Jordan News UpdatesMP Ghassan Skaf visited today Saudi Ambassador Walid Al-Bukhari. “We have to take advantage of the opportunity for regional calm after the Saudi-Iranian agreement in order to achieve the presidential elections, but we do not want this agreement to impose on us a president on the basis of profit and loss,’ Skaff pointed out after meeting Bukhari.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
NNA – Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Walid Fayyad, left Beirut yesterday evening heading to Iraq to participate in the “Third Baghdad International Water Conference”, which deals with water scarcity in the region in general and in Iraq in particular, as well as the issue of cross-border water diplomacy. His visit comes in response to an official invitation from the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources. Dr. Aoun Abdullah. On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Fayyad will hold several meetings with Iraqi officials and his counterparts, Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani and Water Resources Minister, Dr. Aoun Abdullah, to discuss files of common interest.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Maan Al-Kazemi, confirmed that no final agreement has been reached on the percentage of reducing the budget deficit, but it could reach 18 trillion dinars.
Al-Kadhimi said in a televised statement: “The deficit is primarily in the operational field, that is, the commodity and service consumption of the ministries of furniture, which took a significant turn in the increase in allocations.”
He explained: “The approval of the budget will be during this month and will not exceed it.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
At least one person died and more than 20 others were injured as a result of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture, Japanese media reported.
The earthquake, whose epicenter was 10 kilometers deep, hit the city of Ishikawa after Friday evening.
No tsunami warning was issued, but aftershocks occurred after the quake.
According to Japanese media, one person was killed as a result of the earthquake, who fell from a ladder, while more than 20 others were injured.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said earlier that one person was in critical condition following the quake.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Independent politician Mahmoud Othman confirmed the agreement between Prime Minister Muhammad al-Sudani and the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, to export the region’s oil and pay Turkish dues.
Othman told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA /: “The visit of Nechirvan Barzani to Baghdad yesterday and his meeting with the Sudanese was very positive, as the two sides seek common solutions away from problems, especially with regard to exporting the region’s oil to Turkey and paying Turkish dues amounting to one billion and a half billion dollars, and also the agreement on the region’s share of the budget and the salaries of its employees.
He explained: “Al-Sudani’s steps are very good towards solving problems in general and government work, but his success depends on the support of the parliament and the political blocs.
He pointed out that evaluating the work of Al-Sudani government should be a year after it took over in order to take a decision in that regard, noting that changing the Directors General and evaluating the ministers is a good step, to be reckoned with.
Last Thursday, the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani, received the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani.
During the meeting, according to a statement by Al-Sudani’s office, they discussed the general political and economic conditions in the country, and a number of files at the national level.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
The US military announced that an “F-16” fighter plane crashed during a training flight today, Saturday, near a US military base in South Korea.
The US Air Force in South Korea said in a statement that the plane “crashed in a farming area near Osan Air Base at approximately 9:45 am” local time.
The statement added that the pilot jumped with a parachute safely and was transferred to the nearest medical institution, noting that the accident did not result in any civilian casualties.
The military stated that the pilot was participating in a routine training flight, and that an investigation had been opened into the accident.
The Osan base is the closest US air base to North Korea, located about 64 km from its border.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
A security force arrested two drug dealers and seized a quantity of narcotics in their possession, in Maysan.
The Maysan Police Command said in a statement: “The two suspects were arrested in a tight ambush on Ali Al-Gharbi road, based on accurate intelligence, and medium-size bags of narcotic crystal were seized inside the vehicle in which they were traveling.”
It indicated that the two defendants were residents of Wasit Governorate, and they were referred to the judiciary.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
The ministers of health of the GCC member countries today held their consultative meeting in Al Ula, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Health Minister Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayyed Hassan Jawad attended the meeting which was chaired by the incumbent president of the current session Omani Minister of Health Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti.
The ministers discussed ways to develop the Gulf health system, and enhance aspects of integration and interdependence between the GCC countries in the health field, in a way that enhances joint Gulf action in the health, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and health awareness fields, and ways to provide the best health care services in the GCC countries.
They also discussed other issues on the agenda, including the humanitarian developments in the sisterly Republic of Sudan due to the current crisis there, and ways to unify medical and relief efforts to support them.
The ministers were also congratulated on the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the official announcement of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Source: Bahrain News Agency
GCC Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed the joint initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America to start preliminary talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and members of the Rapid Support Forces.
The talks which were held today in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aim to pave the way for dialogue and reduce the level of tension in a way that guarantees the security and stability of Sudan and its brotherly people, and contributes to facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The GCC chief expressed his hope that these initial talks would contribute to reaching a comprehensive peaceful solution that would protect the unity and institutions of the Republic of Sudan and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, peace, political stability and development.
The Secretary General affirmed that the Cooperation Council members are countries that support peace and always seek, through their well-established and extended diplomatic relations, to maintain regional and global peace and security.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
According to the CEO of the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT), Noora Jamsheer, the recent appearance of the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton wearing Bahraini pearl drop earrings during celebrations in preparation for the coronation of King Charles III in the UK is a continuation of a longstanding tradition among members of the British royal family. This serves to reaffirm the world-renowned reputation of Bahraini pearls.
During the recent celebration in preparation for the coronation of King Charles III in the UK, Jamsheer, reminisced about the authentic pearl necklace and pearl earrings that the late Queen Elizabeth II had worn on several occasions.
When asked about the reasons for her continued preference for the necklace, the Queen reportedly stated that it was a natural Bahraini pearl that she had acquired half a century ago, yet it still maintained its original color and luster as if it were newly made.
“The adornment of Bahraini pearls by renowned international female personalities, in the form of necklaces, earrings, and other exquisite jewelry pieces, serves as a remarkable avenue for promoting the distinctiveness of these unique natural pearls.
Bahraini pearls have been a prominent cornerstone of Bahrain’s regional and global reputation, further emphasizing the message that Bahrain constantly sends to the world, reflecting the rich heritage and civilization of Bahrain.
Wearing or possessing Bahraini pearls not only confers a unique sense of distinction and exclusivity but also instills a profound source of pride for all those who cherish them.”
Jamsheer highlighted that throughout history, English, French, and American jewelers have visited Bahrain to procure the finest and most exquisite natural Bahraini pearls directly from their source.
These pearls have been taken to various parts of the world, where these jewelers have perfected their crafting and presentation.
She emphasized that the Danat Institute is dedicated to participating in international conferences and events to promote Bahrain as a prominent center for natural pearl extraction and trade.
Over the past five years, Danat has successfully implemented the National Plan for Natural Pearls, which seeks to establish Bahrain as a global hub for natural pearl examination.
Additionally, the Laboratory has become the first of its kind in the field of pearl and gemstone testing.
“Danat holds a significant responsibility at both the national and global level to protect Bahrain’s precious pearl. Our duties extend beyond preservation and include ensuring their sustainable extraction, safeguarding their integrity, and further enhancing their reputation as one of the most valuable and distinguished precious assets. We acknowledge the weight of our obligation and remain committed to fulfilling it with the utmost dedication and expertise,” Jamsheer said.
Source: Bahrain News Agency