Saudi Arabia announces vital developmental projects in Yemen

Saudi Arabia announces vital developmental projects in Yemen
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman speaks to the President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi. (SPA)
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Updated 30 June 2022

Saudi Arabia announces vital developmental projects in Yemen

Saudi Arabia announces vital developmental projects in Yemen
  • Initiatives include 17 development projects in 6 sectors, valued at $400 million
  • A further $200 million will provide oil derivatives to operate power stations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced a number of vital developmental projects in Yemen to bolster the economy, the Kingdom’s deputy defense minister said on Thursday.

“The initiatives include 17 development projects in 6 sectors, valued at $400 million, in addition to $200 million in oil derivatives for power stations,” Prince Khalid bin Salman tweeted.

The projects will be carried out by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and aim to help the Yemeni people.

Prince Khalid met with the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi and members of the council to convey the Kingdom’s support and appreciation for their efforts.

The deputy defense minister said Saudi Arabia is committed to alleviating the suffering in Yemen and achieving security, peace, stability, and economic development.


Drug dealers, smugglers arrested across Kingdom

Drug dealers, smugglers arrested across Kingdom
Updated 18 sec ago

Drug dealers, smugglers arrested across Kingdom

Drug dealers, smugglers arrested across Kingdom
  • Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and all seized narcotics were handed over to the authorities

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have reportedly arrested a number of people across the country for drug-related offenses in recent days.

On Saturday, Border Guard patrols in the Al-Aridhah governorate of Jazan arrested five Yemenis system for smuggling the narcotic plant, qat, having previously thwarted an attempt to smuggle in 100 kilograms of qat. In Al-Rabwa in Asir, the Border Guard arrested 27 Yemenis attempting to smuggle qat into the Kingdom.

The General Directorate for Narcotics Control announced that it had arrested a citizen in Tabuk for dealing amphetamine, methamphetamine and hashish, and another person in Hail for dealing amphetamine.

Jeddah police announced that they had arrested Yemeni residents for hashish dealing, and Al-Khurma police arrested three citizens in Makkah for the same offense.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and all seized narcotics were handed over to the authorities. All those arrested have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

Members of the public can report suspected smuggling or other violations of the customs system in strict confidence via email — [email protected] — or through the designated number for security reports: 1910 from within the country, +966114208417 from overseas. A financial reward is offered if the information leads to discovery of a crime.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Libya’s agreement on electoral laws

Saudi Arabia welcomes Libya’s agreement on electoral laws
Updated 10 June 2023

Saudi Arabia welcomes Libya’s agreement on electoral laws

Saudi Arabia welcomes Libya’s agreement on electoral laws
  • Saudi Arabia praised Morocco’s efforts in facilitating dialogue between rival Libyan factions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed the agreement reached by the Libyan 6+6 Joint Committee on presidential and parliamentary election laws, the foreign ministry said.
The committee, which is made up of MPs from the House of Representatives and members of the High Council of State, held talks in Morocco to draft legislations that would eventually serve as the legal framework for holding elections in the country. On June 7, the 6+6 Committee unanimously voted in favor of the laws during meetings in Morocco’s Bouznika.
Saudi Arabia, in a foreign ministry statement, praised Morocco’s efforts in facilitating dialogue between rival Libyan factions and reaching an agreement to achieve a political settlement in Libya.

 


“The Kingdom hopes Libyan parties would formally sign the electoral laws as an important step to end the crisis and enhance security and stability in Libya,” said the foreign ministry.
The ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s support for efforts to strengthen Libya’s status as an influential state in the Arab region and the world, and achieve the aspiration of its people for stability and prosperity.

 


Saudi King Salman offers to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims

Saudi King Salman offers to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims
Updated 10 June 2023

Saudi King Salman offers to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims

Saudi King Salman offers to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a directive to host 1,000 Palestinians pilgrims to participate in this year’s Hajj season from the families of martyrs, injured and captives. 

The Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday that the initiative is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program, annually supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the kingdom. 

In a statement, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, thanked the King and Crown prince for their continuous support towards the families and relatives of Palestinian martyrs and those wounded.

“The continuation of this generous gesture towards the pilgrims of Palestine who perform Hajj every year at the expense of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques comes as an affirmation to the depth of the relationship and his appreciation of the great sacrifices made by the Palestinian people.” he said.

The program for the guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques includes all aspects of performing the blessed ritual.


Umm Al-Qura University’s Career and Innovation Forum concludes

Umm Al-Qura University’s Career and Innovation Forum concludes
Updated 10 June 2023

Umm Al-Qura University’s Career and Innovation Forum concludes

Umm Al-Qura University’s Career and Innovation Forum concludes
  • Saudi university’s 2023 forum attracts 50 international companies
  • Thousands of training jobs also offered at the event in Makkah

MAKKAH: Makkah’s Umm Al-Qura University recently concluded its three-day Career and Innovation Forum 2023 that aimed to foster entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

The forum serves as a scientific and professional incubator in which the roles of various governmental, private and non-profit sectors are integrated to create suitable job opportunities for university graduates and students in various scientific disciplines.

Dr. Amer Al-Zaidi, UQU’s vice president for educational affairs, told Arab News that the forum brought together various ideas and entrepreneurial projects under one umbrella.

“UQU required from all of its students that their graduation projects be pioneering and serve as the nucleus of a pioneering company in the future,” he said.

He noted that 1,500 graduation projects were filtered into 60 pioneering projects through UQU’s Institute of Research and Innovation. “A group of international investment companies were invited to arbitrate these projects, including Makkah Co., owned by Umm Al-Qura University. The companies chose eight projects in preparation for converting them into pioneering companies, and signing the required contracts. One of those companies, for example, provided a design for Ihram clothes with cooling and bacteria-free features.”

Al-Zaidi pointed out that 50 international companies took part in the forum offering 2,000 training jobs. “Some of these companies even provided face-to-face interviews for immediate employment, where the interviews took place within the forum. Others provided work contracts after concluding a six-month training, which is an opportunity for students to learn about the jobs offered, and exploit them,” said Al-Zaidi.

He added that these opportunities coincided with the graduation ceremony held last week that saw the graduation of 16 thousand students, and said the university, in turn, offered jobs in addition to organizing 20 training courses and 20 workshops to train graduates for the labor market. The workshop focused on training the participants on resume formulation and knowledge preparation for the labor market.

Al-Zaidi underlined that the forum targets graduate and entrepreneurial students, along with talented local students in Makkah, with the very best given immediate admission to the university.

He said that, as part of the efforts aimed at making Makkah a smart city, “we at UQU have contracted with the Royal Commission for Makkah City to ensure the actual application of the projects submitted in the holy sites, the Grand Mosque in Makkah and in Madinah so that they form a practical extension for all the successful and winning ideas in the Hajj hackathon.”


Saudi FM, Solomon Islands PM discuss ways to develop joint cooperation

Saudi FM, Solomon Islands PM discuss ways to develop joint cooperation
Updated 10 June 2023

Saudi FM, Solomon Islands PM discuss ways to develop joint cooperation

Saudi FM, Solomon Islands PM discuss ways to develop joint cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, and his accompanying delegation during their official visit to the capital, Riyadh, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

At the beginning of the reception, Prince Faisal conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Sogavare, and their wishes for continued stability, progress and prosperity to the government and people of the Solomon Islands.

The two side reviewed the bilateral relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields, and discussed intensifying joint coordination on many issues of concern to both countries, the ministry said in a statement.

They also discussed opportunities for economic cooperation in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2023, and exchanged views on international developments.