Category: General

Riyadh– The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed here today a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jahez company, which is specialized in providing delivery services for restaurants and cafés. Through the MoU, the TDF will provide its financing solutions and provide the opportunity to obtain financing and investment facilities for Jahez clients of micro and small enterprises, which amount to more than 45,000 facilities operating in the restaurants and cafés sector, with the aim of expanding its activities in the targeted tourist areas and destinations, and to ensure its sustainability and business continuity in those areas, in accordance with the National Tourism Strategy.

The MoU was signed in the presence of the TDF’s CEO, Qusay bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, and the CEO of Jahez, Eng. Ghasab Al-Mandeel. This signing comes within the framework of the TDF’s keenness to develop tourism projects in the Kingdom, and to support and encourage the private sector, especially micro and small enterprises, which constitute more than 90% of the tourism sector, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy, and developing tourist destinations that enjoy competitive advantages, in accordance with the national goals of tourism and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

On this occasion, Al-Fakhri, said: “The signing of the MoU with Jahez reflects the keenness of the TDF to support, empower and encourage the private sector, especially micro and small enterprises, by facilitating procedures, providing financing solutions and providing the necessary support to ensure business sustainability, in order to achieve the National Tourism Strategy and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

For his part, Eng. Ghasab Al-Mandeel, said: “By signing the MoU with the TDF, we hope to provide everything possible to enhance the role of the restaurants and cafés in tourism sector in the Kingdom, support investors and enable them to expand their activities in tourist destinations, and encourage them to continue and progress”.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Beijing– More than 100,000 people have been moved to safer areas by Monday as heavy rains brought flood risks to a region of southwest China that was devastated by a heatwave and drought for most of the summer, the Associated Press reported.

Heavy rain was forecast for parts of Sichuan province and Chongqing city through at least Tuesday. Chongqing, a megacity built in a hilly area and that also oversees the surrounding mountains and countryside, issued a flash flood warning for both days.

The Sichuan emergency management administration said Monday that 119,000 people have been evacuated. One village under the jurisdiction of Guangyuan city recorded 18.8 centimeters (7.4 inches) of rain, state broadcaster CCTV said. The city was one of two in Sichuan most affected by the drought.

A national level IV emergency response for floods, the lowest in a four-tier system, is in effect in Sichuan, Chongqing and neighboring Gansu and Shaanxi provinces to the north. The hard, sunbaked soil left by the heatwave increases the risk of natural disasters when it rains, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The shift in the weather brought some relief from the heat, and full power was restored to factories in Sichuan after two weeks of restrictions stemming from reduced hydropower output.

The rain should help farmers whose rice, spicy Sichuan peppers and other crops were withering during an extended drought that reduced community reservoirs to mostly cracked earth.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– A number of International falconers expressed their happiness to attend the International Auction of Falcon Farms, which provides an opportunity for them to meet the Saudi falconers, noting that this international auction is a window with economic prospects to display their falcons to all falconers in the region.

It is worth mentioning that the International Auction of Falcon Farms, which is being organized by the Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh until 3 September, 2022, has allocated an entire area with platforms for the farms participating in the auction to display their falcons.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Madinah– Since the start of the Umrah season, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah has received more than 100,000 Umrah performers from several nationalities until yesterday.

According to statistics issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, 268,529 Umrah performers have arrived through air crossings since the start of Umrah season. Moreover, nine land crossings have received 29,689 Umrah performers.

A total of 5,452 Umrah performers have arrived in Madinah, bringing the total number to 101,109, while 22,509 left Al-Madinah to their countries.

The statistics also revealed the nationalities of Umrah performers arriving in Madinah, showing that Indonesians are top with 127,789, followed by 90,253 Umrah performers from the Republic of Pakistan, 54,287 from India, 36,457 from Iraq, 22,224 from Yemen, and 12,959 from Jordan, in addition to other numbers of Umrah performers of various nationalities.

Stakeholders in Madinah provide all their potential and field personnel around the clock to keep pace with welcoming Umrah performers. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque also exerts great efforts in developing the services provided to Umrah performers and visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jakarta– A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island, the third tremor to rattle the area since early Monday, Reuters quoted to the country’s geophysics agency as said.

Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency (BMKG) recorded the shallow quake off the Mentawai islands, off Sumatra’s west coast just before 10.30 a.m. and said it did not trigger a tsunami warning.

Three consecutive earthquakes struck the area with increasing intensity since the early hours of Monday, with a 5.2-magnitude tremor recorded before dawn, followed by a 5.4-magnitude quake less than an hour later.

The 6.4-magnitude earthquake was felt strongly for several seconds by residents in the Mentawai islands, in the provincial capital of Padang, and in the surrounding mountainous area of Bukitinggi, the disaster agency said in a statement.

The agency said there were no reports of casualties but there was minor damage to buildings on Siberut island.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah, Aug. 28, 2022, SPA — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of condolence and sympathy to President Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the victims of floods that swept a number of regions in his country, killing and injuring scores of people.

In his cable, the King expressed profound sorrow and sincere sympathy to the President of Pakistan, families of the deceased and the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, wishing the deceased Allah Almighty’s mercy and forgiveness, their relatives every patience, and the injured a speedy recovery and appealing to Allah Almighty to preserve the President and people of Pakistan against any harm.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Tokyo– Asian shares declined Monday after the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated high interest rates will continue for some time to curb inflation, the Associated Press reported.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 2.7% in afternoon trading to 27,881.87. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 2.0% to 6,965.50. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 2.2% to 2,427.28. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid 0.8% to 20,004.49, while the Shanghai Composite recouped earlier losses to inch up less than 0.1% at 3,237.82.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude rose 67 cents to $93.73 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, added 36 cents to $101.35 a barrel.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar rose to 138.80 Japanese yen from 137.75 yen. The euro was little changed at 99 cents.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah at the headquarters of KSrelief in Riyadh today met with Pakistani Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ameer Khurram Rathore.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interests related to humanitarian and relief affairs.

Rathore expressed his admiration of the role of KSrelief in the humanitarian field and its intensified endeavors to help peoples and needy countries around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– Adviser at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah has inaugurated, at KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh, the second phase of the emergency intervention to provide relief to the Somali people to help reduce the effects of the drought and famine currently facing the Republic of Somalia.

In a speech he delivered at the inauguration, Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that based on Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stand with affected peoples who need great humanitarian aid, and in continuation of the role of KSrelief in preventing the spread of famine in Somalia, which led to the displacement of the population due to drought and severe food shortages, the first phase provided SAR 27 million to address the famine and limit its effects.

He added that under the generous directives of the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to stand with the needy and affected countries, we are launching the second phase of urgent intervention to contribute to cover the humanitarian needs of people affected by drought in Somalia, with SAR 47,214,000 to support food and nutrition programs for children, provision of water and shelter for displaced people and emergency programs to save lives.

These efforts are in line with the Kingdom’s support to countries and peoples that are exposed to disasters and humanitarian crises. It shows the care given by the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince to support noble humanitarian action and relieve the suffering countries and peoples.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah extended thanks and appreciation to all donors and supporters, asking Allah Almighty to reward them and to protect this country, its leadership and people.

This support also comes as an extension of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts toward other countries in times of crises and adversities.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, has sent a cable of condolence and sympathy to President Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the victims of floods that swept a number of regions in his country, killing and injuring scores of people.

In his cable, HRH Crown Prince expressed profound sorrow and sincere sympathy to the President and families of the deceased, wishing the deceased Allah Almighty’s forgiveness, and the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund approved almost $1.2 billion for Pakistan Monday, providing much-needed relief as the country grapples with an economic crisis worsened by massive floods.

“Pakistan’s economy has been buffeted by adverse external conditions, due to spillovers from the war in Ukraine, and domestic challenges,” Antoinette Sayeh, IMF deputy managing director and acting chair said in a statement.

Criticizing government policies that caused “uneven and unbalanced growth,” Sayeh stressed Pakistan must implement “corrective policies and reforms” to regain economic stability, and inclusive and sustainable growth.

The loan approval comes as Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves stand at a mere $13.5 billion, as of August 19 according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Weekly inflation touched 45% in August, according to government data, with prices of food and fuel skyrocketing.

Announcing the board’s decision on Twitter, Miftah Ismail, Pakistan’s finance minister, congratulated the nation and thanked prime minister Shahbaz Sharif, “for taking so many tough decisions and saving Pakistan from default.” The $1.17 billion is part of a $6 billion loan program agreed upon in 2019.

Alhamdolillah the IMF Board has approved the revival of our EFF program. We should now be getting the 7th & 8th tranche of $1.17 billion. I want to thank the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz for taking so many tough decisions and saving Pakistan from default. I congratulate the nation.

However, the funding may not be enough to pull Pakistan out of its deep economic crisis, as the country is dealing with some of the worst floods in over a decade. Since June, according to disaster managements agencies, countrywide rains and flooding have killed over 1,136 people, “badly affected” more than 33 million others and devastated crops.

The extent of the monsoon disaster, estimated to have caused around $5 billion in damage, prompted the government to declare a national emergency and appeal to the international community for aid last week.

The IMF statement did not make any mention of the economic fallout of the floods. It welcomed Pakistan’s plan to achieve a small budget surplus, calling it critical to contain spending and generate more tax revenues.

The loan approval from the IMF’s executive board comes after tough negotiations between the Fund’s staff and Pakistani officials. Before staff-level approval in July, the global lender had demanded Pakistan raise electricity and fuel rates, do away with many subsidies, let the open market determine the value of its currency which sent the rupee into a tailspin, and fill a budgetary shortfall of nearly $4 billion.

Drama at home

While Pakistan took austerity measures and managed to secure billions in financial commitments from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, last-minute developments at home created concerns about Pakistan’s ability to unlock the IMF’s aid.

Under the IMF deal, all four provinces of Pakistan agreed to show a budget surplus this year. However, in a letter to finance minister Ismail, the finance minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province run by ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI party, refused to meet the condition, citing flood damages and other outstanding financial issues with the federal government. Ismail called it a “conspiracy against Pakistan.”

On Monday, two audio clips began circulating in the media in which Khan’s former finance minister is allegedly heard asking the current finance ministers of Punjab and KP, both provinces run by PTI, to decline to show budget surplus in a bid to pressure Sharif’s government.

While the authenticity of the leaked audio clips is yet to be established, PTI leadership defended the conversations in a news conference Monday, calling it “advice.” In a separate news conference, finance minister Ismail criticized the PTI, saying “after God, [the] IMF program is the one support” for Pakistan that is drowned in floodwaters.

The IMF granted Pakistan’s waivers for nonobservance of some performance criteria. In a tweet Ismail thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE for helping bridge funding gaps to revive the IMF program. He also thanked the U.S., Turkey, EU and others for their support.

Source: Voice of America

Riyadh– Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, stressed the importance of global forums that contribute to enhancing awareness of the importance of rapprochement, understanding, and cooperation between nations and peoples, and confronting slogans of hatred and racism.

In a speech he delivered at the Rimini Forum hosted by Italy, he stressed that the general values that represent the moral commonalities between human beings are a reflection of some effects of the innate in every human being, adding that this instinct in its full meaning means the instinct of faith in every human soul.

Dr. Al-Issa criticized the theory of the inevitable clash of civilizations, warning that ignoring the moral commonalities between humans leads to such a theory, which gave birth to extremist ideologies.

He pointed out that the MWL and its partners around the world have announced the “Alliance of Civilizations”, to be an alternative to the clash of civilizations, and the United Nations has recently realized the importance of this matter and has established an international organization for that.

He stressed that the issue of freedom represents a basic foundation in religious and human values, reiterating that the true meaning of freedom depends on the laws of countries and their societal values, calling for the need to distinguish between freedom and chaos.

He also indicated that this is what social media officials recently have realized, as they started taking action against any account that used lies and spreads fake news that offends and violates the meaning of freedom by alerting or temporarily suspending, then eventually closing their accounts.

Source: Saudi Press Agency