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Al-Mashaer Metro Line Begins Operations for Hajj Season

This service follows the successful conclusion of an extensive 90-day trial operation phase - SPA
This service follows the successful conclusion of an extensive 90-day trial operation phase - SPA
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Al-Mashaer Metro Line Begins Operations for Hajj Season

This service follows the successful conclusion of an extensive 90-day trial operation phase - SPA
This service follows the successful conclusion of an extensive 90-day trial operation phase - SPA

Al-Mashaer Al-Mugaddasah Metro Line embarked on its inaugural journey this morning, marking the commencement of service for the this year's Hajj season. Pilgrims can now utilize the metro for effortless transportation between the holy sites in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah via the nine conveniently located stations, according to SPA.
This service follows the successful conclusion of an extensive 90-day trial operation phase, as announced by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) on Monday. The trial period served to confirm the operational readiness of the 17 trains that will serve pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.
In preparation for the holy season, SAR undertook comprehensive maintenance efforts across the entire metro system, including upgrades to trains, stations, signaling and communication systems, and the operation and control center.
SAR has bolstered its workforce by contracting over 7,500 seasonal employees. These multilingual staff members are fluent in English, Turkish, Indonesian, Nigerian languages, and more, ensuring effective communication and exceptional service for all pilgrims.

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Electric Fences, Drones, Dogs Protect G7 Leaders from Bear Attack

Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
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Electric Fences, Drones, Dogs Protect G7 Leaders from Bear Attack

Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

Electric fences, drones, thermal cameras and police dogs have all been deployed at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies to protect world leaders from hungry bears.

US President Donald Trump, Italy's Giorgia Meloni and France's Emmanuel Macron are among leaders gathered Monday at a remote mountain lodge for talks -- uninterrupted, if all goes to plan, by ursine attacks.

"While grizzly bears are a top concern, the team is prepared for all wildlife species," Alberta's Ministry of Public Safety spokesperson Sheena Campbell said.

Security teams have erected "fence barriers around locations where attractants (food) are present, including the use of electric bear fence enclosures."

She said fencing was a minimum eight feet (2.4 meters) high to ensure guest safety as part of a multi-pronged operation to prevent "close encounters" with wildlife.

Also being used in the anti-bear battle are thermal imaging cameras, drones from the famous Canadian "Mounties" police force and specially trained K-9 "bear dogs."

The drones will "monitor wildlife activity in real time," Campbell said, adding in the last week alone the team recorded activity of grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, moose, bighorn sheep and deer.

Canadian authorities and summit organizers declined to discuss further details for security reasons.

The Globe and Mail newspaper reported that a bear warning issued in May was still in place for the Kananaskis Country Golf Course -- where the G7 leaders are scheduled to hold their group portrait during the three-day summit.

The paper added about 65 grizzly bears live in Kananaskis, and some areas have been closed in recent weeks after reports of aggressive charges by a mother with two cubs.

Parks Canada advises that if a bear is protecting its young and sees you as a threat, fall on the ground and play dead. But if the bear is aggressive and after your food, stand your ground.