logo
Israeli forces detain veteran Palestinian journalist in occupied West Bank raid

Israeli forces detain veteran Palestinian journalist in occupied West Bank raid

The National3 days ago
Israeli forces detained veteran Palestinian journalist Nasser Laham in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Ma'an news agency reported.
He was detained overnight in the village of Al Duha, near Bethlehem, in a raid that caused damage to his house, the agency added. Mr Laham is editor-in-chief of Ma'an and also manages the West Bank operation of Lebanon's Al Mayadeen channel.
He is expected to appear in front of a military court on Thursday, the Wafa news agency reported.
The Israeli military said in a statement on Monday that soldiers "apprehended a wanted individual in Bethlehem. The wanted individual was transferred to the Israel police for further processing".
Mr Laham's detention is the latest episode in Israel's crackdown on journalists in the occupied West Bank, which has accelerated since the start of the Gaza war in 2023.
The death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli soldier during a raid in Jenin in 2022 sparked widespread condemnation of Israel's actions in Palestine, as well as calls for journalists to be protected.
Al Quds newspaper reporter Ali Al Samoudi, who has also worked for international outlets including CNN and Reuters, remains in detention after being held by the Israeli military during a raid in the West Bank city. His family and legal team say he is not being given sufficient medication to manage severe health conditions. Israel's military said he was 'identified with the Islamic Jihad' militant group.
Fifty-five Palestinian journalists are being held in Israeli prisons, 49 of whom have been detained since the Gaza war began, Wafa said.
Israel banned Qatari outlet Al Jazeera from operating in the country last year, saying its broadcasts endangered national security. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, banned the network in January, but the measure was lifted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in May.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mohammed bin Rashid launches Proactive Government Performance System
Mohammed bin Rashid launches Proactive Government Performance System

Emirates 24/7

time41 minutes ago

  • Emirates 24/7

Mohammed bin Rashid launches Proactive Government Performance System

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Proactive Government Performance System, which aims to enhance government performance, improve service delivery, and achieve the strategic goals of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. By leveraging advanced AI-powered data analytics, predictive capabilities and in-depth analysis, the system will translate the vision's objectives into measurable and actionable results. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, 'The Federal Government has launched a new performance measurement system that leverages artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making, strengthen oversight of strategic planning, and improve the ability to anticipate future challenges and opportunities.' His Highness added, 'Our commitment to continuous improvement is unwavering. We strive for excellence and aspire for perfection, fully aware that continuous development is essential to progress.' The Proactive Government Performance System was launched in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. The system aims to enhance government efficiency and effectiveness through several key functions. It optimises resource use, improves service quality, and monitors the timely implementation of national strategies and plans. It also provides accurate data for decision-making, and promotes transparency through performance monitoring and review. The system can process over 150 million data points monthly, provide leadership with over 50,000 proactive insights annually, save over 250,000 hours per year and achieve a 60% average improvement in government performance. The system is based on an intelligent government performance management framework that leverages AI tools and algorithms to monitor and enhance performance. It establishes a robust framework for tracking and managing targets and performance indicators while utilising AI technologies to perform in-depth analyses, executive summaries, and enable predictive performance management. The system demonstrates impressive capabilities, measuring 45 times more results annually, increasing entities' self-management capacity by 90%, and providing leadership with over 50,000 proactive insights annually. By training 200 employees in performance management and data analysis, the system saves over 250,000 hours per year and is ultimately set to support over 250,000 users. Furthermore, the system fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within government. It achieves this by benchmarking against best practices and promoting key principles that include measuring community impact, ensuring sustainable results, facilitating seamless data flow, predicting performance, enabling proactive performance, and leveraging an AI-powered intelligent system. The system's interconnected design ensures data quality, integration, security, and transparency, supporting accurate and proactive decision-making for enhanced government efficiency. This integration facilitates real-time data flow for immediate results measurement, significantly reducing the effort required for data collection, entry, and review. The system uses real-time data to predict future performance, generating flexible reports that support government decision-making. This capability enhances the ability to anticipate and proactively address future challenges and opportunities, improving efficiency, preparedness, and the ability to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Moreover, the system contributes to increased government efficiency and effectiveness, enhanced service delivery, greater public trust, stronger decision-making, and stimulated innovation. These contributions make it a vital component of the UAE's ongoing, decades-long commitment to sustainable development across various sectors. The UAE's government performance system has evolved since its 2008 launch as the Adaa System. It progressed to Adaa 2.0 in 2013, then Adaa 3.0 in 2019, and now culminating in the latest generation: the Proactive Government Performance System. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.

Saudi Arabia executes citizen for joining terror group, manufacturing explosives
Saudi Arabia executes citizen for joining terror group, manufacturing explosives

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

Saudi Arabia executes citizen for joining terror group, manufacturing explosives

Saudi Arabia has executed a Saudi national convicted of multiple terrorist crimes, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Interior. The individual, Mehdi bin Ahmed bin Jassim Al Bazroun, was found guilty of joining a terrorist organisation, manufacturing explosives, and possessing weapons and ammunition. He was also convicted for harbouring wanted individuals and concealing their terrorist plans, as well as financing terrorist activities. Al Bazroun was apprehended by Saudi security forces and referred to the competent court. Following a thorough investigation and legal proceedings, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to death. The sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. A royal order was subsequently issued to carry out the ruling. The execution was carried out on Monday, 12 Muharram 1447 AH, corresponding to July 7, 2025, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Interior stressed the government's commitment to maintaining national security, enforcing justice, and implementing Islamic law against those who threaten public safety or violate the sanctity of life. The statement concluded with a stern warning to anyone who may contemplate similar actions, affirming that they will face severe legal consequences.

One million children going hungry in Yemen, UN says
One million children going hungry in Yemen, UN says

The National

time2 hours ago

  • The National

One million children going hungry in Yemen, UN says

More than 17 million people in Yemen are going hungry, including over a million children under the age of five suffering from 'life-threatening acute malnutrition', the UN's humanitarian chief said on Wednesday. Tom Fletcher told the UN Security Council that the food security crisis in the Arab world's poorest country, which is beset by civil war, has been accelerating since late 2023. The number of people going hungry could climb to more than 18 million by September, he warned, and children with acute malnutrition could surge to 1.2 million early next year, 'leaving many at risk of permanent physical and cognitive damage'. More than 17,000 Yemenis are in the three worst categories of food insecurity – crisis stage or worse – according to experts who produce the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority that ranks the severity of hunger. Mr Fletcher said the UN has not seen the current level of deprivation since before a UN-brokered truce in early 2022. He warned that it is unfolding as global funding for humanitarian aid is plummeting, which means reductions or cuts in food. As of mid-May, the UN's $2.5 billion humanitarian appeal for Yemen this year had received just $222 million, only nine per cent of its target. Yemen has been embroiled in civil war since 2014, when Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa from the internationally recognised government. The Houthis control vast areas in the north-west of Yemen, including the Red Sea coastline. Most of Yemen's population lives in these areas. The war has devastated Yemen, created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, and turned into a proxy conflict at a stalemate. More than 150,000 people have been killed. Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, told the Security Council in a video briefing that two Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea this week – the first in over seven months – and Israeli air strikes on the capital and key ports are escalating the conflict. The Houthis have vowed to keep attacking vessels in the key waterway until the war in Gaza ends. Mr Grundberg said freedom of navigation in the Red Sea must be safeguarded and stressed that 'Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country'. 'The stakes for Yemen are simply too high,' he said. 'Yemen's future depends on our collective resolve to shield it from further suffering and to give its people the hope and dignity they so deeply deserve.' Mr Grundberg warned that a military solution to the civil war 'remains a dangerous illusion that risks deepening Yemen's suffering'. Negotiations offer the best hope to address the complex conflict, he said, and the longer it is drawn out 'there is a risk that divisions could deepen further'. Mr Grundberg said both sides must signal a willingness to explore peaceful avenues – and an important signal would be the release of all conflict-related detainees. The parties have agreed to an all-for-all release, he said, but the process has stagnated for over a year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store