Day: 17 September 2023

Lebanese-born Dr. Hosam Abu Meri, a gastroenterologist in Latvia, was appointed the new Minister of Health and one of the country’s first ministers of Middle Eastern background. The new government, voted by Latvia’s parliament on Friday, confirmed Evika Silina as the prime minister following the resignation of Krisjanis Karins. Hosam Abu Meri is a medical doctor specializing in gastroenterology and has been active in politics for more than ten years. This appointment makes Hosam Abu Meri join the multi-talented Lebanese diaspora, which has made significant contributions to the field of medicine around the world. Lebanese healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, researchers, and other medical practitioners, had, for years, played a vital role in advancing medical science, providing healthcare services, and contributing to medical education globally.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Sunday announced that all ministries, government departments and public institutions will observe a holiday marking Prophet Mohammad’s birthday on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, corresponding to the Rabi I 12th, 1445 on the Islamic calendar. The circular exempted ministries and public institutions, the work nature of which calls for otherwise. Khasawneh stressed in an official statement that all official institutions should contribute to highlighting this special occasion.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh participated in the Local and Regional Government Forum (LRGF), held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, aimed at announcing “serious” commitments to influence steps that foster sustainable development goals (SDG). In his keynote speech, Shawarbeh lauded axis of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), which seeks to improving performance and development at the domestic level, valuing efforts of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to support Amman, and their cooperation in accelerating SDG achievement. Shawarbeh added that GAM’s strategy for 2022-2026 was based on Royal directives, global SDG, and the citizens’ needs, in line with Economic Modernization Vision (EMV), within four basic axes, primarily life quality and environment, transportation, traffic solutions and infrastructure, as well as investment and legislation. GAM, he noted, supports efforts to implement SDG, improve quality of services and life of citizens, and provide comprehensive urban plans and strategies. Shawarbeh indicated that Amman is the first Arab city to launch its first voluntary review, featuring achievements in six SDG, with the participation of 60 specialized bodies. Additionally, he pointed to cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) , and UCLG and Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG MEWA). On its vision, he said GAM launched the sustainable e-transformation plan and the smart traffic management project, which made services 100% online, in addition to schemes to achieve gender equality and women empowerment. On the ground, he noted GAM’s priority seeks to move towards sustainable transport by operating Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, stressing Amman’s commitment to continuing “true” work to push SDG in cooperation with all partners.

Source: Jordan News Agency

A number of Palestinian citizens, including journalists, were injured Sunday evening after the Israeli occupation forces targeted them, east the border fence, east of the Gaza Strip. WAFA correspondent reported that two journalists were directly injured by poisonous tear gas canisters fired by the occupation soldiers east of the town of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, at citizens and journalists, noting that others suffered from suffocation. Hundreds of citizens demonstrated near the border fence east of Gaza City, the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis, south of the Strip, and Jabalia and east of Bureij Camp in the center of the Strip, in rejection of the occupation’s aggressive practices against al-Aqsa Mosque and the prisoners in the occupation’s prisons.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

A fisherman and his son were injured by Israeli navy gunfire Sunday evening, in the sea of Rafah Governorate, south of the Gaza Strip. WAFA correspondent reported that the occupation naval soldiers opened fire on a fishing boat, approximately four nautical miles off the coast of Rafah, wounding them, after which they were taken to the hospital. Since October 2000, human right centers in Gaza have documented several Israeli violations, including killing and confiscation of boats, against fishermen who were allowed, in accordance with international guaranteed Palestinian- Israeli agreements, to fish in within 4 to 6 nautical miles off shore. Despite the signed agreements between Palestinians and Israel, which allow fishermen to go 12 nautical miles inside the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli navy targets Gaza fishermen almost daily and does not allow them to go further than three nautical miles, which the fishermen say is not enough to catch fish. A large number of Gazans rely on fishing for daily living in light of the tight decade-old blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said today it has been facing significant challenges in accurately identifying survivors from the Palestinian community in Libya in the aftermath of the devastating floods that have badly hit the northeast of the country. In a press statement, the Ministry said more time is needed to gather precise information regarding the number of Palestinian survivors in Libya and those who are missing. Ambassador Ahmed Al-Deek, the political advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said Palestinian families in the affected region are experiencing catastrophic conditions, noting that the flash floods have swept away entire neighborhoods, streets, and homes. So far, 23 Palestinians have been confirmed dead in the tragic flash floods, with numerous families still grappling with the anguish of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly commended the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee to inscribe the ancient city of Jericho/ Tell es-Sultan on the World Heritage List. The President said UNSCO’s decision is ‘of utmost importance, one that testifies to the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people.’ He affirmed that ‘the State of Palestine is committed to preserving this unique site for the benefit of mankind.’ President Abbas extended his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. He also expressed appreciation to the committee members, the UNESCO Secretariat, and all the countries that contributed to the inclusion of Tell es-Sultan on the World Heritage List. The decision to add Jericho/Tel Sultan to the World Heritage List represents a significant recognition of the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage in the face of ongoing challenges and threats. It is also seen as a step towards fostering international cooperation and promoting a greater understanding of the rich history and heritage of the region. The ancient city boasts remarkable archaeological findings, including evidence of its ancient fortifications and early human settlements, as well as the iconic Hisham’s Palace mosaic. These archaeological treasures offer invaluable insights into the region’s history, culture, and civilization. The Tell es-Sultan site has been under excavation for over a century and yielded the remains of a fortified city that bills itself as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the planet.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Israeli settlers Sunday attempted to seize a large area of Palestinian-owned lands in the area of Masafer Yatta, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. Anti-settlement activist Rateb Jabour said that dozens of settlers placed barbed wire around approximately 50 donums, belonging to al-Hathalin and Zein families, adjacent to the illegal Israeli settlement of Karmaeil, in an attempt to seize it with the aim of expanding the settlement. The occupation forces had issued a plan to expand the said settlement at the expense of Palestinian lands located between Umm al-Khair and Seddat al-Thaala areas specifically on the eastern side of the aforementioned settlement, while Masafer Yatta is subjected to a continuous attack by settlers to seize thousands of donums from Palestinian citizens’ lands.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

The Jordan Nursing Council (JNC) partnered with the Labour Market Oriented Vocational Education, Higher Education, and Training (MOVE-HET) project, which is funded by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), to hold a workshop to showcase the findings of two studies conducted by two academics from Jordanian universities. The two studies were titled “Analysis of the Nursing Skills Gap” and “Follow-up of Nursing College Graduates 2017-2021”. During the workshop, the key gaps in nursing skills and competencies among nursing graduates as well as the variations in employing graduates across different sectors were discussed. The workshop drew recommendations from the two studies that targeted decision-makers in the nursing profession, nursing education leaders, and nursing directors in healthcare institutions. The researchers found that a significant number of nursing graduates have gaps in their skills and knowledge, which mainly involve basic skills such as communication with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare team. Additionally, there appears to be a lack of leadership skills not only among recent graduates but also among those who are already working in the field. Hani Nawafleh, the Secretary General of JNC, emphasized the significance of investing in nursing personnel by maintaining accurate and up-to-date information through a tailored information system. Institutions should work together to provide the necessary data to support decision-making and enhance the nursing labor market, he added. Nawafleh said the JNC and GIZ are working together on a project to create a data system for the nursing profession that is connected to the labor market, which will will include essential information about nursing personnel in the Kingdom, such as their numbers and distribution. The workshop was attended by deans of nursing faculties from public and private Jordanian universities, nursing directors from all health sectors and institutions, and representatives from related institutions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The national media will broadcast at eight o’clock this evening a speech by His Excellency Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council.

The speech will be during the inauguration of the “And Cooperate in Virtue and Piety” project by the General Authority for Endowments.

Source: Yemen News Agency

The activities of the Great Messenger Festival in its tenth session will begin at the Gamal Abdel Nasser Hall at Sana’a University tomorrow .

The festival’s morning and evening activities include competitions in the fields of poetry, chanting, and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

The festival constitutes a major cultural, artistic and creative phenomenon that embodies devotion and allegiance to the Greatest Messenger, may God bless him , his family , grant them peace, and the rejoicing of Yemenis at the arrival of the noble Prophet’s birthday.

Source: Yemen News Agency

His Excellency Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council, visited today the orphanage in the capital, Sana’a.

The President was briefed on the various conditions of the home, its needs, and the requirements of the orphans, especially in light of the difficult circumstances resulting from the continued aggression and siege.

During the visit,the President performed the noon prayer at the orphanage, and the orphans participated in eating lunch that was held in their honor to celebrate the anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday.

The President delivered a speech during the inauguration of the second phase of the “And cooperate in virtue and piety” project today at the orphanage, which is implemented by the General Authority of Endowments. The speech will be broadcast at eight in the evening.

He was accompanied by the Mufti of Yemen, Allama Shams al-Din Sharaf al-Din, parliament Speaker , Yahya al-Ra’i, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs – Minister of Finance, Dr. Rashid Abu Lahoum, the Minister of Guidance, Najib al-Ajji, the Minister of State for the Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, Dr. Ali Abu Haliqa, the Director of the Revolution Leader Office, Safar al-Sufi, the head of the Endowments Authority, Allama Abdul Majeed Al-Houthi, Advisor to the President of the Supreme Political Council, Ambassador Abdul-Ilah Hajar, and the Executive Director of the Oil Company, Engineer Ammar Al-Adhrai.

Source: Yemen News Agency