Oman Online News

Makkah, The Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non-Arab Countries, affiliated with Ithraa Alkhair Company for Pilgrim Services, received 49 pilgrims today, the first group from the Republic of South Africa.

A team from Ithraa Alkhair received the South African pilgrims in the presence of the head of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council, Ismail Kholvadi.

The chairman of the Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non-Arab Countries, Dr. Ahmad Abbas Sindi, expressed happiness about the arrival of the first group of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season, wishing stakeholders success in serving pilgrims under the Kingdom’s leadership.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa Center) will organize an international workshop on controlling Gryllus bimaculatus insects.

Titled “Integrated Management to Reduce the Outbreak of Black Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus),” the workshop will take place in Jeddah on May 13 and 14.

The event will bring together local experts and international specialists in entomology and integrated pest management from the United States, Britain, China, South Africa, and Egypt.

The workshop aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise and information on international best practices for controlling the outbreak of these crickets and improving the capabilities of specialists in insect prevention.

By doing so, the workshop seeks to strengthen the role of relevant bodies in preventing and combating harmful pests, while fostering a scientific environment to enhance the knowledge of specialists at regional and global levels.

The workshop will include an e
xhibition and scientific sessions for distinguished local and international experts focusing on the surveillance and monitoring of Gryllus bimaculatus.

The sessions will highlight global expertise in the field and showcase integrated management programs specifically designed for dealing with the crickets.

The workshop will conclude with recommendations on integrated management approaches to reduce the outbreak of this insect, aiming to enhance agricultural services provided by countries in the region and worldwide.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The third Future Aviation Forum (FAF), held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, is underway in Riyadh. The forum, hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) from May 20 to 22, is themed “Elevating Global Connectivity” and aims to attract investment exceeding $100 billion to the Kingdom’s aviation sector.

The investment push aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to transform the country into a leading logistics hub in the Middle East and achieve the goals of the National Aviation Strategy. The forum will highlight investment opportunities across airports, airlines, ground services, air freight, and logistics.

A significant portion of the targeted investments, over $50 billion, is earmarked for the development of Saudi Arabia’s airports. Airlines are expected to place new aircraft orders valued at roughly $40 billion.

The remaining $10 billion will be distributed amongst other aviation-related projects, including $5 billion dedica
ted to special logistics zones within the major airports of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

The forum brings together over 100 countries and more than 5,000 aviation experts, airline executives, aviation authority officials, manufacturers, and airport leaders. Key topics of discussion include advanced air mobility, aviation safety and security, sustainable fuels, digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation, logistics, global partnerships, and innovation.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser highlighted the country’s exceptional investment opportunities in aviation. The National Aviation Strategy aims to increase passenger traffic and connect the Kingdom to over 250 destinations worldwide by 2030. The strategy also targets an annual cargo shipment volume of 4.5 million tons.

Al-Jasser pinpointed Saudi Arabia’s geographical advantage – its position at the crossroads of three continents. This, he explained, strengthens the country’s bid to become a global logistics powe
rhouse. The Future Aviation Forum serves as a platform to capitalize on this advantage, aligning with the civil-aviation sector strategy’s goal of establishing the Kingdom as a leading and integrated global logistics hub, as envisioned by the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ambition to attract $3.3 trillion in investments by 2030. The aviation sector is a key focus area, playing a crucial role in the country’s economic diversification plans. The forum provides a platform for investors to participate in this transformation journey.

Al-Falih emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a competitive, transparent, and incentive-rich investment environment. The country prioritizes innovation, human capital development, and attracting foreign direct investment, creating fertile ground for businesses from both within and outside Saudi Arabia.

FAF 2024 promises a dynamic gathering. Investors will engage in meetings and discussio
ns focused on major ongoing projects in the Kingdom, including the King Salman International Airport project. The forum will also explore potential public-private partnerships for the airports in Abha, Taif, Hail, and Qassim.

Aviation sector suppliers will gain valuable insights into the expansion plans of Riyadh Air, Saudia Airlines, flynas, and flyadeal.

The forum boasts a prestigious attendee list, including executives from leading international companies like Boeing, Airbus, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), and Embraer.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Today, Thursday, the Parliamentary Legal Committee held a joint meeting with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice for Administrative and Financial Affairs, to discuss the procedures of the ministerial committee in charge of the file of protecting the properties of Christian citizens.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Hadramaut, The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) inaugurated the Saudi Noor Volunteer Program to combat blindness and the diseases that cause it in the Mukalla District of Yemen’s Hadramaut Governorate, which will take place May 4 to 30, with the participation of eight volunteers from various medical specialties.

Since the beginning of the campaign, the KSrelief team has successfully performed 12 surgeries to remove glaucoma, 97 surgeries to remove cataracts, three eye-socket surgeries, and 17 minor surgeries.

The Noor program is an extension of the volunteer medical programs provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to help patients and people with eye diseases in low-income countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani launched work on Al-Ittihad Mills Project in Babylon Governorate, one of the private sector projects for producing zero-grade flour, with a production capacity of (3) thousand tons per day.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani arrived today, Thursday morning, in Babylon Governorate as part of his series of field visits to the governorates.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Bingul, The non-resident ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Gambia, Saad Al-Nufai’i, met in Bingul with a delegation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), headed by Director of the Voluntary Programs Department Dr. Ali bin Saad Al-Qarni, who is visiting Gambia to implement the advanced volunteer medical projects to remove women’s tumors and perform specialized surgeries for children, which will be launched in Banjul.

During the meeting, humanitarian and relief issues related to the center’s volunteer work around the world were reviewed.

Al-Nufai’i appreciated KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts, especially the voluntary programs, and their great impact on needy groups around the world, recalling the wide resonance of the voluntary project for ear, nose, throat, and cochlear implant surgery, which was recently implemented in Turkiye for the benefit of Syrian children, in addition to the center’s constant endeavor to alleviate the suffering of pat
ients in the most needy countries, especially in Africa.

Dr. Al-Qarni highlighted the great humanitarian and voluntary relief efforts carried out by Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief around the world. These efforts implement the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH the Crown Prince, and the ambitious vision of paying attention to voluntary work, which is one of its most important goals, in the hope of reaching 1 million volunteers by 2030.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Members of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Al-Zab district found the body of a drowned person in the village of Sabih on the banks of the Tigris River.

A security source explained that a force from the First Company of the First Regiment, in coordination with the Al-Zab Police Station, found the body of a drowned person in the Tigris River, and the unknown body was recovered from the river.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Riyadh, Boutique Group marked its first independent participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the most significant tourism industry events in the world.

During the event, Boutique Group highlighted its commitment to redefining the luxury hospitality experience by transforming some of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic former royal residences, among other cultural and historic landmarks, into ultra-luxury hotels.

Boutique Group also announced details of a new memorandum of understanding signed with ALTANFEETHI luxury concierge service to cooperatively exchange knowledge and expertise to develop and enhance guest experience at airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Boutique Group’s portfolio includes the stunning Al Hamra Palace in Jeddah, known for hosting some of the world’s most prominent international public figures; the Red Palace in the heart of old Riyadh, which adorned the SAR 100 bank note and served as the home to the Council of Ministers for three decades; and the Aga Khan Award-winning T
uwaiq Palace, an architectural masterpiece inspired by Saudi Arabia’s iconic forts, tents and oasis landscape.

Across its palaces, Boutique Group is dedicated to designing bespoke modern luxury offerings rooted in a strong sense of place, backed by strong partnerships and an authentic representation of Saudi’s vast heritage.

“This year’s ATM theme explores gateways. This is particularly poignant for Boutique Group, because our properties are in essence a gateway to a new model of hospitality, and a more sustainable future. Inspired by Saudi Arabi’s rich heritage and powered by its talent, we are creating a gateway to a more resilient and diversified economy,” said Boutique Group chief executive Mark De Cocinis.

“We are also delighted to sign a memorandum of understanding with luxury concierge provider ALTANFEETHI and look forward to exploring more ways to collaborate on this remarkable new model of Saudi hospitality,” he added.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

A security source announced the arrest of a gang selling and using drugs southeast of Baghdad.

The source said that the security forces arrested a gang of 4 people in Al-Zaafaraniyah area, which sells and uses drugs and shoots at the people of the area. They were found in their possession of two stolen motorcycles, pistols, and sharp tools.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Kattankudy, Sri Lanka, The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) implemented the Noor Saudi Arabia Volunteer Program to combat blindness and its causes in the city of Kattankudy, Sri Lanka, in cooperation with Al-Basar International Foundation.

From May 4 to 11, the center’s volunteer medical team is performing 200 surgeries. So far, all were completely successful.

The program is an extension of the voluntary medical projects initiated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to address blindness and its underlying causes. The objective is to provide assistance to patients and individuals afflicted with eye diseases in countries facing significant healthcare needs.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the killing of 108 PKK militants in northern Iraq and Syria during the past seven days.

Turkish Ministry of Defense Spokesman Zaki Ak Turk said in a media briefing on Thursday that the Turkish army neutralized 108 terrorists, including leaders, during the past seven days, including 67 in northern Iraq and 41 in northern Syria.

He added: “The number of terrorists who have been neutralized since the first of last January has reached 953 terrorists, including 443 in northern Iraq and 510 in northern Syria.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency