Day: August 1, 2024

Salfit – Ma’an – The occupation authorities issued a decision to seize approximately 8 dunams of land from the village of Iskaka, east of Salfit, “for military purposes.”

The head of the Iskaka village council, Osama Zaher, stated that the occupation authorities delivered a military order, ordering the seizure of seven dunams and 9.2 m of citizens’ lands in the ‘Al-Qaniya’ area, north of the village, Basin No. (3), for military purposes, indicating that the area is 150 m away from citizens’ homes.

Zahir pointed out that the objection period, as stated in the decision, is 7 days, and this period is not sufficient, adding that the area is adjacent to the “Nofim Haniya” settlement, which was built on citizens’ lands.

Source: Maan News Agency

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) murdered more than 39,480 Palestinian civilians and injured more than 91,128 others (mostly children), since the beginning of the Israeli occupation’s genocide against the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip stated today that the IOF committed two massacres against Palestinian families in Gaza, in the past 24 hours, slaughtering 35 civilians and injuring at least 55 others.

The sources indicated that thousands of victims remain under the rubble of the demolished buildings and the ruins of the destroyed city, pointing out that civil defense crews are unable to reach the victims because the Israeli army is targeting all movements in all areas across the Gaza Strip.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority marked World Ranger Day, which falls on July 31, with various activities.

According to the authority, the occasion holds significant importance as it pays tribute to the dedicated efforts of rangers. It aims to highlight their invaluable work and acknowledge their substantial contributions to the protection of natural heritage and wildlife.

The authority emphasized that the work of rangers plays a crucial role in supporting environmental research, conducting surveys, and generating vital statistics that accurately reflect the condition of ecosystems within and around the reserves. It added that this day also provides an opportunity to honor rangers for their service to the environment and their country.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

HE Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba met today with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nepal Mishal bin Mohammed Al Ansari.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Pahala Nugraha Mansury, in Jakarta yesterday.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed various topics, including the importance of exploring areas of cooperation between the GCC and Indonesia and ways to develop and strengthen them. They also reviewed collaboration within the framework of the joint action plan between the GCC and Indonesia (2020-2024).

Furthermore, they discussed the region’s latest political and security developments and issues of common interest. Al-Budaiwi emphasized the numerous connections and relationships that link the GCC countries and Indonesia, contributing to coordinating efforts to enhance cooperation in all areas and achieve common interests.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed with Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe enhancing bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The conversation, held in Beijing, dealt with bilateral cooperation between the two sides and the importance of enhancing it to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The Chinese Foreign Minister pointed out that the new summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing next September, adding that China is ready to work with African countries to make the summit a success, and to push forward the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Real Estate Price Index (RPI) showed a 1.7% increase in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of last year. This rise is mainly due to a 2.8% increase in residential prices, according to a General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) report released today.

The report revealed that residential land plot prices have increased by 2.8% year-on-year, primarily driven by the residential sector, significantly impacting the overall increase in real estate prices. Specifically, prices for apartments rose by 2.9%, while residential building prices decreased by 0.1%, villa prices by 0.5%, and house prices by 1.4%.

The report also showed that the commercial sector experienced a 0.4% decrease in real estate prices due to declines in the prices of commercial land plots by 0.4% and commercial galleries by 0.6%. However, the prices of commercial buildings and commercial centers remained stable during the second quarter of 2024, showing no significant change.

However, the agricultural sector recorded an
increase of 1.5% due to increased agricultural land prices by 1.5%.

The RPI is based on recorded data from real estate transactions available at the Saudi Ministry of Justice. This index serves as a vital tool for supporting relevant authorities in making economic and statistical decisions related to real estate price movements and future forecasts across different periods and sectors, including residential, commercial, and agricultural.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) reviewed the crude oil production data for the months of May and June 2024 and noted the high overall conformity for participating OPEC and non-OPEC countries of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC).

The Committee noted the Republic of Iraq, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation assurance during the meeting to achieve full conformity and welcomed the recent submission of their compensation plans for the overproduced volumes since Jan 2024 to the OPEC Secretariat.

During today’s meeting, the member countries that participated in the June 2nd, 2024 meeting in Riyadh along with Oman, reiterated that the gradual phase-out of the voluntary reduction of oil production could be paused or reversed, depending on prevailing market conditions. These countries had announced the extension of the voluntary reduction of oil production by 2.2 million barrels per day until the end of September 2024 and outlined plans for this reduction to be gradually phased
out on a monthly basis until the end of September 2025.

The Committee will continue to monitor the conformity of the production adjustments decided at the 37th ONOMM held on the 2nd of June 2024, including the additional voluntary production adjustments announced by some participating OPEC and non-OPEC countries and will continue to closely assess market conditions.

The JMMC retains the authority to convene additional meetings or to request an OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, as outlined during the 37th ONOMM held on the 2nd of June 2024.

The next meeting of the JMMC (56th) is scheduled for 02 October 2024.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih met yesterday with Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development Affairs and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar.

The two sides explored ways to enhance and expand cooperation, particularly in attracting Saudi investments to the Egyptian health sector, including pharmaceuticals, and complementary industries.

Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the depth of the historical relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt and the aspiration to leverage the two countries’ strategic geographic location to support investments in the health sector across Asia, Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Al-Falih praised the efforts to promote investment cooperation between the two brotherly countries at the governmental and private sector levels, which aligns with their shared development goals.

Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini attended the meeting.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Two Palestinian men were shot by the Israeli occupation forces at Thursday dawn during a raid on the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem.

Security sources reported that two young men in their twenties were shot after the occupation forces targeted them inside the village, the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) said.

Meanwhile, the forces also detained a 27-year-old after raiding and searching his house, it added.

The sources added that a fire broke out in the house of another Palestinian citizen as a result of the occupation forces throwing tear gas and sound bombs at the house.

Source: Qatar News Agency