Day: September 11, 2024

Israeli warplanes have targeted this morning the outskirts of Alma as-Shaab with a salvo of missiles, setting bushlands on fire, our correspondent reported on Wednesday.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Manama, Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, arrived in Bahrain for a two-day visit, accompanied by his delegation.

He was received at Bahrain International Airport by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Farnaud, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bahrain, residing in Riyadh, and several senior Foreign Ministry officials.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of condolences to Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the death of Sheikh Bader Nasser Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques extended sincere condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Meshal and the family of the deceased, appealing to Almighty Allah to bestow His mercy upon the soul of the deceased.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the President of Customs, received Andrea Catalano, Ambassador of Italy to Bahrain.

Shaikh Ahmed welcomed Ambassador Catalano, highlighting the strong ties between Bahrain and Italy and the importance of enhancing cooperation and exchanging expertise in the customs field.

They discussed topics of mutual interest and ways to strengthen ongoing coordination to serve shared interests.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi confirmed that the Gulf-Chinese discussions addressed ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides, based on solid relations and shared interests, reflecting the outcomes of the first Gulf-Chinese Summit held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2022.

This statement came during the Gulf-Chinese discussions held today in Riyadh. Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang chaired the Chinese side, while Albudaiwi chaired the GCC side.

During the discussions, several topics of mutual interest were addressed, most notably reviewing the latest developments in the free trade negotiations between the council’s member states and the People’s Republic of China.

The secretary-general highlighted the importance of moving forward and concluding these negotiations in the near future. In addition, the discussions included enhancing cooperation between the two sides, ways to develop it in various fields
to serve their shared interests, and the importance of implementing the Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027.

The two sides also exchanged their views on a number of regional and international issues, as well as following up on the latest developments in the region, foremost among which is the crisis in Gaza and the serious and ongoing violations by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. The Chinese side stressed the necessity of working to achieve a ceasefire and implementing all relevant international and UN resolutions.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Geneva, Redha Abdulla Faraj, Deputy Head of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee at Shura Council, participated in the World Trade Organization (WTO) public forum, which brought together international stakeholders under the theme “Reglobalisation: Better Trade for a Better World.” As a member of the steering committee of the WTO Parliamentary Conference, Faraj contributed to discussions on the future of trade in the context of emerging technologies and global shifts.

Faraj underscored the need for in-depth studies on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on global trade and employment, urging the WTO to take the lead on these efforts. He emphasised that such research should be practical and actionable, rather than purely theoretical, to benefit the global trade community.

He also commended the WTO’s focus on next-generation trade and development, stressing the importance of providing young people with guidance and advanced marketing support.

He pointed out that a recent study on the
impact of trade on jobs and wages was constrained by short-term data, especially considering recent global disruptions such as COVID-19. He called for a more thorough analysis of how technology and AI are transforming trade, employment, and productivity.

Faraj also took part in discussions on the newly released World Trade Report 2024, which examined the challenges and opportunities for low- and middle-income countries in the global trade arena. He stressed the importance of infrastructure development and financial backing for developing nations to help them integrate into the global economy and achieve their economic objectives.

In addition, he participated in sessions focusing on youth inclusion in trade, sustainable agriculture, and the future of global trade amidst geopolitical changes, highlighting the need for collaboration and innovation to address these critical issues.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Heritage Commission has revealed the results of a recent scientific study published in the journal The Holocene, as part of the Green Arabia Project, which focuses on studying the history of human expansion and migration in the Arabian Peninsula during prehistoric times.

The study relies on precise spatial analysis, based on archaeological surveys and excavations conducted in 2021 at the study sites to uncover the reasons that led Neolithic inhabitants in northwestern Arabia to choose the locations of the stone mustatils (which means rectangles in Arabic) in the Hail Region for settlement.

The Heritage Commission conducted the study in cooperation with several local and international institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany, the University of Tbingen in Germany, the University of Cologne in Germany, King’s College London, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, King Saud University, Griffith University in Australia, the University of Queens
land in Australia, the Smithsonian Institution in the US, and the University of Malta.

The stone rectangles are massive archaeological structures dating back to between 5400 and 4200 BC. They are located at the periphery of the Nafud Desert, atop hilltops at elevations ranging from 880 to 950 meters, which offer wide views of the surrounding landscapes, indicating that the selection of these sites was not random.

The proximity to water sources and raw materials further emphasizes the deliberate choice of these locations.

The study reveals the existence of significant scattered clusters of these stone rectangles, suggesting specific patterns of movement, and migration of the peoples of that era.

It also indicates that the size and distribution of these rectangles suggest that they were used for various purposes, including religious rituals, social practices, and as markers of territorial ownership.

Experimental studies showed that constructing these stone rectangles was not overly difficult. A small group
of people could build a rectangle 177 meters long in a few weeks. Larger rectangles may have taken months to construct, but the process was faster when community members worked together. The rectangles give an inkling into the organizational skills and cooperation prevalent in those societies.

According to the commission, the findings provide a new context for understanding the stone rectangles. Applying this type of spatial analysis could lead to the documentation of other types of stone structures, which would contribute to a deeper understanding of the organization and establishment of Neolithic communities in northwestern Saudi Arabia, it said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has announced agreements with key Chinese partners during a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a senior delegation led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The agreements reinforce Aramco’s ongoing contribution to China’s long-term energy security and development, support China’s participation in Saudi Arabia’s economic growth, and foster collaboration in new technology development. They include preliminary documentation relating to a Development Framework Agreement with Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Rongsheng) and a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Hengli Group Co., Ltd.

Aramco Downstream President Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani said: ‘The signing of these agreements reaffirms our belief in the long-term, mutual benefits that can arise from Aramco’s close collaboration with our Chinese partners. China is an important country in our global downstream growth strategy, and we look forward to building on a relationship that spans more t
han three decades to unlock new opportunities in this crucial market. These agreements reflect our collective intention to elevate our relationships in vital sectors to advance our downstream objectives, contribute to both China’s and Saudi Arabia’s vibrant energy and petrochemicals sectors, and help develop future technology solutions.’

The preliminary documentation relating to a Development Framework Agreement with Rongsheng is connected to the potential joint development of an expansion of Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF) facilities. It follows an announcement in April that Aramco and Rongsheng had signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement relating to the planned formation of a joint venture in SASREF and significant investments in the Saudi and Chinese petrochemical sectors.

This agreement includes Rongsheng’s potential acquisition of a 50% stake in SASREF, the development of a liquids-to-chemicals expansion project at SASREF, Aramco’s potential acquisition of a 50% stake in Rongsheng affili
ate Ningbo Zhongjin Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (ZJPC), and participation in ZJPC’s expansion project.

The agreement with Hengli Group Co., Ltd. advances talks relating to Aramco’s potential acquisition of a 10% stake in Hengli Petrochemical Co., Ltd., subject to due diligence and required regulatory clearances. It follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2024 regarding the proposed transaction.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Predators are important in maintaining the ecological balance and enhancing biodiversity in nature, thus ensuring the stability of the ecosystem.

The preservation of predators is one of the objectives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, due to their essential role in maintaining the balance of vital species by hunting the most vulnerable species and thus preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring the continuity of healthy species, contributing to increasing biodiversity, and protecting the vegetation cover.

The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has more than 350 species of wild animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The most prominent species within its range are the Arabian wolf, the Arabian fox, the wild cat, and the sand cat.

The authority stresses that hunting in its areas is prohibited in order to preserve the natural environment and protect species from extinction.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Water, an
d Agriculture regulations, hunting specific species is penalized.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, Bahrain expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco over the floods that swept several areas of the south.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain extended its heartfelt condolences to the Moroccan government and people, wishing speedy recovery for those injured.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

During a session at the third Global AI Summit in Riyadh, panelists highlighted the crucial need for well-defined frameworks and policies governing the use of technology and AI. They particularly stressed the importance of clarity, in areas such as justice, business continuity, and transparency, to drive societal advancement and sustainable business growth.

Discussions were prompted by the session “The Governance Roundtable: Stakeholder Representation and Decision-Making Dynamics”, which featured distinguished speakers like President of Huawei Cloud for the Middle East and Central Asia Region Alan Qi, and Vice President at IBM Research Priya Nagpurkar.

Panelists underscored the global need for a robust infrastructure to ensure widespread access to communication and AI services, and deemed AI governance as pivotal in striking a balance between risks and technological advancements.

The speakers deliberated on how modern AI technologies elevate business standards and enhance human capabilities, and said it is
imperative to build human capacities for a deeper understanding of AI and its effective utilization, particularly in developing nations.

They also emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about AI ethics and implementing transparent and sustainable policies to contribute to the advancement of the field.

Source: Saudi Press Agency