Category: General

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah lauded today’s GCC-Central Asia Summit in Jeddah, emphasizing its significant contribution to bolstering the relationship between the two sides. The summit exemplifies the mutual eagerness to strengthen brotherly ties across various domains, stressed the Kuwaiti crown prince.

During his speech at the summit, Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah conveyed the greetings of Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to the Saudi leadership. He expressed optimism that the summit would enhance the strategic partnership between the two sides, building upon the outcomes of the Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Central Asian Countries on 7 September and the adoption of the joint action plan.

He expressed his aspiration for the summit to foster greater cooperation in political, security, economic, cultural, scientific, and commercial realms, emphasizing the importance of continuous consultations with partners to sustain collaboration across all fields, ensuring security, stability, and prosperity.

The Kuwaiti crown prince commended the steadfast positions of the Central Asian countries on just international issues, acknowledging the GCC countries’ deep appreciation for such stances. He also praised the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the Central Asian countries and the GCC nations in establishing regional security and stability foundations.

Additionally, Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah expressed admiration for the Central Asian countries’ approaches towards Islamic, Arab, regional, and international matters, expressing confidence in their commitment to bolstering the security and independence of GCC states.

Addressing the current circumstances, the Kuwaiti crown prince stated that they necessitate increased efforts and coordination at the regional level. He highlighted the crucial role of cooperation between the GCC and Central Asian countries as key partners in enhancing security, stability, and development in the region.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

A delegation from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology met here today with several Chinese technology companies.

The delegation is headed by Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology.

The meetings discussed possibilities of cooperation and partnership with leading Chinese companies in the fields of space, data hosting and processing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and electronic chips.

Further, the meeting reviewed means of boosting the investments of Chinese technology companies in Oman.

Incentives and facilities offered by Oman’s government in the field of communications and information technology were also highlighted during the meeting.

Source: Oman News Agency

During his address at the GCC-Central Asia Summit held in Jeddah today, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, emphasized the strong relations existing between the Central Asian countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The President extended congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the successful Hajj season of 1444 Hijri, acknowledging its significance.

Furthermore, President Rahmon highlighted the crucial importance of enhancing cooperation in various domains such as trade, culture, and other areas of mutual interest, especially in the context of the joint action plan for the period 2023-2027. He emphasized that this cooperation would lay a solid foundation for implementing projects and achieving shared goals.

In this regard, the President stressed the significance of utilizing the capabilities of financial institutions in GCC countries, including the development funds in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. He also mentioned specific institutions like the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the Sheikh Zayed Foundation, and the Islamic Development Bank, as vital contributors to achieving these objectives.

President Rahmon reiterated his support for all political and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving issues in Afghanistan and launching initiatives to provide humanitarian aid to its people. He expressed Tajikistan’s full readiness to cooperate with the GCC countries in these endeavors.

Additionally, the President expressed gratitude for the GCC’s support of Tajikistan’s global initiatives and conveyed his anticipation for future cooperation in resolving water-related issues.

Finally, President Emomali Rahmon extended his thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for skillfully organizing the summit, anticipating that it would open doors for bilateral and multilateral relations while further enhancing cooperation between the nations involved.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The bilateral ties and means of blustering cooperation to overcome the joint challenges were discussed by Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Iranian Minister of Justice Amin Hossein Rahimi.

That came Wednesday during a meeting brought the two ministers together in Damascus.

The latest developments on the regional and international arena were addressed by the two sides, as well as the necessity to boost the bilateral relations.

Minister Mikdad hailed Iran’s stance by side Syria against violating the international law by the Western states and their attempts to subjugate other states to thier domestic laws.

The need to strengthen the joint work and the consistent coordination in all domains were underlined by Minister Rahimi who praised the high level of the cooperation existing between the two ministries of Justice in the two countries.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Israeli entity insists on committing terrorist crimes to express its failure, along with its terrorist tools represented by ISIS and al-Nusra Front, to weakens Syria and its people, Foreign and Expatiates Ministry said in a statement.

“Syria condemns in the strongest possible terms the Israeli aggression on points in the surrounding of Damascus, calling on the UN and the Security Council to resume their responsibilities in condemning such aggressions and to immediately act to oblige Israel to stop these criminal policies” the Ministry added.

The statement reiterated “Syria calls on the Western states that back Israeli occupation to allow the Security Council to exercise its responsibilities in maintaining the international peace and security and taking all what is required to put an end to the crimes of the occupation , hold it responsible and punish it in order not to commit such hostilities again.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

A force from the 28th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces carried out today, a security operation in Khanaqin district, north of Diyala Governorate.

The Popular Mobilization media stated: “The force carried out operations in several areas and villages in Khanaqin, north of Diyala Governorate, at a distance of 10 kilometers.”

He added: “These security operations aim to maintain a state of security and stability in all areas of the province.”/ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Launching ceremony of Beirut Capital of Arab Youth at the Grand Serail. Panel discussion with Caretaker Minister for the Displaced, Issam Charafeddine, on the repercussion of the Syrians’ displacement and the ministry’s repatriation plan, at the invitation of Shemlan Culture Forum.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Caretaker Cabinet will hold successive sessions to discuss the draft state budget, with the first session scheduled for upcoming Monday at 3 p.m. The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers received the draft budget from the Ministry of Finance on Monday afternoon.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, met at his Maarab residence on Tuesday with Deputy House Speaker Elias Bou Saab, in the presence of MP Melhem Riachy. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Bou Saab said that “talks focused on the possibility of holding dialogue or discussions between the parties or blocs.” He added that he has sensed that Geagea is not convinced about a traditional dialogue table but that he insists on reaching a solution to end the presidential vacuum. He also said that the LF leader is “open to any consultation or communication with all parties without any exception.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Long buried under the woods of west central Louisiana, stone tools, spearpoints and other evidence of people living in the area as long as 12,000 years ago have become more exposed and vulnerable, due to hurricanes, flooding and looters.

This summer, archaeologists have been gingerly digging up the ground at the Vernon Parish site in the Kisatchie National Forest. They have been sifting through dirt to unearth and preserve the evidence of prehistoric occupation of the area.

“The site appears to have been continuously occupied throughout prehistory, as evidenced by a wide range of stone tools and pottery dating to each Native American cultural era up to European contact,” the US Forest Service said in a news release.

The site was found by surveyors in 2003, according to the Forest Service. After hurricanes Laura and Delta uprooted trees, disturbing and exposing some of the artifacts, Kisatchie National Forest officials used hurricane relief money to begin salvage excavations to learn more about the site, and to preserve it.

The salvaged artifacts will be sorted, catalogued and examined as researchers at the archaeology lab seek to make determinations about past cultures at the site.

Source: Oman News Agency

Acting in cooperation with Oman Investment Authority (OIA), Oman Airports carried out, today, a public awareness campaign about in-country value (ICV).

The event, held at Muscat International Airport, highlighted benefits to be gained from applying ICV programmes in contracts and procurement deals by local companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the community at large.

The campaign was also aimed at encouraging the purchase of local products and the recruitment of local service providers.

Source: Oman News Agency

Asyad Drydock, part of Asyad Group, announced the successful application of high-quality nano-epoxy silicone coating on Asyad Shipping’s Ultramax bulk carrier “Jabal Al Kawr”. The brand-new coating technology was first applied by Asyad Drydock on Minoa Marine’s “MV Julia” earlier this year.

Capitalizing on Asyad Drydock’s premium ship-servicing capabilities and state-of-the-art technologies, Asyad Shipping commissioned the application of the ecofriendly nano-epoxy silicone coating solution on its Ultramax bulk carrier “Jabal Al Kawr”.

This undertaking highlights Asyad Shipping’s commitment to developing a modern shipping fleet that adheres to the highest international standards of efficiency and sustainability. The successful engagement also showcases Asyad Drydock’s ability to execute tailored projects in line with customers’ strict requirements and deadlines.

Asyad Drydock spearheaded the regional application of the revolutionary coating solution, successfully premiering the novel coating solution on Minoa Marine’s MV Julia earlier this year. The coating was applied following a full Sa 2.0 abrasive blasting surface treatment.

The abrasion-resistant nano-epoxy silicone coating, which promises to be the future of coating solutions, features many economic and environment-friendly advantages, significantly reducing drag, increasing fuel efficiency and lowering carbon emissions, all while ensuring that less maintenance work is required during subsequent dockings. Additionally, the smooth nano-epoxy silicone coating is resistant to fouling without the need to use biocides, thereby reducing impact on the marine environment.

Dr. Abdulsalam Omar Al Rabaani, Acting COO of Asyad Drydock, underlined the shipyard’s role in introducing the new coating solution to the Middle East maritime sector: “Being the first drydock to apply nano-epoxy silicone coating in the MENA region is a testament to our advanced ship-servicing capacities and ability to integrate the latest innovations in the industry, as we forge ahead in our pursuit of partnerships with top green solution providers.”

“We are extremely excited to add this novel technology to our host of offerings, allowing us to better serve our clients and cater to their various requirements. Our collaboration with Asyad Shipping also shows both of our companies’ synergy and commitment to sustainability, in line with Asyad Group’s strategy of enabling the transition to a sustainable maritime future,” Dr. Al Rabaani added.

With the addition of nano-epoxy silicone coating, Asyad Drydock now boasts a wide array of top coating solutions within its inclusive offering of ship building and repair services. Simultaneously, Asyad Shipping is maintaining its drive towards developing a modern fleet that meets the highest standards of efficiency

Source: Oman News Agency