Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran Elected President of Federation of Arab News Agencies

SPA Director Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, was unanimously elected President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). (SPA)
SPA Director Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, was unanimously elected President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). (SPA)
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Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran Elected President of Federation of Arab News Agencies

SPA Director Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, was unanimously elected President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). (SPA)
SPA Director Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, was unanimously elected President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). (SPA)

The director of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, was unanimously elected President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA).

Aqran was elected to his two-year term during the 48th Conference of FANA’s General Assembly, which is currently being hosted by the SPA in Riyadh.

Aqran said he was proud of the confidence in him shown by the presidents and directors of FANA member agencies, promising to move forward on the concerted efforts to develop the Federation’s role in serving the work of Arab media and strengthening its international presence.

He stressed that the SPA’s assumption of the presidency of the FANA reflects, firstly, the substantial role played by the Saudi Press Agency, as well as the development seen in Saudi media with the support and follow-up of Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, who has been working to strengthen the Kingdom’s standing at the regional and international levels.

He indicated that the Federation’s responsibilities have been increasing amid an acceleration of media’s development and the increased pace of changes, which aim to maintain gains and contribute to the efforts to overcome these challenges within the framework of the Federation’s founding objectives.

Aqran also praised the efforts of the Director-General and Editor-in-Chief of the Oman News Agency, Ibrahim bin Zahran Al-Azri, during his presidency of the Federation.



UK Travel Disrupted as Storm Bert Fallout Continues

Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
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UK Travel Disrupted as Storm Bert Fallout Continues

Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)

Britain's roads and railways were hit by closures on Monday after Storm Bert battered the country over the weekend, causing widespread flooding and killing four people.

There were more than 200 flood warnings and flood alerts in place across England and Wales, while trains from London to the southwest were cancelled and rail services in central England were severely disrupted.

"Do not attempt to travel on any route today," Great Western Railway, whose trains connect London to Bristol and Cornwall, said on X.

Among those killed during the storm were a dog walker in North Wales and a man who died when a tree hit his car in southern England.

Major roads in Northamptonshire and Bristol were closed, while fallen trees on rail lines cut off services between London and Stansted Airport, Britain's fourth busiest hub.

The disruption comes after Storm Bert hit Britain late on Friday, bringing snow, rain and strong winds.

The Met Office kept a warning for strong winds in place for northern Scotland on Monday and said the storm would clear from that part of the country early on Tuesday.