Latest news with #Badia
Arab News
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Far-right Israeli group Regavim calls for Palestinian school near Hebron to be destroyed
LONDON: Regavim, an Israeli settler group, on Sunday called for the demolition of a Palestinian school in the Bedouin Badia community, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Osama Makhamreh, an activist, told the Wafa news agency that members of Regavim posted leaflets on the walls of the Bat Zuwaydin Secondary School in Badia. The leaflets called for the school's destruction and argued that maintaining the school would encourage Palestinians to build and remain in the area. Badia is one of several Palestinian Bedouin communities near Hebron, known collectively as Masafer Yatta, that have endured attacks by Israeli settlers and government policies aimed at pushing them out of the area, designated as a military zone. For more than four years, work has been underway to establish and build Bat Zuwaydin Secondary School, in the Zuwaydin municipal area, Wafa added. Regavim, an extremist organization, was founded in 2006, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich being one of its notable founders. It aims to establish 'legal channels' for enforcing Israeli demolition orders against Palestinian structures and operations in the West Bank, particularly Area C, which constitutes 60 percent of the territory. It also operates in Israel, specifically targeting Palestinian citizens living in Bedouin communities in the southern Negev Desert, and conducts detailed aerial photography to document the expansion of Palestinian communities.
The National
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Inside the Syrian government's hunt for Assad military loyalists
Former warlord Ghazwan Al Salmoni carved a niche in the Syrian civil war, commanding an abduction and extortion ring that specialised in ambushing lorry cargo traffic near his home in the centre of the country. He held absolute power as a commander in the National Defence Forces, a key regime-aligned militia, in the Alawite village of Sabburah, strategically located on the main route to a Kurdish militia stronghold in the Badia desert, which maintained business ties with the former government. In July last year, former president Bashar Al Assad appointed Mr Al Salmoni as a parliamentarian, a reward for loyalty that provided immunity from prosecution. The status of both men evaporated when the Alawite-dominated regime was ousted five months later, replaced by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a former splinter group of Al Qaeda, and then a new administration. Over the last two weeks, security forces have raided Sabburah almost daily in a hunt for Mr Al Salmoni, part of a new campaign to capture high-level personnel in the former system. 'Every stone is being turned to find Al Salmoni,' said a local lawyer, who did not want to be identified, pointing out the arrest of 40 men in Sabburah on suspicion of having information on his whereabouts. Among them is Mr Al Salmoni's father-in-law. His name is Tamer Al Asaad, and he was a local official in the former ruling Baathist Party. Salman Huneidi, an Alawite sheikh close to the two men, was also captured. 'About the only people they are not arresting are the women,' the lawyer told The National. The campaign gathered momentum only last month, sparked partly by popular anger over perceived negligence of the issue by the government. The new government has been focused on consolidating power and dealing with challenges to its authority in outlying areas, as well as securing financial resources. Since June 21, the authorities have announced the arrest of seven wanted men, who were either security officers or militia leaders. Four of them are Alawites while the rest are Sunnis. Despite mass defections from the regime following the 2011 revolt against the Assad dynasty, many Sunnis remained in the security apparatus, helping Mr Al Assad in his war against their co-religionists. Increased intelligence gathering Thousands of people believed to be wanted for war atrocities remain at large, although the government has not made a list public. Russia, the main backer of Mr Al Assad, flew the former president and his more senior lieutenants to Moscow when the old order collapsed in December, placing them out of reach. However, the capture of the key seven figures reflects an increase in intelligence gathering capabilities by the new central order, insiders said, pointing to the use of surveillance drones, cyber spying and a build-up of local links. 'We have only a fraction of the capacities of the former regime, but we are starting to get to these people,' said one source who has been tracking the fugitives. Managing the campaign is a team of operatives drawn from the core of the HTS intelligence division. They are being helped by Turkish security personnel, although 'the Turks are more concerned about potential insurgency threats' to their new ally in Damascus, rather than individual captures, a regional security official told The National. These operatives had played a main role in eliminating HTS rivals in Idlib, particularly after the group's former chief, current President Ahmad Al Shara, broke off from Al Qaeda in 2014. Of the seven, the most notorious is Waseem Al Assad, a distant cousin of the former president who ran a major narcotics cartel and the Baath Brigades militia. The Interior Ministry described him as 'one of the top narcotics dealers and criminals in the bygone regime'. But the remaining six are also well known in Syrian. On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said that Brig Gen Rami Ismail, 'responsible for many violations against civilians' as head of Air Force Intelligence in Latakia and Tartous, was arrested while attempting to flee Syria. Brig Gen Ismail and Waseem Al Assad, both Alawites, have been captured because Sunni informants they once collaborated with have turned against them, the sources said. Mr Al Salmoni could fall the same way, they added. Hiding in cave areas The three men were involved in illicit activity, either directly or by taking cuts from smugglers, who are mostly Sunni: Bedouins in the desert, sailors on the coast where Mr Ismail was stationed, or rural inhabitants of border areas with Lebanon that formed part of Waseem Al Assad's drug empire. A Syrian security official said that information provided to the authorities by smugglers was key to the capture of Waseem Al Assad on June 21, on his way to the border with Lebanon. Smugglers also told the authorities about Brig Gen Ismail's plans to flee Syria by sea. Bedouins helped capture many of Mr Al Salmoni's network in the last two weeks. 'They enriched themselves by working with the Alawites, but their allegiance remained Sunni,' said the official, who did not want to be named. The two remaining Alawite officers were also arrested near the coast, the heartland of the sect. They were Maj Gen Mowaffaq Al Haidar, whose Third Tank Division manned a roadblock between Damascus and Homs that was known as the 'roadblock of death', and Col Thaer Hussein, an assistant head warden at Sednaya Prison. He was captured in a 'precise operation', according to the ministry. The mobile phones of the two men were hacked, the sources said. They were also relatively easy prey because they hid in built-up areas of the coast. The three Sunni ex-officers were also captured quite easily. They had returned to their home regions but were unable to find allies to sustain them, the sources said. Col Ziad Kokash, one of the three, was handed over by two of his cousins in his home village of Termanin in Idlib province, a source said. The Interior Ministry said Col Kokash was 'involved in war crimes' and even volunteered after his retirement from the army in a division that attacked rebel areas. Of the thousands of former Alawite commanders, many had taken refuge in the wooded and cave areas of the mountain overlooking the Mediterranean, known as Jurd. Despite an increased use of drones, the security forces have had little success in Jurd areas, even during a coastal incursion in March in which HTS-allied forces killed at least 1,300 Alawite civilians. The impregnability of the area has prompted the authorities to seek information from a large pool of ex-officers who have returned to their homes and have shown no resistance to the new order. One such case is that of former Air Force Brig Gen Gazi Salman, who has been arrested several times in his home village of Marana. The town is known, even among Alawite circles, for its close ties to the ruling class, with many of its men becoming officers since the 1960s. However, Brig Gen Salman was in charge of maintenance, another former officer said. His repeated arrests have been purely to extract information from him about 'more important officers', such as their phone numbers and possible hiding places.
New York Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Spice magnate spends $37.3M for former Sprint CEO neighbor's Aspen teardown — to protect his own views
Variety is the spice of life, but the Badia family would like to keep the status quo. At least, that's when it comes to their Aspen home. Joseph A. Badia, the spice magnate whose products line shelves across America, bought out his Aspen neighbor's $37.3 million teardown in order to preserve his own property's natural beauty, the Wall Street Journal reported. Advertisement 7 A rendering of one of the potential properties. Mitchell Studio/Blok Studio 7 Marcelo Claure, former CEO of Sprint and present CEO of Claure Group. Bloomberg via Getty Images 7 Jospeh 'Pepe' Badia, president of Badia Spices. Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement 7 The spice brand is unmistakable on grocery store shelves. Mdv Edwards – The sale spans about 21 acres, including one vacant house and planning permission for two new 15,000-square-foot mansions. Badia's neighbor, former Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, bought the properties in 2020 with plans to build a family compound, the Journal reported. Badia and his wife Nancy purchased the neighboring six-bedroom house on 10 acres just last year for $18.5 million. Advertisement AJ Morris and Craig Morris of Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty represented Badia. The magnate's decision to snap up Claure's splittable estate was to prevent its development, AJ told the outlet. 'They did not want massive spec homes being built right next to their house that would impact their views tremendously, and also have a very negative impact on the natural beauty and elk migratory path,' AJ said. 7 A rendering of a sitting area in one of the planned homes. Mitchell Studio/Blok Studio 7 While the renderings of the property's future may look promising, Badia's agent said the purchase was made to prevent development, rather than pursue it. Mitchell Studio/Blok Studio Advertisement Claure, founder and CEO of Claure Group, purchased his scenic swath of land back in 2020. The Bolivian-American entrepreneur ultimately listed the property for $45 million in 2023 after his changing his plans for a family compound, according to the Journal. Claure sold a different Aspen home for $18.5 million in the same year. The Badias' acquisition of Claure's property encompasses two parcels. One spans 10.5 acres and contains an existing 11,000-square-foot dwelling, plus plans for a new seven-bedroom property. The other, a 10.8-acre piece of land, comes with plans for a five-bedroom home and equestrian facilities. The plans on offer made the listing especially valuable, given the surrounding county's restrictions on development, seller's broker Brittanie Rockhill told the Journal at the time of listing. 7 A dining room rendering promises views of Aspen's natural splendor. Mitchell Studio/Blok Studio Badia's father started the Florida-based Badia Spices empire in 1967. The company manufactures and distributes spices, blends and sauces and more. Badia was acquired by the investment firm Bia Foods with BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank, in 2024. AJ Morris told the Journal that the Badia family has no present plans to build on their new property, but Badia did purchase the development rights from Claure for under $4 million. Claure's listing agent Brittanie Rockhill of Douglas Elliman declined to comment. Claure and Badia could not be reached for comment.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Agricultural sector marks ‘major' growth since independence
AMMAN — The Agriculture Ministry on Sunday said that the added value of the sector's production has reached JD1.691 billion, registering a 9 per cent growth rate. Development of the agricultural sector is among the 'most significant' achievements since the independence of Jordan, the ministry said in a statement on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, carried by Al Mamlaka TV. According to the statement, vegetable production has increased by 91 per cent, while fruit tree produce has risen by 141 per cent. The variety of vegetables and fruit trees grown has also expanded to meet both local and international demand. To date, Jordanian agricultural produce has reached 112 countries, and the value of agricultural exports has risen by 441 per cent, achieving JD1.5 billion, the ministry noted. Regarding livestock, on which residents of rural regions and the Badia rely for income, the ministry reported an increase of 54 per cent, bringing the total number of animals to 3.8 million. The value of animal products has grown by 279 per cent, reaching JD1.305 billion. Employment in the agricultural sector now stands at 261,000 workers, an increase of 38 per cent. This, the ministry said, reflects the sector's potential to generate job opportunities in rural areas. The capital of the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) has grown by 213 per cent, reaching JD100 million. Annual loans provided to farmers now total JD55 million, with 11,000 farmers benefiting from the corporation's services. The ACC has also guided farmers towards cultivating high-value crops and adopting modern technologies, including solar energy systems. The ministry added that it has prioritised food production to ensure integration among economic sectors and generate further employment. It has adopted the development of agricultural industries through several projects, including the Agricultural Industries Complex in the southern Jordan Valley. This initiative, in partnership with the private sector, will see the establishment of three factories. Investments in these factories are expected to reach JD12 million. They will produce 3,800 tonnes of tomato paste and 2,500 tonnes of frozen vegetables, creating 200 job opportunities for the local community. To stimulate agro-industrial activity within industrial estates, the ministry has launched an initiative to encourage private sector investment by covering rent costs for hangars used by investors for five years. Following the signing of 20 agreements with the private sector, it is expected that the facilities will produce 34 tonnes of processed potatoes, 100 tonnes of mushrooms, 2 tonnes of vegetables prepared for export, and 1,500 tonnes of locally farmed fish. The total value of private investment in this area is projected to reach JD30 million, generating approximately 2,500 jobs, the ministry said. Additionally, the ministry has launched the Agricultural Production, Marketing and Manufacturing Accelerator Project. This initiative provides soft loans of up to JD500,000 per company, with a 2 per cent interest rate, to support agricultural industries. The ministry also supports small agricultural enterprises due to their role in job creation. It has helped implement nine agricultural alliance projects at a total cost of approximately JD755,000. These initiatives have enhanced agricultural products and created 135 additional jobs in remote areas. The ministry plans to expand the alliance programme to include 100 alliances by the year 2030. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Zawya
Jordan: Mild weather to continue through Tuesday, heatwave expected by Thursday
AMMAN — A significant rise in temperatures is expected by midweek, culminating in a heatwave across most regions by Thursday, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD). Temperatures on Monday dropped to seasonal averages, bringing moderate conditions in most parts of the Kingdom, while relatively hot weather persisted in the Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Tuesday's weather is expected to remain stable, with continued mild temperatures in most areas. The Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba will continue to experience warmer-than-average conditions. High clouds will linger, and northwesterly winds are forecast to be moderate to occasionally active, according to JMD. A slight warming trend is anticipated on Wednesday, bringing relatively hot conditions to most regions. The Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba are likely to see hotter-than-usual temperatures. Winds will gradually shift from northeasterly to northwesterly. By Thursday, a more pronounced rise in temperatures will mark the beginning of a heatwave, JMD said, with relatively hot conditions are expected even in the high mountain areas, with the rest of the country experiencing full summer-like heat. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
