Category: General

Riyadh: President of the Saudi Aviation Club Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signed an agreement today with Aeropact, a company specializing in air show management, to implement the air show program part of the second edition of the Sand and Fun General Aviation Exhibition, which will take place at the Saudi Aviation Club, at the Thumama Airport, from November 19 to 23, 2024.

The exhibition aims to showcase over 100 civil and military aircraft of various sizes and types. With an expected attendance of over 60,000, it is anticipated that the event will present thrilling ground and air shows featuring international aerobatic teams.

Moreover, the exhibition will organize “Hangar Talk” workshops where aviation experts from around the world are expected to engage in discussions on various aviation topics. There will also be educational and entertaining activities for young people, and many other accompanying events.

The first edition of the exhibition was held in January 2020. Over 60 aircraft of various
types were on display, and it attracted more than 20,000 visitors. The event featured exciting ground and air shows, including aerobatic night performances, and a variety of aviation-themed entertainment activities.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah: The Muslim World League has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ attack on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy in the Gaza Strip, denouncing it as a blatant violation of international and humanitarian laws.

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa expressed deep concern over the targeting of missions and relief organizations, as well as their personnel. He reiterated the urgent need to cease these egregious violations against defenceless civilians and humanitarian workers.

Sheikh Al-Issa extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims affected by the attack, while also wishing a swift recovery to those injured.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, His Highness Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Advisor to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met with Piyapak Sricharoen, the outgoing Thai Ambassador to Bahrain.

The meeting reviewed Bahraini-Thai relations.

HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa praised the efforts of the Thai Ambassador to strengthen bilateral relations and emphasised the importance of continuing cooperation and joint initiatives.

The ambassador expressed thanks to HH Shaikh Ali for his keenness to further enhance the bilateral ties.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Amman: In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the developments in the Gaza Strip.

During the call, they stressed the need to provide protection to the humanitarian relief organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The number of victims of workers providing humanitarian and relief services that the Israeli occupation forces have targeted since the beginning of its aggression against the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 has reached 196.

For months, the Israeli entity has refused to allow UN and international institutions, especially UNRWA, the Red Cross, and the World Food Program, to work in northern Gaza, while its army restricts the entry of aid by land into the rest of the Gaza Strip, which has led to a scarcity of food, medicine, and fuel supplies and created a famine that is beginning claim the lives of children and the elderly.

On Monday, an Israeli occupation air strike targeted a convoy of the World Central Kitchen organization in Deir al
-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, killing seven of its relief workers, which sparked angry international reactions.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Baghdad, April 3, 2024, Iraqi Minister of Environment Engineer Nizar Amidi has met with a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Baghdad.

During the meeting, the Iraqi minister received a financial grant provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, to finance projects for surveying and removing cluster munitions and mines in several Iraqi governorates. These projects aim to achieve a safe environment free from mines to realize stability and security for Iraqi citizens and improve Iraqis’ livelihoods in agriculture and livestock farming. Additionally, they aim to support the Iraqi economy.

This support is in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership to contribute to mine clearance in Al-Samawah Desert in Al-Muthanna Governorate and other governorates.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Gaza – Together – Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, said that its forces bombed an Israeli foot force with mortar shells east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City.

Source: Maan News Agency

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs Authority confirmed that the Etzion Detention Center has turned into a torture and abuse station, especially for new detainees, in light of the widespread and daily arrest campaigns launched by the occupation in various regions of the West Bank and Jerusalem since the beginning of last October 7.

The Commission explained that the period of detention in ‘Etzion’ has become very long, and not for several days as it was previously, and 40 days have passed since the arrest of the majority of them, noting that the occupation authorities and their prison administration have prevented legal teams during the past months from visiting the detainees.

The Commission said that the prisoners inside the detention center live in tragic living conditions, as a result of the daily treatment imposed on them, as they suffer from a lack of food, and they also complain about a lack of clothes and showers, and a reduction in the ‘break’ hours.

The Commission stated, ac
cording to the visit of its lawyer, that the majority of detainees were subjected to beatings, abuse, insults, and inhuman and degrading treatment following their arrest, whether after storming their homes or from inside their work stations, and that the beatings and torture included all parts of their bodies, causing them to suffer many bruises and bruises.

The Commission called on all competent international bodies to intervene quickly to end their suffering, and also called for immediate and urgent intervention to protect detainees inside the occupation prisons.

It is noteworthy that the “Etzion Detention Center” is located in the south of the West Bank, and is located on the lands of the northern Hebron Governorate, within the “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc, and is listed among the worst detention centers in the world.

Source: Maan News Agency

New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed the call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying that the devastating Israeli airstrikes that killed World Central Kitchen personnel in the city of Deir al Balah in the middle of the Strip are “unconscionable but it is an inevitable result of the way the war is being conducted.” Guterres said, addressing an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly held to discuss his report on “human security,” that “it demonstrates yet again the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the expansion of humanitarian aid into Gaza as the Security Council demanded in its resolution last week.

“The devastating Israeli airstrikes that killed World Central Kitchen personnel yesterday bring the number of aid workers killed in this conflict to 196 including more than 175 members of our own UN staff,” Guterres reported.

“When I hear the words ‘human security,’ I think about the two million humans in Gaz
a who have no security at all, desperately seeking protection from hunger, disease, and relentless Israeli bombardment,” he said.

In a related context, the UN Secretary-General affirmed that “our world faces very serious challenges. Conflicts, the climate emergency, and a global cost-of-living crisis are combining to reverse decades of development gains.” “Many countries are struggling to implement the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Deepening divisions and growing inequalities are leaving people with a heightened sense of anxiety and even fear,” He explained.

He stressed that the “concept of Human Security, with its emphasis on people and prevention, has an important role to play in strengthening links at the local, national and regional levels, and creating momentum to tackle our shared challenges,” indicating that the fourth report on Human Security focuses on the practical and operational value of human security, building on the experiences of Member States, regional and intergovernme
ntal organizations, and the UN at Headquarters and in the field.

“It showcases examples of the Human Security approach in action: supporting national peace and development objectives; strengthening regional cooperation; improving collaboration across the United Nations system and our partners,” he added.

The Israeli entity continues its aggression against the Gaza Strip, despite the UN Security Council (UNSC) issuing a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan last week.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Beijing, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on Tuesday to discuss the future of the Chinese-US relations and issues of shared concern.

The two presidents had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual interest. President Xi stressed that the issue of strategic perception is always fundamental to the China-U.S. relationship, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right. Two big countries like China and the United States should not cut off their ties or turn their back on each other, still less slide into conflict or confrontation, Chinese Xinhua News Agency reported.

President Xi stated China’s position on Hong Kong-related issues, human rights, the South China Sea, and other issues.

For his part, President Biden noted that the U.S.-China relationship is the most consequential relationship in the world. The progress in the relationship since the San Francisco meeting demonstrates that the two sides can advance c
ooperation while responsibly managing differences.

The U.S. will send Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit China shortly to strengthen dialogue and communication, avoid miscalculation and promote cooperation, Biden announced.

Source: Qatar News Agency

New York, A senior UN official urged the Security Council to work to avert further escalation in the Middle East following the deadly airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syrias capital, Damascus.

Briefing ambassadors a day after the attack, Assistant-Secretary-General Khaled Khiari stressed the need for restraint.

“We appeal to the Council to continue to actively engage all concerned parties to prevent further escalation and the worsening of tensions that undermine regional peace and security,” he said.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States must be respected in accordance with international law,” said Khiari said.

Khiari said Iran sent identical letters to the Secretary-General and the Security Council on Monday stating that Israel had attacked its diplomatic premises in Damascus, killing at least five personnel, including senior military advisors, and injuring others.

“While Israel has rarely claimed responsibility for any of these incidents, its officials have repeatedly acknowle
dged its military operations in Syria and have suggested that more such operations will occur in the future,” he added, underlining the need for the Councils continued engagement.

Khiari concluded by underscoring the Secretary-Generals appeal for restraint.

“Any miscalculation could lead to broader conflict in an already volatile region, with devastating consequences for civilians who are already seeing unprecedented suffering in Syria, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the broader Middle East,” he said.

Source: Qatar News Agency