Latest news with #UN-recognized
Kuwait Times
7 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Trailblazing the globe
Maryam Sultan Abdullah's solo journey across 197 nations breaks barriers, inspires women and proves the world is smaller — and more connected — than we think Her journey began in 2006, when she started traveling with different groups of friends, mainly to Europe and North Africa. 'In 2012, I decided to start traveling solo due to the difficulty of coordinating plans with friends. Traveling solo helped me better organize my trips, meet locals and other fellow solo travelers, and focus more on my surroundings,' she explained. 'I began with easier countries that had more tourist attractions, such as those in Europe and parts of Asia. Over time, I developed stronger skills in planning, documenting cultures and nature, communicating with locals and navigating through towns.' As her experience grew, Maryam began traveling to more remote and challenging destinations, including war zones, areas with epidemics and isolated regions. 'Documenting became the main part of my journey. I wanted to share these moments with people on social media — moments that reflect the lives, cultures, and natural beauty I encountered.' Holding a Kuwaiti passport presented challenges, especially with visa approvals, but Maryam persisted. 'In June 2024, I visited my final UN-recognized country, Uruguay, making me the first Arab woman to officially visit every country in the world. Now that I've reached all 197 countries, I've set my sights on visiting the world's territories.' Her main motivation for traveling has always been learning about people's lives, behaviors and cultures. 'Meeting locals and fellow solo travelers was what kept me going. I never felt like quitting, not even once, until I was verified as the first Arab woman to travel to every country by June 2024.' One of Maryam's most memorable experiences came with an unexpected twist of fate. 'We often see the world as a huge place with a massive population, assuming we'll never cross paths with strangers again,' she said. 'In 2016, I took a random photo of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Two men were sitting on the steps, and I posted the edited photo online. Two years later, a stranger messaged me on Instagram claiming he was one of the men in the photo. I checked his account and confirmed it was him. I asked if I could continue using the image, and he agreed and said he loved it. That experience reminded me how small and connected our world really is, especially through social media.' Before the bungee jump Burkina Faso During the jump. Among her most dangerous adventures was bungee jumping over an active volcano in Chile. 'It took the organizing company two years to prepare for the jump. They monitored magma levels and dust density to ensure it was safe. The volcano was still active and could erupt at any moment.' The process involved careful planning and personal preparation. 'The company checked our weight, health and injury history. We were lined up according to weight — from heaviest to lightest — and I was the last to jump. That was frustrating because I kept thinking about what might go wrong due to previous jumps. But I trusted the company; they had a strong track record in extreme sports.' Maryam recalled the mental and emotional toll leading up to the jump. 'I hadn't slept well for weeks. When we were finally in the helicopter, and everything was set, the aircraft suddenly reversed. I couldn't hear what the team was discussing. Apparently, the magma levels had changed and the dust was getting thicker, increasing the danger. Eventually, the helicopter repositioned, and the team began the countdown.' Mali Maryam Sultan with her passports North Korea She knew it was a now-or-never moment. 'I jumped — regardless of the dust. I felt the heat as I came within 90 meters of the magma. It was the most incredible experience of my life. One I'll never forget, and a story I proudly share as an adventurous Kuwaiti woman.' Maryam's travels taught her countless life lessons. 'The first was tolerance. People come from different backgrounds, and what's normal in one culture may be offensive in another. Even within the same country, people are different.' She also learned the importance of patience. 'Some countries have limited access to technology or global exposure. These cultures operate at a different pace, and it's important not to rush or pressure them.' 'Lastly, I learned that life goes on, no matter your circumstances. We only get one life — don't waste it on regret or pain.' She encourages others to travel with an open mind. 'Travel teaches you patience. You'll face incidents and accidents — that's part of life. What matters is how you deal with them. Enjoy your journey. Travel as much as you can. Your memories will become treasures no one can take from you.'
India.com
24-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Top 5 Strongest Currencies In The World In 2025 By Value
In 2025, currency strength is best measured by purchasing power, not popularity or circulation. It reflects how much a single unit can buy in goods, services, or foreign currency. Among 180 UN-recognized currencies used in 195 countries, only a few top the list in terms of real value and economic strength.
Kuwait Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Libya's Tripoli premier calls on armed groups to align with state
TRIPOLI: Libya's UN-backed premier Saturday called on armed groups to align themselves with 'state institutions' after days of deadly clashes in Tripoli and protests demanding his resignation. 'We will welcome all those who choose to stand with the state,' said Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah in a televised address. 'We will sideline those who resort to blackmail and corruption. Our goal is a Libya free of militias and corruption.' Days of clashes in the capital have pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against groups it has been seeking to dismantle. Libya is split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east controlled by the family of military strongman Khalifa Haftar. The North African country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The recent fights have killed at least eight people, said the UN, while the authorities have yet to release an official tally. The clashes had been triggered by the killing of Abdelghani Al-Kikli, head of the Support and Stability Apparatus (SSA) faction, by the Dbeibah-aligned 444 Brigade. A second wave of clashes pitted the 444 Brigade against another group, the Radaa force, which controls parts of eastern Tripoli and several key state institutions. And a string of executive orders had sought to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups, excluding the 444 Brigade. Dbeibah's latest address mainly concerned Radaa, a group controlling parts of eastern Tripoli. 'Trying to sow discord between us and Souq al-Joumaa (a Radaa stronghold) is bound to fail,' Dbeibah said, acknowledging 'a shared mistake' when speaking of the 'clashes in the heart of Tripoli in neighborhoods full of civilians'. He said certain militias 'had grown excessively, to the point of controlling the entire political, financial, economic, and even social landscape'. He said an SSA associate 'took control of six banks, and those who dared to oppose him disappeared', citing abuses by among others Kikli's nephew, who 'coldly executed 10 people recently'. Another SSA associate, Ousama Al Masri Nejim, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for acts of torture and the rape of a young girl, Dbeibah noted. 'For the first time, I can tell you that you can hope to get rid of the militias,' Dbeibah said, vowing to remove 'those who prioritize blackmail and corruption'. Yet Tripoli residents have taken to the streets for two consecutive days, demanding Dbeibah's resignation after the deadly fighting. Some 500 people protested on Saturday after thousands of other anti-government demonstrators had gathered at Martyrs' Square in central Tripoli on Friday before marching on the premier's office. The Friday rally had been followed by one police officer being shot dead by unknown attackers when he was 'targeted while securing' Dbeibah's office, according to the government. Tripoli saw signs of normalcy on Friday, with flights resuming, shops reopening and people returning to work. But despite that, the capital's political situation remained volatile. Local media reported late Friday that six ministers and deputy ministers from Dbeibah's cabinet had resigned. Only two confirmed their departure. Several municipal councils in western Tripoli voiced support for the protests demanding that Dbeibah quit. Khaled Al-Mishri, head of the High Council of State in the capital, said he had begun talks with the eastern-based parliament to 'choose a national figure to form a new government'. Dbeibah, meanwhile, met tribal elders in the capital on Saturday and said his government was 'trying to respond quickly' to the recent developments in the city. - AFP
Kuwait Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Gunbattles rock Libya capital after brief lull
UN calls for immediate, unconditional ceasefire in all areas TRIPOLI: Fresh gunbattles have erupted in the Libyan capital between two powerful armed groups, a security official said Wednesday, just a day after authorities declared the fighting over. Clashes flared between the Radaa force and the 444 Brigade in key areas of the city, including the port, the source said. No official casualty figures have been released for the latest fight yet, but the Libyan Red Crescent said it recovered a dead body from a major street in Tripoli. The official described the fighting as "urban warfare", with intermittent clashes in residential areas involving light and medium weapons. In other areas, heavy weapons were being used. Libya has struggled to recover from years of unrest since the NATO-backed 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Ghaddafi. The country remains split between a UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east, controlled by the Haftar family. Fighting extended in southern and western Tripoli as Radaa and "groups supporting it came as reinforcements against the 444 Brigade", the interior ministry source said. On Monday night, heavy arms fire and explosions rocked several Tripoli districts, killing at least six people, according to authorities. Reports said Abdelghani Al-Kikli, leader of the Support and Stability Apparatus which controls the southern district of Abu Salim, had also been killed at a facility controlled by the 444 Brigade. 'Territorial reshuffle' A source told AFP groups were moving into the capital from neighboring Zawiya in support of Radaa. Meanwhile, "more Misrata brigades may continue to join Dbeibah's side", said Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui. He described the latest conflict as "more dangerous" for the capital in recent years, saying it meant a "territorial reshuffle" with more factions "seeking to insinuate themselves into downtown Tripoli". The 444 Brigade controls parts of southern Tripoli and is aligned with Dbeibah, whereas Radaa controls parts in the capital's east and holds several key state facilities. On Tuesday, the Tripoli-based government said the fighting had been brought under control as Dbeibah thanked government forces "for restoring security and asserting the state's authority in the capital". Dbeibah also announced a string of executive orders including dissolving some bodies previously run by Tripoli armed groups other than the 444 Brigade. But a second night of fighting could mean "a more prolonged, destructive, and existential battle with a nationwide dimension" after what he said was Dbeibah's "failure to secure a quick victory". Authorities also announced a ceasefire, but gunshots were still heard in western parts of Tripoli. The United Nations mission in Libya said it was "deeply alarmed by escalating violence in densely populated neighborhoods of Tripoli for the second night in a row". In a statement, it called for "an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in all areas, allowing safe corridors for the evacuation of civilians trapped in intense conflict zones". — AFP
Egypt Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt calls upon all Libyan parties to exercise maximum restraint
Protests in Tripoli of Libya against the UN-recognized Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah- screenshot from a video footage CAIRO – 17 May 2025: Egypt is closely monitoring the ongoing developments in Libya with deep concern and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the interests of the Libyan people, and safeguard the nation's resources and property. The Egyptian government has also emphasized the need for Egyptian citizens currently in Libya to exercise extreme caution and remain indoors until the situation stabilizes. Citizens are strongly encouraged to stay in close contact with the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli and the operations center set up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Egyptians Abroad, which is available to handle inquiries and provide support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs has set up an operations room to monitor the situation on the ground and coordinate with the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli around the clock. Egyptian citizens in Libya can contact the Embassy through the following numbers: (+0201220463333), (+218914897985), (+201226858000), (+201220473333), and (+201283176894). According to Libya Express, several ministers from the UN-recognized Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, have resigned. The officials stepping down include the second deputy to the Prime Minister and Acting Health Minister Ramadan Bujanah, Economy and Trade Minister Mohammed al-Huwaij, Local Government Minister Badr al-Tumi, and Housing and Construction Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi. Meanwhile, protests continued staging in Tripoli and other Western parts of the cuntry, calling for the government to step down and form another new unity national government. Since the overthrow of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued by conflict and political division. The country is currently split between two rival governments: the U.N.-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah and supported by allied armed factions; and a rival administration, based in Benghazi and backed by forces loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar. Heavy and intense clashes have erupted since May 13, 2025 following the killing of Field Commander Abdul Ghani al-Kikli—also known as "Ghaniwa"—a prominent figure who led the Stability Support Apparatus and served as head of the Presidential Council's security unit.
