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Dirab Golf & Country Club reopens

Fun For All The Family At Dirab

The club has undergone a series of extensive improvements and is now open to the public again…reports Asian Lite News

Following its acquisition of Dirab Golf & Country Club, Golf Saudi has now re-opened the golf course and the clubhouse to the public following an ambitious redevelopment programme. Situated in the heart of the Kingdom’s capital, Dirab Golf & Country Club has implemented a series of improvements across the entire site in early 2021, including facility enhancement, landscaping, agronomy, the implementation of associate training programmes, guest management and general course renovation.

Dirab Golf & Country Club Has Re-Opened

The reopening celebrations coincided with the 91st Saudi National Day on Thursday 23rd September, with Dirab Golf & Country Club organising activities for golfers, kids and families. As part of Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation programme, Dirab organised activities for visitors of all ages to try golf through a series of fun activations, including The Stadium Concept and SNAG. The celebrations offered entertainment for the whole family with live and interactive kid’s games. Traditional Saudi heritage was also celebrated with a traditional food tent and Najdi folklore dancing. The National Day celebrations were just the first in a long line of upcoming events, which the golf club has planned in order to engage with local culture and the Saudi public, as art of its long-term plans to become a destination for exceptional experiences.    

ALSO READ: UAE to celebrate 91st Saudi National Day

An international management presence is now overseeing the property, with additional resources from Golf Saudi’s Corporate office and Dirab Golf & Country Club benefiting from the new team’s multiple years of experience in the Middle East. Enhancements have been made to both front and back office with strong policies and procedures now in place throughout the club’s operational areas. Improvement will be continuous with ongoing targets set. Regular training seminars will be held for all members of the team at Dirab Golf & Country Club, so they can quickly become acquainted with Golf Saudi’s management ethos and vision.

MAJED AL SOROUR, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, SAUDI GOLF FEDERATION AND CEO, GOLF SAUDI: “This is an exciting phase in the course and club’s history. Golf Saudi is delighted to formally re-open Dirab Golf & Country Club following a series of wall-to-wall improvements across the entire club. Our hope is to enhance and grow the game of golf in the Kingdom and encourage Saudis to pick up a club for the first time and give golf a go but also unlock employment opportunities within the wider golf industry. Golf is a game for everyone and as part of Vision 2030, this is just one of the steps Golf Saudi has undertaken to ensure that golf is accessible to all.

Al Sorour continued: “Through making these improvements, we hope that Dirab Golf & Country Club will become the capital’s go-to golf course. I have no doubt that it will become one of the best golf courses in Saudi Arabia and I am confident that our extensive investment into the club will entice members, visitors, golfers, and non-golfers to enjoy the new range of benefits and remarkable golfing facilities that are now on offer, thanks to the efforts of the Golf Saudi team who have overseen this redevelopment.”

Saudi National Day Celebrations At Dirab

Dirab Golf & Country Club was the first grassed 18-hole Par 72 Championship course built in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located 45 kilometres south-west of Riyadh and nestled in the picturesque Tawfiq valley, the club features tree-lined fairways and manicured greens.

The transformation process at Dirab Golf & Country Club has been undertaken to ensure everything is in perfect condition before the club officially re-opens to the public on 24th September. Whether, visitors are playing golf, having a bite to eat, or using the club’s sports facilities, this long-term investment from Golf Saudi will allow Dirab Golf & Country Club to enhance the member and guest experience, support the development of the associates at the club and bring the great game of golf to a new audience in Riyadh and the Kingdom. 

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Arab News News Saudi Arabia

Saudi ministers approve new law to protect personal data

Saudi-Arabia

The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the personal Data Protection Law…reports Asian Lite News

The new law, which protects personal data from unconsented collection and processing, is to be implemented within six months, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced.

It’s also designated to protect any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing, the Saudi Gazette reported.

The data include, name, identification number, address, phone number, personal records, financial records and Images, videos or any other identifying data.

The new law will ensure the privacy of personal data, regulate the sharing of personal data and prevent the abuse of personal data.

The head of SDAIA Abdullah Al-Ghamdi that the law will organize the process of disclosing personal data according to specific controls that ensures optimal use of it.

He assured that it’s not permissible to use personal means of communication for the purpose of marketing or awareness materials except with the approval of the owner of personal data, or the existence of a mechanism that enables him to express his desire to receive it or not.

He noted that awareness materials sent by public authorities are excluded from this.

ALSO READ: Saudi launches project to revive historic Jeddah

Al-Ghamdi stressed that the system guarantees the owners of personal data the right to view their data and know the purpose of its collection and processing, and they have the right to access it or obtain a copy of it.

“The data owner has the right to request restricting the processing of his personal data for cases especially for a limited period of time, bearing in mind that the collection of personal data is limited to the minimum amount of data that enables the achievement of the specified purposes.”

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Iraq PM arrives in Tehran on official visit, meets Iranian president

The statement indicated that Kadhimi will meet with a number of Iranian leaders and will discuss “files of common interest… as well as bilateral coordination…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi headed a government delegation to Tehran on Sunday for an official visit at the invitation of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, state news agency INA reported.

The INA correspondent said that “the bilateral meeting between Al-Kadhimi and Raisi began a short time ago in the capital, Tehran.”

Kadhimi said in a statement before departure that “the visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations, open up prospects for cooperation in various fields, and focus on the depth of the relationship between the two friendly countries.”

The statement indicated that Kadhimi will meet with a number of Iranian leaders and will discuss “files of common interest… as well as bilateral coordination on regional and international issues.”

Drones target northern Iraqi airport

Meanwhile, explosives-laden drones targeted Irbil international airport in northern Iraq late Saturday where US-led coalition troops are stationed with no reports of casualties, according to security forces and officials in Kurdish-run region.

Kurdistan’s Counter-Terrorism Service said at least two drones carrying explosives targeted the airport in a statement. It said the attack did not lead to any casualties.

Lawk Ghafuri, spokesman for the semi-autonomous northern region, said the explosives struck outside of the airport and dismissed reports the attack had impacted flights. He said the airport remained open and an investigation was ongoing by Kurdish authorities.

The attack is the first following a two month lull in drone and rocket attacks to target the US presence in Baghdad and military bases across Iraq. On July 8, rockets landed in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, which houses the US Embassy. It caused material damage but no casualties.

Until recently the attacks were a frequent occurrence. The US has blamed Iran-backed militias for attacks. More recently, the attacks have become more sophisticated, with militants using drones instead of Katyusha rockets.

US forces will end their combat mission in Iraq by the end of this year, but will continue to train and advise the Iraqi military. There are currently 2,500 US troops in Iraq helping local forces counter what remains of the Daesh group.

ALSO READ: 10% of UAE private sector workers should be Emiratis in five years

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UAE participates in Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo

During the meeting, the ministers discussed agenda items related to protecting Arab national security, addressing Iran’s and Turkey’s interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has participated in the 156th session of the Arab League Council, which was held on Thursday in Cairo at the level of foreign ministers, and aimed to discuss various developments in the Arab region.

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, represented the UAE at the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed agenda items related to protecting Arab national security, addressing Iran’s and Turkey’s interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, supporting the Palestinian cause, the crises in Libya, Syria and Yemen, and the coordination of Arab stances on topics raised for the upcoming United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

The session of the Arab League Council was preceded by a consultation meeting held by Arab foreign ministers in which they discussed key agenda topics.

On the sidelines of the event, the Arab Ministerial Quartet Committee to follow-up the developments of the crisis held a meeting chaired by Saudi Arabia.

The committee’s members included representatives from the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, in addition to Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Arab League Secretary-General.

The Arab Ministerial Committee tasked with taking measures to stop Israel’s violations in Jerusalem also held a meeting, which was chaired by Jordan.

The committee’s members included representatives from Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco and Tunisia, in addition to the Arab League Secretary-General.

The Arab Ministerial Committee tasked with following up on Turkish interference in the affairs of Arab countries held a meeting chaired by Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Its members included representatives from the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in addition to the Arab League Secretary-General.

UAE pitches for inclusive transitions from UN peacekeeping missions

The UAE affirmed that it would work with United Nations Member States and the United Nations system to implement transitions that are inclusive and prevent the recurrence of conflict during its term on the Council.

In a written statement to the UN Security Council for its open debate examining the transition period when peacekeeping missions end, the UAE highlighted the importance of employing clear, realistic, and tailored transition strategies for peacekeeping missions that are scaling back their operations. It emphasised that the transition period should prioritise the active participation of relevant stakeholders to build back resilient, stable, and inclusive societies.

“Transitioning from UN peacekeeping is important and necessary,” the UAE stated. “If not done properly, however, these transitions could result in fragile political, humanitarian, and security situations. Transition strategies should prioritize the protection of civilians, reinforce the capacity of host countries, and guarantee the active participation of women and youth.”

In its statement, the UAE underscored the importance of a holistic approach that engages local communities, including women and youth. The UAE recommended that the UN Security Council engage directly with host countries to better address their needs. Additionally, the UAE emphasised that peace operations should continue to work together with UN country teams to ensure that sustainable infrastructure is left behind for host communities and that critical work continues in the absence of peacekeeping forces.

ALSO READ: 10% of UAE private sector workers should be Emiratis in five years

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India, Bahrain celebrate golden jubilee of diplomatic ties

Minister of State for External Affaira V. Muraleedharan met with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa….reports Asian Lite News

India and Bahrain are celebrating this year the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.

Coinciding with this important occasion, V Muraleedharan, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, began on Monday a three-day visit to Bahrain. On the first day of his visit, Muraleedharan met with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Later during the day, he visited Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

“Called on Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Conveyed greetings on behalf of PM Shri @narendramodi ji. Thanked him for Bahrain’s constant support to Indian community including during Covid-19,” the minister tweeted.

He also interacted with representatives of Indian schools in Bahrain. “Commended them for their contributions in providing quality education as well as educating Indian and Bahraini students about our glorious culture and tradition,” Muraleedharan said.

He also briefed the representatives about the initiatives and reform measures taken by the government of India in education sector including the National Education Policy.

Earlier in the day, the minister had visited Indian Embassy in Bahrain and offered floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

According to the press release, Muraleedharan will hold discussions with Bahraini ministers and dignitaries during his visit. He will also meet a wide cross-section of the Indian community in Bahrain, including those in health, education, business and social service.

This is Muraleedharan’s first visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. About 350,000 Indians live in the Kingdom and India-Bahrain bilateral trade is around one billion dollars. The visit is part of India’s continuing engagement of countries in the Gulf region.

ALSO READ: Modi Forms High-Level Group To Focus On Afghanistan

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MoS Muraleedharan to visit Bahrain starting Monday

This will be his first visit to the country in an official capacity, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from August 30 to September 1, 2021.

This will be his first visit to the country in an official capacity, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Sunday.

During the visit, the MOS will hold discussions with Bahraini Ministers and dignitaries. He will also meet a wide cross-section of Indian community in Bahrain, including those in health, education, business and social service.

Both countries are celebrating the golden jubilee of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2021.

India and Bahrain share excellent political, economic and cultural relations which have further strengthened in the past few years, the statement noted.

Both countries have cooperated closely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Bahrain in November 2020. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani visited India in April 2021 when he and EAM chaired the Third High Joint Commission between India and Bahrain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Bahrain in August 2019.

According to the MEA statement, the Indian community numbers about 350,000 in the Kingdom of Bahrain and enjoys great goodwill of Bahraini leadership.

India-Bahrain bilateral trade is around USD 1 billion and has shown an increasing trend, it added. (India News Network)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar talks with Blinken, discusses Afghan situation

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In a first, Arab athletes secure five Olympic medals

The Saudi athlete was left with a silver medal despite going agonizingly close to a gold, but it capped a dramatic day for Hamdi after he had beaten Japan’s Ryutaro Araga 2-0 in a stunning semifinal win….reports Asian Lite News

Tokyo Olympics marked an historic and dramatic event for Arab athletes competing at this year’s Tokyo Olympics after five medals were won across four different sports.

It was late heartbreak for Saudi Arabia’s Tarek Hamdi in the final of the Men’s Karate Kumite +75kg, as he was disqualified during his bout with Sajag Ganzjadeh of Iran, who departed the mat at Nippon Budokan arena on a stretcher.

The Saudi athlete was left with a silver medal despite going agonizingly close to a gold, but it capped a dramatic day for Hamdi after he had beaten Japan’s Ryutaro Araga 2-0 in a stunning semifinal win.

And the medal win landed him the honor of being gifted SR5 million ($1.3 million) by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, according to Al Arabiya.

It was better news in the karate for Egyptian Feryal Abdelaziz, who won the first Olympic karate gold medal in women’s over-61 kilogram kumite, beating Azerbaijan’s Iryna Zaretska to win Egypt’s second Olympic gold medal since 1948.

The 22-year-old Abdelaziz went ahead on a yuko with 28 seconds left in a cagey final bout. She scored again three seconds later and hung on for a 2:0 victory.

And the day got even better for Egyptian sport when Ahmed Elgendy won silver in the men’s Modern Pentathlon.

The Egyptian, 21, who also competed and won gold at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, pushed the eventual winner — Britain’s Joseph Choong — hard to the line with a strong finish in the fourth round of shooting.

Elsewhere, a remarkable day for Arab sport was rounded off with Bahrain’s Kalkidan Gezahegne beating out heavily-fancied, world-record holder Letesenbet Gidey to a silver medal place in the women’s 10,000m race — which was won by star of the Tokyo Games Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

And finally, Qatar’s men’s Beach Volleyball duo made their first appearance on the Olympic podium when they sealed a bronze medal by beating their Latvian opponents 2-0.

ALSO READ: UAE calls for global cooperation to accelerate vax supply

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UAE stresses on two-state solution at UNSC meet on Palestine

This came in a written statement submitted by the UAE to the UN Security Council quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”….reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has stressed that the only sustainable solution to overcome the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territory is to achieve a two-state solution through the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Madrid reference, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

This came in a written statement submitted by the UAE to the UN Security Council quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”. The statement drew attention to the difficult humanitarian, political, and economic challenges facing the Palestinian people, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the obstruction of the political process.

The UAE stressed that strengthening the international community’s tangible, practical, and urgent support for vital sectors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the health and education sectors, must be an immediate priority.

In this regard, the UAE highlighted the food and health aid it recently provided, reflecting its historic commitment to the Palestinian people.

Between 2013 and 2020, the UAE has provided more than US$840 million to finance vital sectors and support development efforts in the Palestinian territory. This is in addition to the US$2.6 million in food aid recently sent to thousands of Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip, the delivery of more than 30 ambulances, and other medical assistance since the onset of the pandemic.

The UAE affirmed that the international community must help maintain the recent ceasefire and encourage efforts to prevent escalation and advance negotiations. It also emphasised the need to protect the prospects for the two-state solution and to break the deadlock by relaunching a credible peace process.

Accordingly, the UAE affirmed its support for regional and international efforts to advance this process, particularly the efforts of Egypt and Jordan in helping to reach a ceasefire. The UAE also underscored the need to stop all illegal practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which threaten the two-state solution and violate international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. These activities include building and expanding settlements, confiscating and demolishing Palestinian property, and forcibly displacing the population.

The statement also asserted the importance of preserving the legal status of East Jerusalem, ensuring Palestinians can practise their religious traditions, and of respecting the historic role of Jordan as the custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to continuing working with regional and international partners to end the cycle of conflict in the Middle East based on its belief that the people of the region deserve to enjoy a decent life in stable countries and secure societies, where tolerance and prosperity prevail, and in which people can realise their hopes and aspirations.

ALSO READ: UAE Starts Granting Golden Visas to Resident Doctors

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3-year travel ban for Saudi citizens visiting red list nations

The source said that there are reports about citizens travelling to the countries where travel is prohibited in violation of the instructions issued by the official authorities…reports Asian Lite News

 The Ministry of Interior has warned Saudi citizens against travelling to countries that have been put on the no-travel list recently as these countries are currently witnessing a surge in cases of Covid-19 and its new variants.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, an official source at the ministry said that travelling to the banned countries is an explicit violation of the announced instructions, the Saudi Gazette reported.

The source said that there are reports about citizens travelling to the countries where travel is prohibited in violation of the instructions issued by the official authorities, warning that such deception, if proven, warrants legal accountability and heavy penalties. He added that those who are found to have violated the instructions would be banned from travelling abroad for 3 years.

The Ministry of Interior in the statement called on citizens against travelling directly or indirectly to countries where the pandemic has not yet been controlled and there are cases of mutated strains.

It also urged citizens to exercise caution and stay away from areas where instability prevails or the virus is spreading, and take all precautionary measures regardless of their destination.

The red-list countries include the UAE, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Belarus, India and Vietnam.

Last week, Saudi Arabia had announced the successful conclusion of this year’s Hajj season, free from the Covid-19 and other contagious diseases, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah attributed the success to an integrated system of health facilities in the holy sites, highly equipped ambulances and qualified teams, the report said.

The minister added that limiting the number of domestic pilgrims during this Hajj season to 60,000 also contributed to the success, the Xinhua news agency reported.

For the second year in a row, Saudi Arabia has allowed only domestic pilgrims to performed Hajj to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As on Tuesday, the country’s coronavirus tally stands at 520,774, including 11,136 active cases, while the total number of deaths was at 8,189.

ALSO READ: Saudi navy launches latest warship Jazan in Spain


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Israel appoints first ambassador to UAE

Hayek replaces Eitan Na’eh, who had been the acting envoy….reports Asian Lite News

Israel has appointed its first ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the signing of a normalisation deal last year, the Foreign Ministry here said.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement issued on Sunday that he has chosen Amir Hayek, an economist and former director of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment, to take the job, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Haik has rich experience and knowledge in the fields of economics and tourism,” Lapid said, adding that he is “the right man to establish the bridge between Israel and the UAE”.

Hayek replaces Eitan Na’eh, who had been the acting envoy.

The appointment came after Israel opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi in June and the UAE opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in July.

Mohamed Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel, officially inaugurated the UAE Embassy in Tel Aviv in the presence of Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, and Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security.

The Consulate General of Israel in Dubai and Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi were inaugurated by Yair Lapid, Foreign Minister of Israel, in the first-ever visit by an Israeli minister to the UAE.

Israel and the UAE signed the US-brokered normalisation deal in September 2020.

ALSO READ: Palestine Prez, Israeli Minister discuss peace and security