Category: General

The Egyptian Syndicate of Acting Professions mourned today, Friday, the artist Salah Al-Saadani, who died at the age of 81 years.

Salah Al-Saadani was born on October 23, 1943, into a family of rural origins. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, and he is the brother of the writer Mahmoud Al-Saadani.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Egyptian President, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, for the gracious welcome and hospitality accorded to HM while on a visit to Egypt, reflecting the strength of the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.

While departing Egypt, HM the King expressed deepest pride in his talks with President El Sisi on ways to bolster bilateral cooperation across various fields to serve common interests, the agenda of the 33rd Arab Summit to be hosted by the kingdom, the latest regional developments and the challenges facing the Arab Nation, in addition to the ongoing Arab and global efforts to establish peace, security and stability across the region, de-escalate the situation, support endeavours to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, particularly their right to establish their independent Palestinian state.

His Majesty commended the dedicated
efforts exerted by HE President El Sisi to lead efforts to establish peace in the region, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza, and prevent the forced displacement of the Palestinians from their lands, as well as his firm stance in support of preserving Arab national security, protecting Arab interests and enhancing joint Arab action.

HM the King prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless President El Sisi with abundant health, happiness and long life, wishing him continued success, and Egypt further progress and prosperity.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

On Friday, the Israeli occupation forces arrested a child from Ain Al-Sultan camp, north of the city of Jericho.

The director of the Prisoner Club in Jericho, Eid Barahma, said that forces arrested the child Ghazi Shehada Youssef Abu Al-Hayja (17 years old), after arresting him at a military checkpoint south of the city of Jericho

Source: Maan News Agency

The UAE expressed its deep concern over ongoing regional tensions, and has called for refraining from any steps that further exacerbate escalation in the region.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE called for exercising the utmost restraint in order to avoid serious repercussions, and the region being pulled into new levels of instability.

The Ministry affirmed the importance of reaching substantial solutions to the ongoing disputes and crises in the region aimed at de-escalating tensions, in addition to resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic channels, and for adhering to the rule of law and respecting the United Nations Charter.

The Ministry reiterated its call on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to fulfill their responsibilities to enhance international peace and security by resolving long-standing issues and conflicts in the region that threaten global security and stability.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Dammam, The delegation of the Saudi handball team arrived yesterday in the United Arab Emirates to take part in the first edition of the GCC Youth Games, which will be held from 20 to 26 April 2024, at the Bataeh Club hall in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The list of the national team participating in the tournament included 18 players.

Six teams will participate in the tournament: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Singapore, The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) participated in Singapore Maritime Week 2024, held from April 15 to 19.

During the event, TGA showcased an introductory pavilion that introduced its role in the maritime transport sector and the facilities it provides to individuals and companies operating in this sector.

The authority also highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s achievements in the maritime sector, including its win of membership in the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the years 2024-2025.

Additionally, the number of Saudi sailors increased by 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The Kingdom was also awarded the Maritime Quality Certificate for the twenty-first century.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Madinah, The Islamic University of Madinah is taking part in the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland, between April 17 and 21, 2024.

Sponsored by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the exhibition features over 1,000 cutting-edge inventions from 40 countries.

The university showcased its innovative spirit by presenting a patented invention titled “A System for Producing Thin Films of Nickel-Doped Tin Oxide for Photochemical Hydrogen Generation”, the result of dedicated research at the university, made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education’s Institutional Funding Program.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Egyptian President, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, for the gracious welcome and hospitality accorded to HM while on a visit to Egypt, reflecting the strength of the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.

While departing Egypt, HM the King expressed deepest pride in his talks with President El Sisi on ways to bolster bilateral cooperation across various fields to serve common interests, the agenda of the 33rd Arab Summit to be hosted by the kingdom, the latest regional developments and the challenges facing the Arab Nation, in addition to the ongoing Arab and global efforts to establish peace, security and stability across the region, de-escalate the situation, support endeavours to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, particularly their right to establish their independent Palestinian state.

His Majesty commended the dedicated
efforts exerted by HE President El Sisi to lead efforts to establish peace in the region, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza, and prevent the forced displacement of the Palestinians from their lands, as well as his firm stance in support of preserving Arab national security, protecting Arab interests and enhancing joint Arab action.

HM the King prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless President El Sisi with abundant health, happiness and long life, wishing him continued success, and Egypt further progress and prosperity.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, has announced the launch of two new initiatives to support the UAE community in the wake of the recent weather conditions in the country. In a swift and effective response to support the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Crisis and Emergency Management in Dubai and in coordination with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority in Dubai, the Group is allocating AED 17 million from the legacy of the late Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi to repair damage to the homes of Emirati families, in addition to providing hotel rooms at the Group’s hotels to accommodate affected families, and a number of Emirati families from Dubai whose homes were damaged have already been hosted at the Group’s hotels in Al Habtoor City.

These initiatives are part of Khalaf Al Habtoor’s ongoing commitment to support the UAE community in times of crisis, highlighting the important role that private organisations play in helping those affected and lending a helping hand during diffi
cult times.

In addition, Al Habtoor Group has collaborated with the Dubai Community Development Authority (DCDA) to host weddings for residents of Al Lisaili as part of the ‘Dubai Weddings’ program at the Habtoor Grand Hotel in Jumeirah. The collaboration comes to avoid postponing any scheduled ceremony due to the effects of the recent weather conditions.

Commenting on the recent events, Khalaf Al Habtoor expressed his deepest solidarity with the affected families, emphasizing that the goal of these efforts is to “ensure that every family affected by the emergency is safe and stable and can get their lives back on track as quickly as possible.”

“Within our modest means, we stand side by side with government agencies and charitable organisations to face the challenges posed by nature and promote the spirit of cooperation and solidarity that is one of the core values of the UAE society,” he added.

Khalaf Al Habtoor’s initiative in July 2022, which provided 300 hotel rooms to shelter families affected by the
rains and floods in the Eastern Province, is part of the group’s ongoing series of measures to help those affected in the UAE. The capacity of these rooms exceeded 600 people, emphasizing the Al Habtoor Group’s pioneering role in supporting the community and providing assistance in times of need.

Al Habtoor is committed to continue these efforts, expressing its full solidarity with UAE families and emphasizing its readiness to provide whatever is necessary to ensure that these crises are overcome safely and securely, in line with the values of brotherhood and solidarity embodied by the UAE.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. George Kallas, on Friday left Beirut bound for Cairo, at the head of a delegation from the ministry, at the invitation of the Arab Federation for Sports Culture (ASCA).

The Federation is headed by Egyptian media figure Ashraf Mahmud.

Minister Kallas will participate in the annual ceremony to be held by the Arab Federation tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, where he will receive the ‘Arab Sports Culture Award for Youth Initiatives for the Year 2023,’ which was won by ‘Beirut, Capital of Youth 2023.’

Kallas is scheduled to meet with the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Head of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, and senior officials in the League of Arab States.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Washington: The National Competitiveness Center and the World Bank Group announced today in Washington their intention to establish a knowledge centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This move is part of both sides’ efforts to spread the culture of economic reforms globally.

The Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Competitiveness Center (NCC), Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, pointed out during the announcement, which was attended by the Kingdom’s Ambassador to the USA, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the President of the Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and the Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, Dr. Indermit Gill.

This occasion confirms the great progress achieved by the Kingdom in global competitiveness reports and indicators, which resulted from the economic reforms implemented with the support and directives of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Crown Prince and Prime Mi
nister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He added that establishing the knowledge centre would pave the way for further regional and global cooperation in competitiveness. It will allow the Kingdom to benefit from its experience in implementing economic reforms and their impact on enhancing its competitiveness, in addition to the World Bank’s expertise that extends for more than 50 years.

The WB chose the Kingdom as a knowledge centre to spread the culture of economic reforms globally due to its pioneering experience over the past seven years in implementing economic reforms, during which an integrated business model was framed that led to high effectiveness in achieving the goals of the reforms and raising rates of commitment to them, which made the international organization choose it to be a partner. Its experience would constitute a path that would benefit other countries around the world seeking to enhance their competitive capabilities.

The Knowledge Centre, whose preparation work is being undertaken b
y a founding committee that includes the Ministries of Finance, Economy, and Planning and several relevant government agencies, is part of a continuous cooperation between the two sides to develop economic reforms based on the best international business practices and complete the journey of enhancing competitiveness.

The Kingdom, which began in 2019 with the establishment of the National Competitiveness Center, its organizational affiliation with the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and the later establishment of subcommittees focusing on facilitating business in vital and promising sectors, which contributed to the completion of the centre through integration with relevant government agencies of more than 800 reforms.

Dr. Al-Qasabi held meetings with the President of the World Bank Group and the group’s senior experts on the sidelines of the announcement event, which dealt with the latest initiatives led by the WB to facilitate cross-border trade by simplifying trade procedures and customs reg
ulations in addition to discussing ways to benefit from the recommendations and visions included in the reports issued by the Bank improves systems and procedures to enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of the business environment in the Kingdom.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation pulled off a logistical feat, transforming the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center into a world-class equestrian hub in just 35 days.

This impressive turnaround ensured that the venue met the rigorous standards of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and delivered a stage befitting the prestigious Show Jumping and Dressage World Cup, which started on April 17.

The newly named “Arena” serves as the tournament’s nerve center, encompassing competition areas, spectator stands, horse stables, and a dedicated events village. The competition fields, boasting a floor weight of 2.5 tons, are a marvel of engineering – a carefully calibrated mix of fiber, light sand, and specialized materials. This innovative blend ensures optimal footing for both riders and horses, maximizing safety and performance.

Every aspect adheres to meticulously defined FEI specifications, overseen by qualified soil experts. The main competition field sprawls across 3,
400 square meters, while warm-up areas add an additional 4,600 square meters of training space.

The organizers did not overlook aesthetics either, equipping the enclosed arena with cutting-edge lighting that meets FEI requirements, including dedicated illumination for the opening and closing ceremonies. A colossal 56-square-meter screen situated in the main square ensures that spectators do not miss a single moment of the action.

Horse Haven Established:

Understanding the crucial role of equine comfort, the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation built dedicated stables for participating horses. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a spacious 2,700 square meters and features 81 individual horse stalls, each a generous 12 square meters. These comfortable boxes are equipped with specialized flooring and a unique rotating mechanism, allowing for optimal horse movement within the confines of the stables.

The Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation’s commitment to excellence shines through in this remarkable feat. The
rapid and meticulous preparation has laid the groundwork for a successful World Cup event, showcasing the Kingdom’s dedication to equestrian sports on the world stage.

The competition, which ends today, April 19, featured a stellar lineup of 51 riders of both genders and 60 horses, representing 24 countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency