Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday launched a company to carry out an ambitious development project in central Riyadh, as part of the kingdom's plans to make its capital a global metropolis and diversify the economy.
The kingdom aims to double the size and population of its capital with total investments of $800 billion under its Vision 2030 plan, as well as reducing its dependence on oil export revenue.
“The New Murabba Development Company's project will include a museum, a technology and design university, a multipurpose immersive theatre and more than 80 cultural and entertainment venues,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The project is expected to be completed by 2030, in time for the global expo that year, which Saudi Arabia has bid to host.
The project will be at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the north-west of Riyadh, over an area of 19 square kilometres. The project will accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents.
It will offer more than 25 million square metres of floor area, feature more than 104,000 residential units and 9,000 hotel rooms, and more than 980,000 square metres of retail space, SPA reported.
It will also comprise 1.4 million square metres of office space, 620,000 square metres of leisure assets, and 1.8 million square metres of space for community facilities.
The new development will also host the Mukaab, built in a modern Najdi architectural style, which is set to be the world’s first immersive destination offering virtual technology experiences with holographics and innovative technologies.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will be the main source of funding for the project, as part of wider plans to empower the private sector, support real estate projects and infrastructure, and diversify the economy.
SPA said the project was expected to add 180 billion riyals ($48 billion) to non-oil gross domestic product and create 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
“The New Murabba project will be built around the concept of sustainability, featuring green areas and walking and cycling paths that will enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and community activities,” SPA reported.
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
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Liverpool v Roma
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
