Day: April 22, 2024

Jeddah: Climate model simulations indicate an overall increase in total rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) found in a climate research study.

The frequency of heavy rainfall events is expected to rise in areas of Madinah, Al-Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Region, Makkah, Asir, Jazan, and the western parts of Najran under medium and high climate scenarios for the near future (2021-2040), the NCM says.

Moreover, the increase in heavy rainfall events is projected to continue during the middle and end of the current century under medium and high scenarios.

The study predicts a higher frequency of heavy rainfall occurrences (25 to 30 events) in the case of high scenarios during the last two decades of the current century in the Kingdom’s southwestern regions.

The study has revealed a notable rise in rainfall rates and amounts in specific regions of the Kingdom, while other areas experience a decrease.

The NCM highlights increased heavy rainfall along the western
coast of the Red Sea, followed by the eastern side of the Kingdom along the Arabian Gulf coast and the southwestern regions.

The study found unprecedented rainfall intensity within a short period, noting that analysis of rainfall data in cities such as Abha, Jeddah, and Riyadh indicates that recurring rainfall intensities every 10 years reach 113, 56, and 33 mm/day, respectively.

Over a 50-year period, these intensities reach 45, 86, and 169 mm/day, respectively, while intensities recurring every 100 years reach about 192, 99, and 50 mm/day.

These findings support impact, adaptation, and resilience studies in various sectors, including disaster management in the Kingdom. They are beneficial for long-term national planning by decision-makers and stakeholders to promote sustainable development in the country.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The State of Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint cooperation on the Development Road Project and the development of Al Faw Port between the governments of the Republic of Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Republic of Turkiye, which are the Participants of this leading project, in the presence of HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Muhammad Shia Al Sudani and HE President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The MoU was signed by HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, HE Minister of Transportation in the Republic of Iraq Razzaq Muhibis Al Saadawi, HE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, and HE Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkiye Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

The MoU aims at supporting economic integration among these countries, connecting the East with the West, and enhancing global trade between the countries and world countries. The “Development Road” represents a compre
hensive strategic project that meets the ambitions of the participants to promote ties through the commercial exchange, industrial projects, and multiple and diverse transport lines.

The project is to create a land route and railway extending from Iraq to Turkey and its ports. The road and the railway are 1200 kilometers long inside of Iraq for the transporting of goods between Europe and the Gulf countries. The projects investment budget stands at roughly $17 billion. The project is to be carried out in three phases; the first to be completed in 2028, the second in 2033, and the third in 2050.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar Foundation will host the annual Akhlaquna awards ceremony on Wednesday at its seventh season. The award ceremony will take place at Qatar National Library, honoring this year’s winners whose personalities exemplify ethical traits and contribute to initiatives and projects that positively impact society.

The ceremony will include the honoring of several categories and age groups. There will be one award for children aged 7-14, another for youth aged between 15-18 years. Nominees in both categories will be residing in Qatar. Additionally, for the first time, finalists from GCC countries will be recognized in a category for individual contributions.

The number of applicants has significantly increased this year, with a total of 230 submissions across the three categories, reflecting growing interest and interaction with the award, expanding the reach and impact of this initiative.

In this regard, Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, who is the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partn
erships in Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation, emphasized that the Akhlaquna awards aims to highlight the importance of embodying ethical virtues derived from the Prophet’s approach in, as well as the manifestations of striving to enhance them within society.

She added that the event also aims to promote positive and cooperative spirit in the community, build bridges of communication and understanding through related events and activities, achieving this goal by encouraging people to engage in charitable work and contribute to societal progress.

She expressed her happiness with the increase in submissions for the annual award, particularly from GCC countries this year, noting that this growing engagement not only enriches society but also opens doors for further expansion and outreach.

During a press conference held to announce the details of the event, Director of the award Ahmed Youssef Al Malki outlined several objectives of the award, including spreading awareness related to religious values
in society and urging individuals to participate in ethical initiatives inspired by the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Moreover, Al Malki mentioned that in 2023, the institution launched several awareness campaigns, and this year it launched a campaign on humility which targeted a group of schools and collaborated with more than 20 entities, implementing over 100 activities and reaching approximately 1,000 participants.

He confirmed that the competition received 230 participants this year, and 23 of them will be honored at the Akhlaquna awards ceremony, accompanied by an interactive exhibition where each entity presents its efforts in the ethical aspect, with about 15 entities participating. The day following the ceremony will feature interactive activities.

The Director of the award also noted that the individual contributions category addresses citizens and residents of Qatar, with one of the main application requirements being an individual contribution project spanning two years, closely
linked to ethics. He emphasized that the award focuses on all aspects of prophetic ethics and that the Gulf submissions reached 30 participants.

Al Malki further noted that since its inception in 2017, the award has had approximately 65 winners, emphasizing its focus on exemplary behavior and leaving a lasting impact, representing not only the winning categories but also a societal movement, as each winner becomes an ambassador for the award and receives an honorary shield.

Meanwhile Sheikha Al Zeyara, part of the Akhlaquna Awards team, that the first award category targets school students aged 7 to 14. She added that the category aims to highlight exemplary role models, with criteria based on the student’s overall character, readiness to contribute, and promotion of ethics within their small environment. The second category targets high school students aged 14 to 18.

She highlighted that the number of participants continues to increase each year, with over 170 applicants for the two categories this year,
indicating the strong commitment from schools in preparing participants’ profiles.

She also said that each participating student compiles a file detailing their achievements and initiatives, demonstrating how they promote ethics in society, both at school and in the community, with all profiles reviewed by the judging committee before selecting the winners.

An interactive exhibition is scheduled for Apr. 25 at Qatar National Library in Education City, involving 15 entities, including ministries and government institutions, to showcase their role in supporting societal ethical movements, in addition to presenting various interactive activities for exhibition visitors.

The award ceremony will see a launch of 2024-2025 campaign on enhancing compassion among people in society and emphasize the importance of ethical values and empathy as factors for positive change.

Akhlaquna is an initiative launched by HH Chairperson of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Moza bint Nasser aiming to highlight the interconnectedness betw
een knowledge and noble ethics, honoring young community members who embody ethics, values, and virtuous behaviors.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani met on Monday with HE United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland at the headquarters of the permanent delegation in New York.

During the meeting, they discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire to allow the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the fraternal Palestinian people.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim met with a group of attendees in the fourth National Defense Course at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies. The attendees included senior officials from ministries, state institutions, and various security agencies. They visited the Shura Council and attended its weekly session held today.

During the meeting, His Excellency the Speaker discussed the history of the council and highlighted key developments in its journey from the appointment phase to the first elections of the Shura Council.

His Excellency also emphasized the important role of the Shura Council in legislation and oversight, affirming the council’s commitment to the national interest and meeting the aspirations of citizens.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council also praised the role of the academy in preparing leaders and providing them with essential knowledge in critical and vital areas.

For their part, the attendees commended the council’s role in achieving popular
participation and the importance of the topics discussed during its deliberations, reflecting the concerns of Qatari society.

During the visit, the attendees listened to a presentation that covered the establishment and evolution of the Shura Council, its different bodies, and its main constitutional mandates, including legislation, oversight, and approval of the general budget.

Additionally, the academy’s staff toured an exhibition at the Shura Council, which showcased a collection of lectures, speeches, and memorabilia illustrating the history of the Shura Council since its establishment in 1972.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Over two days, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in cooperation with the College of Education at Qatar University (QU), held an introductory meeting to attract Qatari students of both genders who have a desire to join the teaching profession through the “Tomoh” program.

The meeting aimed to provide future teachers with the opportunity to learn closely about the nature of the teaching profession through listening and exchanging views with educational competencies who share their field experiences.

Acting director of the Department of Educational Guidance at the MOEHE Fawzia Al Malki said that the meeting came within the framework of the Ministry’s endeavor to build bridges of cooperation with the College of Education at Qatar University to provide the best methods and programs through many projects and initiatives that seek to qualify students for the teaching profession. The meeting also aimed to provide the students with the latest developments and updates in this profession for
teachers and education, the most important of which is amending salaries and financial benefits for teachers, and providing incentives, rewards, and privileges.

In turn, Dean of the College of Education at QU Prof. Asma Abdulla Al Attiyah delivered a speech in which she stressed the constant endeavor to attract Qatari students of both genders to become teachers and leaders in the future, especially since the teacher’s message is one of the most honorable messages in life.

She pointed out that the State of Qatar needs its loyal children to carry this message, and that the College of Education opens its doors to all students who need to obtain any information or guidance, or even attend classes as a listener to learn about the environment and nature of study at the college.

For her part, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the College of Education at QU Dr. Aisha Al Ahmadi highlighted the diversity of majors available in the college, acceptance rates, and entry requirements, while explaining the admission
requirements for each major, which contributed to guiding students and motivating them to choose the major that suits their future professional inclinations and interests.

The meeting included a panel discussion entitled “why the teaching profession” with the participation of an elite group of teachers, where the educational field’s needs for Qatari youth and the important role of the Qatari teacher in the teaching profession were discussed.

The teachers also shared their own experiences in the field of education and presented an overview of their experience in the “Tomoh” program and the great potential it offers to the Qatari teacher, through which Qatari teachers are qualified to join the teaching and pedagogical profession.

Source: Qatar News Agency