudi Arabia’s SNC on Major Int’l Education Conference

General view of Riyadh city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
    Asharq A-Awsat
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ALECSO Partners with Saudi Arabia’s SNC on Major Int’l Education Conference

General view of Riyadh city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in cooperation with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (SNC), is set to host the inaugural edition of a major international conference on culture, science and education in the 21st century.

The conference, ‘Future of Education, Science, and Culture International Organizations Forum’ (FESCIOF) will take place over two days on March 8 at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in the Saudi capital Riyadh, with the participation of a number of major international organizations in the fields of education, culture and science.

FESCIOF will host an unprecedented gathering of international organizations and global entities across a variety of sectors with the goal of enabling collaboration and facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue.

Expected attendees include top international and multilateral organizations; regional institutions; national and regional policymakers; representatives of international and regional development banks; global and national academic institutions; international and regional organizations and institutions; major global and regional corporations, charitable foundations; NGOs; and a variety of subject-matter experts.

The conference aims to create a platform to strengthen relations across international and multilateral organizations, and to provide a space for the effective exchange of ideas and solutions for global challenges. FESCIOF will also develop joint flagship initiatives at the sectoral level.

Commenting on the announcement, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, the Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of SNC, expressed his deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz for their great efforts on everything that helps international organizations to serve the world and achieve a better life for its peoples in all fields.

“FESCIOF represents a genuine milestone to align objectives across sectors and bring about tangible positive change,” said the Minister.

The conference would enhance opportunities for international organizations in the sectors of education, science, and culture, he said.

“True impact requires collaboration across sectors and countries. This platform will allow participating organizations to draw from each other’s strengths.”

The Director General of ALECSO, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, said: “We at ALECSO are proud to be working with our key partner, SNC, to launch this global reaching and highly-impactful initiative.”

He said he believed the conference will result in tangible impact through the creation of joint initiatives which will help establish partnerships between sectors.

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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.

But resolutions, lofty as they may be, can turn daunting quickly with all the advice and sometimes contradicting information coming at you from news reports, advertisers, influencers, friends and even politicians.

But they don't have to be.

This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads. The good news is that the experts mostly say to keep it simple.

As 2026 arrives, here's what you can skip, what you should pay attention to and how to get credible information when you are inevitably faced with more confusing claims next year.

Protein and fiber are important, but you probably don't need to pay more When it comes to your diet, experts say most people can skip the upcharge. If you're eating enough, you're probably getting enough protein and don't need products that promise some big boost.

And it's true that most people could use more fiber in their diets. But, please, ditch the “fiber-maxxing” trend. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

A good skin care routine is not expensive or complicated That 20-step skin care routine and $200 serum some TikToker sold you on? Dermatologists say you really don't need it. Stay away from the beef tallow and slather on a good sunscreen instead (yes, even if you have darker skin ), they say.

And the same rule for simplicity applies to that hourlong “everything shower." The best showers are simple and short, dermatologists say, no "double cleansing" required.

There are many simple ways to get that workout in If the gym and all its equipment feel intimidating, you can drop the illusion that a good workout requires either. This year, the comeback of calisthenics put the focus back on no frills, bodyweight workouts you can do in the comfort of home. Research shows calisthenics helps with muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. You may eventually need weightlifting or other equipment, but it is a great place to start to build consistency and confidence.

Be wary of wellness fads and treatments — they are often too good to be true Even if you imbibe too much this New Year's Eve, doctors say you can do without “ IV therapy ” which have vitamins you can get more easily and cheaper in pill form — if you even need more, which is unlikely if you have a balanced diet. You're pretty much just paying for “expensive urine,” one doctor said.

Same for “wellness” focused products like microbiome testing kits that generate information that doctors can't actually act on. And if you don't have diabetes, there's scant evidence that you need a continuous glucose monitor.

To improve your health, go back to the basics The idea of a panacea pill, product or routine can be enticing. But science already knows a lot about how to improve mental and physical health, and they are tried and true:

1. Whether you're in the city or the country — walk more. Research shows walking is great for physical and mental health. It's so good for you, doctors are literally prescribing time in the outdoors to their patients.

2. Take steps to get certain health metrics under control, likehigh blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed and is known to cause a range of health problems down the road. Prioritize getting enough sleep, and make sure your family does too. Don't just eat right — eat slower.

3. Give your mind some care too. Set better boundaries with your technology andregain and retrain your attention span. Build out your social networks and invest inall forms of love for the people around you.

These lifestyle changes don't just make you feel better in the moment. Research shows they impact your life for years to come, by lowering the risk of dementia and many other health issues.

Don't know who to trust? Start with your doctor It can be tough to know who to listen to about your health, faced with compelling personal stories on social media from people who swear something worked from them, or clever marketing and advertising from companies that scare you or promise an easy fix.

Doubts have been raised this year about established medicine, including the safety of food dyes, fluoride dental treatments,hepatitis B shot for newborns, and hormone therapies for menopause.

While the medical system is not perfect, your doctor remains the best person to talk to about prevention, health concerns and potential treatments.

If you can't get to a human doctor and turn to Dr. Google instead, be sure to follow these tips and never use it to diagnose yourself. When you do get that doctor's appointment, you can make the most of it by bringing a list of written questions — and don't hesitate to ask for any clarification you need.

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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA

The citrus harvest season has officially begun in AlUla Governorate, which is renowned for its agricultural production, according to SPA.

Citrus groves in AlUla cover approximately 654.57 hectares and contain around 261,826 trees, yielding about 6,545.65 tons of fruit annually.

The governorate produces a variety of delicious and nutritious citrus fruits, most notably navel oranges, citron, and sweet lemons. The citrus harvest season typically runs from December to March.

These fruits are distinguished by their high quality, attributed to the governorate's unique climate and fertile soil, resulting in exceptional flavor and high nutritional value.

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event that highlights the diversity of the governorate's agricultural production. It also plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activity and promoting local products in the marketplace.

Varieties

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park in Buraidah recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The development is an important environmental milestone that reflect the ongoing success of release and reintroduction programs led by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), which aims to preserve endangered wild species and boost biodiversity in their natural habitats.

The achievement exemplifies a pioneering collaboration between the NCW and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification through initiatives such as vegetation enhancement, natural habitat rehabilitation, and the creation of suitable conditions for the breeding and sustainability of wild species.

Qassim National Park is one of several national parks implementing afforestation and environmental rehabilitation projects under the Saudi Green Initiative, strengthening the region’s ecological diversity and showcasing the role of national parks as models of successful environmental sustainability programs in the Kingdom.