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Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque

Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque
Israel's military launched an intensified wave of strikes on Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon, killing more than 1,110 people since September 23, and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in a country already mired in economic crisis. (File/AFP)
Updated 05 October 2024

Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque

Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Saturday its forces struck Hezbollah fighters inside a south Lebanon mosque overnight, the first such strike since clashes erupted between Israel and the militants last year.
“Overnight, with the direction of IDF (army) intelligence, the IAF (air force) struck Hezbollah terrorists who were operating within a command center that was located inside a mosque adjacent to the Salah Ghandour Hospital in southern Lebanon,” the military said in a statement.
“The command center was used by the Hezbollah terrorists to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the state of Israel.”
The Salah Ghandour Hospital, which is run by the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee, said nine of its medical and nursing staff were wounded by heavy strikes, most of them seriously, after it received an Israeli warning to evacuate.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the grounds of the hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil were “subjected to Israeli shelling.”
The hospital’s director Mohammed Sleiman told AFP it took a direct hit and was evacuated.


‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors

‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors
Updated 3 min 34 sec ago

‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors

‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors

The Saudi Tourism Authority has launched “Color Your Summer,” a program showcasing ֱ’s natural and cultural diversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The initiative will run until the end of September.

Activities will be hosted in six main destinations “that blend the sea and mountains and merge adventure with relaxation.”

The STA expects the program to attract more than 41 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom this year, with projected tourism spending surpassing SR73 billion ($19.47 billion).

Asir will host its Summer Season, featuring “a rich array of musical, artistic, and cultural events such as Al-Muftaha Village and the Plato Event,” as well as “adventure trails and outdoor activities amid lofty mountains and pleasant weather, while the region’s ancient stone houses evoke a rich cultural memory, adding an authentic touch for visitors.”

The STA, in partnership with Jazeera Airways, recently announced that direct flights from Kuwait to Asir will be available three times a week from July 15 until the end of September, strengthening the airline’s presence in the Saudi market and supporting the authority’s efforts to promote various summer destinations in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Riyadh will make its mark this summer by hosting the second Esports World Cup from July 8 to Aug. 24, which is set to attract visitors from around the world. “The city is also a hub for artistic and cultural events and a variety of entertainment shows throughout the summer,” the SPA stated.

Jeddah will be welcoming visitors with new beaches and luxury resorts this summer, and its diverse selection of marine activities and “relaxation events” make it “the right place for family and water sports enthusiasts alike,” the SPA wrote, adding: “Visitors can explore City Walk and circus performances at Circus 1903.”

Sheybarah and Ummahat islands will also be featured as part of the Kingdom’s luxury tourism network. “With their white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and colorful coral reefs, the islands add a maritime adventure to the portfolio of the Kingdom’s destinations,” the SPA stated.

Taif will greet its summer visitors this year with “refreshing mountain breezes and the fragrant blooms of Taif roses in Arruddaf Park, nestled between traditional markets and lush orchards,” according to the SPA. “Meanwhile, Al-Shafa and Al-Hada mountains cast a magical misty aura, providing experiences for adventure and culture enthusiasts steeped in the city’s rich heritage and history.”

And in Baha, visitors will encounter “stunning natural beauty from the heights of the mountains to the depths of the valleys in Raghadan Forest.”


Kingdom arrests 12,066 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 12,066 illegals in one week
Updated 14 min 34 sec ago

Kingdom arrests 12,066 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 12,066 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,066 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 7,333 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,060 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,673 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,206 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 65 percent were Ethiopian, 32 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 71 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 21 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


ֱ supports refugees with 357 aid projects

ֱ supports refugees with 357 aid projects
Updated 28 min 1 sec ago

ֱ supports refugees with 357 aid projects

ֱ supports refugees with 357 aid projects
  • Refugee numbers have risen globally
  • ֱ hosts refugees from Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar

JEDDAH: ֱ has strengthened its humanitarian role in refugee issues worldwide through KSrelief, which has carried out 3,438 projects in 107 countries, costing more than $7.9 billion.

Among these, 357 projects support refugees, with nearly $497 million spent in Yemen, Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on food security, health, shelter, education, and protection.

Refugee numbers have risen globally, with 52 percent originating from Syria (6.5 million), Afghanistan (5.7 million), and Ukraine (5.7 million).

At least 76 percent of displaced people live in low- or middle-income countries, increasing the humanitarian challenge, according to the SPA.

ֱ hosts refugees from Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar, about 5.5 percent of its population, offering free education, healthcare, and work opportunities under a policy respecting human rights and promoting charity.

These efforts reflect the Kingdom’s humanitarian commitment, highlighted on World Refugee Day on June 20, established by the UN to raise awareness of global displacement.

ֱ continues to enhance its humanitarian role through partnerships and initiatives focused on human rights and dignity, the SPA reported.


Ukraine says received Russian bodies in war dead exchanges

Ukraine says received Russian bodies in war dead exchanges
Updated 10 min 13 sec ago

Ukraine says received Russian bodies in war dead exchanges

Ukraine says received Russian bodies in war dead exchanges
  • Zelensky accused Russia of “not checking” who they were sending
  • “Sometimes these bodies even have Russian passports“

KYIV: Kyiv received the bodies of 20 Russian soldiers instead of Ukrainian ones during exchanges of war dead with Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks made public Saturday.

He accused Russia of “not checking” who they were sending, and suggested Moscow might be doing it on purpose to conflate the number of Ukrainian bodies they had.

The repatriation of fallen soldiers and the exchange of prisoners of war has been one of the few areas of cooperation between the warring sides since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Moscow and Kyiv agreed earlier this month during talks in Istanbul to exchange the bodies of 6,000 soldiers each.

“It has already been confirmed during repatriations that the bodies of 20 people handed over to us as our deceased soldiers are Russian,” Zelensky said in remarks released on Saturday.

“Sometimes these bodies even have Russian passports,” he added.

An “Israeli mercenary” fighting for Moscow was also among those sent, he said.

Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed on both sides since the war began. Neither country regularly releases information on military casualties.

Zelensky said there were currently “695,000 Russian troops” on Ukrainian territory.


Saudi, Italian officials discuss parliamentary ties

Saudi, Italian officials discuss parliamentary ties
Updated 31 min 44 sec ago

Saudi, Italian officials discuss parliamentary ties

Saudi, Italian officials discuss parliamentary ties

RIYADH: The speaker of ֱ’s Shoura Council, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, met with Saudi-Italian Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Marco Osnato and other Italian MPs during the second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Rome, Italy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Osnato welcomed Al-Asheikh and highlighted the strong cooperation and excellent relations between ֱ and Italy at various levels, as well as praising the Kingdom’s “constructive role in promoting international peace and stability while avoiding conflicts,” the SPA reported.

The Shoura Council speaker “hailed the fraternal ties and emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations to serve the shared interests of both countries and their peoples.”

During the meeting, the two officials reviewed existing bilateral relations and “explored ways to enhance and advance them across various sectors.”

At the three-day conference, the president of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, emphasized the vital role of parliaments and the conference’s significance in building bridges and promoting mutual understanding.

Parliamentarians engaged in panel discussions focused on “fostering mutual understanding, combating hate speech, and promoting a shared future among people worldwide,” the SPA stated.