Category: General

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Scientific Groups under the London Convention and London Protocol in London. The delegation was led by the Transport General Authority and supported by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The Scientific Groups for the London Convention and Protocol is a subsidiary body that convenes annually to offer guidance to the Contracting Parties on specific technical matters. It achieves this by proposing regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and tools aimed at promoting and facilitating the effective implementation of these international treaties. The outcomes of these meetings typically involve updating the definitions of the four marine geoengineering techniques prioritized for in-depth analysis, potentially for inclusion in Annex 4 of the London Protocol. Additionally, discussions may include consideration of possible awareness-raising activities regarding marine geoengineerin
g under the LC/LP framework. Furthermore, topics such as guidance on end-of-life management of FRP vessels and updates to the questionnaire on experiences with the application of CO2 Streams Assessment Guidelines may also be addressed.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah, Maqra’ Al-Haramayn is a distinguished global project to teach the Quran, orally, to all Muslims worldwide and to visitors to the two holy mosques or through an online service provided by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The service will teach correct reading and intonation, and follow up on the people’s memorization of the Quran in Arabic, English, Urdu, Indonesian, Malay, and Hausa.

Reputable Quran teachers then give beneficiaries of this service a certificate, which may be accessed through Maqra’ Al-Haramyn application, which aims to become a primary source of teaching the Quran.

The project also provides services such as reading principles, reading sessions, continuous assessment, and live feeds of reading sessions.

Those who are interested in the project may sign up through the website: https://dev.maqraa.com/en/ or the smartphone application.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Dublin, Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Ireland Abdulsalam bin Abdullah Al-Mushaiti today inaugurated an education integration program, which the Saudi Cultural Attaché Office in Dublin supervises.

Program Director Atallah Al-Qahtani and the volunteers working in the program showed how it serves Saudi citizens living in Ireland and the children of students on scholarship in this country.

The program simulates the Saudi school curriculum, instills Saudi values and principles, teaches the Quran, Arabic language, and the Kingdom’s history, and promotes patriotism.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah: Climate model simulations indicate an overall increase in total rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) found in a climate research study.

The frequency of heavy rainfall events is expected to rise in areas of Madinah, Al-Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Region, Makkah, Asir, Jazan, and the western parts of Najran under medium and high climate scenarios for the near future (2021-2040), the NCM says.

Moreover, the increase in heavy rainfall events is projected to continue during the middle and end of the current century under medium and high scenarios.

The study predicts a higher frequency of heavy rainfall occurrences (25 to 30 events) in the case of high scenarios during the last two decades of the current century in the Kingdom’s southwestern regions.

The study has revealed a notable rise in rainfall rates and amounts in specific regions of the Kingdom, while other areas experience a decrease.

The NCM highlights increased heavy rainfall along the western
coast of the Red Sea, followed by the eastern side of the Kingdom along the Arabian Gulf coast and the southwestern regions.

The study found unprecedented rainfall intensity within a short period, noting that analysis of rainfall data in cities such as Abha, Jeddah, and Riyadh indicates that recurring rainfall intensities every 10 years reach 113, 56, and 33 mm/day, respectively.

Over a 50-year period, these intensities reach 45, 86, and 169 mm/day, respectively, while intensities recurring every 100 years reach about 192, 99, and 50 mm/day.

These findings support impact, adaptation, and resilience studies in various sectors, including disaster management in the Kingdom. They are beneficial for long-term national planning by decision-makers and stakeholders to promote sustainable development in the country.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness reviewed the strength of the Bahrain-US partnership, highlighting the importance of bolstering joint coordination to achieve common goals and interests.

Regional and global issues of common interest were also discussed, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in the Gaza Strip. On the Gaza conflict, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister underscored the Kingdom of Bahrain’s firm stance toward the Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to reaching a peaceful, lasting, and fair solution in support of Palestinians’ legitimate right to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad further outlined the importance of protecting civilian lives and de-escalating violence, which threatens regional security and stability.

Also during the call His Royal Highness and the Secretary discussed how cooperation under the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SI
PA) continues to strengthen the strategic partnership between Bahrain and the United States.

For his part, the US Secretary of State expressed his appreciation for Bahrain’s contributions to maritime security.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Diyala Police arrested 4 people accused of theft crimes in the governorate.

A security source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that the police, through the security practices implemented in Baqubah and its environs, arrested four people accused of various theft crimes. The accused were referred to the judicial authorities to receive their just punishment.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Head of the Turkish Economics and Businessmen Union, Nael Olbak, stressed the importance of strengthening joint trade and investment cooperation between Iraq and Turkey.

Olbak said, during the activities of the Iraqi-Turkish Economic Forum, which began on Monday afternoon in the capital, Baghdad, ‘We are working to strengthen relations in all fields between Iraq and Turkey, because Iraq is an important country for us and we value the strengthening of relations between the two countries.’

He explained, “We signed 24 memorandums and joint trade and economic agreements out of 26 agreements between Iraq and Turkey.”

He added, “The trade and energy exchange between Iraq and Turkey is one of many factors that help strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries,” expressing his hope that these meetings will bear fruit quickly.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Hebron – Ma’an – Today, Monday, police were able to arrest a wanted man for his involvement in dozens of theft crimes over the past years in Hebron Governorate.

Police media spokesman, Colonel Louay Irziqat, explained that this person is linked to dozens of theft crimes that occurred in several areas of Hebron Governorate, including homes, commercial stores, vehicles, homes under construction, and public parks. He managed to escape for 5 years, and 12 judicial warrants and arrest warrants were issued against him. Attorney general.

Colonel Arziqat added that during a monitoring and follow-up operation by the Nuba Police Station in the governorate police, this person was arrested during an elaborate ambush in the center of the town.

Colonel Arziqat confirmed his reservation until he is referred to the competent authority to follow up on the necessary legal procedures against him.

Source: Maan News Agency

Riyadh: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the authorization to commence operating regular flights, for passengers, between the Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China, directed from Shanghai to Riyadh during the summer season of 2024, with 3 flights per week starting from April 27th.

This step comes within the framework of the GACA’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and expand the air transport network, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 to make the Kingdom a global logistics hub, open up new travel horizons, and align with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Gaza – Together – The World Health Organization said on Monday that Kamal Adwan Hospital did not receive the fuel and medical supplies it was supposed to receive, for the second time within a week.

The organization added that the entry of humanitarian aid and missions into the Gaza Strip must be ensured in a safe, sustainable and smooth manner.

She confirmed: We and our partners were unable to complete our mission at Kamal Adwan Hospital due to the long inspection period.

Source: Maan News Agency

Muscat, Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) received Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, Operation Commander of the European Union’s Naval Mission (ASPIDES), and the military delegation accompanying him.

The two sides exchanged views and discussed a set of matters of common interest, particularly in maritime areas.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense, Jabbar Thajil Mutlaq, received in his office at the Ministry’s headquarters, yesterday evening, Sunday, the Secretary-General of Pakistani Defense Production, Lieutenant General Muhammad Chirag Haider and his accompanying delegation, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two sides.

At the beginning of the meeting, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defense, the Secretary-General praised Pakistan’s position in support of Iraq at the military level.

For his part, the head of the delegation extended his thanks and appreciation to the Secretary-General for enhancing the depth of cultural ties between Iraq and Pakistan, with an emphasis on continuing joint and fruitful cooperation with the institutions of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in all fields.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency