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Jeddah– The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Dr. Muhammad bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser, received yesterday, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha.
The two sides discussed a number of issues in developing countries, such as climate change, food security and poverty alleviation, in addition to another important issues.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Riyadh, September 6, 2022, SPA — The Ministry of Health announced that the number of births in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia totaled 8,933 during the period spanning between 25/1/1444 and 3/2/1444 Hijri.
The ministry noted that the Riyadh Region topped regions with the number of births with 2,286, accounting for 25.5% of the total, followed by Makkah with 1,804 and the Eastern Region with 868.
The number of births in Najran reached 249, Asir 585, Hafr Al-Batin 205, Hael 192, Jazan 466, Tabouk 291 and Beisha 124 births.
Al-Madinah registered 636 births, Al-Qassim 511 and Al-Grayyat 104, while the Northern Borders witnessed 166 births, Al-Jouf 185, Al-Baha 109 and Al-Ahsa 351.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
SUMMER RAINS CONTINUE IN MANY AREAS
KEY POINTS
• Current situation: calm in all regions
• August: moderate to heavy rains continued summer breeding areas
• September: small-scale breeding will occur in summer breeding areas with above-normal rains
• October: potential locust increase in African Sahel, western Eritrea, Yemen, Indo-Pakistan border
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The Desert Locust situation continued to remain calm during August.
The Desert Locust situation continued to remain calm during August. Only low numbers of solitarious adults were seen in a few places in southeast Mauritania, Niger and Yemen. The seasonal rains continued in August in the summer breeding areas from Mauritania to Eritrea. Heavy rain fell in southeast Pakistan and in parts of the Red Sea coastal plains in Yemen and southwest Saudi Arabia as well as a few places in Sahel. Vegetation became green from the beginning of August in most places. During the forecast period, small-scale breeding will occur in the northern Sahel from Mauritania to western Eritrea and along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. It be also occurred near the Red Sea coastal of Yemen. This will cause locust numbers to increase slightly, but remain well below threatening levels.
Vigilance and regular surveys should be maintained in the summer breeding areas.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Riyadh– The Local Content Forum witnessed today 3 dialogue sessions, 4 workshops, 8 individual participations, and the signing of 10 cooperation agreements to develop local content in a number of sectors.
The first session reviewed the successful achievements and experiences in developing local content for companies that are members of the Local Content Coordination Council. During the second session, the participants emphasized that local content plays a clear role in highlighting the promising sectors and opportunities for entrepreneurs in developing local content, and providing them with investment opportunities.
The third session titled “Impact of Local Content on Enhancing the Strength of Supply Chains” dealt with the importance of content in enabling supply chains.
As part of the activities of the day two, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) signed several cooperation agreements to develop local content with a number of institutions, including Saudi Industrial Development Fund; Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, National Event Center; Sadara Chemical Company and Sudair Pharmaceutical Company. Saudi Cargo also signed a cooperation agreement with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at). Meanwhile, the Saudia Private Aviation signed agreements with Al-Salam Company, Altanfeethi Company, and the National Aviation Ground Support Company, in addition to signing a cooperation agreement between Huawei and FTI Consulting.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Riyadh, September 6, 2022, SPA — The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historical Mosques renewed mosques of Al-Qassim and Hail regions and restored their original values through renovating them according to old historical bases through rebuilding them with the latest architectural methods to protect them from old age and collapse.
Al-Ruwaibah Mosque in Bridah City in Al-Qassim Region is among top mosques targeted by the development through maintaining its material and spatial features that grant it a unique historical pattern and allow implementing additions and amendments that do not affect its characteristics and features.
The pre-renovation area of mosque, built according to the Najd pattern more than 130 years ago, was 203.93 square meters and will increase after renovation to 232.61 square meters, where its capacity will go up from 60 to 74 worshippers.
In the southwestern area of Hail Region, Faidat Athqab Mosque will be developed with the use of modern technologies and unseen methods that guarantee preserving the historical look of the mosque’s structure and its internal and external hallways.
The mosque is considered among the oldest in the region and was built at the Faidat Athqab center in 1365 Hijri by Sheikh Muhsen bin Shuwaile.
The pre-renovation area of the mosque stood at 403.43 square meters and will increase to 461.12 after renovation, where its capacity will stand at 199 worshippers after prayers were halted in it for 24 years.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project to develop historical mosques aims to rehabilitate and restore 130 historical mosques in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to highlight their civilizational and cultural dimensions by preserving their original urban characteristics.
A total of 30 mosques will be included in the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historical Mosques that covers all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where these mosques will be developed according to modern mechanisms that guarantee the quality of good material and architectural designs after conducting an accurate assessment of the history, characteristics and features of every mosque.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
In July 2022, 20,214 movements were observed at the Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) in Djibouti, representing a daily average of 652 movements. Migration flows decreased by 10 per cent compared to the month of June 2022, during which a total of 22,363 movements had been registered. It is worth highlighting that in July 2022 migration flows have dropped below pre-COVID-19 levels (between March 2019 and March 2020, the daily average was 654).
Of these 20,214 movements, 2,351 (12%) were observed in Obock. This coastal region of Djibouti is the main gateway for migrants going to and returning from the Arabian Peninsula. Migrants regroup at congregation points in the Obock region where they then cross the Gulf of Aden on boats along what is known as the Eastern route.
Compared to the period of January to July 2021, movements from Ethiopia have increased sharply by 62 per cent with 80,141 entries between January and July 2022. However, compared to June 2022, these movements decreased by 11 per cent in July 2022. In addition, 3,723 Ethiopians have returned from Yemen since January 2022. Between June 2022 and July 2022, these returns significantly decreased by 44 per cent. This sharp decrease may be attributed to the amplified surveillance operations by the Djiboutian coast guards in Obock.
Source: International Organization for Migration
Riyadh– King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) warned today against what some entities and associations do in trying to collect donations for the benefit of some countries, communities, institutions, or societies which are contrary to the instructions issued in this regard. The instructions stipulate that the KSrelief is the sole institution which is responsible for any relief, charitable or humanitarian donations coming from a public or private source and is tasked to deliver these donations to the needy abroad.
In a statement issued today, the KSrelief urged everyone not to respond to any pamphlets or footages broadcast on some media outlets or the social media platforms, as they might fall victims to suspicious operations that fall under money laundering or financing terrorism and others, adding that any donation has to go through KSrelief as it is the sole authorized body tasked with managing the donations.
The statement added that the center has set up an online portal to receive donations at the following address: (https://sahem.ksrelief.org), as well as via text messages on the number (5565), and donors can also send their donations directly to the center’s following bank accounts:
– Banque Saudi Fransi: SA5655000000099088000563
– Bank Albilad : SA8315000999126644880015
– Alinma Bank: SA5705000068222222207001
– Arab National Bank: SA4630400108095307050033
– Riyad Bank: SA5120000002283448399942
– Al Rajhi Bank: SA9280000470608017887770
The statement affirmed that the KSrelief is keen to deliver aid to its beneficiaries abroad in accordance with the highest professional standards and local and international financial transparency, adding that the center does not deduct any administrative expenses from donations. It disclosed that the center has so far worked in 86 countries in various sectors of humanitarian work. Those interested in more information can call 966920008554.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Riyadh– Dammam Valley in partnership with other investment partners, supported by Ministry of Investment, announced to acquire a majority stake in Arcensus GmbH/Germany.
The initiative for the take-over comes from the Kingdom’s aim to improve the global speed in implementing genomic testing for the early diagnosis of genetic diseases, mainly in cancer and rare genetic disorders. The financial investment led by Dammam Valley will allow Arcensus to speed up the penetration of the worldwide markets with its innovative solutions. It will be the backbone for developing a comprehensive multi-omic strategy.
CEO of Dammam Valley Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Olayan said, “This is an important step in our global healthcare strategy for Saudi Arabia, as we believe that the early diagnosis and preventive testing based on real-life genomic expertise with Whole Genome Sequencing is a key ingredient to accelerate the development of, and access to, new future treatments. As a leading technology company in genomic testing, Arcensus GmbH, founded by the visionary multi-entrepreneur, Dr. Arndt Rolfs, is best positioned to provide a deep understanding of bioinformatic technologies and data analytics infrastructure needed not only for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but for medical research and development efforts across the globe. A key principle of this is to preserve Arcensus´ autonomy. We are delighted that the founder of Arcensus, Dr. Arndt Rolfs, will continue to manage operations, sit on the board and remain a significant shareholder.”
Dr. Arndt Rolfs, Arcensus founder and CEO, said, “Dammam Valley will be a tremendous partner for the global expansion to us and shares our vision for building a worldwide healthcare platform in modern preventive medicine as well as early diagnostics of all genetic diseases. This important partnership will allow us to increase the investments in our modern technology and services platform, as well as our knowledge-based data extraction of the genomic data.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Dammam Valley along with other investors will make a double-digit million Euro payment on a fully diluted basis. The parties agree Arcensus to continue its current business model, a network of partnerships and overall objectives following the transaction’s closing. The integrity of the proprietary patient data will be maintained, as will the dedicated sales, marketing, and life sciences business activities.
Established in 2021, Dammam Valley is a semi-government Investment company, solely owned by Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. It strives to be a source and destination for biotechnology innovation and healthcare in the Middle East and is the Nation’s premier hub for evaluating and incubating biotech innovations. Aiming to stimulate investment, support projects, and forge quality partnerships in the fields of Health & Biotechnology, in addition to focusing on numerous other sustainable investments in various fields of interest.
Arcensus, founded by Dr. Arndt Rolfs, a multi-entrepreneur in biotechnology, CEO and founder of several innovative biotech companies, is a digital health and diagnostics company providing comprehensive genomic diagnostic services based on Whole Genome Sequencing. With a cross-functional, international team of geneticists, medical experts and data scientists, Arcensus, one of the world’s most innovative genetic biotechnology companies, offers its knowledge and bioinformatic expertise in genomic interpretation together with cutting-edge medical and preventive health applications. The management of Arcensus is convinced that with the worldwide implementation of Whole Genome Sequencing as the first line of genomic testing, the genomic era will start quickly and will conquer the molecular medicine market in a short time.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Cairo– Egyptian President Abdelfattah El-Sisi met today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently visiting Cairo.
During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments of the Palestinian cause and the overall situation, as well as the efforts exerted to support the Palestinian position.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Seoul, Sept. 6, 2022, SPA — Half of schools in South Korea were closed or shifted to online classes Tuesday in the aftermath of Typhoon Hinnamnor, the Yonhap quoted the education ministry as said.
The typhoon forced a total of 2,615 elementary and secondary schools nationwide, or 13.2 percent, to close on the day, while classes were conducted online at 7,348 schools, or 37 percent, the ministry said.
It noted 1,317 schools, or 6.6 percent, shortened school hours, while class proceeded normally at only 8,566 schools, or 43.2 percent.
By region, all schools in Busan and the adjacent South Gyeongsang Province, which were hit hardest by the super strong typhoon, switched to online classes.
In the nearby city of Ulsan, 383 schools, or 89.9 percent, were closed and online classes were conducted at 43 schools, the ministry said.
In Seoul, all kindergartens and elementary schools were closed for the day.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Riyadh– Six fighter jets – models F-15SE, Typhoon and F-15C – affiliated with the Royal Saudi Air Force accompanied the US strategic bomber B-52 while crossing the Saudi airspace.
This comes as part of joint action between the two air forces to enhance regional security and stability.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Riyadh– President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad received here today Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Kingdom of Bahrain Mohamed El Zarkani.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of common interest and ways of enhancing and developing them.
Source: Saudi Press Agency