Category: General

Gaza Together – The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, said on Saturday: ‘We killed 9 Zionist soldiers in the Al-Zinna area, east of the city of Khan Yunis, and 5 others in the Al-Amal neighborhood, west of the city.’

Al-Qassam added, “We targeted 4 Merkava tanks in Al-Zinna, and a troop carrier in the Al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis, and killed and wounded their members.”

The Al-Qassam Brigades had reported that its fighters had again targeted the rescue forces and soldiers who fled from the site of the Zana operation and barricaded themselves in one of the surrounding houses.

For his part, Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that 3 Israeli army helicopters had landed to transport wounded occupation soldiers east of Khan Yunis.

Source: Maan News Agency

Baghdad, The Baghdad Operations Command announced the arrest of (13) persons accused of ‘tribal raids and criminal crimes’ and indiscriminate shooting and the seizure of weapons in their possession, on the Karkh and Rusafa sides of Baghdad.

The Command stated in a statement: ‘The security forces, by conducting security practices and conducting patrols within the sector of responsibility, arrested eight defendants accused of the tribal raid (parties to conflicts) and seized the unlicensed weapons and equipment in their possession on the Karkh and Rusafa sides, and another older accused (intentionally) for the killing of a ‘woman from his family,’ in ‘Al-Shaab’ area, northeast of Baghdad, it also arrested four defendants who were parties to a quarrel that occurred in the Adhamiya area next to Al-Rusafa, after they opened random fire in the air and seized the weapons they were in the possession of the defendants, and the materials the seized items were sent to the competent authorities to take legal measures ag
ainst them.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Baghdad, The Ministry of Interior announced, today, Saturday, the arrest of 4 people wanted for drug trafficking in Diwaniyah.

The Ministry said in a statement: ‘During a qualitative operation, and after collecting information by private sources, a force from Directorate of Drug Affairs, the Tactical Regiment, and Al-Sadeer Police Station in Diwaniyah Governorate was able to arrest 4 people accused of drug trafficking, who are wanted by the judiciary in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the Code (Anti-drug law ) in the areas of Al-Sadeer and Al-Hamza.

It added, ‘They were investigated in the cases against them in order to refer them to the competent court.’

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Islamic Resistance announced in a statement this afternoon that in support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on Lebanon’s southern villages and towns, specifically in the town of Arnoun, the Resistance fighters targeted at 4:15 pm today the enemy’s Zaoura camp with a Katyusha rockets.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior said that the campaigns against individuals who violate residency, labor, and border security regulations, carried out in all regions of the Kingdom from March 28 to April 03, 2024, yielded the following results:

Of the total number of 21,505 violators, 14,323 had violated the Residency Law, 4,778 the Border Security Law, and 2,404 the Labor Law.

Of the 1,295 people caught trying to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, 37% were Yemenis, 61% Ethiopians, and 2% of other nationalities; 61 were arrested for trying to leave the country illegally.

Nine people involved in transporting, sheltering, employing and covering up for violators of the above laws were arrested.

Of the 61,301 expatriates currently subject to the procedures for implementing the regulations, 57,013 are men and 4,288 women.

Other measures include having 54,169 violators referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,666 referred to complete their travel reservations, and 7,423 we
re deported.

The Ministry of Interior warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or with any assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million.

The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that are punishable with arrest.

It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, Celebrating Manama, the Gulf tourism capital for 2024, a jam-packed calendar of numerous tourism and entertainment events awaits Kingdom of Bahrain visitors across the year 2024 to enjoy the best of the Kingdom and meet GCC countries tourist needs.

With its opulent accommodation packages, alluring tourist excursions, and entertainment festivals, 2024 in Bahrain will provide visitors with an abundance of entertaining events and experiences that will guarantee a once-in-a-lifetime experience for GCC citizens and residents.

A plethora of entertaining events will be held in various venues and locations throughout the kingdom in 2024. These events will include marine activities, cultural celebrations, live concerts, and musical performances. On numerous occasions, they will bring Bahrain and Gulf heritage to life and illuminate Manama, while also showcasing the distinctive cultural identity of Bahrain and the GCC on a regional and global scale.

Tourism events in Manama throughout 2024 provide a favourab
le occasion to highlight Bahrain’s accomplishments to stimulate tourism momentum and the tourism industry at the local and regional levels. This is consistent with the objectives of Bahrain’s tourism strategy 2022-2026, which aim to increase the contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP, diversify the kingdom’s tourism product, and strengthen its position as an ideal tourist destination.

In an effort to maintain year-round tourism momentum in the Kingdom, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has unveiled “Eid in Bahrain” activities from April 9-14, 2024. These activities will consist of exclusive travel packages, cultural celebrations, musical performances, and other entertainment events, and will take place in various regions of the Kingdom.

Starting on the first day of Eid Al Fitr in the cultural hall in Manama and the Muharraq Model Youth Centre Theatre in Busaiteen, there will be a wide variety of entertaining activations, including comedies and family plays. The Kingdom’s many retail
centres also host more exciting activities, music and light shows.

During Eid in Bahrain, guests of all nationalities can enjoy exclusive stays at three- to five-star hotels and resorts, as well as special tourism trips, entertainment, and hospitality deals spread out across the country’s most popular attractions.

Prominent regional and international superstars, including Mohammed Abdu, Khaled Al Shaikh, Amr Diab, Metro Boomin, and others, will perform at a number of upcoming live concerts at Al Dana Amphitheatre in April and May 2024.

BTEA, in an effort to enhance tourism activity during the holy month of Ramadan for GCC visitors, introduced the Ramadan Tourism Guide “Ramadan in Bahrain.” This guide curated an assortment of captivating tourist activities, Suhoor and Iftar offerings, and opulent accommodation packages to provide GCC nationals and residents with an indelible experience throughout the holy month.

Sara Ahmed Buhiji, the CEO of BTEA, stressed the authority’s commitment to launch brand new ini
tiatives and innovative festivals in the tourism and entertainment realms to attract more tourists and visitors and diversify tourism product, solidifying Bahrain’s position as a preferred tourist destination regionally and globally and making it the ideal option for families or individuals looking for unique entertainment and unwinding attractions.

Buhiji outlined BTEA’s constant endeavours to enhance cooperation with private sector companies and forge new partnerships to innovate tourism and entertainment special packages, providing memorable experiences year-round, especially during Eid seasons. She noted that this year’s schedule will be plentiful with entertaining activations, in keeping with Manama’s designation as the tourism capital of the Gulf for 2024 and the planning of a variety of festivals and programmes that will appeal to all tastes.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Hebron – Together – The Board of Trustees of Palestine Polytechnic University issued a decision appointing Dr. Mustafa Abu Al-Safa as President of the University, succeeding Dr. Amjad Barham, who assumed the portfolio of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Dr. Abu Safa, an assistant professor of physics at the university, served as the academic vice president of the university, and also worked as a lecturer in the College of Applied Sciences.

Source: Maan News Agency

Baghdad, Security forces arrested two drug dealers after an armed clash with them in Karbala and Basra.

A statement by the Ministry of Interior stated that, in the early hours of this Saturday, a force from the Anti-Narcotics Directorate in Karbala clashed with one of the wanted men, seriously injured him, arrested him, and took him to the hospital, after they seized a quantity of crystal and a pistol in his possession.

The statement added: ‘A force from the Anti-Narcotics Directorate in Basra clashed with a drug dealer, and one of the members was shot in the leg by the accused, who was arrested, and a quantity of drugs and a pistol were seized in his possession.’

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Baghdad, The Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, today, Saturday, determined the importance of the railway link project (Basra – Shalamcheh).

The Ministry of Transport said in a statement: ‘The minister headed a technical ministerial delegation to the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss the details of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project to transport passengers and visitors between the two countries.’

The statement added, ‘The technical team included both the Director General of the Technical Department, Salman Al-Bahadli, and the Director General of Railways, Younis Khaled Jawad Al-Kaabi, and in the presence of a representative of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they launched a round of preliminary discussions with the Undersecretary of the Iranian Ministry of Transport and Director General of Railways, Mead Salehi, to discuss the technical issues of the project .

The statement confirmed, “Al-Saadawi chaired, along with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazarba
sh, an expanded meeting between the Iraqi and Iranian technical teams, who discussed the technical issues of the project, in the presence of the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran, Naseer Abdul Mohsen.”

The minister said at the beginning of the meeting: ‘The project is of interest to both countries, as it constitutes an important and safe means of transportation for visitors and travelers, especially during the days of million-man visits,’ stressing that ‘the project will contribute greatly to strengthening the tourism sector between the two countries, especially religious tourism.’ It will also shorten travel time and be safer for travelers, in addition to lowering the cost of travel through it.’

The statement continued, “The meeting reviewed developments in the project, studies and designs for implementing the line, and also discussed the specifications of the companies that will implement the project in a way that serves the interests of the two countries.”

The statement indicated that “Director General of Mari
time Transport, Ahmed Jassim Al-Asadi, discussed during the meeting ways to stimulate the movement of passengers and visitors between the two countries, via sea and river lanes.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Islamic Resistance indicated in an issued communiqué this afternoon that in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the Resistance fighters targeted at 4:30 pm today the enemy’s Ruwaisat al-Alam post in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hilltops, by hitting it directly with a Burkan missile.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Madinah: The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef, arrived in Madinah today to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque.

Upon his arrival at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, he was received by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, and several other officials.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Geneva, The United Nations Office in Geneva has held an array of events marking the International Day of Conscience, which falls on April 5 every year.

Prominent personalities from various backgrounds, several permanent representatives of a number of countries, spiritual leaders, poets, artists, writers, academics and other stakeholders from civil society participated in the celebration.

The celebration featured dialogue sessions and panel discussions with thinkers and writers to discuss ways to consolidate peace, as well as spread the culture of dialogue and tolerance, in order to foster fraternity among the various peoples.

Hassan Musa Shafi’i, Acting Chargé d’Affairs at the Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the UN Office in Geneva, delivered a statement at the Palais des Nations, at the invitation of the Initiatives of Change (IofC). He highlighted the basic principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of the United Nations, stressing the need to reflect deeply on h
ow humanity can work together to further promote a culture of peace, tolerance and conscience in order to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development.

He indicated that the draft resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2019 regarding the proclamation of the International Day of Conscience, submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, is among the numerous initiatives that embody the keenness of the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to contribute effectively to strengthening global peace, security and development by providing appropriate conditions for countries and peoples to resolve conflicts peacefully and work collectively to overcome challenges.

He indicated that this initiative is a prominent achievement that recognises the need for stability, mutual respect and coexistence, based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without discrimination based on race, gender, language or religion.

Hassan Musa Shafi’i stressed that the Internat
ional Day of Conscience, which brings all peoples of the world together, is a reminder of the urgent need to establish the principles of peace, tolerance and solidarity, based on love and conscience among all.

Concluding his statement, the Acting Chargé d’Affairs emphasised that Bahrain is a role model for peaceful coexistence among different religions, sects and cultures, thanks to the atmosphere of freedom and openness established by its leadership as part of its comprehensive development process.

Source: Bahrain News Agency