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CAIRO: Qatari, Egyptian and US leaders called on Israel and Hamas to resume urgent talks on Aug. 15 either in Doha or Cairo to bridge all remaining gaps in the proposed Gaza ceasefire agreement and start implementing it without any delay, the three countries said in a joint statement on Thursday.
“It is the time to conclude a ceasefire agreement and release hostages and prisoners,” the statement added.
ISTANBUL: More than 90 passengers and crew were evacuated from a Russian plane Sunday after one of its engines caught fire while landing at an airport in southern Turkiye, the transport ministry said.
The incident involved a Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SU95) operated by Russia’s Azimuth Airlines.
They plane had just landed at Antalya airport on Turkiye’s Mediterranean coast when a fire broke out in one of its engines, a ministry statement said.
“A SU95 type and RA89085-registered aircraft of Azimuth Airlines traveling from Sochi airport in Russia to Antalya airport had an engine fire during landing,” it said.
“Eighty nine passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated at 9:43 p.m. (1843 GMT) and there were no injuries.”
All further scheduled landings at the airport would be canceled until 3:00 am, it added, saying other planes waiting to depart would use the airport’s military runway for takeoff.
An airport official told Anadolou state news agency that the fire had affected its left engine but had been quickly extinguished.
Diriyah Company has been awarded two prestigious Mostadam (Ajwad) certifications for sustainability by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The dynamic mixed-use developer was recognized for the Northern Diriyah Area and the Ritz-Carlton Residences development projects. The announcement was made at the Cityscape Global real estate event themed “The Future of Living,” held in Riyadh from Nov. 11-14.
The certification — in line with the Kingdom’s Quality of Life Program — a central aspect of Vision 2030 — is granted to residential buildings and communities based on ratings that measure the sustainability of these projects. This is achieved by applying sustainability and quality of life standards, such as increasing green spaces, providing safe pathways for pedestrians as well as cyclists, and reducing water waste by reusing it for irrigating the gardens and green areas of the project.
The Diriyah project is fully committed to sustainability.
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company
The Ajwad initiative has registered 74 projects, with five Diriyah projects included under the program to date, of which two have successfully attained this highly sought-after certification:
• Diriyah North (Masterplan certification — Diamond Level)
• The Ritz Carlton Residences (Asset certification — Gold Level)
The remaining three projects are scheduled for certification next year.
Diriyah North achieved 86 points on the Mostadam certification scale for its master plan, achieving Diamond level, the highest level of Mostadam certification. This accomplishment underscores Diriyah’s commitment to sustainability and enhancing the community’s quality of life. Additional Diriyah districts will apply for the Mostadam Diamond certification in the coming months.
Diriyah North’s sustainability achievements include meeting 100 percent of irrigation demand by Treated Sewage Effluent, providing 46 percent shaded walkways for pedestrians, and dedicating 25 percent of the area to parks and open space.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “The Diriyah project is fully committed to sustainability. These latest accreditations are a significant endorsement of our dedication to employing the highest standards of environmental protection in construction and design, enabling us to deliver a brand-new concept in urban development with a unique people-first urban regeneration project for everyone to enjoy.”
The latest recognition follows a series of sustainability accolades recently awarded to Diriyah. Diriyah received LEED Platinum certification in 2023, for the first phase of the Diriyah masterplan, becoming the first project in the Middle East to achieve the highest level of certification at masterplan level. Additionally, the Wadi Safar masterplan received the region’s first SITES Gold precertification. Moreover, Bujairi Car Park and Samhan Car Park were also awarded Parksmart GOLD pre-certification in 2022 and 2023 respectively, for sustainability best practices.
Abeer Medical Group has announced the soft launch of Lavender Health, a premium speciality healthcare facility dedicated to provide value-based healthcare services. The soft launch took place at the Global Health Exhibition, attended by high-profile guests including Dr. Ibrahim Alomar, assistant deputy minister for health investment, along with officials from the Ministry of Health and senior leadership from Abeer Medical Group. The event marked a significant milestone in the group’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services, emphasizing quality and a delightful experience for everyone.
Alungal Mohammed, president of Abeer Medical Group, said: “As we embark on the 25th year in the Kingdom, I am happy to introduce Lavender Health, a new vertical with a selected set of specialities for the niche group. This facility is a testament to our dedication to high-quality healthcare and our mission to meet the evolving needs of our care seekers.”
Dr. Alomar said: “The launch of Lavender Health is a commendable initiative that aligns with our continual efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality in the Kingdom. We applaud Abeer Medical Group for their initiative and dedication to improving the health and well-being of our citizens.”
Lavender Health is set to offer a wide range of healthcare services equipped with state-of-the-art technology and skilled healthcare professionals, ensuring that care seekers receive the highest standard of care.
In a landmark achievement for Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, Tourism Development Fund CEO Qusai Al-Fakhri has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council. This appointment highlights TDF’s growing international influence and its vital role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading global tourism destination in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Executive Committee membership, one of the highest roles bestowed on a Saudi entity within the WTTC, reflects TDF’s commitment to sustainable tourism development and international collaboration. The WTTC unites key decision-makers, leaders, and experts from across the global tourism industry, focusing on strategies that drive long-term growth in travel and tourism.
The TDF CEO’s appointment underscores TDF’s leadership in fostering international partnerships, advancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, and positioning the Kingdom as a top destination for foreign investment. By sharing insights and learning from global best practices, TDF will further accelerate the growth of Saudi tourism, enhancing its global standing and economic potential.
Al-Fakhri said: “Joining the WTTC’s Executive Committee is a prestigious recognition of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global tourism landscape. It reaffirms TDF’s commitment to driving tourism transformation in the Kingdom.”
Through this platform, we aim to leverage global expertise and innovative solutions to achieve the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030, while promoting sustainable growth across Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.” He also highlighted TDF’s continued dedication to developing the sector through financial support and advisory solutions that empower investors and enhance collaboration with both local and international stakeholders.
The WTTC is the premier global entity representing the private sector in travel and tourism. Its mission is to raise awareness of the industry’s economic and social impact while providing a platform for leaders to share insights and address critical challenges. The WTTC’s annual global summit brings together top executives from the world’s largest travel and tourism companies to explore key issues and opportunities.
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met with European officials on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Jubeir, who is also the Saudi climate envoy, held talks with Delphine Pronk, the Chair of the EU Political and Security Committee, and Luigi Di Maio, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf region.
They discussed issues surrounding climate change and the cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the EU in environmental fields, SPA added.
They discussed ways to strengthen their existing cooperation on tackling climate change and the recent development in foreign policy in Europe and the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia maintains a strong dialogue with the EU, and both parties share close views on several foreign policy issues, including the Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative for the Middle East, which aims to create a prosperous region for all its people and end the cycle of conflict.
The EU and Saudi Arabia are also linked through trade relations, which made the EU the Kingdom's second trading partner after the volume of trade exchange between Riyadh and Brussels peaked at $80 billion in 2023.
