Karim Benzema: A Triumphant Return to Santiago Bernabéu

The San Siro Stadium in Milan witnessed one of the most exciting derbies in Italian football history, as AC Milan, led by young coach Stefano Pioli, achieved a thrilling 3-2 victory over their traditional rival Inter Milan in the Serie A matchday 28.

In post-match press statements, Pioli said: “This win is the result of the great effort the players have put in over the past weeks. They showed strong character and an incredible desire to win, which led us to achieve this great result.”

The 43-year-old coach added: “The Milan derby is always a special match, but today it had a different flavor. The players delivered a heroic performance and deserved this victory.”

The match saw Inter take a 2-0 lead in the first half through Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku, before Milan turned the tables in the second half with three consecutive goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic (two goals) and Franck Kessie.

With this win, Milan moved to 56 points in second place in the Serie A table, four points behind leaders Inter Milan. Inter’s tally remained at 60 points.

This is the first time Milan has beaten Inter in Serie A since 2016, and the first time they’ve won after trailing by two goals in a derby since 2004.

This result serves as a major morale boost for Milan ahead of their next league match against Lazio, while Inter will try to regain their balance quickly when they host Bologna in the next round.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates the Founding Day on February 22nd each year, commemorating the establishment of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727 AD. This day reminds us of our deep historical roots and reinforces the values of belonging and loyalty to the nation.

In January 2022, King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree declaring February 22nd as the Founding Day, in addition to the National Day on September 23rd each year. The significance of this day lies in marking the beginning of the first Saudi state in Diriyah, which lasted until 1818 AD and laid the foundation for unifying most of the Arabian Peninsula under the banner of unification and reform led by Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously stated, “Founding Day is a dear memory to our hearts, reminding us of our deep-rooted origins and the historical and civilizational depth of our ancient state.”

Saudi citizens celebrate this precious national occasion with various events and activities across the Kingdom, including air, sea, and land shows, theatrical and artistic performances, heritage exhibitions, and cultural and sports competitions. Streets and homes witness spontaneous popular celebrations, with citizens and residents wearing traditional attire and raising Saudi flags, expressing pride in national identity and belonging to the beloved homeland.

This year’s Founding Day celebrations come amid the exceptional circumstances faced by the country and the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating adherence to precautionary measures and social distancing during participation in events.

In conclusion, celebrating Founding Day is a cherished national occasion for all Saudis, through which they renew their pledge and loyalty to their wise leadership and beloved homeland, translating the slogan “The Day We Began” into diligent work and building a brighter and more prosperous future for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Social media platforms in Saudi Arabia witnessed significant interaction with the hashtag “#معسر_فاتوره_رقم256ب3872ب1” (Delinquent Bill Number 256B3872B1), which topped the list of most discussed topics in recent days. The hashtag highlights the story of an elderly man facing financial difficulties and struggling to pay an electricity bill.

The story originated from a viral video showing an elderly man discussing his struggles with accumulating bills, particularly an electricity bill numbered 256B3872B1, which caused him significant psychological and financial stress. In the video, the man explained that he suffers from health issues and is unable to work, making it impossible for him to meet his financial obligations.

The story sparked widespread sympathy among Saudi citizens, with numerous supportive comments calling on relevant authorities to intervene and assist the elderly man. Many urged direct financial aid for him.

No official entity has yet commented on the issue, neither the Ministry of Electricity nor the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The public has expressed their views solely through social media platforms.

This story sheds light on the struggles of vulnerable groups in Saudi society and raises questions about how such humanitarian cases are handled by authorities and the extent of the social system’s ability to provide necessary support to those in dire need.

Some comments shared under the hashtag include:
– “A very touching story, we hope the concerned authorities intervene to help this poor man” – @محمد_العتيبي
– “It’s our duty as a society to help those in need, especially the elderly” – @فاطمة_المطيري
– “We call for activating the role of charitable organizations in such cases” – @عبدالعزيز_الشمري

This story highlights the importance of social solidarity and the need for collaborative efforts between society and government entities to support the most needy, especially amid the challenging economic conditions the world is facing.

We hope this humanitarian story receives the necessary attention from officials, and appropriate measures are taken to provide the elderly man with the required assistance, alleviating his suffering and enabling him to live with dignity.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates today the 293rd anniversary of the founding of the First Saudi State by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727 AD. On January 27, 2022, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal decree to commemorate this national occasion on February 22nd each year.

The celebration of Founding Day reaffirms the deep roots of the Saudi state, its strong foundation, and the close bond between its citizens and their leaders, as emphasized by King Salman in his royal decree.

On this occasion, various regions of the Kingdom organized diverse national events. The capital, Riyadh, witnessed aerial displays by the Royal Saudi Air Force over the city, while government buildings and prominent landmarks were illuminated with the colors of the Saudi flag in celebration.

In this context, the General Entertainment Authority launched a comprehensive program of entertainment and cultural events, including theatrical performances, heritage and artistic activities, as well as exhibitions documenting the Kingdom’s rich history.

Founding Day is an important national occasion that reflects the depth of Saudi history and strengthens national belonging among new generations, recalling the heroism and sacrifices of their ancestors in building a strong and stable state. This continues the journey of giving and achievements under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect them both.

In a historic achievement with profound implications for the Saudi state’s journey, Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan recently announced that the Kingdom has achieved a budget surplus for the first time since 2013, thanks to the comprehensive economic reforms implemented by the government. This achievement comes within the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to diversify income sources and enhance financial sustainability.

On the social front, the current year witnessed the launch of a wide package of developmental initiatives, including allocating 10 billion riyals to support the housing sector and launching the developmental housing program to raise the homeownership rate to 70% by 2030. Additionally, the amended social security system was approved to improve the living standards of the most needy families.

Key achievements in Saudi establishment:
– Achieving a budget surplus for the first time since 2013
– Allocating 10 billion riyals to support the housing sector
– Launching the developmental housing program
– Approving the amended social security system
– Raising the homeownership rate to 70% by 2030

Official statements:
“We are committed to enhancing the social and financial well-being of citizens and providing them with a decent standard of living” – Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan

Statistics:
– Budget surplus: First time since 2013
– Housing support: 10 billion riyals
– Targeted homeownership rate: 70% by 2030
– Budget for the amended social security system: 25 billion riyals annually

This progress comes within the framework of Vision 2030, which aims to achieve sustainable development and economic and social prosperity for the country. With the continued implementation of economic and social reforms, the Kingdom is steadily moving towards achieving its ambitious goals in Saudi establishment.

Prince Turki Al-Faisal, former head of Saudi intelligence, affirmed that Prince Muhammad bin Saud was a pivotal figure in modern Saudi history. This came during a historical symposium recently held in Riyadh to celebrate the foundational role of this historical figure.

Prince Muhammad bin Saud was born in Diriyah in 1697 AD and was among the first to support the reformist movement led by Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab in the 18th century. His reign witnessed the establishment of the First Saudi State in 1744 AD, marking a significant turning point in the region’s history.

In his speech at the symposium, Prince Turki Al-Faisal explained that “Prince Muhammad bin Saud was not just a local ruler, but a visionary statesman who managed to unite the tribes of Najd under one banner and establish a new political and social model in the Arabian Peninsula.”

The historians participating in the symposium noted that Prince Muhammad bin Saud’s era saw the establishment of effective governmental institutions, the organization of the judiciary, and the enhancement of security in his areas of influence. He also succeeded in establishing a strategic alliance with Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, which contributed to consolidating political and social stability in the region.

The First Saudi State continued under his sons and grandsons until 1818 AD, leaving behind a significant political and cultural legacy that still serves as a reference for the modern Saudi state.

At the conclusion of the symposium, participants emphasized that understanding the role of Prince Muhammad bin Saud is essential for understanding the course of Saudi Arabia’s history, praising the efforts made to document and study this foundational period of the country’s history.

Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA)