Category: News

Amman: The number of government services that have been digitized reached 1173 by the end of the first quarter of this year, accounting for 49 percent of the total services, according to the achievement report of the Executive Program of the Economic Modernization Vision in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The report showed that the number of government services that were digitized during the first quarter of this year only reached 213 out of 480 services for 2024.

Regarding the “Youth, Technology, and Jobs” program, the report indicated that 22 companies were contracted to receive support by granting salaries within the Jordan Growth Project “Kafaat”, 7 companies were also contracted to receive support in the expansion process within the Jordan Growth Project “Business Development,” 2 companies were contracted to start training beneficiaries to leverage the free business platforms, and 48 startups were selected within the Startup Support Project.

The report pointed to the start o
f employing the 165 beneficiaries who have been trained so far within the training project through the Digital Skills Association, and the completion of training 4 batches of students within the job skills project (communication and interview skills) for IT students and scientific disciplines interested in obtaining jobs in the ICT sector. Training was started at Yarmouk University and Ghor es-Safi in cooperation with the British Council to train 100 beneficiaries in the cloud computing field.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The General Directorate of Intelligence and Security arrested (18) people wanted for drug trafficking in various governorates.

The Directorate stated in a statement that, through separate qualitative operations based on accurate intelligence information, the detachments of the General Directorate of Field Intelligence and Security at the Ministry of Defense were able to arrest (18) wanted by the judiciary on charges of trafficking and promoting narcotic substances in the governorates of (Baghdad, Muthanna, Diwaniyah, and Holy Karbala), whom arrest warrants issued against them in accordance with the provisions of Article (28/Drugs), and light weapons, quantities of various narcotic substances, and drug paraphernalia were seized in their possession

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The guardian of al-Abbas Holy Shrine, Ahmed Al-Safi, stressed the importance of working to consolidate the principle of peaceful coexistence between sects in Syrian society.

Al-Safi, during his meeting with the head of al-Jaafari Islamic Council in Syria, Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Al-Miski said that this principle contributes to overcoming the crisis that the country is experiencing.

Al-Safi called on the Syrians to unite, and for their first and greatest concern to be their country, its stability and development, and to work hard to achieve this.

He recommended working to reverse the bright image of the Islamic religion in the daily behavior of the Muslim, by following the example of the Prophet Mohammad and his family (may God’s prayers be upon them all), and following their right approach.

For his part, Al-Miski expressed his happiness at having the honor of visiting the Holy Abbas Shrine, and meeting Al-Safi, while he extended great thanks and gratitude to the Holy Abbas Shrine and its honorable position
in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake that struck Syria last year, which translated the vision of the Supreme Religious Authority for humanity by standing with the peoples who are subjected to a tragedy.

Al-Miski praised the efforts made by the Holy Abbas Shrine to serve the shrine of Lady Zeinab (peace be upon her), and its constant presence in all the occasions witnessed by the Holy Zainab Shrine, as well as its services to all the holy shrines in Syria.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The newspapers issued today, Sunday, paid attention to the Arab Labor Conference in its fiftieth session and followed the development road project.

Regarding the Arab Labor Conference, Al-Sabah newspaper said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, yesterday, Saturday, opened the work of the Arab Labor Conference in its fiftieth session, which is hosted by the capital, Baghdad, for the period from (April 27 – May 4).

The opening ceremony of the conference witnessed the presence of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the President of the International Labor Organization, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labor Organization, Arab labor ministers, and a number of diplomatic missions.

The Prime Minister delivered a speech in which he praised those in charge of the conference, its plan of action, and the reports that will be discussed. He explained that 59 years ago, Baghdad was a witness and a home for writing the birth certificate of the Arab Labor Organization. On the t
welfth of 1965, the Ministers of Labor met in Baghdad and held their conference. The first was in which they approved the Arab Labor Charter and the draft constitution of the Arab Labor Organization, to be an umbrella under which ideas related to labor and workers’ affairs come together.

Al-Sudani said, in his speech during the conference, that ‘the government has provided all the reasons to ensure the distinction of this conference, to come up with recommendations, decisions, positive ideas, and support for the organization,’ noting ‘the great support of the Iraqi government for the success of the activities of the Arab Labor Organization and its programs, through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs when he was its minister.’ He explained that ‘the holding of this conference comes in exceptional and difficult circumstances at the Arab and international levels, as the occupation forces continue their aggression against the people of Gaza, violating international law, the norms of war, and United Nations
resolutions, and preventing food, medicine, and safe housing for the Palestinians,’ calling on the international community and its institutions to ‘do their part.’ in order to stop this unjust war, based on the humanitarian and moral responsibility drawn up by international laws and resolutions.’ He added, ‘I extend my congratulations to the workers of the world on their Day, on the first of May, wishing them and their union and labor organizations further progress and prosperity,’ pointing out that ‘the world is witnessing crises whose impact has been reflected in the global economy and the social, psychological, and economic situation of the peoples of the Arab Organization, and has had a negative impact on labor productivity.

He continued, “Our current government has launched many strategies and initiatives that would improve the reality of work and workers, and we launched (the national strategy to reduce and prevent inequalities in the world of work for the years 2024-2028), in cooperation with the Inte
rnational Labor Organization, and we launched employment and development initiatives for multiple categories, at the forefront of which is the ‘Riyada’ initiative, to qualify young people.

Al-Zawraa newspaper, which is published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, followed the Development Road Project and quoted the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Transport Affairs, Nasser Al-Asadi, as saying that the project will shorten the time for transporting goods in Europe by a record time of up to 24 hours, while he announced the submission of three alliances of international companies for the Baghdad Metro project and a Spanish alliance for Najaf-Karbala Metro.

Al-Assadi added: ‘The development road project is not intended for transportation only, but transportation is part of the project, and Al-Faw Port is part of the project.’ Stating: The basic idea of the project is to create sustainable industrial, agricultural, educational, and tourism investment opportunities, meaning that the merchant now in China, India, Vie
tnam, or any country wishing to export his goods to Europe will follow any of the routes available in the world.

He added: The development road will be distinguished from other roads in terms of reducing time by 50 %, as well as being cheaper and lower in cost, and the third point is safe. Pointing out: We notice a lot of shipping operations, followed by loading and unloading operations. Each operation leads to damage to the goods, but the development road will lead to only one loading from sea to land.

He continued: For example, if a ship came loaded with goods from China or India and unloaded its cargo in one of the Iraqi ports, the process of transporting the goods from the ports to Europe would take a record period of 24 hours, after it had previously arrived within 14 days.

Regarding the Baghdad Metro project, Al-Asadi explained: There are 3 alliances of companies that submitted their offers for the Baghdad Metro project, each alliance consisting of 6 companies. Noting: The alliances consist of China,
Spain, Switzerland, and Germany, and part of these alliances have companies in the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

He stated: These alliances will have their papers submitted to the consultant, and we have two financial and technical offers. He stressed that the technician takes approximately 60 % of the evaluation in terms of studying experience, knowledge of previous projects, and knowledge of specialists in the fields involved in the project, such as trains, communications, infrastructure, construction, operation, etc. All of these will be reviewed by the consultant.

He pointed out: After May 12, there will be large teams within the consultant that will study all these companies applying for alliances.

Regarding the Najaf-Karbala metro project, Al-Asadi confirmed: There is an investment alliance that has applied for the project, and the offer will be studied and the start of implementing the project will be announced to bring them into the labor market.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) conducted a successful comprehensive Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) training workshop, at ITQAN Simulation and Training Center.

The event engaged 600 participants from 209 healthcare public and private facilities, like government and private hospitals, primary healthcare centers, diagnostic and treatment centers, and polyclinics, including hospital directors, clinical managers, quality managers, performance improvement coordinators, biostatisticians, epidemiologists.

According to MOPH’s statement, the workshop is a precursor to the official launch of HSPA-2 scheduled for mid-year 2024. The overarching goal of the workshop was to provide participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively assess and enhance the performance of Qatars healthcare system. Through interactive sessions over four days, attendees explored a wide array of topics, with a focus on key aspects such as understanding fundamental concepts and defining indicators for ev
aluation, significance of accurate data collection, various methods for data collection tailored to different dimensions of health system assessment, analysis of collected data effectively to assess the performance of healthcare systems.

Participants gained the ability to evaluate effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and the level of integrated care within these systems, the statement said adding that the workshop encouraged participants to identify strengths and areas for improvement, resulting in evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing health system performance and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Director, Strategic Planning, Performance and Innovation Department at Ministry of Public Health Huda Al Katheeri expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s outcomes, stating that knowledge and skills acquired by participants will play a crucial role in driving continuous improvement and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to all residents of Qatar. The training workshop has laid a solid fou
ndation for building capacity, fostering innovation, and achieving excellence in healthcare delivery, she added.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), successfully wrapped up the fifth edition of their comprehensive Strategic Product Management Bootcamp designed for entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

This innovative initiative is designed to equip Qatar’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in today’s highly competitive marketplace. The training sessions took place from April 21st to April 25th, 2024, at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), which served as the hub for this immersive learning experience.

During the intensive five-day training, participants were immersed in a transformative learning experience. The carefully crafted programs aimed to provide them with the necessary skills and strategic understanding required to elevate their products and services. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering everything from the basics of innovation, such as Desig
n Thinking and Concept Assessment, to more advanced aspects of product management like Business Case Building, Value Proposition Building, Financials and Pricing, and Defining Product Requirements.

The program offered an in-depth exploration of Market Research, equipping participants with the skills to segment and size markets, gather relevant data, validate research, and analyze competitors. This knowledge enhanced their strategic planning abilities, enabling them to create a product vision based on trends, strategy, and research, as well as roadmap their product development.

Commercial acumen was another critical component of the training. Participants learned how to name products, build value propositions, price products, and manage profit and loss, thereby enriching their business skills. The program wrapped up with a focus on continuous improvement, instructing participants on using win/loss data, identifying marginal gains, building metrics, and planning for product retirement.

Aysha Abdulhameed Al
-Mudahka, the RDI Program Director at QRDI Council, stated: “The Fifth Edition of the Strategic Product Management Bootcamp, a collaborative effort by QRDI Council, Qatar Development Bank, and Innovation Cafe, is testament to our dedication to supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar. Over an intense five-day period, participants embarked on a learning journey, refining vital skills from design thinking to product lifecycle management, preparing them to excel in today’s competitive market. This initiative not only aims to enhance entrepreneurship and build capabilities but also empowers SMEs by creating opportunities for them. It highlights QRDI Council’s commitment to fostering growth and excellence in Qatar’s vibrant research, development, and innovation ecosystem.” Mohammed Al Emadi, Senior Manager of Investment at QDB, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “Its always great to join forces with those who champion in learning, thorough research, and genuine developmen
t. Our alignment with QRDI signals a promising synergy, ensuring bright prospects for our entrepreneurs and SMEs in Qatar. We share a strong belief in a future shaped by knowledge, innovation, and creativity.

Contributing to this groundbreaking initiative fills us with joy as we equip local businesses with the knowledge and tools that are vital for navigating today’s intricate business landscape. By forging strategic collaborations like this, we propel Qatar on its path to becoming a global hub for entrepreneurial achievement.” The QRDI Council remains committed to aiding government entities, Large Local Enterprises (LLEs), and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through inventive programs and workshops like the Qatar Open Innovation program and ideation workshop, among others. The council’s membership boasts distinguished national and international personalities from diverse governmental, academic sectors, and industry experts.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Dozens of citizens suffered from poison gas suffocation, tonight, during confrontations with the Israeli occupation forces, in the Arroub camp, north of Hebron.

A local source said that confrontations broke out in Al-Arroub camp after the occupation forces stormed the camp, and fired stun grenades and poisonous gas towards citizens, which led to dozens of citizens suffocating with poisonous gas

Source: Maan News Agency

Gaza: Israeli aircraft continued their bombing of various areas of the Gaza Strip on the 205th day of the war, leaving dozens of martyrs and wounded.

The Israeli occupation committed four massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, claiming 32 martyrs and 69 injuries during the past 24 hours, bringing the toll of the Israeli aggression to 34,388 martyrs and 77,437 injuries since the seventh of last October.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that with the closure of the public health laboratory, the inability to examine drinking water, and the occupation not allowing the introduction of chlorine or any alternative to it to treat drinking water through chlorination, all citizens of the Gaza Strip are drinking unsafe water and putting their lives in danger.

In a related context, the Gaza Municipality said that 50% of its wells were destroyed, in addition to the destruction of 42,000 meters of water networks.

The northern municipalities also suffer from the lack of diesel to operate these
wells.

In the south of the Gaza Strip,

the number of martyrs rose to 10 as a result of a raid by occupation aircraft that targeted a house in the Al-Nasr neighborhood in Rafah.

Among the martyrs were six brothers from the Ashour family, including a girl.

An Israeli raid led to the death of six other Palestinians by bombing a house west of Rafah and a seventh near the crossing during the past twenty-four hours.

In Khan Yunis, the occupation army destroyed two houses in the town of Khuza’a, east of the city, and launched raids on the town of Al-Fukhari, southeast of Khan Yunis.

In the central Gaza Strip,

the number of martyrs in the bombing of the grandfather’s family’s house south of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, which was bombed at dawn yesterday, also rose to ten.

Two martyrs were also killed in the bombing of another house north of the Nuseirat camp, and one martyr and a number of wounded east of the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip.

The occupation aircraft launched a raid on th
e town of Al-Zawaida and another on Al-Mughraqa in the central Gaza Strip.

Gaza and the North.

Israeli aircraft bombed Al-Dhafer Tower 2, southwest of Gaza City.

The occupation artillery bombed the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of the Gaza Strip

Source: Maan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Interior, Mazen Faraya, reviewed national efforts aimed to remove attacks on groundwater reservoirs, water sources and pipelines and backfill the violating wells.

Chairing a meeting at the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters, in presence of Minister of Water, Raed Abu Al-Saud, and all concerned authorities, Faraya said efforts in this field are “ongoing” according to an executive plan, aimed to monitor water-related attacks and violations countrywide, adding that campaigns are carried out to remove them, in cooperation with the relevant institutions.

Noting perpetrators are referred to the judicial authorities, Faraya said these attacks cause “increasing” depletion of Jordan’s water sources, which constitutes a “major” obstacle to meet citizens’ needs.

Faraya warned against these irresponsible practices, which constitute “a threat to Jordanian national security,” affirming perpetrators will be dealt with on this basis.

Additionally, he praised the concerned authorities for following up
on eliminating water attacks and their “exceptional” efforts to implement the rule of law and ensure success of these water theft crackdowns.

Stressing necessity of continuing these efforts nationwide, he called for concerted endeavors to enhance citizens’ spirit of responsibility in reporting any negative practices and violations to reach water “stability and justice in distribution without discrimination.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Based on information and field follow-up by the agency, the Customs Police, in cooperation with the competent authority in the Environmental Quality Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Municipality of Qalqilya, today, Sunday, seized a number of trucks loaded with waste coming from Israel to be buried in citizens’ lands in Qalqilya Governorate, and it is considered waste. Dangerous to the Palestinian environment.

In view of this, the competent authority decided to return the seized items to their source and properly complete the legal procedures

Source: Maan News Agency

The Security Media Cell announced the arrest of the so-called Islamic Police official in the terrorist ISIS in Nineveh.

The Cell said in a statement, ‘With a qualitative operation and a distinguished intelligence effort, and according to accurate information from the 16th Division of the Military Intelligence Directorate, in cooperation with the Division’s Reconnaissance Battalion, and through continuous field follow-up that began from one of the neighboring countries after the terrorist entered Iraqi territory, a precise ambush was set up for him ‘ On the left side of the city of Mosul.

The statement added, “This terrorist called (Abu Sakr) was arrested. He is wanted by the Iraqi judiciary in accordance with the provisions of Article (4/ of Terrorism), and he was working in the position of the so-called (Islamic police official in the terrorist ISIS) and carrying with him forged documents that he has been traveling with since his entry into the Iraqi lands, and it was handed over to the requesting party as
a matter of law.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel announced, Sunday, the initiative to eradicate polio in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

This came in a statement during a “bridging the healthcare gap” meeting which included Saudi Health Minister Al-Jalajel, Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Ghebreyesus, and Co-Chairperson of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, and President of the Gates Foundation Anita Zaidi, among others who participated in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Al-Jalajel added that this initiative between King Salman Relief Center and the Gates Foundation aims to annually save over 370 million children suffering from polio, and to eradicate the disease.

Saudi Arabia also pledged USD 620 million over the next five years to the global polio eradication initiative, underscoring the continuous efforts to eradicate the disease while providing the best care to suffering ch
ildren.

Source: Kuwait News Agency