Day: April 14, 2023

Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs held an official banquet in honor of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra and his accompanying delegation, at the headquarters of the “Islamic Arts Biennale 2023”.

On the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands toured the “Islamic Arts Biennale 2023”, organized by Diriyah Biennale Foundation affiliated with the Ministry of Culture.

He was also briefed on the cultural efforts made to enrich the experience of worshipers at the holy Mosque in Makkah and on the Kingdom’s cultural history.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Abdul-Sattar Hadi Al-Janabi has stated that the viewpoints of the Kingdom and Iraq are identical, adding that Iraq looks forward to benefiting from the Kingdom’s leading experience in the sectors of electricity, renewable energy, industrial cities, and communications, among others, it was reported today.

In remarks yesterday, the Iraqi Ambassador said that such experiences could be applied as soon as possible in Iraq to benefit from them in diversifying and accelerating the national economy.

Speaking to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Ambassador added that the Saudi-Iraqi resumption of direct flights is essential in enhancing bilateral cooperation and promoting joint work to new horizons.

Moreover, the Ambassador of Iraq indicated that Saudi citizens could obtain multiple entry visas through Iraqi embassies, pointing to the Kingdom’s role in that approach by opening Jadidat Arar Land Port for Umrah visas and the entry of Iraqis with their private vehicles.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais declared that the total number of male and female worshipers who visited the Grand Mosque during the first 20 days of Ramadan amounted to more than 22 million people.

Dr. Al-Sudais stressed that the Presidency prepared the Grand Mosque through an operational plan and strategy that provided all means of convenience and facilitated all services for worshipers to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility, and also ensured the availability of safety means inside the Grand Mosque and communication with the relevant authorities.

He hailed the Saudi leadership for supporting the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors and for creating the best conditions for worshippers to perform their rituals easily.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

A mountain rescue team said that the three men were caught in an avalanche in an area on the borders of Italy and France.

Italy saw an avalanche in 2017 that took the life of at least 30 people. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Italian Lorenzo Musetti earned the biggest win of his career Thursday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he upset World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

Competing in wet and windy conditions on Court Rainier III, the 21-year-old Italian exploited a weak serving performance from Djokovic, breaking the Serbian eight times en route to a two-hour, 54-minute win. After converting his fourth match point, an emotional Musetti looked at his team and shook his head in disbelief.

Djokovic began the week with an ATP Tour-leading 58.7 winning percentage behind his second serve according to Infosys ATP Stats. Against Musetti he won just 39 per cent of his second-serve points (12/31). Entering the match the Serbian had lost serve just 17 times in 17 matches this year. Against Musetti he dropped serve eight times.

Musetti entered the clash with momentum, having defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6(1), 6-0 and Luca Nardi 6-0, 6-0. The 21-year-old Italian, who is into his second Masters 1000 quarter-final after reaching the last eight in Paris in 2022, opened his shoulders as the match went on, crushing the ball off both wings to triumph.

The 21-year-old is up to No. 20 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings and would climb to No. 17 if he defeats Sinner. That would mark a new career-high for the Italian.

Djokovic was chasing a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title this week. The Serbian is a two-time champion in Monte-Carlo, having triumphed in 2013 and 2015.

Source: Qatar News Agency