Saudi Environment Minister Inspects World-Largest Reverse Osmosis Plant

Al-Fadhli inspected the stages of the project that utilizes alternative energy. SPA
Al-Fadhli inspected the stages of the project that utilizes alternative energy. SPA
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Saudi Environment Minister Inspects World-Largest Reverse Osmosis Plant

Al-Fadhli inspected the stages of the project that utilizes alternative energy. SPA
Al-Fadhli inspected the stages of the project that utilizes alternative energy. SPA

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli visited the Reverse Osmosis Plant in Jubail, the world's largest, and was briefed on the workflow of the production system (1 million m3/day).

This is one of the major projects implemented by the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), and the largest of its kind in the world using reverse osmosis technology with the lowest energy consumption, of 2.7 kWh/m3.

Al-Fadhli inspected the stages of the project that utilizes alternative energy to reach a consumption rate of 2.2 kWh/m3, and solar energy to reduce industrial energy consumption by 1.96 kWh/m3.

The tour also included visiting the well water purification units, a project established in the Eastern region by SWCC to improve the quality of well water and thus the quality of life, as part of the most important goals of Vision 2030.

The project aims to increase production rates at 15 different locations, to reach a total capacity of 76,000 m3/day for some 400,000 beneficiaries.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.