Day: September 18, 2024

Nazareth Ma’an – A young man (28 years old) was killed in a shooting crime in the city of Nazareth, early Wednesday morning.

Israeli police forces arrived at the crime scene, began searching for the suspects who opened fire, and began investigating the circumstances of the crime.

Since the beginning of the year, 167 Arab citizens have been killed in the 1948 areas, including women and boys under the age of 18, in various crimes, including shooting, stabbing, and vehicle bombings.

Source:Maan News Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has affirmed that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel is contingent on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, said in a speech before the Shura Council on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of the Kingdom’s concerns, and we renew the Kingdom’s rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people, ignoring international and humanitarian law in a new and bitter chapter of suffering.

The Saudi Crown Prince appreciated the position of the countries that recognized the Palestinian state as an embodiment of international legitimacy, calling on the rest of the countries to take similar steps.

He pointed out that the Kingdom is keen to cooperate with all active countries in the internati
onal community, certain that what protects humanity and preserves its civilizational values is the joint pursuit of a better future based on fruitful cooperation between countries and peoples, respecting the independence and values of countries, adopting the principle of good neighborliness, non-interference in their internal affairs, and avoiding resorting to force in resolving disputes.

He noted that the Kingdom seeks to enhance regional and international security and peace, by making efforts to reach political solutions to crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya and others, as well as supporting solutions to international crises such as the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

The Saudi Crown Prince added that the Kingdom has achieved many essential achievements during the recent stage, and from the models of these non-oil activities in the Kingdom, it recorded its highest contribution to the real GDP at (50%) last year, which enhances the sustainability and comprehensiveness of growth and achieves high quality in economic d
iversification, and the Public Investment Fund continues its role in achieving its goals to be a driving force for investment, and unemployment among citizens, both male and female, recorded its lowest historical level in the first quarter of 2024 AD, reaching (7.6%), after its rate was (12.8%) in 2017 AD.

He added that the percentage of home ownership for citizens increased from (47%) in 2016 to more than (63%), and in the field of tourism, the achievements preceded the target date, as the national tourism strategy launched in 2019 set a target of (one hundred) million tourists in 2030, and this target was exceeded and reached (one hundred and nine) million tourists in 2023, and the Kingdom achieved the sixteenth rank among the most competitive countries, and with the exploration of natural resources, the Kingdom becomes one of the largest natural resource stores in the world, and your country has also achieved an advanced position in the field of renewable energy, and has become one of the most active regi
onally and internationally.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has announced that the death toll in a series of new explosions targeting ICOM radios, which occurred Wednesday has risen to 14 dead and more than 450 injured.

The ministry announced earlier Wednesday that the death toll from the explosions had risen to nine dead and more than 300 injured.

It is worth noting that several Lebanese regions witnessed simultaneous explosions of a large number of pager devices yesterday, Tuesday, which led to hospital emergency rooms being filled within half an hour with a number of injured people exceeding their capacity.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcoming of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on “ending the unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories’ which was voted on during the emergency special session.

The Kingdom stresses the need to take practical and credible steps to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions in a way that ensure the Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The State of Qatar has Affirmed that quality education is a basic human right, noting that it contributes to promoting the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among individuals and societies, and plays a major role in reducing the outbreak of armed conflicts by providing opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills, encouraging dialogue, exchanging ideas and building capacities to create opportunities for economic growth.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by Mohammed Yousef Rashid Al Malki, Second Secretary at the Department of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a panel discussion on quality education for peace and tolerance for every child, within the framework of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Al Malki indicated that providing quality, safe and comprehensive education for all is the main guarantee for creating safe societies and building sustainable peace, noting that the efforts of the State of Qatar to find peaceful solutio
ns to international and regional conflicts were not limited to leading mediation and negotiation efforts only, but also focused on providing quality education for all.

He said that the State of Qatar, within the framework of its regional and international initiatives, has been keen to ensure that education is one of the means that enhance stability and achieve development, such as the Educate a Child initiative led by the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, which has succeeded in providing quality education to more than ten million children around the world who were deprived of this right due to conflicts and natural disasters, and the Women in Conflict Zones initiative led by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) with the aim of supporting women and girls in conflict and crisis contexts, by responding to their needs and enabling them to confront the negative effects that arise during crises, especially those related to the ability to access quality education, adequate health care, and the life skills requ
ired to achieve life.

Source: Qatar News Agency

In line with its objective of preserving monetary stability, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) decided to reduce the rate of Repurchase Agreement (Repo) by 50 basis points to 5.50%, and the rate of Reverse Repurchase Agreement (Reverse Repo) by 50 basis points to 5.00%.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

HE Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle praised the efforts of the State of Qatar regarding the situation in Gaza and its significant role in mediation, which is crucial for achieving a ceasefire. He affirmed his belief in the two-state solution and the Palestinians’ right to recognition of their state.

During a panel discussion moderated by Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari and organized by the Community College of Qatar, Hoyle said that the State of Qatar’s role is highly important in negotiations as the country can speak to all parties and bring them together at one table. He added that this is something that is desperately needed in order to achieve peace and the release of hostages.

He stressed the need to rebuild Gaza and give Palestinians hope for the future, saying, that the world cannot allow people to be born into poverty, death, tragedy, and illness. He also stressed the need for giving those people hope in life bec
ause life is worth living, and sustainable peace must be realized on the ground.

In another part of the discussion, Sir Lindsay Hoyle spoke about his experience in politics and parliamentary work, his approach to managing parliamentary sessions, and the challenges he faced, particularly during a sensitive period when he assumed the Speaker’s role. He also emphasized the principles he upholds regarding political neutrality and his role in modernizing the parliamentary system while preserving its deep-rooted traditions.

He stressed the importance of the Speaker being completely neutral and serving all members of parliament, regardless of party affiliation, ensuring that members adhere to parliamentary rules and procedures, and that discussions are conducted fairly, allowing every member the opportunity to express their views.

At the end of the panel discussion, President of the Community College of Qatar Dr. Khaled Mohammed Al Horr presented commemorative shields to the guests Sir Lindsay Hoyle in recognitio
n of his political and parliamentary efforts, and Dr. Al Ansari for his moderation and for enriching the discussion with valuable lessons and experiences.

The panel was attended by HE UK Ambassador to Doha Nirav Patel , along with officials from the academic and administrative bodies, and a large number of college students.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing a variety of activities and events to celebrate the 94th Saudi National Day and highlight the rich heritage of falconry, which is an integral part of Saudi culture.

The Saudi Falcons Club’s activities, which will be launched at Oud Square in Riyadh over four days from September 20 to 23, aim to highlight the club’s efforts to preserve the heritage of falconry and pass it on to future generations.

A section will be dedicated to offering visitors of all ages a chance to interact directly with falcons, learn about their different species, and view the key tools used by falconers in practicing this ancient tradition.

The club’s activities will include a photography corner, allowing visitors to capture their moments with the falcons and take souvenir photos, enhancing their experience and providing an interactive and direct way to learn about this cultural heritage.

The events are part of the Saudi Falcons Club’s efforts to educate the public of all ages and interests about
the significance of falcons and highlight their role and status in the national heritage. They serve as an opportunity to strengthen the spirit of patriotism and celebrate National Day in a way that combines entertainment with education.

The Saudi Falcons Club has announced the launch of its 2024-2025 season activities, which include the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024, the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, as well as the 2024 Falcons Club Cup, which will be held for the first time in Hafar Al-Batin.

Other events include the AlUla Falconry Cup, the Milwah Race, and the International Falcon Breeders Auction.

The initiatives aim to sustain the heritage of falconry locally and globally, preserve it, and pass it on to future generations.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

ConteQ Expo 2024, The first edition of the Advanced Technology for Construction and Services ConteQ Expo24 concluded after three days of activities, events, panel discussions and showcasing of the latest technology and technological trends by the most important international and local companies.

organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and the Ministry of Labour (MOL), together with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), ConteQ Expo 2024 saw the participation of 200 exhibitors, 60 speakers and the attendance of over 15,000 visitors, reflecting its status as a vital platform for innovation and cooperation in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

ConteQ Expo24 presented the world’s innovations and technological trends, attracting the most prominent giants, such as Google, Microsoft, Siemens, Honeywell, Huawei, and IBM, in addition to leading local governmental and non-governmental companies and institutions such as Ashghal, Wes
t Bay Petroleum, Qatar Investment Authority, UrbaCon Trading and Contracting Company.

These diverse participations of major names underscored the exhibition’s role in driving technological progress and promoting public-private partnerships, which are essential to diversifying the country’s economy and sustainable development.

Commenting on the conclusion of the exhibition, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ConteQ Expo 24 and Manager of the Technical Office at Ashghal Eng. Salem Mohammed Al Shawi said, “We are proud of the successful organization of the first edition of the Advanced Technology for Construction and Services ConteQ Expo 24. We were pleased to organize the exhibition that includes the latest developments and advanced technologies in the field of construction and services.” He added that the exhibition witnessed remarkable interaction, record participation, as well as numerous signed agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).

Eng. Al Shawi revealed that because attendance exceeded e
xpectations throughout the Expo’s three days, serious considerations are being made with regards to organizing yet another edition, especially given participating entities’ positive feedback, expressing their willingness to partake in future editions.

He also pointed out that the agreements signed by Ashghal, pertaining to cooperation in various fields, will enhance the quality of its projects in the near future, adding that this is particularly relevant as these projects involve prefabricated buildings, 3D printing, and other technologies that reduce reliance on unskilled labor, minimize waste, and ultimately enhance the quality and sustainability of buildings.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ConteQ Expo 24 and Manager of the Technical Office at Ashghal thank all sponsors, participants, and speakers for their cooperation in presenting a distinguished edition. He added “We witnessed remarkable interaction during the exhibition and a record participation from visitors that exceeded expectations.
During the exhibition, 27 agreements were signed with a group of leading companies in Qatar and the world, including Schneider, Microsoft, Google, Siemens, Honeywell, Huawei, IBM, Qatar Development Bank, Mannai Company and other companies.” For his part, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ConteQ Expo 24 and Manager of Public Relations and Communications Department at Ashghal Abdullah Saad Al Saad stated that the success of this edition exceeded expectations, impressing attendees and participants who expressed a desire to extend the exhibition’s duration, noting the notable attendance of school and university students.

Al Saad added that the success of this edition encouraged organizers to work on a more advanced edition that would feature more foreign company participation in terms of both quantity and variety of technologies presented.

He pointed out that Ashghal achieved the goals for which it partook in organizing this event, be it with regards to the success of the event, or in terms of the si
gned agreements and MoUs, which will have many positive returns on Ashghal’s future projects.

During the last day of ConteQ Expo24, 65 schools visited the exhibition, and around 1300 students from middle and secondary schools were introduced to the latest technologies, and explored the technological innovations such as 3D printing, robotics and the uses of artificial intelligence, and were presented with live demonstrations of drones.

The Expo highlighted successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), such as the collaboration between the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ and UCC, which is set to construct 14 new schools. These initiatives exemplify Qatars commitment to integrating the private sector into its developmental goals.

It served as a leading platform to showcase innovative technical solutions prepared to redefine construction and service industry standards, and to showcase the latest developments and innovations in construction technology, focusing on productivity, quality, reliability, cost savi
ngs and energy efficiency.

The last day saw over 60 industry experts shared their insights on key topics, including innovative building technologies, service accelerators, and policy development. Moreover, it included panel discussions and workshops on topics ranged from sustainable practices and AI-driven construction to enhancing project management through data empowerment.

These discussions provided valuable perspectives on the future trajectory of the construction and services sectors.

Both Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ConteQ Expo24 Eng. Salem Al Shawi and Vice Chairman of the Committee Abdullah Al Saad honored a number of companies participating in the exhibition for their excellence in several fields. The Sustainability Award and Best Stand Design were presented to UCC, the Best National Pavilion Award to the Republic of Singapore Pavilion, the Startup of the Year Award to SouthTech, the Community Choice Award to Doha Kowate, the Technological Award to FBR, the Peoples Choice Award to Goog
le Cloud, and the Best Launch Product Award to Hilti.

Source: Qatar News Agency