Day: September 13, 2024

Caretaker Information Minister, Ziad Makary, on Friday warned of the severe threats Lebanon faces, including Israeli aggression, challenges to national sovereignty, and internal divisions. In a speech during a political seminar in Nabatieh marking the 46th anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr, Makary emphasized that Lebanon is enduring one of its worst crises, both politically and economically. 'Dialogue is the only solution amidst the political deadlock,' Makary said, rejecting claims that dialogue undermines the constitution. The Information Minister also criticized those opposing discussions, urging them to stop obstructing progress and stoking division. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, has allocated a $24 million emergency aid package from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to support the country's most vulnerable populations, and address the urgent needs of those impacted by the ongoing hostilities in South Lebanon. "We are allocating these funds from the LHF at a time of unprecedented challenges. Lebanon is grappling with multiple crises, which have overwhelmed the country's capacity to cope. Despite our best efforts, only 25% of our annual appeal has been met. We urgently call on the international community for more support," Riza emphasized. The new LHF funding will provide urgent support to those in need, including food, shelter, healthcare, WaSH and protection. Specifically, $10 million from the LHF will be directed towards emergency relief for those affected by the hostilities in South Lebanon. Additionally, $13 million will be allocated to support vulnerable communities across Lebanon, and the remaining $1 million will be dedicated to empowering local NGOs, enhancing their ability to respond effectively to the multifaceted crisis. "As the escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon drags on longer than we had hoped, it has led to further displacement and deepened the already critical needs. The long-term consequences on vulnerable groups are particularly worrying - schools are closing, healthcare services are under strain, and basic services are being stretched thin", Riza warned. "The LHF has allowed us to support over 200,000 people, but this is still far from enough. Without sufficient funding, we are not only limited in addressing those immediate needs but also risk weakening our preparedness efforts and our capacity to address the other urgent crises Lebanon is currently facing," he added. In November 2023, in response to the escalation of hostilities on Lebanon's southern border, the LHF swiftly allocated $4.1 million to support advanced preparedness and immediate response efforts for those displaced and in need. This rapid response was further bolstered in February 2024, when the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated an additional $9 million to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in Southern Lebanon. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) are pooled fund mechanisms managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to provide swift, effective, and accountable humanitarian aid. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2005, CERF is one of the fastest funding instruments available to help people affected by crises. The LHF, launched in 2014 and led by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, is a country-based fund managed by OCHA. It has received over US$ 184 million from donors to date, supporting timely and effective aid for Lebanon's most vulnerable populations, regardless of their status. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has categorically rejected allegations of attempts to eliminate critics abroad as "fabrications." 'The Islamic Republic of Iran does neither harbor any intention nor any plan to carry out targeted killing or abduction operations, whether in the West or any other country,' the diplomatic mission said in a statement on Thursday. It added, 'These fabrications have been made and spread by the Zionist regime, the Albania-based Mujahedin-e Khalq terror cult, and certain Western intelligence services - including those of the United States - to divert attention from the atrocities being perpetrated by the Israeli regime.' The statement comes as the US Justice Department and prosecutors said Wednesday that a Pakistani man has been charged for allegedly plotting to assassinate a US official in retaliation for the targeted killing of Iran's top anti-terror commander, General Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad International Airport in January 2020. Asif Raza M erchant, 46, purportedly sought to hire a hitman to assassinate a politician or a US government official in the United States, they claimed. FBI Director Christopher Wray has also claimed that the Pakistani national had 'close ties to Iran.' Source: National news agency - Lebanon

- The Social Development Bank (SDB) has launched the Fintech Hub program in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Empretec program in cooperation with the supporting partner "Fintech Saudi", as the first-of-its-kind program to empower future leaders in financial technology. The Fintech Hub program, which took place from September 8 to 12 in Riyadh, aims to enhance innovation in financial technology by developing a comprehensive economic system focused on supporting emerging projects and ambitious entrepreneurs. The program offers participants a chance to benefit from the latest trends in financial technology and provides them with the knowledge and tools to upgrade their projects and achieve sustainable success. It also reflects the bank's cooperation with partners and supporters in the financial technology sector, including "Fintech Saudi", which plays a vital role in strengthening the financial technology system in the Kingdom. The program is support ed by trainers certified by the Empretec program and global entrepreneurs in financial technology, qualifying participants to learn about the latest technologies and innovations in this field to cope with market developments and learn ways to develop effective and sustainable business models that are compatible with consumer needs and can drive economic growth. Source: Saudi Press Agency

In a swift and commendable response, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) successfully intervened to save the life of an Indonesian pilgrim who experienced a cardiac arrest within the sacred precincts of the Al-Masaa area. The incident underscores the vital role of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) strategically placed throughout the Grand Mosque. The SRCA's emergency teams reached the site within a remarkable four-minute window, finding the pilgrim, a man in his fifties, unconscious and not breathing. Acting with urgency and precision, the team performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and employed an AED to deliver a life-saving electric shock, thereby restoring the individual's heartbeat. The pilgrim was subsequently transported to Ajyad Emergency Hospital for comprehensive medical care. The provision of 15 devices within the Mosque underscores the commitment to public safety, ensuring rapid emergency responses and significantly enhancing survival outcomes in critical instances. Source : Saudi Press Agency

– Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun today, while delivering a speech at an international forum attended by military officials in Beijing, said that “negotiation is the only solution to conflicts such as the Gaza and Ukraine wars.”

During the opening ceremony of the Xiangshan Security Forum, Dong added: “To resolve hot issues such as the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promoting peace and negotiation is the only path.” He stressed that there are no winners in wars and conflicts, and confrontation leads nowhere. “The more acute the conflict, the more important it is not to give up dialogue and consultations, as only reconciliation can bring an end to any conflict.” He called on all countries to promote “peaceful development and inclusive governance.”

According to official media, the Chinese forum will host over 500 representatives from more than 90 countries and organizations over the course of three days. The forum’s agenda includes China-US relations, security in Europe and Asia,
and global security challenges.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The fifth phase of the 'FIFA Football for Schools' program for boys and girls has concluded over two days. The program was attended by 280 students, 46 teachers, and 17 coaches. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) conducted the initiative in Madinah, under the supervision of FIFA, in collaboration with the ministries of sports and education to identify potential talent. On the first day of the program, lectures and workshops were conducted to explain the program's mechanism to the participating teachers. On the second day, students participated in field training. The stadium was divided into multiple training stations, and the players were distributed in groups to perform exercises led by the teachers. The technical director of the SAFF Juniors Department, Khalid Al-Farhan, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and Education, the Saudi Federation for School Sports, and the Madinah Education Department for their interest and support in the success of this event, as well as the teach ers who participated in the program. The FIFA Football for Schools program was conducted in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Jazan for both boys and females. Al-Ahsa will host the sixth phase. Source: Saudi Press Agency

he Fashion Commission is conducting an investment tour in Landon on September 17, which coincides with the conclusion of London Fashion Week. This tour presents a significant opportunity for stakeholders in the fashion sector to investigate new investment opportunities. The Twenty Two, located in the Mayfair area, is strategically close to the primary London Fashion Week activities. This location offers an ideal environment for networking and participation. This tour is part of the Fashion Commission's ongoing endeavours to improve and simplify access to investments in the fashion sector. It also aligns with the strategic pillars and objectives of the Cultural Development Fund to increase the private sector's involvement and contribution to the sector's growth. The event will feature discussion sessions for representatives of the Cultural Development Fund, the Ministry of Investment, the Fashion Commission, and international and local investment companies to facilitate the exchange of perspectives, empha sise the sector's incentives, and contend with investors' obstacles. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The National Center for Environmental Compliance has announced a national project to inventory and assess Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) within the Kingdom. The project aims to clarify the environmental, health, social, and economic impacts of POPs. During a scientific workshop held in Riyadh, the center presented a review of international best practices for managing POPs and emphasized the importance of involving relevant government agencies. The center will distribute questionnaires to concerned parties to scientifically evaluate the presence of POPs. The Kingdom's commitment to the Stockholm Convention drives the center's efforts to achieve several key goals regarding POPs, including engaging relevant parties, clarifying information exchange mechanisms, reducing POP production and use, and promoting alternative substances. The POPs workshop featured international experts and representatives from government agencies such as the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the General Depart ment of Traffic, the National Center for Waste Management, Civil Defense, and the High Commission for Industrial Security. Source: Saudi Press Agency