Gosaibi wins thinker of the year prize

Dr. Ghazi Al Gosaibi, the Saudi ambassador to Britain, has won the top prize in the Ali and Othman Hafez journalism awards. He has been selected thinker of the year for 1996 by the prize's board of trustees.

The value of the prize for the best thinker was increased by Prince Ahmedibn Salman, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group, from $10,000 US to $20,000 US as a gesture of his support to the prize and its objectives. The value of prizes in other branches was also increased from $5,000 US to $10,000 US.

According to a press statement issued by the board, the prizes will be distributed at a colorful function in Jeddah by the end of November. It said the board had reviewed more than 250 nominations for the prizes.