Saudi Arabia confirms 27 COVID-19 deaths, 539 new cases

The cities with the highest number of coronavirus cases include Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Hafouf and the capital Riyadh. (File/AFP)
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Updated 29 September 2020
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Saudi Arabia confirms 27 COVID-19 deaths, 539 new cases

  • 696 new patients had recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded 27 new COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 4,739.
The Ministry of Health also said 539 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people who have contracted the virus since the pandemic began to 334,187, of which 10,906 remain active cases, and 1,005 in critical condition.

The cities with the highest number of cases include Jeddah with 61, Makkah with 53, Madinah with 46 and both Hafouf and the capital Riyadh with 35 each.
The ministry also announced that 696 new patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 318,542.
The pandemic has affected almost 33.4 million people globally and total mortality rate has passed one million.

 


Kingdom drives global efforts on space debris

Updated 2 min 12 sec ago
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Kingdom drives global efforts on space debris

  • 75 countries gather in Riyadh to address orbital risks, promote sustainable space use
  • DebriSolver competition highlights innovative solutions for orbital safety

RIYADH: The Saudi Space Agency will host the second Space Debris Conference in Riyadh on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two-day event will bring together experts, decision-makers, and representatives from 75 countries, including governments, international organizations, and specialized space companies.

The conference is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to unify international initiatives addressing the growing challenges of space debris and to promote the sustainable use of outer space as a shared resource.

It aims to protect space activities and orbital infrastructure while supporting the growth of the global space economy, the SPA added.

Held with the support of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union, the conference highlights the importance of international cooperation and effective governance frameworks to mitigate space debris risks and ensure a safe, sustainable space environment.

The event seeks to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for space sustainability by enhancing international coordination on space debris issues.

It also highlights the Saudi Space Agency’s role in promoting policies and initiatives that safeguard the future of the space economy, the SPA reported.

Key objectives of the conference include raising global awareness of space debris risks, reviewing related legislation and policies, fostering research and innovation, and developing effective international governance mechanisms to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of orbital environments.

The conference will feature panel discussions and keynote speeches on themes including space sustainability, protection of the global space economy, strengthening international cooperation, and showcasing innovations, partnerships, and operational solutions to address space debris challenges.

A highlight of the event is the DebriSolver competition, an international platform encouraging applied innovation in space debris mitigation.

Leading experts and international judges will evaluate innovative solutions against the highest scientific and technical standards, supporting the transition from research concepts to practical, deployable solutions.

By hosting the conference, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its leading role in supporting international space initiatives, strengthening public-private partnerships, and shaping the future of the global space community.

This aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for the space economy and sustainability, the SPA stated.

The first edition, held in Riyadh in 2024, attracted participants from more than 50 countries, along with international organizations and global companies, and concluded with recommendations to raise awareness of the importance of managing space debris.