Day: August 13, 2023

Categories
Market

Jeddah Islamic Port Customs Thwarts Attempt to Smuggle 2,242,560 Captagon Pills in Consignment of Baklava

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 2,242,560 Captagon pills hidden in a consignment of baklava that entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Jeddah Islamic Port.

ZATCA said it coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to arrest the two individuals who were supposed to receive the shipment.

It also stressed that it will continue to tighten customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports to ensure the security and protection of the society from criminal activities, in cooperation and constant coordination with GDNC.

ZATCA calls on the public to report any information concerning drug smuggling or selling by calling 1910 or the international number 00966114208417. It may also be contacted through email: 1910@zatca.gov.sa. All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality, and a financial reward will be given to the informer if the tip proves true.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Categories
Market

Ithmaar Bank announces half-year profits

Ithmaar Bank B.S.C. (closed), a Bahrain-based Islamic bank, reported profits for the first half of the year as it announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023.

The results show a net profit attributable to equity holders of the Bank for the three-month period ended 30 June 2023 of BD3.37 million compared to the net profit of BD1.30 million reported for the same period in 2022, mainly due to increase in core income, partly offset by foreign exchange impact during the period resulting from the Bank’s strategic investment. Total profit for the three-month period ended 30 June 2023 was BD5.59 million, compared to a net profit of BD2.02 million for the same period in 2022, mainly due to increase in core income.

The results also show a net profit attributable to equity holders for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 of BD1.56 million, compared to a net profit of BD1.49 million for the same period in 2022. Total profit for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 was BD5.36 million, compared to a net profit of BD3.52 million for the same period in 2022.

Total assets stood at BD2.20 billion as at 30 June 2023, 4.6 percent lower than BD2.31 billion as at 31 December 2022. This is mainly due to foreign exchange impact during the period resulting from the Bank’s strategic investment.

Total owners’ equity increased to BD37.68 million as at 30 June 2023, a 4.3 percent increase from BD36.12 million as at 31 December 2022 mainly due to profits for the period.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Categories
Market

Ma’aden Result Report for Q2 2023 Shows SAR6.97Bn Revenues

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) today issued its financial results for the second quarter of 2023, showing total revenues of SAR6.97 billion.

Ma’aden’s focus on transformation underpinned by higher fertilizer production helped it secure new strategic partnerships and increase its financial flexibility, helping it to deliver transformational growth projects, which is part of Ma’aden’s 2040 growth strategy.

The company’s net profit was SAR351 million, reflecting lower commodity prices compared to a record year in FY22.

According to Ma’aden, its long-term borrowings and net debt were down by 11% and 9%, respectively, from December 2022, the latter helped by the early debt repayment of SAR3 billion by Ma’aden Wa’ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (MWSPC).

Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt said: “Ma’aden achieved a record quarter of phosphate production as we strengthened our leading position in the global fertilizer market. This is a reflection of our current focus on growth, which is being driven by our transformation program and the 2040 strategic objectives.”

Adding that Ma’aden will continue to focus on improving its business to support its next phase of growth, he said that means the company needs to be more agile and responsive so it “can deliver our next phase of growth”.

“We are making good progress in scaling the company’s operations, implementing a more efficient operating model and positioning Ma’aden to transform the mining sector into the third pillar of the Saudi economy. The steps we are taking are ensuring we are becoming a company fit to meet the challenges of our industry and realize the value of Saudi Arabia’s mineral endowment,” he said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Categories
General

Activities of the Damascus Countryside Expatriates Forum kicked off in Al-Nabek city

With the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Fayssal Mikdad,the activities of the Damascus Countryside Expatriates Forum for the year 2023 kicked off in Nabek city.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Categories
General

Statement on allegation regarding the UAE supplying arms and ammunition to any of the warring parties in Sudan

Concerning reporting by a media outlet on the UAE allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to warring parties in Sudan, Afra Al Hameli, Director of Strategic Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has expressed the UAE’s categorical refutation of the claims and allegations in the story. The UAE has not supplied arms and ammunition to any of the warring parties in Sudan since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023. Moreover, Al Hameli reaffirmed that the UAE does not take sides in the current conflict engulfing Sudan, and seeks an end to the conflict and calls for respecting Sudan’s sovereignty.

In a statement, Al Hameli stressed that since the beginning of the conflict, the UAE has called for de-escalation, a ceasefire and the initiation of diplomatic dialogue, through bilateral and multilateral fora alongside its partners.

The UAE has consistently supported the political process and efforts to achieve national consensus towards forming a government and will continue to support all efforts aimed at achieving security in Sudan and enhancing its stability and prosperity until a ceasefire is secured, she added.

Furthermore, Al Hameli underscored that the UAE continues to monitor the humanitarian situation affecting the Sudanese people and its impact on neighboring countries. The UAE seeks to provide all forms of support to alleviate humanitarian suffering, and has operated an air and sea bridge providing approximately 2,000 tonnes of medical, food and relief materials for the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, children, the elderly, and women.

The UAE also built a field hospital in the Chadian city of Amdjarass in July for those in need of medical care, regardless of nationality, age, gender or political association. The hospital has successfully treated 4,147 cases. Moreover, Al Hameli noted that the UAE inaugurated recently a coordination office for UAE foreign aid in the Chadian city of Amdjarass.”

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Categories
General

Death Toll in Northwest China Mudslide Rises to 21

The death toll in a rain-triggered rock and mudslide in the suburbs of Chinese city of Xian, northwest China, has risen to 21, with six others still missing.

According to the Xian municipal emergency management department, the torrential rainfall on Friday caused the mudslide accident in a village on the outskirts of Chang’an District, adding that rescue forces are continuing the search and rescue.

They said the rock and mudslide damaged two residential houses, roads, power supply, and communication facilities.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Categories
General

Arab League Stresses that Unloading FSO Safer Prevented Environmental, Humanitarian Disaster

The Arab League welcomed the completion of the plan to unload crude oil from the decaying FSO Safer tanker off the coast of Yemen on the Red Sea.

In a statement today, the League stressed that the oil unloading plan prevented an environmental and humanitarian disaster by preventing oil from spilling out of the tanker into the sea, expressing its thanks to everyone who contributed to that cooperative work regionally and internationally.

On Friday, the United Nations announced the completion of transferring more than one million barrels of oil from the decaying FSO Safer off Yemen’s Red Sea coast onto the replacement vessel Nautica, stressing that the operation saved the region from a potential environmental disaster that would have cost $20 billion undo its impacts.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Categories
General

Jordanian Army Shoots Down Drug-laden Drone Coming from Syrian Territories

The Jordanian army said that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle a quantity of narcotic substances loaded by a drone coming from the Syrian territories.

Jordan News Agency (Petra) quoted an official source in the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) as saying that the drone was controlled and shot down, following a monitoring and tracking operation.

According to the source, the drone was laden with quantities of crystal, which were seized and transferred to competent authorities. The source stressed that the JAF will always confront perpetrators who attempt to compromise the security of the nation and citizens.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Categories
Information

Georgetown University Honors Graduates of IEDM

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), one of the partner universities of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), celebrated the sixth cohort of graduates of the International Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management (IEDM) degree program, in the presence of HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi.

The IEDM program is offered by Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) in Washington, DC, in collaboration with GU-Q’s Office of Executive and Professional Education.

The sixth cohort of graduates, comprising professionals from healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, have acquired essential skills and expertise in disaster preparedness and response through five intensive residencies in five countries, and immersive experiences and interactions with leading experts.

As part of the event, a student exhibit featuring capstone projects highlighted original research on key issues in global incident management, underscoring the essential role of emergency response education in ensuring community safety during disasters.

Marking the occasion, faculty director for the IEDM program in DC Dr. Tim Frazier said: “Georgetown is indeed fortunate to have such intelligent and capable students in its program, and I know each of you will be amazing representatives of our great university as you move through life.” In his remarks, the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Safwan Masri, said: “Your Masters degree in Emergency and Disaster Management opens a new stage in your professional careers. The significance of this unparalleled qualification cannot be overstated. It stands for your capacity to protect and prevent, to help and save – when disaster strikes.” During the ceremony, a number of projects on contextualizing disaster management for district and township staff and another on emergency managers and their perceptions of climate change and the global environment were presented.

Earning special recognition for their research, Hannah Ludes, a former team leader with AmeriCorps NCCC: FEMA Corps, won the Outstanding Capstone Impact Award for her work exploring Covid-19-related burnout in US nurses.

Emma Reynolds won the Outstanding Capstone Thesis Award for her exploration of the complex task of developing a capacity index for host states dealing with a refugee crisis impacted by climate change.

IEDM Alumnus Faruk Azad, Assistant Executive Director of Business Development at Hamad Medical Corporation, was honored with the Alumni and Ambassador Extraordinaire Award for his contributions to the program.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Categories
Government

Cambodia, China Discuss Promoting Bilateral Relations

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met on Sunday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is visiting Phnom Penh.

The two sides discussed enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries and agreed on importance of upgrading strategic cooperation in all fields.

Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Cambodia comes within a tour that included Singapore and Malaysia.

Source: Qatar News Agency