Saudi Space Agency, US Sierra Space Sign MoU to Develop National Capabilities in Space

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Space to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences in fields related to the space sector. (SPA)
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Space to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences in fields related to the space sector. (SPA)
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Saudi Space Agency, US Sierra Space Sign MoU to Develop National Capabilities in Space

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Space to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences in fields related to the space sector. (SPA)
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Space to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences in fields related to the space sector. (SPA)

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Space, a US leading company in the field of space technologies, to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences and develop national capabilities and competencies in fields related to the space sector and its technologies, SPA said on Saturday.
The move confirms SSA’s commitment to expanding its global partnerships in the area of space.
The memorandum was signed by SSA CEO, Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, and Sierra Space CEO, Tom Vice.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SSA, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha.
Sawaha heads the delegation of the digital economy, space and innovation system, which is on an official visit to the United States of America, to deepen and enhance partnerships in various areas of technology, space and innovation.
With this MoU and other memorandums, and agreements concluded with US parties specialized in space and its exploration, the SSA seeks to share its aspirations, develop and create specialized training programs for students and employees, which contributes to the growth of the local and global space sector, and building a sustainable future driven by innovation.



Pakistan Bans Entry to Parks, Zoos as Air Pollution Worsens

A vendor carries a bucket of radish across a railway track engulfed in smog in Lahore on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)
A vendor carries a bucket of radish across a railway track engulfed in smog in Lahore on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)
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Pakistan Bans Entry to Parks, Zoos as Air Pollution Worsens

A vendor carries a bucket of radish across a railway track engulfed in smog in Lahore on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)
A vendor carries a bucket of radish across a railway track engulfed in smog in Lahore on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

Pakistan's Punjab banned entry to many public spaces from Friday, including parks and zoos, as it sought to protect people from severe air pollution in parts of the eastern province.

The provincial capital Lahore has been engulfed in a thick, smoky haze this week and was consistently rated the world's most polluted city by Swiss group IQAir in its live rankings, prompting the closure of schools and work-from-home mandates, Reuters reported.

The Punjab government's Friday order placed a "complete ban on public entry in all parks ... zoos, play grounds, historical places, monuments, museums and joy/play lands" until Nov. 17 in areas including Lahore.

Many parts of South Asia suffer severe pollution as temperatures drop each winter and cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from stubble burning - the illegal practice of burning crop waste to quickly clear fields.

Punjab last week blamed toxic air wafting in from neighboring India - where air quality has also reached hazardous levels - for the particularly high pollution this year.

IQAir rated the Indian capital New Delhi the world's second most polluted city on Friday, with government data indicating that farm fires in the neighboring farming states of Punjab and Haryana were among the major contributors.
To discourage the practice which has been lower this year, India's federal government doubled fines imposed on violators on Wednesday.

Farmers with less than two acres of land will now have to pay 5,000 rupees ($60) for violations. Those owning between two and five acres will pay 10,000 rupees and farmers with more than five acres will pay 30,000 rupees, the environment ministry said.