Category: General

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has completed the implementation of 3 tourism projects in the Governorate of Dhofar in partnership with the Dhofar Municipality and Omran Company, with a total investment cost exceeding RO (3) million.

The implemented projects include the development of Al-Mughassil Beach waterfront, Hamrir View, Wadi Darbat, and Ain Jerziz, to strengthen the components of the governorate of Dhofar in order to be a sustainable tourism destination throughout the year.

Khaled Abdullah Al Abri, Director General of Heritage and Tourism in the Governorate of Dhofar, said “The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is exerting efforts to utilize and develop the natural sites in the Governorate of Dhofar to create a tourism and economic tributary during various tourism seasons, including Khareef and Surab seasons”.

He pointed out that, Al-Mughassil Beach waterfront project is taking place on a space area of 174.6 square meters at a cost of RO 874.6 thousand.

He added that Al-Mughassil Beach waterfront project includes a family outlet, cars parking, an arena for events and activities, food and beverage kiosks, a number of restaurants, an extended walkway on the beach, seating umbrellas, picnic sites, green spaces, practicing marine sports facilities, and a special park for adventures and children’s games.

He further added that work on the project includes the handover of furniture and kiosks, replacement of agricultural soil, directional signs, water supply, the paving of roads and municipal parking spaces.

As for the Hamreer View project, it extends on a space area of 50 thousand square meters, as its investment cost reached RO 505 thousand. The project includes a playground, parking spaces, food and beverage kiosks, restrooms, and seating areas.

There is also the Wadi Darbat project, which is being developed on an area of 105 thousand square meters, at an investment cost of RO 561.5 thousand. The project provides a unique hospitality and entertainment experience in the bosom of greenery, orchards and waterfalls flowing in the valley, in terms of housing, food, drinks, attractive picnic areas, cable cars and a waterfall viewing platform.

The Ain Jerziz development project, which extends on an area of 40 thousand square meters, aims at raising the level of public service facilities, while the project includes parking spaces, toilets, and picnic areas.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in cooperation with Google Cloud, has launched the first phase of the “Elevate Program”, the first of its kind in the world that aims to train 1,000 women representing 28 countries on data and artificial intelligence (AI) domains.

The Elevate Program, which will run until August 30, 2023, was first announced during the second edition of the Global AI Summit that was held in Riyadh in September 2022.

The SDAIA indicated that the first phase of the program is offered under the supervision of 16 female and male trainers from the authority through two tracks—one for technical specialists and the other for non-specialists who wish to develop their skills. The program offers free training sessions designed to equip participants with the skills and experience needed for roles such as cloud engineer, data engineer, machine-learning (ML) engineer, or cloud business.

It aims to empower women in global emerging markets to pursue new jobs in the AI and ML domains by training more than 25,000 women over the next five years.

The program targets women in the fields of technology and science who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of data, AI, and ML so that they are more prepared to pursue the increasing job opportunities in such areas.

Moreover, it seeks to close the gender gap in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, particularly in emerging markets.

The launch of the Elevate Program comes within the framework of SDAIA’s work to lead the Kingdom’s march towards global leadership in the field of AI by raising awareness and qualifying cadres in data and AI.

This will be achieved by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills through specialized programs in accordance with the latest international practices offered by SDAIA Academy to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulation to Santiago Peña on the occasion of winning the presidential election in the Republic of Paraguay.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his best felicitations, wishing the President-elect every success and the government and people of Paraguay steady progress and prosperity

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, on the death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed profound sorrow, extending his sincere condolences to the Emir of Kuwait and the family of the deceased, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow his mercy upon his soul.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, on the death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah.

HRH the Crown Prince expressed profound sorrow, extending his sincere condolences to the Emir of Kuwait and the family of the deceased, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow his mercy upon his soul

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Oil held a loss as concerns over China’s economic outlook and caution in financial markets spurred by a banking crisis dominated sentiment.

West Texas Intermediate held above $75 a barrel after dropping 1.5% on Monday. China’s recovery remains patchy with recent data pointing to a contraction in manufacturing. Still, tourism and travel activity soared on the first day of the country’s five-day Labor Day holiday, possibly signaling increased demand for fuels in the world’s largest crude importer.

In the US, JPMorgan Chase and Co. agreed to acquire First Republic Inc., the latest lender to fail. While the deal could help to stabilize the financial system, there are still concerns over the fate of other weak banks in the country.

Oil has shed more than 5% this year despite a move by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to cut supply from this week. Losses have been spurred by a darkening economic outlook, with central banks including the Federal Reserve continuing to raise rates. The Fed is expected to deliver another hike this week, potentially the last rise in the current cycle.

Crude has been been pressured as ‘data from China showed a slump in manufacturing,’ said Charu Chanana, market strategist for Saxo Capital Markets Pte. Sentiment was also hurt by banking concerns as First Republic bank became the latest casualty of the increases in interest rates, she said.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The National Earthquake Center has announced that 14 quakes with a magnitude ranging between 1.5 and 4.1 on the Richter Scale were recorded over the past 24 hours.

The center said in a statement that a 2.4 magnitude tremor was recorded 90 km west of Raqqa, and a magnitude 1.9 tremor was recorded 10 km north of Hama central province while a third 2.1 magnitude quake was recorded 97 km southwest of Tartous and a fourth quake measuring 1.5 magnitude was recorded 29 km southwest of Quneitra.

According to the center’s statement, six tremors ranging in magnitude from 2.4 to 4.1 were recorded in Turkey, three tremors in Liwa Iskenderun ranging between 2.1 and 3.1 magnitudes, and a tremor in the Mediterranean Sea east of Cyprus with a magnitude of 2.3.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The National Security Adviser, Qassem Al-Araji, received in his office today, Monday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert.

Al-Araji reviewed, with Plasschaert, the political and security situation at the international and regional levels, in addition to discussing the files of the Syrian Al-Haul camp and Sinjar.

The importance of working to activate the measures to resolve the Sinjar file, to promote community reconciliation, and to create conditions to enhance the security and stability of the district was emphasized.

Plasschaert confirmed the continued support of the United Nations to the Iraqi government, with regard to the displaced and humanitarian fields.

For his part, Al-Araji indicated that the Iraqi government, headed by Al-Sudani, is working alongside the United Nations according to the approach of achieving social stability and investing this stability in consolidating security and peaceful coexistence.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A Palestinian was martyred and others were injured as the Israeli occupation forces stormed Jabr Camp, south of Jericho City in the West Bank.

Wafa News Agency stated that the occupation forces stormed the camp and opened fire on the Palestinians as Mohammad al-Lad’a, aged 17, was martyred after being shot in the head and six others were injured, three of whom seriously.

The Israeli occupation forces continue their siege on the city of Jericho for the tenth day in a row, and set up barriers on the main and secondary roads leading to it, and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles, which impeded their movement.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

A fire broke out at a government fuel station, northeast of Baquba, Diyala Governorate Center.

A security source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that a fire broke out at the government (Zain Al-Qaws) fuel station on the outskirts of Khanaqin, northeast of Baquba, as a result of the burning of a civilian vehicle inside the station.

He added that the firefighting teams were able to put out the flames without any casualties.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A large amount of care and psychological support was directed by the youth cadres to those affected, whether by the earthquake during the past period or during the years of war, including extensive efforts exerted by young taekwondo player Mudar Dayoub who deliberately used his sports skills, and practical experience acquired in the world of training and fitness for the benefit of work humanitarian and community service.

Despite his young age, a career full of achievements and local and international competitions, during which he won many awards and medals, most notably the bronze of the West Asian Championship in Jordan in 2009, the bronze of the Club World Championship in Korea in 2010, two gold and silver medals in the Korean Open Championship in 2010, and the bronze medal of the World Junior Olympics in Russia in 2012, and he secured a distinguished place for himself among the list of the best stars of this sport in Syria, thanks to his martial art skills and knowledge of many secrets of this world that helped him create his own style.

“My studies at the Faculty of Physical Education in Tishreen University came as a true translation of my passion and attachment to the sport of Taekwondo and my desire to explore basic mathematical principles and concepts and benefit from academic information to enrich my sports knowledge,” Dayoub told SANA reporter.

He said that his work as a sports coach for young age groups for a number of months Sports clubs in Lattakia and his joining the team of the center, which was opened by the Amal Organization for Hearing Impairment in the city, empowered his belief in the values of sports and the role of sports activities in improving the psychological state of children and bringing about a tangible positive change in their personality and their intellectual and physical health.

Dayoub recalled the beginning of the war, which cast a shadow over the various aspects of life in Syria more than 11 years ago, as well as the Corona pandemic, up to the recent earthquake catastrophe, all of which constituted important turning points in his life, like others of his generation, and prompted him to enter the field of community and humanitarian work.

With a tone full of enthusiasm, Dayoub said that his experiment focused on teaching the child how to relax and regulate the breathing process, because of its great impact on self-control, getting rid of feelings of pressure and tension, and maintaining calm, adding that before each visit, a list of children’s names and ages is prepared, and a sports activity program that suits their age groups is set. The activities develop the children mental skills, and integrate them with their peers, as well as promote the values that sport helps to develop, especially in team games such as cooperation, respect for others, positive interaction, responsibility and self-confidence, Dayoub concluded.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Army Chief of Staff, General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, met with the Commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq, General Giovanni M. Enochi, and a number of mission Advisors.

The meeting discussed, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defense, aspects of cooperation, coordination and expansion of partnership at the level of training between the two sides, in addition to providing advice and expertise in all aspects of the military institution, to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi army.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Training – Secretary of Al Meera Department – Director of Military Training – Director of Military Attachments – Air Adviser to the Army Chief of Staff.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency