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Malaria Diagnosis Revolution with Artificial Intelligence

Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
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Malaria Diagnosis Revolution with Artificial Intelligence

Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)

In a groundbreaking development, a team of brilliant researchers at Shantou University in China, led by Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud and Professor Qiang Fang from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, unveiled an innovative microscope driven by artificial intelligence.

This microscope aims to revolutionize malaria diagnosis in resource-limited regions of Africa and Asia.

The traditional method of diagnosing malaria requires skilled experts to manually count parasites and white blood cells, a challenge in such areas.

According to Mahmoud, this newly developed AI-powered microscope provides a revolutionary solution.

By harnessing the power of smartphones, this advanced technology integrates real-time algorithms capable of automatically detecting malaria parasites and counting white blood cells.

This achievement marks a significant leap towards swift and precise malaria diagnosis, particularly in resource-constrained regions.

Moreover, Mahmoud, the Director of International Collaboration in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Shantou University, brings a wealth of experience to this project.

With over two decades of expertise in academic research involving electrical, electronic, and biomedical engineering, he has made significant contributions in various fields.

His innovative research in signal processing for biomedical purposes and the development of optical fiber sensor devices has led to a Chinese patent, national and regional awards, and the enhancement of his reputation as a trailblazer in these domains.

Additionally, Mahmoud’s efforts in machine learning for perimeter intrusion detection systems have resulted in three international patents, further solidifying his position as a leader in this field.

Professor Mahmoud, of Sudanese descent, has actively participated in numerous research projects, authored scientific papers and books, and acquired multiple patents, underscoring his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

His contributions continue to shape the landscape of cutting-edge research and innovations.

The aforementioned AI-driven microscope innovation stands as a testament to the immense potential of this technology in healthcare. Through this invention, Mahmoud and his team lead a revolution in malaria diagnosis, paving the way for a brighter and healthier future for communities in need of assistance.

 

 

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Under Royal Patronage, Saudi Media Forum 2026 Launches Monday in Riyadh

Under Royal Patronage, Saudi Media Forum 2026 Launches Monday in Riyadh
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Under Royal Patronage, Saudi Media Forum 2026 Launches Monday in Riyadh

Under Royal Patronage, Saudi Media Forum 2026 Launches Monday in Riyadh

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum (SMF) 2026 will launch in Riyadh on Monday under the theme “Media in a Shaping World,” convening over three days more than 300 global experts and specialists across 150 dialogue sessions to explore the evolving media landscape.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary highlighted that this edition holds special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting a decade in which Saudi media has emerged as a global influencer, SPA reported.

The forum aims to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and changing consumption patterns, with SMF Chairman Mohammed Al-Harthi describing it as a global workshop for developing effective narratives and rebuilding trust in media.

A key highlight of the 2026 edition is the debut of the Boulevard 2030 area alongside the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX).

This vibrant showcase will bridge the gap between media professionals and the Kingdom's developmental milestones, spotlighting success stories from giga-projects such as NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya.

Varieties

Tunisia's Famed Blue-and-white Village Threatened after Record Rains

© FETHI BELAID / AFP
© FETHI BELAID / AFP
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Tunisia's Famed Blue-and-white Village Threatened after Record Rains

© FETHI BELAID / AFP
© FETHI BELAID / AFP

Perched on a hill overlooking Carthage, Tunisia's famed blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said now faces the threat of landslides, after record rainfall tore through parts of its slopes.

Last week, Tunisia saw its heaviest downpour in more than 70 years. The storm killed at least five people, with others still missing.

Narrow streets of this village north of Tunis -- famed for its pink bougainvillea and studded wooden doors -- were cut off by fallen trees, rocks and thick clay. Even more worryingly for residents, parts of the hillside have broken loose.

"The situation is delicate" and "requires urgent intervention", Mounir Riabi, the regional director of civil defense in Tunis, recently told AFP.

"Some homes are threatened by imminent danger," he said.

Authorities have banned heavy vehicles from driving into the village and ordered some businesses and institutions to close, such as the Ennejma Ezzahra museum.

- Scared -

Fifty-year-old Maya, who did not give her full name, said she was forced to leave her century-old family villa after the storm.

"Everything happened very fast," she recalled. "I was with my mother and, suddenly, extremely violent torrents poured down."

"I saw a mass of mud rushing toward the house, then the electricity cut off. I was really scared."

Her Moorish-style villa sustained significant damage.

One worker on site, Said Ben Farhat, said waterlogged earth sliding from the hillside destroyed part of a kitchen wall.

"Another rainstorm and it will be a catastrophe," he said.

Shop owners said the ban on heavy vehicles was another blow to their businesses, as they usually rely on tourist buses to bring in traffic.

When President Kais Saied visited the village on Wednesday, vendors were heard shouting: "We want to work."

One trader, Mohamed Fedi, told AFP afterwards there were "no more customers".

"We have closed shop," he said, adding that the shops provide a livelihood to some 200 families.

Chokri Yaich, a geologist speaking to Tunisian radio Mosaique FM, said climate change has made protecting the hill increasingly urgent, warning of more storms like last week's.

The hill's clay-rich soil loses up to two thirds of its cohesion when saturated with water, making it highly unstable, Yaich explained.

He also pointed to marine erosion and the growing weight of urbanisation, saying that construction had increased by about 40 percent over the past three decades.

For now, authorities have yet to announce a protection plan, leaving home and shop owners anxious, as the weather remains unpredictable.

Varieties

Saudi Arabia: AlUla Hot Air Balloons, Safari Span 200,000 Years of History

The experience combines sunrise balloon flights with fine dining and stargazing under AlUla’s clear skies. SPA
The experience combines sunrise balloon flights with fine dining and stargazing under AlUla’s clear skies. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: AlUla Hot Air Balloons, Safari Span 200,000 Years of History

The experience combines sunrise balloon flights with fine dining and stargazing under AlUla’s clear skies. SPA
The experience combines sunrise balloon flights with fine dining and stargazing under AlUla’s clear skies. SPA

AlUla’s season has launched a new slate of aerial experiences, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore nearly 200,000 years of human history from the air, with hot air balloon flights rising to 4,000 feet above the desert landscape.

The experience combines sunrise balloon flights with fine dining and stargazing under AlUla’s clear skies, blending adventure, heritage, and luxury hospitality.

Daily sunrise tours are operated by Hero Balloon Flights Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s first licensed hot air balloon operator.

The flights offer sweeping views of AlUla’s natural and historical landmarks, including deep valleys, carved tombs stretching across the desert, and sites of natural and cultural heritage from elevated vantage points.

As the balloon slowly inflates with bursts of hot air and lifts gently into the sky, expansive natural vistas unfold, offering what many describe as some of the most striking scenery in Saudi Arabia and a new perspective on the region.

Afternoon flights are paired with a broader program that connects seamlessly to dinner at Sharaan Nature Reserve and guided stargazing sessions.

The experience begins with an off-road exploration of valleys and natural trails within Sharaan Reserve, bringing visitors into close contact with the landscape while offering insight into the area’s geological features and history.

The evening concludes with a refined stargazing session led by a professional astronomer.

From daytime balloon flights, the experience extends to safari-style tours in Sharaan Nature Reserve, organized by Platinum Heritage Saudi, part of the Hero Experiences Group.

The journey highlights AlUla’s geological and cultural legacy.

The afternoon Platinum dinner experience is led by guides specializing in environmental conservation and natural heritage. As convoys travel through the reserve’s pristine terrain, guests learn about ancient rock inscriptions dating back thousands of years, explore historic valleys, and discover elements of local folklore.

As sunset approaches, visitors stop at a scenic overlook above the vast valleys, where appetizers and refreshments are served before continuing to dinner in Sharaan Reserve and a stargazing session that begins at dusk.

At a secluded desert camp illuminated by lanterns, guests are served dinner beneath a star-filled sky, combining nature and hospitality in the heart of the desert.

As night falls, a visual program blending light projection, sand art, and shadow transforms the canyon walls into a storytelling canvas, recounting the story of planet Earth and AlUla’s place within it.

Designed to accompany the dining experience, the show takes guests on a journey through time via projected imagery within a natural valley, supported by sand drawings and light interacting with sandstone formations.

The presentation reimagines the evolution of the planet, culminating in the rise of AlUla’s ancient civilizations.

The evening concludes with guided stargazing as guests observe celestial bodies and asteroids through telescopes, an experience that links sky and earth.

Positioned as one of the world’s emerging tourism destinations, AlUla offers a blend of unspoiled nature, cultural richness, and contemporary hospitality experiences.