Day: July 8, 2023

Temperatures remain around their average as the country is affected by low pressure that extends in all layers of the atmosphere.

“The weather will be relatively hot and clear in general, while it will be partly cloudy in the coastal areas, dust and hot in the eastern regions and al-Jazeera, Meteorology Department said on Saturday.

The expected temperatures in some Syrian cities will be as follows:

Damascus 36/20, Daraa 34/20, Homs 31/21, Hasaka 41/27, Tartous 30/26, Aleppo 35/23, Dear Ezzor 41/27.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Al-Wahda team beat Ittihad Ahly Aleppo in the second match of the Men’s Basketball League final, with a score of 78-74 points. The match that was held Friday at al-Hamdaniya Sports Hall in Aleppo.

The first quarter of the game came in favor of al-Ittihad by 25-18 points, and the two teams tied in the second quarter by 20-20 points. Al-Wahda advanced in the third quarter by 19-11 points, and the fourth quarter ended in favor of Ahli by 10-9 points, so that the original time ended with the two teams tied 66- 66 points, then the two teams resorted to the extra time which ended with Al Wahda winning 78-74 points.

Al-Ittihad Ahly Aleppo lost in its first match of the final round against al-Wehda, with a score of 67-58 points.

The two teams will play next Tuesday at al-Fayhaa Hall in Damascus in the third match of the final round.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Governor of the Russian Voronezh province, Alexander Gusev, announced that the Russian air defense forces downed two drones as they approached the province’s airspace.

Two drones were figured out and destroyed by air defense means as they approached Voronezh, and no casualties or damage were reported, Sputnik quoted Gusev as saying on his channel on the Telegram .

The Russian Armed Forces have been carrying out their special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with the aim of protecting the population of the Donbass region and eliminating threats to Russia’s security.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Cultural activities of “Damascene Rose… From Syria to Turin” concluded Saturday with a musical evening performed by four students from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Turin, entitled “Saxophone Quartet”.

The students performed a collection of classical music pieces by a number of international composers from several eras, starting from the Baroque era to the modern era.

Delivering a speech at the beginning of the musical evening, conductor of the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra Maestro Misak Baghboudarian expressed happiness for performing the concert at a Roman amphitheater that is similar to the Roman amphitheaters in Syria, recalling the musical evenings performed at Bosra Archaeological Theater in 2004 and “Gate of the Sun” in Palmyra city in 2016 in celebration of the liberation of the city from Daesh terrorist organizations.

He added despite the differences of language and geographical places to which we belong and live, music brings us together, expresses noble values, and contributes to building peace.

Damascus Rose… from Syria to Turin is organized by the Royal Museums in Turin and Syrian Trust for Development, in cooperation with Fondazione Santagata for the Economics of Culture.

It witnessed rich cultural activities, including a photographic exhibition showing the Rose of Damascus and the practices and crafts associated with it, a symposium on the Rose of Damascus in Syrian literature, a musical evening entitled “Ode to the Rose”, and a conference on cultural heritage titled “Bridges of Peace”.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Commerce Iman bint Habas Al-Mutairi has showcased national efforts to empower women and enhance their participation in the Kingdom’s economic development.

Al-Mutairi participated in an event on equal and comprehensive representation of women in decision-making systems on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva in partnership with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The event was jointly sponsored by the permanent missions to the United Nations of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Addressing ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions in Geneva and the U.N. organizations, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has framed the economic transformation process.

The vision, adopted by the Kingdom’s government in accordance with the directives of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, prioritizes the enhancement of women’s participation in various fields at all levels across the Kingdom, she added.

CEDAW member Nicole Emilen; Ambassador Tine M?rch Smith, the Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations in Geneva; CEDAW Vice Chair Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia; and U.N. Women representative Christine Arab participated in the event.

Lama Ghazzawi, a member of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, moderated the session of discussions.

In her speech, Al-Mutairi said that Saudi women are at the heart of the country’s transformation process, affirming that their participation in development is one of the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth.

She noted that the Kingdom has developed initiatives that support women-related policies and helped women assuming high-level positions at the ministerial and ambassadorial levels and becoming members of the Shura Council.

Last year, women in the Kingdom constituted 41 percent of those holding high-and-middle-level positions in the business sector, Al-Mutairi said.

Meanwhile, more than 9,000 Saudi female leaders have been registered in the National Platform for Saudi Women Leaders (Qiyadyat) with the aim of supporting Saudi women and documenting their success stories, she added.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh’s night sky lit up yesterday evening with dazzling fireworks and astonishing drone shows to announce the official start of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide. Running for eight weeks, until the end of August, the festival will host 15 elite tournaments from 12 top titles, rock the concert stage at Mohammed Abdu Arena with an electrifying lineup of global music stars and delight millions of visitors with entertainment zones and a raft of family-friendly activities.

The opening ceremony was held at Riyadh Boulevard City; it was followed by a press conference at a dedicated media center, where journalists and media representatives were welcomed.

Speaking at the conference were CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation Turki Alfawzan and Deputy CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation Ahmed Albishri: “Gamers8 represents a vital step toward our grand vision of becoming a global gaming hub,” said Alfawzan.

“We are driven by a commitment to provide cutting-edge entertainment offerings for our youth, invigorate the gaming and esports industry, nurture and showcase Saudi gaming talent, and expand our tourism offerings to captivate audiences from near and far. Gamers8 Season 2023 is not just a standalone event, it is a testament to our ambitious global strategy. This strategy aligns seamlessly with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which encompasses six main pillars: esports, gaming consumption, game development, education and talent attraction, funds, as well as technical and physical infrastructure. By embracing these pillars, we are forging a fruitful path and solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in the gaming industry,” Alfawzan added.

Gamers8: The Land of Heroes will host: Fortnite, Tekken 7 Nations Cup, PUBG Mobile World Invitational, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege, Dota 2, StarCraft II, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Rocket League, PUBG Global Series 2, three FIFAe tournaments, and Street Fighter 6.

“With a remarkable prize pool exceeding $45 million, triple that of last year, the festival sets a new standard in the industry,” said Alfawzan, adding: “We are breaking records and pushing boundaries to pave the way for the future of gaming on a global scale. Our theme – ‘The Land of Heroes’ – represents Saudi Arabia as the ultimate destination for gamers from all corners of the world. Within the bounds of this extraordinary event, participants will discover a world filled with opportunities and endless possibilities.”

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, the Gamers8 action, which lasts for eight entertainment-packed weeks, began on July 6 at the purpose-built esports venue at Boulevard Riyadh City. The worldwide renowned festival is bringing the virtual world of esports and gaming into the physical realm of Riyadh, a city which is the ideal setting for an ultra-modern entertainment extravaganza with big ideas and big ambitions. The big date blasts off a superb summer in Riyadh featuring the biggest esports competitions, live concerts with local, regional, and international names, as well as festivals, shows, community gaming, education platforms, and fun-filled activities for all ages.

“For our esteemed visitors, this event will be unforgettable, acting as a gateway to unparalleled experiences that will leave you captivated and inspired,” said Albishri.

“It is a place where you can immerse yourself in elite competitions among the world’s finest gamers, witness awe-inspiring global music performances, and explore your favorite gaming realms brought to life. You can also gain invaluable insights into the future of the gaming industry and connect with passionate gaming enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.

“Our next goal is to create a gaming, esports, and entertainment event that surpasses all expectations. We aim to present global premier talent, creativity, and technology that will position Gamers8 as a leading festival in the industry. With an expansive scope and unparalleled diversity, we aspire to compete with the most popular festivals worldwide. With that said, this season is built upon seven pillars that guide our approach, ensuring a comprehensive and fulfilling experience for all attendees. Gamers8 Season 2023 represents our unwavering dedication to the gaming, esports, and entertainment community. Together, with our visitors, gamers, artists, families and our esteemed sponsors – who have played a pivotal role in making this summer season a reality. We want to celebrate the spirit of gaming, embrace diversity, and forge lasting memories that will define the future of this industry,” concluded Albishri.

Gamers8: The Land of Heroes concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports event held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, at Kingdom Center, on August 30-31, which brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.

For further Gamers8 details, including ticket sales, please see the information available on the event website.

Some of the highlights from last year’s Gamers8:

*1.4 million visitors

*132 million people watching the elite competitions

*392 professional players

*113 international professional teams

*61 nationalities represented

*Eight nights of music at Boulevard Riyadh City throughout the summer that brought in an incredible 74,670 spectators, who enjoyed performances by 19 global artists, 10 Arab artists, and 17 Saudi artists.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has distributed 243 food baskets in Port Sudan, Red Sea State of the Republic of Sudan, to the benefit of 950 individuals.

This is part of the humanitarian assistance provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s relief arm KSrelief in the Republic of Sudan to help achieve food security and alleviate the suffering of the needy there.

Source: Saudi Press Agency