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Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
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Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday donated 10 million Omani riyals (26 million US dollars) to confront the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the Omani News Agency reported.

The donation came as Haitham bin Tariq chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee in charge of dealing with the spread of the pandemic.

Oman's sultan stressed that the government will spare no effort to confront the new virus and limit its spread, in order to preserve the health of citizens and residents.

The number of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oman has risen to 109, out of whom 23 have recovered, the health ministry announced on Thursday. Most cases were related to travels to other countries.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus recovering cases in Bahrain reached 204 as of Thursday, according to the country’s ministry of health, which also revealed that another seven were discharged from quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus.

Up to 30% of the Bahraini citizens who were evacuated from Iran on a chartered flight that arrived Wednesday night tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving treatment.

This was announced last night at a press conference of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus.

Bahraini Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh underlined Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister’s comprehensive approach to stem the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing tailored effective and preventative strategies, such as the decision to limit public gatherings to 5 people.

The minister went on to highlight expectations regarding the upcoming closure of non-essential businesses set to take place between 26 March 2020 to April 9 2020, during which only hypermarkets, supermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and banks will remain open, and restaurants will limit their service to delivery and takeout only.

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Gulf

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
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Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.

 

Gulf

SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) hosted in Riyadh on Wednesday a meeting of the Yemen Partners Group (YPG), co-chaired by the Yemeni government, United Kingdom, and World Bank, with the participation of the United Nations and international organizations.

Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani; UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Julien Harneis and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Supervisor General Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, as well as a number of ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and donor entities attended the meeting.

Zindani expressed confidence in the new government and its clearly defined priorities that it will work to implement, which will help achieve stability and economic recovery.

He stressed the government’s aim to maximize benefit from the vital projects and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia through the SDRPY, which offers important support for basic sectors and for boosting development efforts across Yemen.

Zindani expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support to Yemen, commending the level of cooperation with the SDRPY and its efforts in supporting and empowering national institutions.

For his part, Grundberg emphasized the importance of the development projects provided by the Kingdom, particularly at this stage, noting positive indicators in Yemen, especially improvements in energy-sector stability.

Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Ghaleb reviewed the bank’s priorities, stressing its commitment to transparency, the need to combat inflation, and the importance of international coordination and support to address challenges.

Al Jaber underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to overcome obstacles facing peace and development in Yemen under the leadership of the Yemeni government.

The meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the priorities of the government and Central Bank, strengthening coordination to ensure that development and financial support is directed efficiently and effectively, and to assist donor entities and international organizations in aligning their interventions with the government’s priorities, he added.

The meeting reviewed a package of Saudi development projects worth SAR1.9 billion provided to Yemen in January, which helped boost energy-sector stability through the fuel derivatives grant, ensuring the continued operation of hospitals and vital service facilities.

It reviewed other development projects and initiatives scheduled for delivery during the coming period.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a letter from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral relations and ways to support and boost them across various fields.

The message was received on behalf of the Foreign Minister by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting in Riyadh with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov.

They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.