HAMIEH: WE ARE PARTAKING IN ARAB LEAGUE WORKSHOP ON PREPARING A STUDY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PORTS & HARBORS IN LINE WITH STATUS OF LEBANESE PORTS, REALITY OF CHANGES

Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, announced in a statement today, that “participation in the workshop of the League of Arab States in Cairo on preparing a study for the development and interconnection of Arab ports and harbors falls within our vision: first for the status, role and specification enjoyed by the Lebanese ports, and secondly for the reality of regional and international political and geopolitical changes and their impact on maritime transport and its international routes.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

MIKATI, ABU FAOUR DISCUSS COMPENSATIONS TO FARMERS IN WAKE OF DAMAGES TO THEIR FODDER WHEAT, BARLEY FIELDS DUE TO HEAVY RAINS

Member of the “Democratic Gathering” parliamentary bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, met this afternoon with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with talks centering on the issue of compensations for farmers in the Bekaa Valley whose fodder wheat and barley plantations were damaged as a result of the heavy rains and hail that fell the day before yesterday. Abu Faour indicated that “PM Mikati promised to commission the Lebanese army to survey the damages, to be assessed by the Higher Relief Commission and the Council of Ministers.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

GHARIB AT A COMMUNIST RALLY MARKING LABOR DAY: SECULAR STATE PROJECT IS CAPABLE OF RESCUING LEBANON FROM ITS CRISES

A popular demonstration took place today at the invitation of the Lebanese Communist Party on the occasion of Labor Day, setting out from Barbir Square to Riad El Solh Square in Central Beirut, where the Party’s Secretary-General Hanna Gharib delivered a speech in which he underlined that “the secular state project is capable of saving Lebanon from its crises.” He said: ‘From the heart of Lebanon, from Beirut the city of Lebanese national resistance, you are demonstrating today in commemoration of the first of May, the International Labor Day…From this city, you salute the workers of Lebanon, Palestine, the Arab world and the world at large…To all the communist, labor and leftist parties, to all the hardworkers who live off their sweat through physical and intellectual work, to those who are subject to persecution and confront the forces of capitalism, extremism and racism, including the refugees, the displaced and those living under the effect of occupation, particularly the workers of Palestine and its resistant people.” He went on, ‘You are demonstrating today to preserve the sacrifices and the achievements you have made on the path of liberation and change, as work is being done to liquidate them at the hands of the parties of the authoritarian-financial alliance system…The parties to the system are trying to evade responsibility and impunity, and blame the consequences of the failure of their policies on workers, wage earners, and the overwhelming majority of our people.’ Gharib referred to the continuous lies of the system’s parties until the collapse befell the Lebanese, exposing the authority’s schemes and their plundering of public money and all the sins they committed. ‘They are not ashamed to repeat what they did with their destructive policies, by portraying the crisis as being that of electing a president and forming a government, when it is actually a crisis of their sectarian political system and its dependent rentier economy,’ he said. ‘They persevere in their dependence on their guardians abroad for fear of being exposed by their outside alliances who blackmail them, so they scramble to provide guarantees and concessions in order to preserve their class interests and political power,’ he added. However, Gharib considered that outside contacts with affiliates and guardians abroad will only lead to failed settlements that have kept Lebanon captive to the vortex of crises that soon return to exploding once again. ‘All sectarian formulas and settlements that you seek are rejected, because they have only built failed states that generate this ruin that we live in…Delusional are those who believe that the solution and rescue will come at the hands of those who brought the country to ruin, for only the alternative national project is able to salvage Lebanon, which is threatened with its fate and existence,’ Gharib underscored, pledging to pursue the struggle to achieve the national project proposed by the party. “From the demonstration of the first of May, we renew our call to all national, secular and progressive opposition forces, to all trade unions and those operating within social, youth, women and civil frameworks that are fighting for these rights and demands, to intensify efforts to converge, work together, escalate confrontation, close ranks…and follow up on the dialogue that has come a long way towards preparing for the launch of a national and democratic political front according to a joint program accompanied by the escalation of confrontation in the street and in all sectors and regions,’ Gharib concluded.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

GFTU: Syrian workers an example to follow in national cohesion

The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) said that celebrating International Worker’s Day comes in a time when official and popular efforts continue to address the effects of the earthquake during which the Syrian workers have conveyed a brilliant image of national cohesion and unity through their rapid and urgent response to the catastrophe.

The GFTU affirmed in a statement that the Syrian workers have also performed their duty to the fullest throughout the years of the terrorist war waged against Syria as they have defended their homeland and its dignity, independence and unity.

“The anniversary of International Workers’ Day comes in light of harsh economic conditions that the world is experiencing in all its parts, as the forces of evil and aggression continue to practice their aggressive policies to destabilize global stability, destroy homelands, and terrorize their peoples by imposing siege policies and unjust sanctions that resulted in great repercussions that threatened the lives of millions of people,” the statement read.

The federation noted that International Workers’ Day has become a symbol of the unity and solidarity of workers and their common struggle against various forms of exploitation and capitalist domination.

The statement highlighted the need to start, according to the available capabilities, to rehabilitate public sector institutions and establishments, expand it and modernize the legislative structure regulating its work, providing it with appropriate administrative cadres and qualified technical workers, and adopting effective training and qualification policies that raise productivity.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

HAMIEH: WE ARE PARTAKING IN ARAB LEAGUE WORKSHOP ON PREPARING A STUDY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PORTS & HARBORS IN LINE WITH STATUS OF LEBANESE PORTS, REALITY OF CHANGES

Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, announced in a statement today, that “participation in the workshop of the League of Arab States in Cairo on preparing a study for the development and interconnection of Arab ports and harbors falls within our vision: first for the status, role and specification enjoyed by the Lebanese ports, and secondly for the reality of regional and international political and geopolitical changes and their impact on maritime transport and its international routes.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

National Earthquake Center: 14 tremors recorded in past 24 hours

The National Earthquake Center has announced that 14 quakes with a magnitude ranging between 1.5 and 4.1 on the Richter Scale were recorded over the past 24 hours.

The center said in a statement that a 2.4 magnitude tremor was recorded 90 km west of Raqqa, and a magnitude 1.9 tremor was recorded 10 km north of Hama central province while a third 2.1 magnitude quake was recorded 97 km southwest of Tartous and a fourth quake measuring 1.5 magnitude was recorded 29 km southwest of Quneitra.

According to the center’s statement, six tremors ranging in magnitude from 2.4 to 4.1 were recorded in Turkey, three tremors in Liwa Iskenderun ranging between 2.1 and 3.1 magnitudes, and a tremor in the Mediterranean Sea east of Cyprus with a magnitude of 2.3.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Al-Araji Discusses With Plasschaert The Political And Security Situation At The International And Regional Levels

The National Security Adviser, Qassem Al-Araji, received in his office today, Monday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert.

Al-Araji reviewed, with Plasschaert, the political and security situation at the international and regional levels, in addition to discussing the files of the Syrian Al-Haul camp and Sinjar.

The importance of working to activate the measures to resolve the Sinjar file, to promote community reconciliation, and to create conditions to enhance the security and stability of the district was emphasized.

Plasschaert confirmed the continued support of the United Nations to the Iraqi government, with regard to the displaced and humanitarian fields.

For his part, Al-Araji indicated that the Iraqi government, headed by Al-Sudani, is working alongside the United Nations according to the approach of achieving social stability and investing this stability in consolidating security and peaceful coexistence.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

One Palestinian martyred, others injured as occupation forces storm southern Jericho City

A Palestinian was martyred and others were injured as the Israeli occupation forces stormed Jabr Camp, south of Jericho City in the West Bank.

Wafa News Agency stated that the occupation forces stormed the camp and opened fire on the Palestinians as Mohammad al-Lad’a, aged 17, was martyred after being shot in the head and six others were injured, three of whom seriously.

The Israeli occupation forces continue their siege on the city of Jericho for the tenth day in a row, and set up barriers on the main and secondary roads leading to it, and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles, which impeded their movement.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Extinguishing a fire at a government fuel station in Diyala

A fire broke out at a government fuel station, northeast of Baquba, Diyala Governorate Center.

A security source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that a fire broke out at the government (Zain Al-Qaws) fuel station on the outskirts of Khanaqin, northeast of Baquba, as a result of the burning of a civilian vehicle inside the station.

He added that the firefighting teams were able to put out the flames without any casualties.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Taekwondo player Dayoub uses his athletic skills to support earthquake- affected children

A large amount of care and psychological support was directed by the youth cadres to those affected, whether by the earthquake during the past period or during the years of war, including extensive efforts exerted by young taekwondo player Mudar Dayoub who deliberately used his sports skills, and practical experience acquired in the world of training and fitness for the benefit of work humanitarian and community service.

Despite his young age, a career full of achievements and local and international competitions, during which he won many awards and medals, most notably the bronze of the West Asian Championship in Jordan in 2009, the bronze of the Club World Championship in Korea in 2010, two gold and silver medals in the Korean Open Championship in 2010, and the bronze medal of the World Junior Olympics in Russia in 2012, and he secured a distinguished place for himself among the list of the best stars of this sport in Syria, thanks to his martial art skills and knowledge of many secrets of this world that helped him create his own style.

“My studies at the Faculty of Physical Education in Tishreen University came as a true translation of my passion and attachment to the sport of Taekwondo and my desire to explore basic mathematical principles and concepts and benefit from academic information to enrich my sports knowledge,” Dayoub told SANA reporter.

He said that his work as a sports coach for young age groups for a number of months Sports clubs in Lattakia and his joining the team of the center, which was opened by the Amal Organization for Hearing Impairment in the city, empowered his belief in the values of sports and the role of sports activities in improving the psychological state of children and bringing about a tangible positive change in their personality and their intellectual and physical health.

Dayoub recalled the beginning of the war, which cast a shadow over the various aspects of life in Syria more than 11 years ago, as well as the Corona pandemic, up to the recent earthquake catastrophe, all of which constituted important turning points in his life, like others of his generation, and prompted him to enter the field of community and humanitarian work.

With a tone full of enthusiasm, Dayoub said that his experiment focused on teaching the child how to relax and regulate the breathing process, because of its great impact on self-control, getting rid of feelings of pressure and tension, and maintaining calm, adding that before each visit, a list of children’s names and ages is prepared, and a sports activity program that suits their age groups is set. The activities develop the children mental skills, and integrate them with their peers, as well as promote the values that sport helps to develop, especially in team games such as cooperation, respect for others, positive interaction, responsibility and self-confidence, Dayoub concluded.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Clouds Carry Drug-Resistant Bacteria Over Distances: Study

Canadian and French researchers recently found in a study that clouds carry drug-resistant bacteria over long distances.

“These bacteria usually live on the surface of vegetation like leaves, or in soil,” lead author Florent Rossi said in a an interview.

“We found that they are carried by the wind into the atmosphere and can travel long distances—around the world—at high altitudes in clouds,” he added.

The researchers from Laval University in Quebec City and Clermont Auvergne University in central France searched for antibiotic-resistant genes from bacteria found in cloud samples.

The samples were taken from an atmospheric research station perched 1,465 meters (4,806 feet) above sea level atop the Puy de Dome summit, a dormant volcano in central France between September 2019 and October 2021.

An analysis of the retrieved mist revealed that they contained between 330 to more than 30,000 bacteria per milliliter of cloud water, for an average of around 8,000 bacteria er milliliter.

They also identified 29 subtypes of antibiotic-resistant genes in the bacteria.

Drug resistance occurs when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics and develop an immunity to them over generations.

Source: Oman News Agency

Council of Ministers and State Council Hold Joint Meeting

HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and some ministers today received Sheikh Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council and members of the council’s office.

The meeting, which serves the public interest, came within the joint coordination between the Council of Ministers and the Council of Oman.

Such meetings seek to come up with a common ground among all state units with the prime aim of achieving integration to implement the desired national policies.

At the outset of the meeting, HH Sayyid Fahd underlined the government’s appreciation for the role of the State Council in cooperating with the Council of Ministers to implement the development plans and rendering best services to the citizens.

The meeting underscored the importance of enhancing the joint cooperation and exchanging views to serve the supreme interest of the country. Such cooperation will ensure the maximum utilization of the competencies of the State Council’s members in boosting the government’s endeavours to execute development programmes and plans.

On their turn, Chairman of the State Council and members of the council’s office stressed the importance of the topics covered by the joint meeting. They lauded their meeting with His Majesty the Sultan and its outcomes which contributed significantly to work progress of the council.

The joint meeting between with the Council of Ministers reviewed a set of topics including means of supporting integration between the government units to serve the public interest. It also touched on ways of activating role of the State Council in presenting studies and proposals that contribute to consolidating the values of society and preserving sustainable development and continue exerting sincere efforts to accomplish more achievements in the country under the wise leadership of His Majesty.

Source: Oman News Agency