Category: General

The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) is one of the top 10 fastest electric-rail trains worldwide, running at 300 Km/h and playing a key role in the development and expansion of Saudi Arabia’s railway network.

The HHR links the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, to meet the growing demand of domestic and foreign pilgrims, and helps relieve congestion on the roads between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.

In 2018, the HHR was inaugurated under the aegis of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the largest train project in the Middle East.

On a 449-km-long track and a 3.75-km sub-track to King Abdulaziz International Airport, the train is a safe means of transportation for Hajj and Umrah performers, and for travelers to the two holy cities and Jeddah.

The HHR covers the distance between Makkah and Madinah in a record time of two hours and twenty minutes, making it one of the world’s six fastest trains.

The HHR has five stations; three are terminal stations — Makkah Railway Station in Ar Rusayfah District, Madinah Railway Station, and King Abdulaziz International Airport station in Jeddah. The two others are intermediate stations: Jeddah Railway station in Al-Sulimaniyah District and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) station.

HHR’s King Abdulaziz International Airport station is the world’s largest train station at an airport, covering over 105,000 square meters across multiple floors and connected to six platforms for easy movement.

The station helps reduce traffic congestion on the roads leading to King Abdulaziz International Airport by providing direct transportation to the other stations without the need for exiting the airport to use other means of transportation.

The HHR operates 35 electric trains, each with a capacity of 417 passengers. Each train offers 113 Business Class seats and 304 Economy Class seats, and has a cafeteria among the 13 carriages.

To meet the expected high demand for the HHR during the upcoming Hajj season, over 3,400 train trips will be operated between Dhul-Qaedah 1 and Dhul-Hijjah 17, providing a capacity of more than 1.5 million seats.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) arrested two Pakistani residents in Jeddah Governorate for attempting to sell 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The security authorities urge citizens and residents to report any information available about any activities related to drug smuggling, through calling the numbers (911) in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province; the number (999) in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions; and the number (995) of the General Directorate of Drug Control, via e-mail 995@gdnc.gov.sa.

All reports will be treated in strict confidentiality, the authority said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting took place in Hyderabad, India. The Saudi delegation was headed by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley.

Eng. Al-Fadley said we call for cooperation to strengthen our food systems for a better, and more sustainable future. Al-Fadley also added that in the aftermath of COVID-19, the food and agriculture production systems worldwide continue to face numerous challenges, at a time, when the demand for food for a growing population, is increasing rapidly.

“One crucial element in ensuring food security is strengthening rural communities by educating and empowering women and youth. Saudi Arabia in 2018, launched its flagship Sustainable Rural Development Program covering eight different areas. The program has proven remarkably to increase the income of our beekeepers by up to 50%, while a 10% increase in rain-fed small farmers.” Al-Fadley added.

Eng. Al-Fadley mentioned to the importance of responsible investment in agriculture and food Systems. Furthermore, it is required to align financing with innovation policies. By adopting these innovations, we can enhance the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of our food sector. Over the past five years, Saudi has increased loans for the adoption of innovative technologies by more than 10 folds.

“We think that digitalization is emerging as a key catalyst to transform the agriculture sector by improving resource efficiency, enhancing performance, and boosting productivity. In this regard, Saudi launched a digital extension platform, which served more than 230,000 farmers and provided 2.9 million agricultural extension services.” Al-Fadley added.

Al-Fadley stressed there is a need for realignment of all Humanitarian programs to effectively address the most pressing food insecurity challenges. In this regard, Saudi has demonstrated its commitment, by completing over 772 food security projects in 71 countries through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

At the end of his speech, Al-Fadley called for work together as G20 Agriculture Ministers within the framework of SDGs for realizing the Opportunities of the 21st Century for All, for our One Future.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 17th relief plane departed today from King Khalid International Airport for Gaziantep Airport, in the Republic of Turkiye, carrying 90 tons of medical supplies.

This is part of the Saudi airlift, managed by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), to aid those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye, in accordance with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and is an embodiment of the Kingdom’s humanitarian role.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Hundreds of locals of al-Sanamayn area and its surroundings, in Daraa northern countryside, joined the comprehensive settlement process in the province.

“The center, which opened Saturday in Al-Sanamayn city , witnessed huge turnout from the locals of region, as hundreds of persons flocked to settle their situation, within the framework of comprehensive settlement , including all the announced cases , ” a source at the settlement process told SANA reporter

The source added that 1,257 wanted persons settled their status.

The source noted that reception of wanted persons at Qasr al-Houriat center in Daraa city has been extended for Sunday and Monday to all regions.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The European Union chose to exclude the Syrian state from the conference held in Brussel, and was devoted mainly on Syria, so that the truth of its bankrupt goals and policies would not be revealed as a result of the inhumane and immoral coercive measures that the Syrian people face, a source at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said on Saturday

The source indicated that the organizers of this meeting invited only their corrupt tools that are allied with Daesh, Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist organizations that oppose the will of the Syrian people and their vital interests, demanding that refugees not be allowed to return to their homeland and that humanitarian aid not be provided to the victims of terrorism and the earthquake.

The source noted that Syria succeeded in thwarting the objectives of the terrorist war and attempts to interfere in its internal affairs

Syria confirms that the attempts to undermine its stances have failed on battlefield, and have not succeed politically also, the source added.

The source concluded “Syria, which withstood the mercenaries and terrorists, is determined today to work with its Arab brothers, friends all good forces in the world to consolidate its victories and overcome the consequences of the economic blockade on it.”

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Three militants of the US-backed separatist QSD militia were killed when an explosive device exploded in a military vehicle that was carrying them north of Raqqa.

Local sources told SANA reporter that “an explosive device planted by unknown persons on the road connecting the towns of Ain Issa and Tal al-Samen, north of Raqqa, exploded while a military vehicle belonging to the separatist QSD militia was passing , killing 3 of the militia’s.

The sources pointed out that “the QSD militia brought military reinforcements to Ain Issa town, cordoned off the site of the explosion, and started inspecting the passing cars.”

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Minister of Industry, Dr. Abdul Qader Jokhadar inspected on Saturday the work and production situation at a number of facilities in the industrial city of Hessya in Homs province.

Dr. Jokhadar hailed the workers’ efforts at the industrial city in order to maintain the continuity of the production and increasing it, expressing the hope to improve and develop the work wheel during the next stage.

The Industry Minister indicated that the government spares no effort to support industrial production in all its sectors and everything aims to restore the production wheel, whether in terms of providing raw materials or providing energy carriers.

In turn, the director of Hessya industrial city Muhammad Amer al-Khalil said nearly 1,000 facilities, of which 325 are currently producing, adding that investments in Hessya witness an increasing growth, as the volume of investment reached about SYP212 billion.

The Minister’s tour included a number of facilities, mainly a facility for the textile industry, and another for the manufacture of “gypsum board”.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Minister of Culture, Lubanah Mshaweh, inspected Saturday the restoration works at ancient al-Mina (port) Mosque and Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latin Church) in Lattakia, damaged by the earthquake hit the city on February 6th.

Director of Antiquities and Museums in Lattakia, Ibrahim Kherbek and Endowment Director, Mahmoud Alio, explained the huge damage that affected the mosque and the church, noting to the restoration works carried out so far in the two sites.

Father Fadi Azar, pastor of Latin Church, gave a presentation on the damage caused to the church, in addition to the restoration of the cracked places that have been carried out after the devastating earthquake to secure a safe place for the worshipers.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Head of the “Democratic Gathering”, MP Taymour Jumblatt, considered that regardless of the results of the last session, and far from external analyses, proposals and expectations, the election of a consensual president for the republic remains an absolute priority to end the state of prolonged blockage and the political and institutional vacuum that stands in way of finding a horizon to overcome the prevailing social and economic challenges. In a statement on the sidelines of his Saturday’s meetings at Al-Mukhtara Palace, Jumblatt reaffirmed that “true dialogue is the only way to reach an internal consensus that establishes a reform path leading to general stability and launching the process of recovery and sustainable development.” He also deemed it not permissible to waste time with proposals that divert attention from the urgent need to stop the erosion of institutions, and to address the daily living, health and humanitarian crises facing the country and its people.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Dr. Jihad Abdullah Al Fadhel, Second Deputy Chairwomen of the Shura Council, has affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, attaches great importance to food security in its national work agenda by implanting a strategic framework to produce food nationally.

Al-Fadhel made the statements while participating virtually in the Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition.

The summit aims to exchange skills among parliamentarians in implementing legislation on matters related to food security, discuss priorities to address challenges related to hunger and malnutrition, build relationships among parliamentarians and parliaments, as well as support parliamentary efforts to develop a strong, coherent, and comprehensive legal policy framework to promote improved food security and nutrition more broadly.

She pointed out that achieving food security requires an integrated approach based on cooperation among all stakeholders in the international system, as combating hunger and malnutrition requires collective solutions formulated by countries, parliaments, and relevant international institutions.

Dr. Al Fadhel stressed the need to motivate global collective action in achieving the sustainable development goals of eliminating hunger and malnutrition by 2030, which is important, considering the multiple challenges and crises that have negatively affected all dimensions related to food security.

She recommended that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other relevant organisations encourage investment funds to launch projects to invest in the food security fields and connect them with international efforts so that we move into a greener economy because of climate change.

Dr. Al Fadhel stressed the importance of establishing a legislative structure that enhances food security to ensure the localisation of advanced technology for smart agriculture and securing the appropriate needs of fish and livestock in addition to water resources.

She underlined the importance of involving all participants, led by parliaments in the process, to establish permanent multilateral mechanisms for the global food crisis, and find unified partnerships among all geopolitical groups in the international system for the food crisis to pave the way for achieving international solidarity in confronting the global food crisis.

Regarding legislature-executive coordination in Bahrain, Al-Fadhel explained that the legislative branch had agreed to support government initiatives that contributed to Bahrain’s ranking 38th in the Global Food Security Index for the year 2022, stressing that there is an ambitious plan to move to the 25th place in the world by 2030. She noted that the two branches had also agreed to develop national capacities in the food industry, build an infrastructure that simulates future goals, and provide incentives and facilities to attract the private sector to invest in food security.

A national company was also established under the name of the Bahrain Agricultural Development Company, which embraces all food security, fish farming, and agricultural projects in various fields in all Bahraini governorates, she said.

Al Fadhel stated that the Shura Council presented a number of proposals for laws that would contribute to the sustainability of food, in addition to a number of initiatives through other parliamentary platforms, such as proposals to establish an Arab centre for food security and launch an Arab index for food security, among others.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency announced, on Friday, the seizure of a large amount of oil derivatives inside a plant for the production of oxidized asphalt, illegally in Basra.

The agency stated in a statement, that its detachments were able, based on accurate intelligence information, to seize a plant for the production of oxidized asphalt in Basra Governorate, which is used for trading and recycling oil and its derivatives informally.

It added that: “Inside the factory, cylindrical tanks with a capacity of (5 tons) were seized containing an oil product that is believed to be (kerosene), in addition to a large pit containing an oil product of unknown quantity and quality, and a ground tank with a capacity of (10) tons.”

It confirmed that “the seized materials were dealt with duly and handed over with the accused to the concerned authorities.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency