Category: General

Manama, In the presence of Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi, Information Minister, Fahad Mohammed Salim Kardos Al Amiri, the newly appointed UAE Ambassador to Bahrain, visited the heritage village in Ra’s Hayyan Area, where he met with the organisers of the traditional competition programme “Al Sariya.”

In this year’s edition, the programme focused on celebrating the unique heritage of each GCC country, showcasing Bahrain’s initiatives to enhance collaborative media efforts within the Gulf region.

The programme, aired on Bahrain TV during Ramadhan is very popular with the Gulf audience, particularly due to its focus on showcasing the rich folklore and heritage of the GCC. This week’s episodes were dedicated to showcasing the culture of the UAE and its rich heritage.

The UAE Ambassador’s visit to the programmer came in appreciation to the Ministry of Information for introducing the viewers to GCC folk heritage, and to attend the making of the episode with the “Al Sariya” programme team.

Source: Bahrain Ne
ws Agency

Makkah: On the 25th night of Ramadan, the Grand Mosque was filled with waves of worshippers, visitors and Umrah performers who had come to spend the remainder of the last ten days of Ramadan in the sanctuary of the holy Kaaba. The Grand Mosque’s floors and courtyards were packed with worshippers, and rows of people stretched out to the surrounding areas, all in search of the Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Power). The atmosphere was filled with faith, awe, and tranquility.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) captured the essence of this blessed night, possibly Laylat Al-Qadr, as it showcased the sense of security and tranquility felt by the visitors of the Grand Mosque.

They experienced this amid a comprehensive range of services provided by the relevant authorities for both the Umrah performers and visitors inside and outside the mosque.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jerusalem – Together – The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that 27 children have died in the Gaza Strip since October 7, due to malnutrition.

Ghebreyesus explained in a post on the ‘X’ platform on Wednesday that this number will rise further if a ceasefire is not reached immediately.

He stressed the need to establish security throughout the sector in order to increase the distribution of humanitarian aid to the population.

Israel restricts the entry of aid by land into Gaza, which has led to a scarcity of food, medicine and fuel supplies and has created a famine that has begun to claim the lives of children and the elderly in the Strip, which is inhabited by about 2.3 million people, including about two million displaced as a result of the war, and which Israel has besieged for 17 years.

Source: Maan News Agency

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Prisoners’ Club said that the occupation prison administration carried out transfer operations against life-detainees held in the “Ofer” prison, where they were transferred to several detention centers, including: “Gilboa, Nafha, Raymond, and Megiddo.”

They added in a statement today, Wednesday, that the transfer operations come within the framework of widespread transfer operations that took place after October 7 against hundreds of detainees, which mainly targeted the leaders of the captive movement and detainees with high sentences, and were accompanied by widespread attacks against them that took place during their transfer. And after him.

They said that there are many detainees from the leaders of the captive movement who have been isolated, and some of them have been in solitary confinement for several months, noting that those who were transferred have been subjected to repeated transfers since the beginning of last year un
til today.

They emphasized that transfer operations against detainees constitute one of the most prominent systematic policies used by the prison administration to abuse them, which escalated significantly after October 7, and were accompanied by widespread attacks.

Source: Maan News Agency

New York, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced on Wednesday that the israeli occupation army continues to prevent the agency’s teams from reaching northern Gaza to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians, who are suffering a famine as a result of the siege and aggression that has been committed non-stop by the occupation on the Strip for 180 days.

In a statement, the UN agency said that 176 of its employees were tragically killed since the beginning of the israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, stressing that this death toll is the agency’s largest than any previous conflict.

The israeli entity has refused to allow UN and international institutions, especially UNRWA, the Red Cross, and the World Food Program (WFP), to work in northern Gaza, while the occupation army restricts the entry of aid by land into the rest of the Strip, causing scarcity of food, medicine, and fuel supplies, and creating a man-made famine that has been killing children, the
elderly and the wounded.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Jeddah: Art collective teamLab and the Saudi Ministry of Culture are moving forward with the construction of a major new museum in Jeddah Historic District, teamLab Borderless Jeddah.

Exhibiting over 50 experiential artworks created by teamLab using digital technology, teamLab Borderless Jeddah will be the first-ever permanent teamLab Borderless museum in the Middle East, according to a press release from the Ministry of Culture.

According to the release, the immense museum is progressing steadily toward completion.

teamLab Borderless Jeddah, in this Red Sea coastal city, is being built on the shores of Alarbaeen Lagoon, overlooking the panoramic views of Jeddah Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The museum is part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture revitalization program of Jeddah Historic District. It seeks to preserve the historical urban center as a vibrant cultural hub reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s diverse history and innovative spirit.

teamLab Borderless is a world of artwork
s without boundaries, a museum without a map created by art collective teamLab. Artworks move out of rooms, communicate with other works, influence, and sometimes intermingle with each other, forming one borderless world. Visitors can explore this unique environment and immerse themselves in the art, discovering new wonders as they wander through the space.

When teamLab Borderless first opened its doors in Tokyo in June 2018, the museum welcomed over 2.3 million annual visitors and set the world record for the most visited museum by a single art group.

As a collaborative initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and teamLab, the all-new teamLab Borderless Jeddah will contribute to further developing a thriving cultural ecosystem in the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Gaza, The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Wednesday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 has risen to 32,975 martyrs in addition to 75,577 wounded, majority of whom are women and children.

In its statement today, the ministry said that the Israeli occupation forces committed five massacres against families in the Gaza Strip over the past 24-hours, resulting in 59 martyrs and 83 wounded.

The unprecedented Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip continues for the 180th day, on land, air, and sea, destroying infrastructure and resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy, as more than 2 million residents of the Strip live in extremely difficult conditions in light of the lack of water and electricity as the occupation authorities prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have emphasized the great importance they attach to technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights, considering them important tools to assist countries in fulfilling their obligations. They stressed that the success of programs relies on adopting a cooperative approach based on the consent of the countries concerned, taking into account their requests, needs, and national contexts, and implementing effective and purposeful activities to achieve tangible and sustainable results.

This came in a statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar in Geneva Abdullah bin Ali Behzad, on behalf of the GCC countries, currently chaired by Qatar, during the general discussion on technical assistance and capacity building within the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The GCC countries pointed out the importance of enhancing efforts to build the capacities of developing coun
tries to prepare and implement national plans aimed at achieving all sustainable development goals. They encouraged, in this context, submitting requests for support to the High Commissioner, expressing their anticipation for the High Commissioner’s response based on its mandate in this field.

The GCC countries welcomed the request of the Human Rights Council from the High Commissioner in its resolution under this item in September last year to establish an electronic repository showing technical cooperation and capacity-building activities related to the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations. They expressed their hope that this would contribute to increasing efficiency and clarity in technical cooperation and capacity-building activities that beneficiary countries could benefit from and facilitate the exchange of best practices and experiences among countries and relevant entities.

The GCC countries emphasized the importance of basing technical cooperation and capacity-building pr
ograms on the principles of respect for national sovereignty, away from politicization and double standards, and within a constructive cooperative spirit and meaningful partnerships.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Madinah: The Haramain High-Speed Railway caters to hundreds of thousands of visitors and Umrah Performers during the month of Ramadan, offering round-the-clock trips between Madinah and Makkah. Its purpose is to transport visitors, citizens, and residents to engage in Umrah rituals and prayers at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

With five stations strategically located in Makkah, Madinah, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh, the Haramain High-Speed Railway stands as the largest transportation project in the Middle East region. Designed by Saudi Arabia, it aims to serve visitors of the Two Holy Mosques year-round, especially during the Umrah and Hajj seasons.

Covering a distance of 450 km in approximately two hours at a speed of up to 300 km/hour, the electrically operated train boasts the highest security and safety standards. It operates emission-free, ensuring a comfortable and secure journey for travelers between the two holy cities.

A
t the Madinah station of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) captured scenes showcasing the range of services offered to passengers. From passenger reception and reservation verification services to baggage procedures and direct boarding onto the train cars just minutes before departure, the process is efficiently managed by young Saudi specialists. These specialists meticulously oversee the train’s running schedule to ensure punctuality.

Passenger services encompass various aspects, including gate reception, reservation verification, guidance through escalators to the waiting area, and seamless transition to the train platform. Additionally, the station staff supervises security arrangements, ensures luggage safety, directs passengers to their designated seats, and assists individuals with disabilities by providing wheelchair access to designated seating areas.

Ensuring a safe and convenient journey, the services extend to onboard provisions, including food options, and secure ele
ctronic payment methods throughout the trip.

Source: Saudi Press Agency