Category: General

Riyadh: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program ‘Reef Saudi’ has said that rose production increased last year by 34%, reaching 960 million roses, compared to 500 million in 2020.

According to ‘Reef Saudi’, the aim is to produce two billion roses by 2026.

‘Reef Saudi’ has lent its support to several projects in the rose sector, like establishing cities for roses and aromatic plants in the Jazan region, establishing nurseries for roses and aromatic plants in the Jazan and Taif regions, building a distillation factory in Abu Arish city, providing four mobile clinics to diagnose diseases affecting roses, medicinal and aromatic plants, supplying greenhouses, setting up irrigation systems for the rose and aromatic plant cities, and establishing a tissue culture laboratory to ensure the production of high-quality roses in Riyadh.

‘Reef Saudi’, through its strategic projects and initiatives, and its support for the rose and other sectors, seeks to improve people’s lifestyle, bolster food security,
and achieve economic feasibility for these sectors.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: King Fahd National Library has launched a new initiative, called “Open Access”, to mark World Book and Copyright Day. It enables free access to a range of its publications on library and information science, Saudi history, and heritage.

By making these publications readily available, the library wishes to encourage the public to seek knowledge, which is vital to individual and societal development.

King Fahd National Library Secretary General Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Badr expressed pride in the initiative, and said that it will help wider dissemination and accessibility of knowledge.

The initiative is part of the library’s continuous efforts to foster the culture of reading and scientific research, and position itself as a prominent knowledge hub in Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, the “Open Access” initiative aligns with UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, of 2021.

It will benefit library users and strengthen partnerships with private, government, and semi-government entities such as the Saudi A
uthority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the Libraries Commission, the Research Development and Innovation Authority, associations, public libraries, specialized libraries, academic libraries, academic departments, and research centers concerned with libraries, information, and publishing.

The “Open Access” approach is the core focus of this initiative; it enables users to freely access scientific and literary books through Creative Commons (CC) licenses that give online access to sources, with certain reuse rights, provided attribution is given to the authors.

Ultimately, this initiative aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by promoting the reading culture, scientific research, knowledge dissemination, and accessibility.

To access the library’s publications page, visit the link: https://2u.pw/FohoO98f

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, during which they discussed bilateral relations and strategic partnership, as well as avenues to enhance them in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both nations and benefits their peoples.

The two sides reviewed the prospects for joint cooperation in a number of fields, including economic, trade, development, and other sectors that support the efforts of the two countries to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Shaikh Abdullah emphasised the strong and expanding historical ties between the UAE and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, highlighting the mutual keenness to reinforce these bonds and enhance opportunities for collaborative efforts within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Gaza – Together – Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said that it bombed Israeli forces that penetrated east of Juhr al-Dik in the central Gaza Strip with mortar shells.

Source: Maan News Agency

Jerusalem – Ma’an – Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said that its fighters lured two Israeli forces and trapped them in separate mine ambushes in the Al-Mughraqa area in the central Gaza Strip.

She added that explosive devices were used in the two ambushes, and that the missiles fired by F-16 fighters at civilians in the area following the operation did not explode.

Source: Maan News Agency

South Korea and the United States conducted joint space exercises to repel North Korea’s Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming attacks and other space threats, the Air Force said on Wednesday.

The Air Force Space Operations Squadron and the U.S. Space Forces based in Korea formed an integrated team to conduct the training as part of Korea Flying Training (KFT), a large-scale annual Air Force training exercise.

This is the first time an integrated space operations team has attended the Korean aviation training, a two-week training that has been ongoing since April 12 at an air base in Gunsan, 178 kilometers south of Seoul.

During the exercises, allied forces simulated scenarios to deter satellite communications interference and enhance the accuracy of GPS systems against potential North Korean threats.

Using data collected by US military satellites, the Air Force said, it shared the coordinates of jamming attacks and related information with allied forces, enabling South Korean and US fighter jets to acc
urately target the source of jamming attacks.

The team indicated that it also discussed ways to integrate South Korean spy satellites into real missions and operations to prepare for their future deployment.

South Korea put its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in December and another earlier this month as part of its plan to put five by 2025 to better monitor North Korea.

The Space Operations Squadron was established in December 2022 as an integrated unit for space operations and surveillance against Pyongyang’s advanced space capabilities.

Likewise, US Space Forces Korea is tasked with coordinating space operations, missile warning, and satellite communications to counter North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats. It was also established in December 2022 as the first US Space Force unit to be established on foreign soil.

North Korea launched its spy satellite in November and has pledged to send three more satellites into space this year. The South Korean military is closely monitoring
North Korea’s preparations to launch its second satellite./End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Rusafa Criminal Court issued a six-year prison sentence against five convicts for the crime of kidnapping and torturing people of Pakistani nationality in Baghdad.

A statement by the media center of the Supreme Judicial Council stated that “the five convicts, four of whom hold Pakistani nationality while the fifth convict was of Iraqi nationality, confessed to filming the kidnapped persons while they were being tortured and sending the video clips to their families in Pakistan for the purpose of bargaining with them to pay a ransom in exchange for their release.”

He added, “The ruling against them comes in accordance with the provisions of Article 6/Fourth and Seven of the Human Trafficking Law No. 28 of 2012 and in accordance with Articles 47, 48 and 49 of the Penal Code.”/End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) is pleased to announce the election of His Excellency Ambassador Berik Aryn as its new Director General. This decision was unanimously adopted by Ministers of Agriculture and representatives from IOFS Member States at the First Extraordinary General Assembly, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya, Minister of Municipality of the State of Qatar, with the participation of esteemed Ministers of Agriculture from countries including Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia and IOFS Member states. The election followed the procedures outlined in Articles 10 (2e) and 15 (2) of the IOFS Statute, ensuring a transparent and equitable process.

Ambassador Aryn brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role, with a distinguished career in international diplomacy and public administration. His previous roles as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and as Permanent Representativ
e of Kazakhstan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), showcase his strong capabilities and readiness for this position.

The election of Ambassador Aryn marks the beginning of a new chapter for the organization, centered on strengthening cooperation and advancing the IOFS’s mission to promote food security among its member states.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Jeddah: The Royal Court issued a statement today that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud left King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHandRC) in Jeddah on Wednesday, April 24, after completing routine medical checkup.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Human Rights Commission held here today the symposium “Enhancing Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons”.

The symposium, which highlighted the urgent need for heightened international collaboration to fight human trafficking, brought together local and foreign officials and specialists, and representatives of various embassies.

Speakers stressed the need to move beyond traditional methods and adopt innovative tools and more accurate identification methods to effectively locate victims and potential victims. Participants also stressed the need for timely and appropriate care and support for victims, for respecting their dignity and for efforts to protect individuals from exploitation.

Throughout the discussions, a human rights-based approach was championed. It prioritizes victim safety and well-being, advocating for equality, non-discrimination, and the reintegration of victims into society.

The symposium also called for identifying the root causes of human trafficking and for closing
legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade punishment, so that, ultimately, justice for victims is ensured.

Speaking at the symposium, Human Rights Commission President and National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking Chairwoman Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri said that key strategies to combat these crimes include strengthening and enforcing legislation, ensuring justice for victims, and providing them with comprehensive care and support. She also said that public awareness campaigns and education about the dangers and consequences of human trafficking are crucial.

Al-Tuwaijri said people should be encouraged to report trafficking cases, adding that training programs for improved detection and handling of such cases are important.

She underscored the need for enhanced international and national cooperation among all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.

Al-Tuwaijri said that the commission is implementing the second phase of a project to bolster the Kingdom’s efforts to protect victims of hum
an trafficking that is a collaborative effort of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration. The project is the result of memoranda of understanding signed by the Kingdom with these two organizations. Its goal is to unify efforts and use a comprehensive approach to combat these crimes.

Al-Tuwaijri further emphasized that the current global climate of crises and conflicts has created fertile ground for human trafficking and the exploitation of people. This, she argued, makes it imperative to strengthen international cooperation to combat this crime.

To that end, she said, the commission organized the symposium, which fosters exchange of expertise and enhances coordination, and whose goals are to tackle human trafficking, prevent it from happening, mitigate its impact on victims and ultimately safeguard them.

The symposium, which drew extensive local, international, and diplomatic participation, addressed a wide range of topics, including legislative and institutional f
rameworks for combating human trafficking, relevant regional and international instruments and conventions, and best practices for raising awareness, and improving prevention and victim protection.

Participants also explored current trends and developments in human trafficking, along with global challenges and solutions.

International partnerships and innovative preventive measures were other topics of discussion.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program ‘Reef Saudi’ has said that rose production increased last year by 34%, reaching 960 million roses, compared to 500 million in 2020.

According to ‘Reef Saudi’, the aim is to produce two billion roses by 2026.

‘Reef Saudi’ has lent its support to several projects in the rose sector, like establishing cities for roses and aromatic plants in the Jazan region, establishing nurseries for roses and aromatic plants in the Jazan and Taif regions, building a distillation factory in Abu Arish city, providing four mobile clinics to diagnose diseases affecting roses, medicinal and aromatic plants, supplying greenhouses, setting up irrigation systems for the rose and aromatic plant cities, and establishing a tissue culture laboratory to ensure the production of high-quality roses in Riyadh.

‘Reef Saudi’, through its strategic projects and initiatives, and its support for the rose and other sectors, seeks to improve people’s lifestyle, bolster food security,
and achieve economic feasibility for these sectors.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: King Fahd National Library has launched a new initiative, called “Open Access”, to mark World Book and Copyright Day. It enables free access to a range of its publications on library and information science, Saudi history, and heritage.

By making these publications readily available, the library wishes to encourage the public to seek knowledge, which is vital to individual and societal development.

King Fahd National Library Secretary General Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Badr expressed pride in the initiative, and said that it will help wider dissemination and accessibility of knowledge.

The initiative is part of the library’s continuous efforts to foster the culture of reading and scientific research, and position itself as a prominent knowledge hub in Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, the “Open Access” initiative aligns with UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, of 2021.

It will benefit library users and strengthen partnerships with private, government, and semi-government entities such as the Saudi A
uthority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the Libraries Commission, the Research Development and Innovation Authority, associations, public libraries, specialized libraries, academic libraries, academic departments, and research centers concerned with libraries, information, and publishing.

The “Open Access” approach is the core focus of this initiative; it enables users to freely access scientific and literary books through Creative Commons (CC) licenses that give online access to sources, with certain reuse rights, provided attribution is given to the authors.

Ultimately, this initiative aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by promoting the reading culture, scientific research, knowledge dissemination, and accessibility.

To access the library’s publications page, visit the link: https://2u.pw/FohoO98f

Source: Saudi Press Agency