UK Gov’t takes new measures against Iran, Russia, over Iranian missiles to Russia


The UK Government announced new and significant measures against Iran and Russia, following the Iranian Regime’s transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

In a press release, the British Foreign Office announced that “in coordination with our international partners, the UK will cancel its bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, which will restrict Iran Air’s ability to fly in to the UK.” This follows repeated warnings from the UK and international partners calling on Iran to cease its planned transfer of the deadly weapons to Russia, whose intent is to cause further humanitarian devastation and loss of life in Ukraine, the statement added.

British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said, “Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to fuel its illegal invasion of Ukraine is a significant and dangerous escalation.” “We have been clear in that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response,” Lammy added.

“Today, alongside our internati
onal partners, we are calling out this behavior and its attempts to undermine global security.

Iran must stop supporting Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Lammdy said.

Together with France and Germany, the UK has also issued a joint statement condemning the transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia and outlined the necessary steps being taken in response.

Alongside the US, the UK is sanctioning a number of key individuals and organizations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including those involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains. Those subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Several Russian organizations are also sanctioned for their intent to use the weapons systems to bring destruction to Ukraine.

Five Russian cargo ships are also sanctioned for their role in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.

Iran is one of Russia’s key milit
ary backers and has transferred hundreds of drones to Russia for use in its war of aggression in Ukraine since August 2022.

New legislation is also being laid in Parliament later this week to strengthen trade sanctions on Iran, targeting items that are used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs and other weaponry.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

GAIN Summit Discusses Advancing International AI Goals

Several leaders in the consulting sector specializing in artificial intelligence emphasized that innovations and knowledge in AI will not be confined to the technical realm, as they extend to geopolitics, policies, and legislation. They stressed the importance of aligning AI developments with sustainable development goals and equality in education.

During a panel discussion titled “Advancing International AI Goals: The Vital Role of the UNESCO Category 2 Centers” at the Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit), the speakers addressed global and regional efforts in AI training and capacity-building.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

KSrelief Supervisor General Meets with UK Development Minister

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah met via video conference with Minister for Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Anneliese Dodds.

They discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.

The minister lauded the efforts made by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, in various countries of the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

UN envoy strongly condemns deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza


UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland strongly condemned on Tuesday the Israeli occupation airstrikes on a densely populated area in an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Wennesland said “while the IDF said it struck Hamas militants who were operating in a command-and-control centre embedded inside the Humanitarian zone, I underline that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, must be upheld at all times.” He emphasized that civilians must never be used as human shields. “Yet again, such actions only underscore that nowhere is safe in Gaza,” he said.

The envoy repeated his call for all sides to immediately reach an agreement that will bring about the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, adding that the killing of civilians must stop, and the horrific war must end.

“Ultimately, only a political path that outlines tangible, irreversible steps towards end
ing the occupation and establishing a two-State solution can put a durable end to the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis,” Wennesland said, noting that the UN stands ready to support all efforts towards this goal.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians were staying in the camp in Khan Younis, and at least 19 people were killed, according to latest media reports.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

MWL Condemns ‘Barbaric Massacres’ in Gaza

– The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the horrific massacres perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people earlier today.

The MWL denounced the continued targeting of unarmed displaced Palestinians in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, located in a designated “safe zone” in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the martyrdom of over 40 people, including many children and women, and leaving dozens of others injured.

In a statement issued today, MWL Secretary General Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa expressed his deepest concern over the Israeli occupation government’s blatant violation of all international and humanitarian resolutions, laws, and norms. This ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, unfolding before the eyes of the world, is a direct challenge to the international community’s calls for the protection of innocent lives.

Sheikh Al-Issa emphasized that there is no justification for this barbarism and humanitarian tragedy other than defiance, arrogance, and revenge a
gainst innocent lives. This escalation only serves to complicate the Palestinian issue and hinder the pursuit of peace in the region.

The Muslim World League calls upon the international community to take urgent action to halt these ongoing massacres, confront the systematic killing, and stop the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Palestinian people.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Folk Maritime New Liner Service Connects Jeddah Islamic Port to India

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the new India Redsea Service (IRS) by Folk Maritime, a Public Investment Fund company, to Jeddah Islamic Port to meet the growing demands of international trade in the region.

The new shipping service connects Jeddah Islamic Port with the ports of Mundra and Nhava Sheva in India and will involve the deployment of a 1,800 TEU vessel from Folk Maritime.

Mawani’s efforts to enhance connectivity between Saudi ports and international ports have attracted major shipping lines, aligning with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to establish Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and a bridge between continents.

Since the beginning of 2024, Jeddah Islamic Port has added nine new shipping services. The port has also undergone significant infrastructure development, with SAR6.6 billion in investments in its northern section. These enhancements solidify the port’s strategic position, offer competitive advantages to exporters, im
porters, and shipping agents, boost operational capabilities, increase capacity, and improve logistical service efficiency.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Stock Exchange Main Index Ends Trading Higher

The Saudi Stock Exchange main index ended trading higher today, gaining 23.70 points to close at 11986.60 points. The total value of trading reported was SAR7 billion, while the total number of shares traded was 368 million.

The Saudi Parallel Market Index (NOMU) ended the day by gaining 104.79 points to close at 25600.58 points, with a valuation of SAR47 million.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

GASTAT Releases Industrial Production Index Data for July 2024


The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for July 2024.

According to the bulletin, in July 2024, IPI rose by 1.6% compared to the same month in 2023. This growth was attributed to heightened activity in the manufacturing industry, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities, as well as water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities.

The report also highlighted a 4.6% increase in the sub-index for manufacturing activity compared to July 2023. Conversely, the sub-index for mining and quarrying activities decreased by 0.8% in July 2024.

The sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activity showed a notable 8.2% increase, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities saw a growth of 1.1% over July 2023.

Data revealed a 1.1% decrease in the index for oil activities in July 2024, along with an 8.2% increase in non-oil acti
vities, compared to the same period the previous year.

IPI is an economic indicator that tracks the development and relative changes in the volume of industrial production quantities. This data is derived from the Industrial Production Survey, conducted among a sample of industrial establishments involved in mining, manufacturing, electricity and gas supply, water supply, sanitation, waste management, and remediation activities. The indicator is published on a monthly basis.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Elm CEO Emphasizes Harnessing AI for Humanity’s Benefit at Global AI Summit


CEO of Elm Company Mohammad Alomair highlighted the Kingdom’s significant strides in artificial intelligence (AI) and its wealth of young talent and strategic resources, positioning the nation to achieve its ambitious goals.

Speaking at the “AI in Balance: Addressing Key Questions” session at the third edition of the Global AI Summit, Alomair emphasized the transformative power of AI on global economies, knowledge, societies, and laws.

He underscored the need for societies to embrace AI software, enabling human cadres to interact, learn from, and leverage its potential to serve future generations in all aspects of life. Alomair stressed the importance of safeguarding individual privacy in the digital realm.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

IARDA Participates in IUCN Regional Conservation Forum for West Asia


The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority (IARDA) is participating in the 10th Regional Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for West Asia held here between September 9 and 11.

The forum is held every four years.

At the forum exhibition, IARDA showcased its expertise in nature conservation and environmental sustainability through projects that reintroduce indigenous wild plants, reclaim degraded lands and remove debris from the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve, and through carrying out scientific experiments to restore the ecological balance and rehabilitate damaged habitats.

Local and international entities participate in the forum where local and international experts and specialists in nature reserves discuss ways to preserve the environment and wildlife, exchange expertise and modern technologies to protect biodiversity and environmental balance, and their initiatives to develop and increase the vegetation
cover, one of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims at improving the quality of life and reaching sustainable environment.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Khan Yunis Massacre is War Crime Committed by Israeli Occupation Forces Against Palestinian People, Albudaiwi Says


Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi expressed his strong condemnation and denouncement of the brutal massacre carried out by the Israeli occupation forces against innocent Palestinian refugees in the Khan Yunis area, south of the Gaza Strip, GCC said in a news release.

Moreover, Albudaiwi stressed that these continuous and brutal attacks perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against unarmed civilians in Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories can only be described as deliberate war crimes, revealing a blatant and systematic criminal approach that reflects an utter disregard for international and humanitarian laws and treaties. He added that these acts also constitute a blatant contempt for all legal, ethical, and humanitarian values.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi called on the international community to take immediate and urgent action to put an end to these heinous crimes, take decisive measures to cease fire immediately, subject the Israeli occupation
forces to accountability for their crimes against humanity, and hold the Israeli government responsible for its racist and barbaric policies against the defenseless Palestinians.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Strong Support for Sudan


Saudi Arabia has reiterated its unwavering support for Sudan and its people during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Majed bin Khothaila, delivered a statement during the interactive dialogue on the oral update of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan.

The Kingdom emphasized the need to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and the worsening humanitarian situation. It stressed the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and aid workers and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid.

Saudi Arabia also urged the prioritization of the interests of the Sudanese people and halting of the conflict to safeguard state institutions and lead Sudan to safety.

Saudi Arabia pointed to its hosting of the Jeddah talks between the parties involved in the Sudanese crisis
and affirmed its commitment to achieving a cessation of hostilities through political dialogue for the benefit of the Sudanese people.

Furthermore, it called on the international community to commit to protecting Sudan and its people and working to restore security and stability in the country while welcoming international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.

Saudi Arabia also expressed its deepest condolences to the Sudanese people following the collapse of a dam in the Red Sea state and the resulting loss of life, praying for the safety and well-being of Sudan and its people.

Source: Saudi Press Agency