Saudi aid agency launches project to support food security in Pakistan

In the presence of Pakistan's Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki launched the Food Security Support Project for 2024-2025. (Supplied)
In the presence of Pakistan's Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki launched the Food Security Support Project for 2024-2025. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 26 sec ago
Follow

Saudi aid agency launches project to support food security in Pakistan

Saudi aid agency launches project to support food security in Pakistan
  • The project is part of Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian support projects in the region

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki launched the Food Security Support Project for 2024-2025 in Islamabad recently in the presence of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain.

The project is part of Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian support projects in the region, the Kingdom’s Embassy in Pakistan said on X on Friday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary met with Algerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sharif Walid in Riyadh recently to discuss media cooperation, Saudi Press Agency reported.

 


Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting

Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting
Updated 35 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting

Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting
  • Delegation emphasizes Kingdom’s strong advocacy for integration of modern technology to enhance efficiency

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia has become one of the largest international humanitarian donors, reaffirming its commitment to supporting global efforts, a Saudi official said this week.

Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, spoke at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor support group in New York on Thursday, where he led the Kingdom’s delegation.

He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strong advocacy for the integration of modern technology in humanitarian operations to enhance efficiency and better serve vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Kingdom’s support for OCHA operations, including the provision of unrestricted funding, was underscored as vital for enabling prompt and effective responses to crises.

Al-Ghamdi also outlined KSrelief’s inclusive approach to humanitarian aid, with a focus on supporting women, children, and persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of designing humanitarian programs that addressed the unique needs of the most vulnerable populations around the world.

The UN meeting reinforced the collective efforts of donor countries to advance humanitarian responses and tackle challenges in delivering aid in complex crisis zones. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing contributions were commended as a model of global solidarity and leadership in addressing pressing humanitarian needs, the SPA added.


The horror of Saydnaya jail, symbol of Assad excesses

The horror of Saydnaya jail, symbol of Assad excesses
Updated 5 min 55 sec ago
Follow

The horror of Saydnaya jail, symbol of Assad excesses

The horror of Saydnaya jail, symbol of Assad excesses
  • The prison complex was the site of extrajudicial executions, torture and forced disappearances
  • When Syrian militants entered Damascus on Sunday after their lightning advance that toppled the Assad government, they announced they had seized Saydnaya and freed its inmates

BEIRUT: Saydnaya prison north of the Syrian capital Damascus has become a notorious symbol of the inhumane abuses of the Assad clan, especially since the country’s civil war erupted in 2011.
The prison complex was the site of extrajudicial executions, torture and forced disappearances, epitomising the atrocities committed against his opponents by ousted president Bashar Assad.
When Syrian militants entered Damascus on Sunday after their lightning advance that toppled the Assad government, they announced they had seized Saydnaya and freed its inmates.
Some had been incarcerated there since the 19080s.
According to the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP), the militants liberated more than 4,000 people.
Photographs of haggard and emaciated inmates, some helped by colleagues because they were too weak to leave their cells, were circulated worldwide.
Suddenly the workings of this infamous jail that rights group Amnesty International had dubbed a “human abattoir” were revealed for all to see.
The prison was built in the 1980s during the rule of Hafez Assad, father of the deposed president, and was initially meant for political prisoners including members of Islamist groups and Kurdish militants.
But down the years, Saydnaya became a symbol of pitiless state control over the Syrian people.
In 2016, a United Nations commission found that “the Syrian Government has also committed the crimes against humanity of murder, rape or other forms of sexual violence, torture, imprisonment, enforced disappearance and other inhuman acts,” notably at Saydnaya.
The following year, Amnesty International in a report entitled “Human Slaughterhouse” documented thousands of executions there, calling it a policy of extermination.
Shortly afterwards, the United States revealed the existence inside Saydnaya of a crematorium in which the remains of thousands of murdered prisoners were burnt.
War monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in 2022 reported that around 30,000 people had been imprisoned in Saydnaya where many were tortured, and that just 6,000 were released.
The ADMSP believes that more than 30,000 prisoners were executed or died under torture, or from the lack of medical care or food between 2011 and 2018.
The group says the former authorities in Syria had set up salt chambers — rooms lined with salt for use as makeshift morgues to make up for the lack of cold storage.
In 2022, the ADMSP published a report describing for the first time these makeshift morgues of salt.
It said the first such chamber dated back to 2013, one of the bloodiest years in the Syrian civil conflict.
Many inmates are officially considered to be missing, with their families never receiving death certificates unless they handed over exorbitant bribes.
After the fall of Damascus last week, thousands of relatives of the missing rushed to Saydnaya hoping they might find loved ones hidden away in underground cells.
Saydnaya is now empty, and Syria’s White Helmets emergency workers group announced the end of search operations there on Tuesday, with no more prisoners found.
Several foreigners also ended up in Syrian jails, including Jordanian Osama Bashir Hassan Al-Bataynah, who spent 38 years behind bars and was found “unconscious and suffering from memory loss,” the foreign ministry in Amman said on Tuesday.
According to the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Jordan, 236 Jordanian citizens were held in Syrian prisons, most of them in Saydnaya.
Other freed foreigners included Suheil Hamawi from Lebanon who returned home on Monday after being locked up in Syria for 33 years, and also spent time inside Saydnaya.


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Jazean’ Saudi coffee at Diplomatic Quarter

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Updated 27 min 7 sec ago
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Jazean’ Saudi coffee at Diplomatic Quarter

Photo/Supplied
  • The signature Jazean latte, a smooth blend of coffee and steamed milk, pairs perfectly with their selection of freshly baked pastries and desserts.

Saudi Arabia has been booming with specialty coffee shops, but there is nothing quite like Jazean, which has become a beloved local gem.

With two locations in the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter, at 1364 Mall and the trendy tourist attraction Al-Bujairi, it brings a new style of Saudi coffee to locals and visitors alike.

Jazean’s offerings are rich in flavors and Saudi identity. The coffee beans are sourced from the mountains of the southern region of Saudi Arabia, nestled 1,000 meters above sea level, and blended with the best arabica from around the world.

Jazean’s menu stands out with its wide selection of specialty drinks, from rich espresso-based beverages to traditional Arabic options. The signature Jazean latte, a smooth blend of coffee and steamed milk, pairs perfectly with their selection of freshly baked pastries and desserts.

For those looking for something more adventurous, the turmeric latte and iced date coffee are both unique takes on classic flavors.

The raspberry cheesecake is a must — it is equally fluffy and sweet. The mango dessert and pecan cheesecake are also popular options for those with sweet cravings.

They also offer their own machine capsules and beans for easy brewing at home.

Jazean has a modern, warm ambiance, with a minimalist design that emphasizes comfort and relaxation. Natural light pours in through large windows, creating a pleasant and airy space perfect for both solo visits and casual meetings.

The DQ location features a breathtaking mural by the Saudi artist Noura Binsaidan, depicting an elderly farmer wearing the traditional flower crown, native and popular in the southern region. It is a nod to the generations of cultivating and harvesting in Jazan.

The service is exceptional, with friendly and knowledgeable baristas who are happy to share recommendations. While the prices are on the higher end, Jazean makes up for it in quality and atmosphere.

Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a relaxing spot to unwind, the shop is a perfect blend of quality, inviting ambiance, and top-notch service.

It is a must-visit spot for coffee lovers in Riyadh, providing an unforgettable experience with every sip.

 


American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says

American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says
Updated 25 min 9 sec ago
Follow

American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says

American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says
  • Travis Timmerman, 29, was flown out of Syria on a US military helicopter
  • Timmerman was detained after he crossed into Syria while on a Christian pilgrimage

WASHINGTON: The US military has transported out of Syria an American who had disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a US official said Friday.
Travis Timmerman, 29, was flown out of Syria on a US military helicopter, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.
It’s unclear where Timmerman may go next. After being rescued, he thanked his rescuers for freeing him but has told American officials that he would like to stay in the region, according to another person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.
Timmerman was detained after he crossed into Syria while on a Christian pilgrimage from a mountain along the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle in June.
He told The Associated Press that he was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence.
In his prison cell, Timmerman said, he had a mattress, a plastic drinking container and two others for waste.
He said the Friday calls to prayers helped keep track of days.
Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them, after rebels seized control of Damascus and forced Assad from power in a dramatic upheaval.
He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didn’t know of any other Americans held in the facility.
Timmerman is from Urbana, Missouri, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Springfield in the southwestern part of the state. He earned a finance degree from Missouri State University in 2017.


RSF attacks main hospital in North Darfur’s Al-Fasher, says health official

RSF attacks main hospital in North Darfur’s Al-Fasher, says health official
Updated 31 min 10 sec ago
Follow

RSF attacks main hospital in North Darfur’s Al-Fasher, says health official

RSF attacks main hospital in North Darfur’s Al-Fasher, says health official

CAIRO: The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attacked the main still-functioning hospital in Al-Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur state, on Friday, killing nine people and injuring 20, according to a local health official and activists.

A drone fired four missiles at the hospital, destroying wards, waiting areas, and other facilities, said state health minister Ibrahim Khatir and the Al-Fasher resistance committee, a pro-democracy group that monitors violence in the area.

Images they shared showed debris scattered over hospital beds and damaged ceilings and walls. 

The RSF says it does not target civilians and could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sudan’s army and the RSF have been locked in conflict for more than 18 months, triggering a profound humanitarian crisis in which more than 12 million people have been driven from their homes, and UN agencies have struggled to deliver relief.

Al-Fasher is one of the most active frontlines between the RSF, the Sudanese army, and its allies, fighting to maintain a last foothold in the Darfur region. 

Observers fear that an RSF victory there could bring ethnic retribution, as happened in West Darfur last year.