Libya's Benghazi Launches Platform to Report E-Payment Abuse
This decision follows Prime Ministerial Decree No. (135) of 2025, which authorizes the use of the Public Order Enforcement Unit to execute government decisions. In line with the directive, Major General Salah Houidi—Director of Greater Benghazi Security and Head of the Public Order Enforcement Unit—held a high-level meeting with directors of private hospitals and medical laboratories in Benghazi.
According to the Directorate's statement, the meeting focused on enforcing the adoption of electronic payment methods in all private health institutions. This step is part of a broader national digital transformation strategy aimed at reducing cash transactions, easing financial procedures for citizens, enhancing transparency, and improving service quality.
General Houidi emphasized that activating e-payment systems is crucial for maintaining an organized and secure healthcare environment. He also confirmed that the Public Order Enforcement Unit will strictly monitor implementation and hold violators accountable without leniency.
The statement further revealed the launch of a dedicated online platform for citizens to report violations related to e-payment compliance in the healthcare sector, giving the public a direct role in overseeing the rollout of this national initiative.
Directors of private hospitals and laboratories who attended the meeting expressed their full support for the Prime Minister's decision and pledged to work in full coordination with the Public Order Enforcement Unit.
General Houidi concluded by affirming that the Greater Benghazi Security Directorate will continue to oversee the commitment of healthcare institutions to the e-payment directive and will provide solutions to overcome any obstacles faced during the transition. Tags: benghaziE-PaymentlibyaLibyan Clinics
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- Straits Times
Divorce less of a taboo for women in China as societal attitudes shift
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Official figures released on July 30 show the rate of divorces rising faster than that of marriages in the first half of 2025. – When entrepreneur Guo Jia's marriage ended in 2021, she took to Chinese social media to share how she navigated the ups and downs of life as a divorcee and single mother. 'From day one, I decided I would be open about my divorce because there is no shame. Divorce is something I went through, not something I'm to blame for,' the 40-year-old Beijing native who has an eight-year-old son told The Straits Times. Her candid social media posts about navigating life after divorce struck a chord with women facing similar struggles. By May 2024, she had channelled that momentum into founding Mei Club, a women-only network in Beijing offering legal advice, parenting support for single mothers and emotional mentorship. Ms Guo's journey is part of a broader shift in China where divorce is no longer whispered with disapproval and more women are speaking openly about their breakups, reframing them as fresh starts. Entrepreneur Guo Jia founded Mei Club, a women-only network in Beijing offering legal advice, parenting support for single mothers and emotional mentorship. PHOTO: COURTESY OF GUO JIA In traditional Chinese culture, the family was seen as the bedrock of society under the authority of the father. Divorce was often regarded as a disgrace, with women often labelled as selfish or a failure for leaving her family while men could remarry with far less social penalty. The change comes as official figures released on July 30 show the rate of divorces rising faster than that of marriages in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024. In the first six months of 2025, 1.331 million couples registered for divorce, up by 4.5 per cent from 2024, while 3.539 million couples registered for marriage, up by 3.2 per cent from 2024, according to data from China's civil affairs ministry. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Emergency broadcast system to alert S'pore public to disasters via their mobile phones: Edwin Tong Singapore COE premiums up in all categories except motorcycles; Cat A price climbs 2.5% to $104,524 Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Singapore New annual course will groom future leaders of Singapore's Chinese community Life S'pore bands mark milestones with gigs: Silver Strings at 60, Mel & Joe at 55 and Lovehunters at 40 Singapore Singapore indie cinema The Projector owes over $1.2m to creditors Life Five things to do at Singapore Night Festival – from kampung chilling to spotting luminous crabs Asia Calls to cut ties: Malaysia flag furore tests PH-BN relations The ministry tallies only uncontested divorces registered at civil affairs offices, and those settled in court are not included in the count, meaning the real figure for divorces is likely much higher. The rate of marriages has traditionally outpaced divorces but as China modernised, the number of divorces have gone up while marriages have come down over the last two decades with the gap closing fast in recent years, a trend that sociologists say is here to stay. In recent years, a number of high-profile divorce stories have made waves in China, resonating widely with women across China and sparking discussion about marriage, divorce, independence and self-worth. In July 2025, a woman in her 50s from rural Shandong province became a national sensation in the stand-up comedy scene after she humorously detailed the domestic violence she endured in her 30-year arranged marriage and her parents' opposition to her divorce. On social media, netizens said Director Fang, as the housewife-turned-comedian is known on stage, first made them laugh before moving them to tears with her raw and authentic storytelling. Demand for her sold-out shows is so high that scalpers are now selling the standard 80 yuan (S$14.30) tickets for up to 1,000 yuan. In August 2024, netizens cheered 60-year-old Su Min from Zhengzhou city in Henan province after she officially began divorce proceedings, ending her 38-year marriage. Known online as the 'self-driving auntie' , Ms Su had gained fame documenting her solo road trip across China, which she embarked on in 2020 to escape her unhappy marriage and challenge the traditional expectation that women should shoulder family responsibilities. Her story inspired the film Like A Rolling Stone released in September 2024. Later that year, the fourth season of the reality TV series called See You Again featuring three married couples contemplating divorce, became wildly popular. It ignited more than 100 divorce and marriage-related trending topics on Chinese social media platform Weibo during its run, with two of the three couples ultimately ending their marriages. The popularity of such stories reflects a society where rapid modernisation, rising individualism and changing gender norms are chipping away at the taboo around divorce, said analysts. Dr Zhao Litao, senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asian Institute (EAI), said large-scale migration, urbanisation and economic mobility have weakened traditional norms, allowing people to focus more on quality of life rather than simply staying married. It follows a societal shift that other East Asian societies, like Japan and South Korea, went through earlier, he noted. 'Divorce has become less of a taboo, especially in big cities. Public discussions, popular media and even reality shows are making it easier to talk about marital dissatisfaction,' said Dr Zhao. Associate Professor Pan Wang, who specialises in Chinese and Asian studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, said for many women, talking openly about their divorces on social media is an act of self-empowerment and a way to build supportive networks creating a sense of 'sisterhood'. 'It can also be a sign of feminist awakening or even a feminist pushback against the old idea that divorce is shameful,' said Prof Wang. In contrast, fewer men go public with their divorces, often to avoid 'washing their dirty laundry' in public, she added. Among the rare few men who do is a single dad from Guangdong province who goes by his online handle Seven. He posts openly about his divorce and raising his daughter on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu. 'I don't really care that I'm among the minority of men who do this or what people say about me. To me, I'm just recording my life with my daughter and showing that it's possible to live a fulfilling, happy life after divorce,' he said. EAI's Dr Zhao said financial independence is a big reason why women, especially those in big cities, are more open to discussing divorce than men. 'Having financial independence gives women more freedom to leave unhappy marriages and to speak about them without fear of complete social or economic ruin,' he said. The growing openness with which Chinese women discuss divorce appears to contrast with Chinese government policies, which are aimed at building a 'family-friendly society'. With the population declining for the third consecutive year and the number of marriages plunging, policymakers are pulling out all the stops to encourage young couples to get hitched and have children. Recent pro-birth measures include cash subsidies and free preschool education nationwide. Since 2021, couples seeking a divorce must first undergo a 30-day cooling-off period , during which, if either party is unwilling to proceed with the divorce, they may withdraw the application, thereby terminating the divorce registration process. The authorities said the move was to reduce impulsive divorces as prior to the implementation of the cooling-off period, couples who had their paperwork in order could usually receive their divorce certificate on the same day. At the same time, the authorities have moved to make marriage registration easier. From May 2025, couples no longer need to present their hukou (or household registration) booklet and can register at any registry office across China. In the past, they would have had to register their marriage at an office in the household registration location of one of the couple. The state has also signalled some discomfort with how divorce is portrayed in popular culture. Days after stand-up comedian Director Fang's segment about her divorce went viral, Zhejiang province's propaganda department cautioned against talk shows using material that could deepen gender divides , without naming specific performers. UNSW's Prof Wang said there is a 'growing discrepancy' between the Chinese government's view of family ideals and the perspective at the individual level. 'The government perceives harmony in marriage as key to social stability, and this principle shapes the courts' decisions on divorce, while for the individual, emotional connection and satisfaction have become pivotal,' she said. The growing openness about discussing divorce has also brought pushback for some women. A 'divorce blogger' on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, who asked to be identified only as Lynn, told ST that she initially posted about moving out and living alone post-divorce. 'But I found that just simply talking about post-divorce life didn't encourage others, so I started talking about the divorce itself and the messiness of it,' she said. Her candour has drawn a fair share of nasty comments, mostly from men. 'They think women who publicly talk about their divorce have no sense of shame. Women are more empathetic. I sometimes get heartfelt thank-you messages from women who say they have been encouraged by my story,' she said. 'The first time I experienced online harassment, I blocked all comments, private messages and stopped posting for a while, but I eventually got used to it,' she added. For Ms Guo who previously worked in human resources, Mei Club has grown beyond being a support circle. What began as a personal project is now a full-fledged business with 60 employees. 'In a big city like Beijing, it's easy to feel alone,' she said. 'What we offer is real support, not as a superficial 'ladies club', but genuine emotional and practical help so we can show our children that we can be independent and happy,' she said.
Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- Straits Times
Springboks set Wembley date with Japan on November 1
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox South Africa have added a date with Japan at London's Wembley Stadium to their autumn international series with the fixture to take place on November 1 in a rematch of an iconic game from 2015 Rugby World Cup. Coach Eddie Jones' Japan famously beat South Africa 34-32 in what was dubbed the 'Miracle of Brighton', though the Springboks exacted revenge by knocking the Asian side out of their own World Cup on their way to lifting the trophy in 2019. "The game in Brighton 10 years ago changed rugby in Japan from being a minor sport to a boom sport," Jones, now back in charge of Japan, said. "Playing against the Boks is the dream of every young Japanese player." The Springboks also face France in Paris the following week before travelling to Italy (November 15), Ireland (November 22) and Wales (November 29) on an unprecedented five-match tour. South Africa also meet Argentina at Twickenham in their final game of this year's Rugby Championship on October 4. REUTERS
Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- Straits Times
UK faces more protests and legal action after asylum seekers hotel injunction
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - The British government policy of housing thousands of asylum seekers in hotels was facing severe pressure on Wednesday, as opponents leapt on a court ruling to call for protests and legal action to have them all evicted. According to a regular tracker of voters' concerns, immigration has overtaken the economy as the biggest issue amid anger over record numbers of asylum seekers arriving in small boats across the Channel, including more than 27,000 this year. On Tuesday, the High Court in London granted a temporary injunction to stop asylum seekers from being housed in the Bell Hotel in Epping, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of London in the county of Essex. The hotel had become a focal point for regular protests after a resident was charged with sexual assault, a crime he denies, with large numbers of police separating anti-immigration protesters and pro-immigration groups. The injunction in the Epping case centred around a specific planning issue and could be reversed when the case is heard in full later this year. But other councils said they would also urgently seek legal advice on evicting asylum seekers from hotels in their areas. Nigel Farage, the leader of the populist Reform Party which is leading in opinion polls, said all the 12 local authorities his party controlled would do everything in their power to do so. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Emergency broadcast system to alert S'pore public to disasters via their mobile phones: Edwin Tong Singapore COE prices up in all categories except motorcycles; Cat A hits $104,524, highest since Oct 2023 Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Singapore New annual course will groom future leaders of Singapore's Chinese community Life S'pore bands mark milestones with gigs: Silver Strings at 60, Mel & Joe at 55 and Lovehunters at 40 Singapore Singapore indie cinema The Projector owes over $1.2m to creditors Life Five things to do at Singapore Night Festival – from kampung chilling to spotting luminous crabs Asia Calls to cut ties: Malaysia flag furore tests PH-BN relations "Let's hold peaceful protests outside the migrant hotels, and put pressure on local councils to go to court to try and get the illegal immigrants out; we now know that together we can win," Farage wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper. "No doubt we will be attacked as 'far Right' provocateurs for daring to suggest that people follow the lead of Epping's parents and residents by protesting peacefully." ASYLUM HOTELS Britain currently houses about 30,000 asylum seekers who are awaiting decisions on their claims in more than 200 hotels across the country and, although the government has said it intended to close all of these by 2029, it now faces a major headache if others are able to follow Epping's lead. In the court hearing, the Home Office (interior ministry) said the injunction would have a "substantial impact" on the government's ability to comply with its legal duty to provide accommodation, and security minister Dan Jarvis said they would look closely at the decision and whether to appeal it. "The big challenge remains, which is, we need to process asylum claims much more speedily and much more effectively than was the case previously," Jarvis told BBC TV. Critics say that housing asylum seekers in hotels, often young men who are not allowed to work, puts the local community at risk, and point to recent incidents such as in Epping and other locations where some migrants have been accused of serious crimes including the rape and sexual assault of young girls. They also contrast the facilities provided to migrants in hotels with the difficulties many in Britain are facing with rising living costs and shortages of affordable housing. However, pro-migrant groups say far-right groups and opportunistic politicians are deliberately seeking to exploit and enflame tensions for their own ends. Across Europe governments have struggled with how to house asylum seekers, with far-right and anti-migrant groups in France also leading protests against dedicated centres in recent years. During riots in Britain last year, hotels containing migrants were attacked when unrest involving some far-right supporters erupted after misinformation that the murderer of three girls in Southport was a radical Islamist migrant. REUTERS
