The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, described the development road project as: "A promising opportunity for Iraq, Turkey and all countries of the region." The alliance stated in a statement: "Al-Hakim met in his office this evening with the official of the Iraq file in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Ali Reza Guney, accompanied by Anil Bora Inan, the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad." Al-Hakim stressed, during the meeting, the depth of the relationship between Iraq and Turkey and the importance of strengthening commonalities and starting from them in intertwining mutual interests and unifying positions towards regional and international issues. He also stressed the importance of economic integration with Turkey, stating: "The development road project represents a promising opportunity for Baghdad, Ankara and all countries of the region and the world because it represents a meeting point between the East and the West." Al-Hakim stressed at the same time the preservation of Iraq's so vereignty and the importance of the presence of the sovereignty feature in all bilateral agreements concluded between the two sides, calling for the implementation of the water management agreement and increasing water flows and releases. He stressed the need to stop the unjust war in Gaza, calling for a unified Islamic position, holding the international community responsible for stopping the Israeli killing machine against the defenceless people. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
King Khalid Royal Reserve Hosts Wilderness Life Support Training for Climbers and Hikers
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority and the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation recently completed a wilderness life support training course at King Khalid Royal Reserve. Over 20 participants learned essential skills for providing immediate medical care in remote and challenging environments. The course covered a range of critical skills, including injury assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound treatment, and first aid for common outdoor emergencies like suffocation, burns, fractures, heat stress, and sunstroke. Participants gained hands-on experience through field exercises and simulations designed to replicate real-life scenarios. They also received instruction on using basic medical equipment in natural settings, empowering them to respond effectively in challenging situations. Source: Saudi Press Agency
A terrorist detachment killed in an Iraqi airstrike in Hamrin Mountains
The Security Media Cell announced the killing of a terrorist detachment in an airstrike by Iraqi F-16 aircraft in the Hamrin Mountains area in Diyala Governorate. The cell stated in a statement that: "In continuation of the security work carried out by our heroic armed forces in pursuing the remaining elements of the terrorist ISIS gangs, and through the distinguished intelligence and technical effort carried out by the Military Intelligence Directorate for three days, with planning, follow-up and supervision by the targeting cell in the Joint Operations Command, and at 19:00 on Friday, after completing all requirements and identifying targets, the Air Falcons carried out a successful airstrike by F16 aircraft in the Hamrin Mountains within Diyala Operations Command sector." It added: "The strike targeted a terrorist hideout with a terrorist detachment consisting of 3 elements inside, as they were killed and all weapons and equipment inside were destroyed." Source: National Iraqi News Agency
King Abdulaziz University Hospital Honored with DAISY Award
King Abdulaziz University Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The university president, Dr. Tareef Alaama, expressed pride in the 11 nursing practitioners nominated for the award. He emphasized the hospital's commitment to achieving excellence in patient care. The head of the nursing department, Dr. Ghada Abdullah, noted that the DAISY Award aligns with Vision 2030's goals of supporting the nursing sector. She explained that receiving such awards is crucial for improving job satisfaction and enhancing the quality of healthcare provided to patients. Source: Saudi Press Agency
UNRWA: The West Bank witnessed the bloodiest violence since last November
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed today, Friday, that last week was the bloodiest for civilians in the West Bank since November 2023. The UN Agency added, in a post on its account on the /X/ platform, that "while the war on Gaza continues, violence and destruction in the West Bank are increasing every hour, and this is unacceptable and must stop now." It stressed that "last week was the bloodiest for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since last November, as many people were killed, including 7 children." Since August 28, the Zionist entity forces have launched a large-scale aggression on the West Bank, especially its north, which has so far resulted in the martyrdom of 40 Palestinians, including 21 from Jenin Governorate, 8 from Tulkarm, 8 from Tubas, and 3 from Hebron, bringing the death toll in the West Bank since October 7, 2023 to 700. It is noteworthy that the Zionist entity forces have arrested more than 10,400 Palestinians from the West Bank, including Al-Quds, since the beginning of the ongoing war of extermination and comprehensive aggression on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Border Guards Concludes Maritime Safety Awareness Exhibition in Yanbu
The General Directorate of Border Guards today concluded its maritime safety exhibition aimed at enhancing awareness about maritime safety practices. The exhibition was held at Dana Mall complex in Yanbu from September 4 to 6. The directorate introduced visitors and park-goers with instructions and regulations of the Border Guard for beachgoers, penalties for swimming in dangerous and prohibited areas, safety guidelines to follow when visiting the sea, and its efforts in search and rescue operations. The directorate emphasized the importance of adhering to maritime safety guidelines, monitoring weather conditions, exercising caution during weather changes, and ensuring the safety of the maritime vessel before sailing. The directorate urges the public to call 911 in Makkah and Eastern regions and 994 in other regions of the Kingdom for emergency assistance. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters Semifinals Lineup Is Complete
The semifinal lineup for the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, hosted at the Green Halls in Riyadh, has been confirmed. Four matches were played Thursday, featuring eight players: four from England, two from China, and one each from Australia and Wales. Chinese player Si Jiahui, ranked 22nd in the world, caused a major upset by defeating the legendary player Ronnie O'Sullivan, a top contender for the title, by the score of 6-4. The 22-year-old Si Jiahui will now face three-time world champion Mark Williams from Wales, who defeated England's Jimmy Robertson 6-0. In other matches, world number 1 Judd Trump continued his impressive form throughout the tournament, beating 2010 world champion Neil Robertson of Australia 6-3 and advancing to the semi-finals, where he will face his compatriot Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion. The semi-finals will begin Friday. Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy will compete at 2:00 PM, followed by a match between Si Jiahui and Mark Williams at 8:00 PM. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry Concludes Sharia Course in Indonesia
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the religious attaché office at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Jakarta, today concluded an intensive Sharia course program organized by the attaché over three days in cooperation with the Islamic Center Mua'z bin Jabal. The course included explaining the book of the Six Fundamental Principles and Sunnah doctrine and educating the ministry's preachers about dealing with people, being kind to them and spreading knowledge with patience. The course is organized within the framework of the programs and activities being implemented by the ministry outside the Kingdom to provide Sharia knowledge and spread the values of moderation and to avert extremism and fanaticism. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Non-Profit Sector Center Holds Workshops and Discussions with US IRS
- A delegation from the National Center for the Non-Profit Sector (NCNPS) conducted workshops and discussions with leaders of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Washington. The workshops and open sessions covered topics related to tax exemptions for non-profit organizations and discussed the governance and regulation of the non-profit sector in both countries. This visit is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance and develop the non-profit sector so that it can be more effective in social and economic development. Source: Saudi Press Agency
ZATCA Issues Fee Rules on Customs Services at Ports
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced the issuance of a decision by its Board of Directors regarding the Fee Rules on Customs Services, which includes specifying the fees on customs services provided by ZATCA and the conditions for fulfilling them. The decision will be implemented on 6 October 2024, which includes waiving the fees for all customs services for exports and reducing customs service fees for imports through a new mechanism for calculating import service fees, which involves a fee of 0.15% of the value of the incoming goods for customs declaration processing services. In addition, the Fee Document on Customs Services stipulates a fee of SAR 15 for customs declaration processing services on individuals' shipments arriving through online stores, provided that the value of these shipments does not exceed SAR 1,000. In a press release issued today, the ZATCA clarified that the customs services for exports for which the fees have been waived include customs declaration process ing service, lead seal, land port loading services, X-ray inspection, customs data exchange, and sample analysis exchange at specialized laboratories. ZATCA added that previously, the customs service fees for imports included a charge of SAR 100 for each container inspected by X-ray, an additional SAR 100 for "information exchange" services, and SAR 20 for customs declaration processing services. With the new decision, the fee shall be based on 0.15% of the value of the incoming goods, including insurance and shipping, with a maximum of SAR 500, a minimum of SAR 15, and a special cap of SAR 130 for shipments exempt from customs duties and taxes. ZATCA invites customers and taxpayers to contact it if they have any inquiries via the unified 24/7 call center number (19993), its X Account (@Zatca_Care), e-mail (info@zatca.gov.sa), or instant chatting through its website (zatca.gov.sa). ZATCA indicated that waiving customs service fees for exports would encourage exporters, alleviate financial burdens, espec ially for SMEs, and enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Saudi exports. ZATCA also confirmed that the new mechanism for calculating import service fees aims to reduce import costs and enhance the importers' capability to pre-calculate customs service fees for imports and set a higher limit for such fees. The new decision also ensures the elimination of any cost increases against importers and unifies the calculation mechanism for the various land, sea and air ports while supporting and enhancing trade facilitation objectives. ZATCA also announced that through the new measures, it seeks to provide customs services in accordance with the best practices, leading to realizing positive income across the logistics ecosystem and supporting its strategic objectives. The new measures also aim to promote the confidence of importers and exporters and improve transparency. ZATCA reiterated its commitment to develop its customs services in line with its strategic objectives by contributing to turning Saudi Arab ia into a global logistics hub in line with Vision Source: Saudi Press Agency