Category: General

Kuwait, His Highness Shaikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, assigned Shaikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah as Prime Minister.

According to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), an Amiri Order has been issued, designating Shaikh Ahmad to assume the esteemed role of forming a government. In this capacity, he will be responsible for selecting and proposing the names of esteemed individuals to serve as ministers.

Upon the submission of these nominations, an Amiri decree will be issued later to officially appoint them.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Gaza – Together – United Nations human rights experts said that the destruction of homes and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip is the highest compared to any other conflict in history.

He added that the systematic and widespread destruction in Gaza represents a crime against humanity.

Source: Maan News Agency

Muscat: Numerical charts and analysis of the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center indicated that heavy thunderstorms accompanied with strong downdraft winds and hail expected over Governorate of Musandam (50-150 mm). Rainfall amounts ranging from 30-120 mm also expected over Al Buraimi, A’Dhahirah, North Al Batinah and A’Dakhiliyah governorates. Continuous varied intensity rains also predicted over governorates of Muscat, South Al Batinah, South A’Sharqiyah and North A’Sharqiyah and the northern parts of Al Wusta causing flashfloods. Chances of isolated rain also expected over Dhofar governorate starting from tonight (Monday, 15 April 2024 till tomorrow, Tuesday, 16 April 2024).

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advices all to exercise maximum caution during thunderstorms, avoid crossing wadis (Flashfloods), avoid low laying areas and avoid venturing into the sea during the alert period.

Source: Oman News Agency

Cairo: The 22nd meeting of the Arab Group concerned with International Environmental Agreements to Combat Desertification and Biodiversity began today at the headquarters of the Arab League’s Secretariat General, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Representatives of several Arab countries have participated as well.

The Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Agriculture for International Affairs and Climate, Abdu Al-Sharif, represented the Kingdom at the meeting.

The Director of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Meteorology at the Arab League, Dr. Mahmoud Fathallah, illustrated that the meeting would discuss several items.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Canberra: Researchers from Flinders University have unveiled the discovery of three new extinct kangaroo species that roamed Australia between 5 million and 40,000 years ago.

Belonging to the extinct genus Protemnodon, these creatures were described as resembling modern grey kangaroos but were more robust.

Among the recently discovered species is Protemnodon viator, tipping the scales at 170 kilograms, doubling the dimensions of the present-day red kangaroo.

Conversely, Protemnodon mamakurra exhibits a smaller stature and distinctive skeletal features, suggesting a probable habitat along the southern coast of Australia.

Lastly, Protemnodon dawsonae is believed to bridge the evolutionary gap between these two species.

Lead researcher Isaac Kerr conducted a comprehensive five-year study, analyzing fossils from museums worldwide.

The findings provide a substantial database for future research, aiding in fossil identification.

While discussions about resurrecting extinct species persist, Dr. Kerr suggests
it’s feasible for extinct kangaroos due to available genetic data.

Though not a priority, advancements in de-extinction technology could potentially revive these ancient marsupials.

Source: Oman News Agency

National News Agency correspondent reported that enemy warplanes carried out mock raids over south Lebanon’s central sector.

Enemy reconnaissance warplanes also flew intensively over western and central sectors in south Lebanon.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Djibouti, Ambassador Mohammed Ali Hassan, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, received Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Khalifa, who handed him a copy of his credentials as the appointed ambassador of Bahrain to Djibouti, residing in Riyadh.

The Secretary-General praised the relations between the two countries and their development in various fields, wishing the ambassador continued success in his diplomatic duties.

Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman expressed his appreciation to the Secretary-General for his hospitality and his constant interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, wishing Djibouti further progress and prosperity.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Lieutenant General Tariq Al Hassan, the Chief of Public Security, chaired an extraordinary meeting of the National Civil Emergency Management Committee.

Members representing concerned ministries and authorities attended the meeting to inspect preparedness for expected unstable weather.

The Chief highlighted the instructions of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defence Council, to ensure readiness of concerned authorities in dealing with the impact of heavy rainfall.

The committee emphasised the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to address unstable weather patterns, which included launching an awareness campaign by disseminating essential safety guidelines to the public.

Lt. Gen. Al Hassan highlighted the efforts of the relevant ministries and authorities in setting proactive measures to address the rain. This approach aims to prevent any potential obstacles that might hinder the implementation of the primary plans.

He said that
concerned authorities would deploy heavily to promptly respond to emergencies, and citizens and residents could seek assistance via the emergency hotline (999).

The response teams are prepared with the required equipment, pumps, and vehicles to handle any cases, rescue operations, and assistance.

At the end of the meeting, the committee affirmed the significance of the public being aware of heavy rain and high wind instructions by visiting the National Civil Protection Platform. It also called for caution, seeking information from official sources, and following instructions of specialised authorities for the safety of all.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Gaza – Ma’an – The Mujahideen Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, announced on Monday, targeting occupation fortifications and soldiers with heavy machine guns east of Jabalia.

Source: Maan News Agency

Babylon police arrested today, Monday, an armed man who robbed a collection employee belonging to the municipality of Hilla in Al-Khusrawiyah area minutes after the robbery.

Babylon Police Director, Brigadier General Ali Al-Hasnawi, said, “A Babylon Police patrol chased an armed man who had robbed a collection employee from the Hilla municipality and was able to arrest him.”

He added that the police transferred the accused to the competent authorities for investigation.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Two civilians were killed and three others from one family were injured in a traffic accident near Al-Arij gas plant south of Mosul.

A source in the Nineveh Police told the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that, ‘A car overturned near a gas plant at the entrance to the village of Al-Arij, resulting in the death of two civilians and the injury of three others who were inside. They were subsequently transferred to a hospital near the accident.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Iranian Ministry of Transport announced the resumption of international and domestic flights at Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports in Tehran, two days after all flights to the two airports were canceled and Iranian airspace was closed.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency