Saudi artist breathes life into the past through his models

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Jassem Al-Busandah, a Saudi artist in his forties, travels back in time by designing creative models of buildings highlighting the ancient Saudi lifestyle, shedding light on multiple aspects of the Kingdom’s historic makeup.

The artist started his career in Al-Ahsa, and aims to go international to share the diversity of Saudi culture.

“It was at the primary stage when my artistic personality first appeared, namely in the art education class, which I enjoyed the most. It was full of beauty, colors, and artistic pieces. I was excited to begin this journey, full of passion and challenges,” Al-Busandah told Arab News.

“At the very early stage, I realized that I was attracted to this field as soon as I laid my eyes on the colored modelling material (plasticine). Whenever I went with my parents to the beach, I seized the opportunity to model clay and build house models, and used tree leaves for decoration.”

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Whenever Al-Busandah was at home, he used cardboard to build houses. He was greatly encouraged by his family, who saw his artistic talent growing daily as he practiced.

“I have developed my hobby with time, and I started using pressed wood, gypsum, and clay,” he said.

“The models I formed go through different stages, mainly the old mud houses. First, I detail the house from an artistic point of view, then I cover it with burlap (a type of fabric). I mix white cement with gypsum to be added to the model, then I leave it (in the sun) for several hours. After drying, I add colors and effects to the model, which comes out vivid and full of fine details.”

According to Al-Busandah, he has been able to convey the philosophy of the simple ancient Saudi lifestyle, or “the good old days,” where Saudis lived in one neighborhood and were brought together by familiarity, love, solidarity, and mutual reinforcement.

“Saudis in the past worried about each other, and used to share their happy moments, occasions, and celebrations. In my mission, I document a contemporary artistic era, which I wanted to introduce to this generation, so it stays attached to its ancient roots, and to show how the Saudi man relied on himself in building a proper house. This legacy had to be preserved,” he added.

The artist has a museum in Al-Ahsa, where students and tourists learn about the heritage of the Kingdom in general and of Al-Ahsa in particular.

“The most prominent artistic models I have formed are the Masmak Fortress, the Sahood Fort, the Ibrahim Palace, and the famous and popular Qaisariah Souq,” he said.

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

“I feel extremely happy whenever I witness the reaction of the museum’s visitors, namely Saudis who come from different regions of the Kingdom. Some of them break into tears when they see their past embodied, while others express their close relation to this era comprising their birth, childhood, and early youth stage,” he added.

“I have translated this cultural momentum into an incubating and attractive cultural environment with which many Saudis find their relations with the most prominent life events they have lived.

“My artistic experience is inspired by my view of these old and popular models and houses, as I try to build a miniature city consisting of these houses lined up next to each other to present this attracting architectural pattern with a different print,” he added.

He added that he wants to open an international exhibition showcasing the different landmarks of the Kingdom, where foreign visitors can find what they are looking for and be introduced to the rich cultural diversity of the Kingdom.

Saudi artist Jassem Al-Busandah’s models bring to life the cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Unending 'hell': Sudan war rages despite truce pledges

Strikes by air, tanks and artillery rocked Sudan's capital, Khartoum, and the adjacent city of Bahri on Friday, witnesses said, mocking a 72-hour truce extension announced by the army and a rival paramilitary force.

Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands have fled for their lives in a power struggle between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on April 15 and disabled an internationally backed transition toward democratic elections.

The fighting has also reawakened a two-decade-old conflict in the western Darfur region where scores have died this week.

In the Khartoum area, heavy gunfire and detonations rattled residential neighbourhoods. Plumes of smoke rose above Bahri.

"We hear the sounds of planes and explosions. We don't know when this hell will end," said Bahri resident Mahasin al-Awad, 65. "We're in a constant state of fear."

The army has been deploying jets or drones on RSF forces in neighbourhoods across the capital. Many residents are pinned down by urban warfare with scant food, fuel, water and power.

At least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded, according to the United Nations, which believes the real toll is much higher. The Sudan Doctors Union said at least 387 civilians had been killed.

The RSF accused the army of violating an internationally brokered ceasefire with air strikes on its bases in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers, and Mount Awliya.

The army blamed the RSF for violations.

The ceasefire is supposed to last until Sunday at midnight.

The violence has sent tens of thousands of refugees across Sudan's borders and threatens to compound instability across a volatile swathe of Africa between the Sahel and the Red Sea.

"From the war planes to the tanks and rockets, we had no other option than to leave," said Sudanese man Motaz Ahmed, who arrived in Egypt's capital Cairo after a five-day trip. "We left behind our homes, our work, our belongings, our vehicles, everything, so we can take our children and parents to safety."

Foreign governments airlifted diplomats and citizens to safety over the past week. Britain said its evacuations would end on Saturday as demand for spots on planes had declined.

Plums of smoke rise amidst clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army, in Bahri, Khartoum North (filmed from Omdurman), Sudan April 28, 2023, in this screen grab from a social media video. Video Obtained by REUTERS

The U.S. said several hundred Americans had departed Sudan by land, sea or air. A convoy of buses carrying 300 Americans left Khartoum late on Friday on a 525-mile trip to the Red Sea in the first U.S.-organized evacuation effort for citizens, the New York Times reported.

DARFUR DEATHS

In Darfur, at least 96 people had died since Monday in inter-communal violence rekindled by the army-RSF conflict, U.N. human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said.

Releases and escapes from at least eight jails, including five in Khartoum and two in Darfur, were compounding chaos, she added.

In El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, a major hospital supported by medical charity MSF was looted over the past two days, the group said.

"Many people are trapped in the midst of this deadly violence. They fear risking their safety and lives trying to reach the rare health facilities that are still functional and open," said Sylvain Perron, MSF's deputy operations manager for Sudan.

The United Nations said its offices in Khartoum, El Geneina and Nyala were also ransacked. "This is unacceptable - and prohibited under international humanitarian law. Attacks on humanitarian assets must stop," U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths posted on Twitter.

Relief agencies have been largely unable to distribute food to the needy in Africa's third-largest country, where a third of its 46 million people were already reliant on donations.

Among Sudan's neighbours, Egypt said it had taken in 16,000 people, while 20,000 had entered Chad and the U.N. refugee agency said over 14,000 had crossed into South Sudan, which won independence from Khartoum in 2011 after decades of civil war.

Some had walked from Khartoum to South Sudan's border, a distance of over 400 km (250 miles), a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency said. One of Africa's largest cities, Khartoum had long been untouched by Sudan's string of civil wars.

A burned vehicle is seen in Khartoum, Sudan April 26, 2023. REUTERS/El-Tayeb Siddig/File Photo

Shells are seen on the ground near damaged buildings at the central market during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan. April 27, 2023. REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Despite global appeals for talks, army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told U.S.-based Arabic language broadcaster Al Hurra it was unacceptable to sit down with RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo whom he called "the leader of the rebellion".

Dagalo, better known as Hemdeti, told the BBC that the RSF would not hold talks until fighting ends. Saying the armed forces were "relentlessly" bombing his fighters, he blamed Burhan for the violence.

"Cease hostilities. After that we can have negotiations," Dagalo said.

Scott Ritter: 'Ukraine Victory Resolution' Act - a Delusional Suicide Pact

Scott Ritter Columnis All Materials

Two US Congressmen who sit on a bureaucratic relic of the Cold War have introduced the "Ukraine Victory Resolution" in the House of Representatives calling for the United States to support an outright victory for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

After the presentation of the resolution, it must then be approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee and then put to a vote in Congress, both at the House of Representatives and the Senate level, before becoming law.

While the "Ukraine Victory Resolution" faces an uncertain future in a Congress where enthusiasm for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is waning, one should not count out the potential for the resolution becoming law, especially given the track record of its sponsors. Wilson, Cohen and McCaul last collaborated on the "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act", which was signed into law on May 9, 2022, by President Joe Biden. That law enhanced Biden’s authority to simplify bureaucratic barriers with regards to military equipment for Ukraine or other Eastern European countries affected by the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia's Special Military Operation, the Helsinki Commission has worked closely with the Ukrainian government to craft legislation that supports Ukrainian goals and objectives when it comes to its conflict with Russia.

To call the Helsinki Commission a de facto adjunct of the Ukrainian government would not be an exaggeration. Indeed, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, was the person chosen to make the official announcement regarding the presentation of the "Ukraine Victory Resolution" to the House of Representatives.

The text of the draft resolution "affirms that it is the policy of the United States to see Ukraine victorious against the invasion and restored to its internationally recognized 1991 borders."

Wilson and Cohen both have stated that the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be preserved, meaning that the conflict in Ukraine could not be ended until the territories of Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk, Lugansk, and Crimea are returned to Ukrainian sovereignty.

While the resolution introduced by Wilson and Cohen accurately reflects both current US policy objectives and Ukrainian government desires, it ignores two critical realities. First, it is Russia that is winning the conflict, not Ukraine, and as such any termination of the current conflict will reflect this hard truth.

Moreover, to tie both the US and Ukraine to unrealistic expectations creates obstacles to any possible negotiated end to the conflict, meaning that the conflict will drag on to its inevitable conclusion—a strategic Russian victory—in a manner which will only increase the human, material, and financial cost to Ukraine.

Indeed, as senior Russian officials such as former President Dmitri Medvedev have noted, if the crisis does not reach a negotiated end, Ukraine itself may cease to exist as a sovereign entity. The irony of a piece of US legislation purporting to defend Ukrainian sovereignty serving as the foundation of the death of Ukraine as a nation seems to have escaped the sponsors of the resolution.

But the resolution also lays the groundwork for the possibility—indeed, if the resolution accomplished its goal, probability—of a general nuclear war between the United States and Russia.

Former Russian President Medvedev recently noted that, according to Russian policy regarding the use of nuclear weapons, such weapons "can be used in case of aggression against Russia with the use of other types of weapons that threaten the very existence of the state. This is, in essence, the use of nuclear weapons in response to such actions."

Any effort by Ukraine to recover its former territories which have been absorbed by Russia would, by definition, constitute a threat against the "very existence of the Russian State," to quote Medvedev. "If you have a weapon in your hands," Medvedev declared recently, referring to nuclear weapons, "and I, as a former president, know what it is, you must be prepared that your hand will not tremble in a certain situation to use it, no matter how monstrous and cruel it sounds."

"Therefore, all these stories that 'the Russians will never do it,' or vice versa, 'the Russians keep scaring us with the use of nuclear weapons,' are not worth a penny," Medvedev said.

This is something Russia's potential adversaries, including Congressmen Wilson, Cohen, and McCaul—and indeed every member of Congress who will be called upon to vote in support of the "Ukraine Victory Resolution" — should keep first and foremost in their mind.

A vote for the resolution is a vote for nuclear war with Russia. The resolution is a literal suicide pact with Ukraine. Hopefully the American people will wake up to this reality before it is too late, and let their representatives know that they chose life over death.

Ukraine has lost its NATO-driven conflict with Russia. There is no need for the entire world to die as a result.

ABC News cuts Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vaccine remarks out of interview

An ABC News host admitted the network edited statements Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made about the COVID-19 vaccine out of an exclusive interview it conducted with the longshot Democratic presidential candidate.

“We should note that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about the COVID-19 vaccines,” anchor Linsey Davis said in a disclaimer when the interview aired Thursday. “We’ve used our editorial judgment in not including extended portions of that exchange in our interview.”

“Data shows that the COVID-19 vaccine has prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths from the disease,” Davis added. “He also made misleading claims about the relationship between vaccination and autism.

“Research shows that vaccines and the ingredients used in the vaccines do not cause autism, including multiple studies involving more than a million children and major medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the advocacy group Autism Speaks.”

Davis is the latest legacy media journalist to admit to editing interviews to flatter liberal viewers. Former NBC “Today” show host Katie Couric admitted to having withheld a segment of an interview with the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg that featured the Supreme Court justice calling kneeling protests during the US national anthem “a terrible thing to do.”

Couric said she made the edits to “protect” the 83-year-old Ginsburg, who she believed was “elderly and probably didn’t understand the question,” according to her memoir “Going There.”

ABC’s segment on vaccines briefly featured Kennedy’s response to past comments he made on links between vaccines and autism, before cutting to questions about the candidate’s famous political family.

The 69-year-old son of former US Attorney General and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) rose to prominence as an outspoken opponent of vaccination, to the occasional embarrassment of his fellow famous family members.

A Fox News poll released Wednesday showed that 19% of Democratic primary voters nationwide back RFK Jr.’s challenge to President Biden, whom 62% of party voters support.

Another 9% support self-help guru Marianne Williamson, who declared her intention to seek the Democratic nomination last month.

Sitting presidents are rarely challenged from within their own party, and history indicates double-digit support for an insurgent candidacy is a sign of weakness in the incumbent. In 1992, Pat Buchanan challenged President George H.W. Bush and got 22% of the Republican primary vote.

Twelve years earlier, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) managed 37% of the Democratic primary vote against President Jimmy Carter. Both chief executives were defeated in their re-election bids.

Kennedy Jr., who launched his campaign in April, told Davis during their interview that he was challenging Biden because the president’s leadership was at odds with longstanding Democratic priorities.

“I don’t believe that we should be the party of war; I don’t believe that we should be the party of Wall Street; I don’t believe that we should let neocons dictate our foreign policy, and I don’t believe in censorship,” Kennedy said. “And those are all values that are traditional Democratic Party values that this White House has departed from.”

Kennedy’s extended family have said they are unlikely to support his 2024 run, given his attacks on former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and calls for his father’s convicted assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, to be paroled by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

ABC News admitted to editing remarks by Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after the news outlet pressed him on his stance on vaccines.

Journalist Linsey Davis gave a warning ahead of the interview, telling viewers that the Biden challenger peddled misinformation and disinformation about vaccines.

"RFK Jr. is one of the biggest voices pushing anti-vaccine rhetoric, regularly distributing misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, which scientific and medical experts overwhelmingly say are safe and effective based on rigorous scientific studies," she stated. "But can a Kennedy break through in 2024? Will RFK Jr.'s controversial stances limit his appeal?"

Afterward, the journalist acknowledged they edited Kennedy's remarks on vaccines.

"We should note that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about the Covid-19 vaccines," she said. "We’ve used our editorial judgment in not including extended portions of that exchange in our interview," Davis added.

ABC backed up their fact-check by listing medical and advocacy organizations which disagreed with Kennedy's statements on vaccines.

"Data shows that the Covid-19 vaccine has prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths from the disease. He also made misleading claims about the relationship between vaccination and autism. Research shows that vaccines and the ingredients used in the vaccines do not cause autism, including multiple studies involving more than a million children and major medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the advocacy group Autism Speaks."

During the interview, Kennedy said he's been "vilified" for the past three years with "total blanket censorship" from the media.

He told ABC he was "at peace" with his choices because he was fighting very powerful voices that were trying to "silence" him.

"If you don't change my mind with facts, I'm going to stick to my guns," he said.

ABC News admitted to cutting down presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s comments about vaccines

After Davis pressed him on his distrust of "scientific authorities" on vaccines, Kennedy argued science was always changing and that experts were divided on the issue. "No I don't trust authority. I need to see the detail. I need to see the science," he said as his comments were abruptly cut off.

Watch Russian Army's Skilled Hands Keeping Tanks & Military Vehicles in Tip Top Shape

©Sputnik / Go to the mediabank

Russia's MoD has shared some video footage showing how Russian maintenance and repair units from the Western Military District have been tirelessly laboring away to keep the equipment used during the ongoing Special Op in Ukraine in tip top shape.

These repair works are not limited to just maintenance specialists, as soldiers and volunteers also pitch in to ensure that the necessary fix-ups are made.

The video shows the repair efforts conducted on various Russian military vehicles, such as the Akatsiya SPH, T-72B3 main battle tanks, BMPs and many others

The round-the-clock repair work being carried out by these units is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the Russian military to keep their equipment in top-notch operating condition, even under the most challenging circumstances.

📹🇷🇺🔧 Russian military repair units from the Western Military District carry out round-the-clock repair work on equipment used in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine

In addition to maintenance specialists, tasks are carried out with the help of soldiers and volunteers. Special attention is paid to the maintenance and repair of weapons and special military equipment for troops operating at a significant distance from temporary deployment points.

Qualified servicemen perform restoration work of any complexity with the help of modern maintenance and repair vehicles.

🚁 The Russian National Guard recently upped the ante on their training regime by taking to the skies for a heart-pumping skydiving session

These skilled fighters took their training to new depths by completing underwater tasks after landing in the designated drop zone. They even tackled the challenge of descending from a helicopter via rope and put their diving prowess to the test.

📹 Russia's tank crews provide fire support to motorized riflemen, ensuring the advance of Russian troops in the zone of the special military operation

The Russian military disrupted the rotation of Ukrainian troops near four settlements in the DPR, killed up to 50 militants, RIA Novosti was told in the Russian Defense Ministry

Russian MoD briefing on progress of special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces destroyed up to 75 Ukrainian troops, two armored vehicles, a D-20 howitzer, and one ammunition depot;

▪️In the Krasny Liman direction, Ukrainian losses amounted to 85 servicemen and one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer;

▪️In the Donetsk direction, Russian forces destroyed more than 300 Ukrainian troops;

▪️In the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Ukrainian losses amounted to 40 soldiers and a D-30 howitzer;

▪️In the Kherson direction, Russian forces neutralized up to 65 Ukrainian troops, an Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and a D-30 howitzer;

▪️The actions of two Ukrainian sabotage groups were thwarted in the Kupyansk direction in the Kharkov region;

▪️Russian air defense systems also intercepted eight HIMARS and Uragan missiles, as well as five Ukrainian UAVs in the LPR, DPR, and Kharkov region.

Special operation, 27 April. Main:

▪️The Russian Defense Ministry reported that assault detachments captured four quarters of Artemovsk

▪️The defense department noted that at night a concentrated strike was carried out with high-precision sea-based weapons at the points of deployment of enemy reserves, the purpose of the strike was achieved

▪️In the Kupyansk direction, Kyiv lost up to 110 militants per day, over 400 in the Donetsk direction, more than 70 in the Krasnolymansk direction, up to 30 in the Yuzhnodonetsk and Zaporozhye directions, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

▪️Acting head of the DPR, Pushilin, said that all positions of Ukrainian troops in Maryinka came under the fire control of Russian forces, the vast majority of quarters were liberated

▪️The Russian military is ready for a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive, Pushilin added

▪️Ukrainian troops have stepped up the transfer of forces to the Zaporozhye direction, said a member of the main council of the administration of the Rogov region

▪️Minister of Defense of Ukraine Reznikov said that Kyiv is running out of missiles to Soviet air defense systems

▪️The head of the IAEA Grossi expressed hope that the security zone around the Zaporozhye NPP will be created before the end of the year.

Putin's key theses from the meeting on the development of the drone industry:

▪️Security and secrecy should not interfere with the development of the unmanned sphere

▪️The Ministry of Transport should prepare proposals for the subordination of the UAV industry to the Federal Air Transport Agency or propose ideas for creating a special body

▪️The release of promising UAVs should be put on stream

▪️Moscow's experience in the development of drones should be extended to other regions