Eleven percent of new cases were recorded in Riyadh
A total of 2,100 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far
Updated 09 July 2020
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced 41 more deaths from COVID-19 and 3,183 new cases of the disease on Thursday.
Over ten percent of new cases were recorded in Riyadh with the capital reporting 364 new cases. Dammam recorded 247 new infections, Jeddah 246, Hufof 196 and Taif 181.
The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 161,096 after 3,046 more patients recovered from the virus.
A total of 2,100 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far.
King Abdulaziz University hosts National Development Fund’s governor at panel discussion
Stephen Groff looks at achieving aims of Saudi Vision 2030
Updated 1 min 16 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University hosted Stephen Groff, the National Development Fund’s governor, in a panel discussion at the Academic Dialogue Table organized by the Faculty of Economics and Administration.
Groff discussed the role of the NDF and the broader development ecosystem in achieving Saudi Vision 2030, in an event also attended by Dr. Tareef Al-Aama, the university’s president.
King Abdulaziz University hosts NDF Governor at “Academic Dialogue Table”. (Supplied)
Groff said that the fund aimed to enhance developmental impact and improve productivity, highlighting the key strategic priorities and ongoing initiatives being provided to entities under the fund’s umbrella, such as economic diversification and growth stimulation.
He added that the NDF contributed to creating sustainable job opportunities as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship.
FASTFACT
Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale project.
Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale projects in sectors such as transportation, housing, and public utilities through its affiliated entities, including the recently established National Infrastructure Fund.
He explained that the primary mission of the fund, as a development finance institution, was to empower development funds and banks to achieve their sector-specific objectives, beneficiary goals, and activity targets, while focusing on specific areas and ensuring the financial sustainability of development finance entities in the future.
He concluded by stressing the critical role of the fund in reviewing and evaluating the impact of every program, project, or initiative aimed at addressing developmental needs, economic priorities, challenges, and available opportunities.
The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: A dedicated portal to receive applications to provide iftar meal services inside the Grand Mosque during Ramadan has been launched by The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10. It also requires the contracting of an authority-approved catering company and adherence to specified terms and conditions.
The authority has emphasized the need to provide low-calorie meals for individuals with chronic diseases and diabetes, making up 20 percent of individual meals and 30 percent of meals provided by charitable organizations.
Applications can be submitted through the authority’s website by visiting https://iam.alharamain.gov.sa/sso and selecting “iftar meal reservation system.”
Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of either Feb.28 or March 1, depending on moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.
10 Saudi ministries, entities exhibiting at Cairo book fair
Universities, libraries and several publishing bodies also represented
Delegation led by Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission
Updated 14 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: Ten Saudi Arabia government ministries, universities and other bodies are participating in the 56th Cairo International Book Fair 2025 to promote the nation’s culture and forge ties with Egypt and other countries.
Organized by the General Egyptian Book Organization, the exhibition that began on Thursday will conclude on Feb. 5.
The participants include the lead Kingdom exhibitor, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, and the Saudi cultural attache in Egypt are also represented.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and cabinet member for Shoura Council affairs, accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, Saleh bin Eid Al-Hosseini, and other officials. (SPA)
The other participants include the King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Prince Sattam University, University of Tabuk, University of Hafr Al-Batin, and the Publishing Association.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and cabinet member for Shoura Council affairs, accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, Saleh bin Eid Al-Hosseini, and other officials.
During the event, Bin Saeed toured the booths of the nation’s participating entities to review their contributions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The participation of the commission aligns with the country's ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s publishing houses and literary agencies.
Saudi authorities clampdown on drugs, illegal goods
Security patrols in Asir and Jazan regions thwarted the smuggling of 34kg and 23kgs of qat in Al-Farsha governorate and Al-Edabi and Al-Daer governorates respectively
Updated 21 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi authorities launched a series of crackdowns on illegal activities around the Kingdom.
Jeddah municipal authorities conducted a raid in Al-Aziziyah district on Thursday, confiscating three tonnes of unregistered tobacco products and 2,200 expired mixing products, along with untaxed tobacco items.
The operation, conducted jointly by municipal monitoring teams, the General Department for Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and other local agencies, targeted an unlicensed facility illegally converted into a commercial space and illegal worker housing.
Officials found food items and refrigeration units during the inspection. They transferred salvageable food to a charitable organization, confiscated all illegal items and sealed the premises.
Security patrols in Asir and Jazan regions thwarted the smuggling of 34kg and 23kgs of qat in Al-Farsha governorate and Al-Edabi and Al-Daer governorates respectively, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The municipality and authorities have urged residents to report violations through official channels as it continues its efforts to protect public safety.
The program features video and photography exhibitions, an Italian botanical garden display, and demonstrations of Italian craftsmanship and industry
Updated 28 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Italian Navy training vessel, the Amerigo Vespucci, will call at Jeddah on Monday for the first time, marking a historic moment in the ship’s 93-year history.
The vessel will dock from Jan. 27-30 at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina as part of its world tour.
During the tour, an initiative called “Villaggio Italia” will highlight Italian culture, beauty, naval training and maritime diplomacy, cuisine, science, research, technology, and industry through events and exhibitions.
As part of this, the “Italia Geniale” is a design presentation organized by the Italian Ministry of Business and Industry and the Ministry of Defense in collaboration with the ADI Design Museum.
The program features video and photography exhibitions, an Italian botanical garden display, and demonstrations of Italian craftsmanship and industry. The event will also host several meetings and seminars on tourism and Saudi-Italian relations, including a conference on the Blue and Space Economy. The conference will also address how sustainability, technological innovation and international cooperation can develop key sectors for economic and environmental progress.
Jeddah marks the vessel’s eighth stop after Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Known as “the most beautiful ship in the world,”, it represents Italy’s maritime heritage and rich naval traditions and serves as a symbol of Italian design excellence.
