Latest news with #Arab
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Mosul kicks off the first ‘Ta'theer' forum for content creators
Shafaq News/ The northern Iraqi city of Mosul launched its inaugural 'Ta'theer' (Impact) Forum for content creators on Wednesday, bringing together a diverse group of local and Arab influencers in a bid to strengthen Iraq's digital media landscape. Held under the theme of innovation and cultural renewal, the three-day forum aims to explore emerging trends in digital content and reassert Mosul's cultural presence after years of instability. 'This is the first forum of its kind in Mosul,' said Ayoob Thanoon, a member of the organizing committee. 'It's about fostering creativity and recognizing content creation as a tool for community building and cultural dialogue.' The forum includes panel discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and case studies of successful digital initiatives. Events are being held across three venues: Mosul University Lake, the Ramada Hotel, and the University of Nineveh. Sponsored by the Mosul Heritage Foundation and a private media firm, with support from local radio outlets, the initiative seeks to empower digital creators and amplify narratives that reflect the city's identity and challenges. 'We're aiming for real impact,' Thanoon said. 'This is about opening space for creators to produce content that tells Mosul's story — with authenticity and purpose.'
Middle East
3 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi sends message to Moroccan king
CAIRO, May 28 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty delivered on Wednesday a message from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The message was handed during the top diplomat's talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat at the start of an official visit. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's commitment to strengthening ties with Morocco in different domains and expressed hope for promoting bilateral relations through the convocation of the High Joint Committee in Cairo and a Foreign Ministers' coordination mechanism. He also underscored the importance of boosting economic and trade cooperation. He praised the successful Egyptian-Moroccan Business Forum held on May 4 in Cairo, which brought together 148 companies—74 Egyptian and 31 Moroccan—and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to following up on the forum's outcome ahead of the joint trade committee meeting scheduled for October in Cairo. The ministers also exchanged views on regional issues, particularly the situation in Gaza with Abdelatty highlighting Egypt's efforts to halt the Israeli offensive, restore a ceasefire, ensure full humanitarian access, and implement the Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza. He commended King Mohammed VI's leadership of the Al-Quds Committee and its support for the Palestinian cause. The meeting also covered developments in Sudan, Libya, and the Sahel region. (MENA) S R E
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
One-third of Israelis have started or resumed smoking amid ongoing war
'The findings are deeply troubling,' said Moshe Bar-Haim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association. 'Smoking shortens life expectancy and causes numerous diseases and deaths. One-third of Israelis have recently started or resumed smoking due to the ongoing war in Israel, according to a recent survey by the Israel Cancer Association. About 36% of respondents said they know people who have started or resumed smoking since the war began, while 5% of smokers reported increasing their cigarette consumption. The association emphasized that roughly 154 Israelis die each week from diseases caused by active or passive smoking, including cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Smoking also contributes to fertility issues in women and men. The survey, conducted with Ipsos Market Research, included a nationally representative sample of 553 men and women aged 16 to 60, with 20% from the Arab sector. According to the survey, 23% of Israelis are regular cigarette smokers, with smoking more common among men (30%) and less frequent among high-income earners (15%). E-cigarette use stands at about 12% of the population, and is more prevalent among young adults aged 16 to 24 (18%). Among smokers, 71% regret having started, and three-quarters expressed a desire to quit. The main challenges of quitting include viewing smoking as pleasurable, deeply ingrained habits, and stress, which prevents about 19% of individuals from quitting. Meanwhile, 24% view smoking as a symptom of illness. The survey found that nearly the entire population (91%) is exposed to smoking in public places. The main locations include streets (65%), public parks (47%), restaurants and cafés (47%), and bus stops (46%). Smokers also report exposure at work, likely from smoking alongside colleagues (40%). About half of the public (46%) said they have avoided certain places because of smoking, though usually infrequently. Among non-smokers, avoidance is slightly higher (50%) and more frequent; 3% of smokers said they always avoid places where smoking occurs. The most commonly avoided venues are bars (35%), restaurants (34%), and cafés (32%). The survey also revealed that about 83% of Israelis want to avoid smoking in public spaces, including 91% of non-smokers. However, two-thirds (63%) are unaware that the law banning smoking in public places also covers electronic cigarettes. Only 37% fully understand the law, with even fewer young adults aged 16 to 24 (27%) aware of its scope. More than one-quarter of respondents (28%) know a woman who continues to smoke during pregnancy, a figure significantly higher among smokers themselves (39%). Ten percent of the public are in a relationship with a smoking partner, a number significantly higher in the Arab community (22%). Half of those not currently involved with smokers said they would refuse to date smokers in the future. Among non-smokers not in relationships with smokers, this rate rises to 65%. The majority of the public (72%) is bothered by the smell of cigarettes from someone close to them, rising to 86% among non-smokers. Women are more affected by cigarette odor (78%). Half the public knows people who want to quit smoking but are unable to, including 56% of smokers. Opinions are divided on whether cigarette prices should be increased through taxation, with 54% in favor. Among non-smokers, 64% support tax hikes. Three-quarters of the public, including 81% of non-smokers, back restrictions on cigarette advertising. 'The findings are deeply troubling,' said Moshe Bar-Haim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association. 'Smoking shortens life expectancy and causes numerous diseases and deaths. Fighting this problem is a national priority that saves lives and requires vigorous, well-funded action. This must include strong enforcement, increased taxes, public education, advertising restrictions, and a complete ban on flavored tobacco products in Israel.' Sign up for the Health & Wellness newsletter >>
Qatar Tribune
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar participates in meeting to review draft Arab guiding law for protection of IDPs
CAIRO: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministries of Justice and Interior, participated in the third meeting of the joint committee of experts and representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and other relevant bodies in Arab countries to review the draft Arab guiding law for the protection and assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Arab countries. The meeting began on Wednesday at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo. This two-day meeting is being held in implementation of the decision issued by the Council of Arab Ministers of Justice during its 40th regular session, held on Nov 28, 2024, which called for a final meeting of the joint committee of representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and relevant bodies in Arab countries to study the draft Arab guiding law for the protection and assistance of IDPs in Arab countries. During the meeting, the committee is expected to finalise its review of the articles of the draft law, which was originally proposed by the Ministry of Justice of Iraq, and for which the Council of Arab Ministers of Justice approved the formation of a joint committee to conduct the review.
9 News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- 9 News
Israel claims key Hamas commander killed in strike
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Man charged with murder after fatal Sydney house fire Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said overnight that Mohammed Sinwar, believed to be the head of Hamas' armed wing, has been killed, apparently confirming his death in a recent strike in the Gaza Strip. There was no confirmation from Hamas. Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who helped mastermind the October 7, 2023, attack that started the Israel-Hamas war , and who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli army airstrike on the European hospital in Khan Younis, which is now alleged to have killed a senior Hamas commander. (AP) Israeli strikes have decimated Hamas' leadership during the 19-month war, and Mohammed Sinwar was one of the last widely known leaders still alive in Gaza. But the militant group has maintained its rule over the parts of Gaza not seized by Israel. It still holds dozens of hostages and carries out sporadic attacks on Israeli forces. As the head of Hamas' armed wing, Sinwar would have had the final word on any agreement to release the hostages, and his death could further complicate US and Arab efforts to broker a ceasefire. Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Netanyahu mentioned the killing of Sinwar in a speech before parliament in which he listed the names of other top Hamas leaders killed during the war. "We have killed tens of thousands of terrorists. We killed (Mohammed) Deif, (Ismail) Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar," he said. Netanyahu did not elaborate. Israeli media had reported that the younger Sinwar was the target of a May 13 strike on what the military said was a Hamas command center beneath the European Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, the Sinwars' hometown. The military declined to comment on whether Sinwar had been targeted or killed. At least six people were killed in the strike and 40 wounded, Gaza's Health Ministry said at the time. Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, was Mohammed's brother. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) Mohammed Sinwar was born in 1975 in the urban Khan Younis refugee camp. His family was among hundreds of thousands of Palestinians driven from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation. The refugees and their descendants today make up the majority of Gaza's population. Like his older brother, Yahya, the younger Sinwar joined Hamas after it was founded in the late 1980s as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. He became a member of the group's military wing, known as the Qassam Brigades. He rose through the ranks to become a member of its so-called joint chiefs of staff, bringing him close to its longtime commander, Deif, who was killed in a strike last year. Mohammed Sinwar was one of the planners of a 2006 cross-border attack on an Israeli army post. In that attack, militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, who was held for five years and later exchanged for more than 1000 Palestinian prisoners, including Yahya Sinwar. In an interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera TV aired three years ago, Mohammed Sinwar said that when Hamas threatens Israel, "we know how to specify the location that hurts the occupation and how to press them." Hamas has said that Mohammed Sinwar was targeted by Israel on several occasions and was briefly believed to have been killed in 2014. He is said to have been one of a handful of top commanders who knew about the October 7 attack in advance. In December 2023, the Israeli military released a video it said showed a bearded Mohammed Sinwar sitting next to a driver in a car as it moved inside a tunnel in the Gaza Strip. Hamas never confirmed what would be one of the few public images of him. War Israel Hamas Conflict Gaza World Middle East Link in bio CONTACT US Property News: 'Stressful': Perth mum's dilemma after rental mix-up.
