Kirkuk, Three thieves stormed a house in Al-Wasiti neighborhood in the city of Kirkuk and stole $60,000, gold jewelry worth 50 million dinars, and ten million dinars.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Jordan King holds banquet in honor of Kuwait’s Amir
AMMAN, Jordan’s King Abdullah II held a banquet in honor of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of the state visit.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
Lazzarini: 160 UNRWA headquarters in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed
Geneva – Together – The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said today, Tuesday, that 160 of the agency’s headquarters in the Gaza Strip were ‘completely destroyed.’
Lazzarini said in a press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland: ‘We have sufficient funding until the end of next June after a number of countries resumed funding the agency.’
Lazzarini reiterated his welcome to the report of the Agency’s Independent Review Group, noting that some of the report’s recommendations can be implemented quickly while others require additional staff and strong commitment and support from Member States.
The UNRWA Independent Review Group report, which was published on Monday, stated that the agency has established a large number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure its commitment to humanitarian principles, focusing on the principle of neutrality.
The report stated that the agency follows a more a
dvanced approach to neutrality than any other similar international or non-governmental body.
‘Because of the complexity of the environment in which we operate, we have to be very vigilant and we can always do more,’ Lazzarini said, explaining that he held a meeting with member states and informed them that the agency is currently preparing to update its response plan.
He added: ‘We will ensure that partners are aware of the actions that have already been taken in line with the recommendations contained in the report.’
Lazzarini explained that the Independent Review Group’s report has nothing to do with the investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services into the Israeli allegations.
He recalled the briefing he gave to members of the Security Council, in which he said that the issue of neutrality was not necessarily the motive behind the attack on UNRWA, noting that the primary motive for the attack was ‘to strip the Palestinians of their refugee status.’
He added: “Th
is is the reason behind the pressures that the agency is currently under to not be present not only in Gaza, but we are also exposed to pressures in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
He said that he called on the Security Council to conduct an independent investigation and ensure accountability for the blatant disregard for the sanctity of the United Nations buildings, its staff and its operation in the Gaza Strip, recalling that to date, 280 United Nations staff have been killed.
He added: ‘More than 160 UNRWA buildings were damaged or completely destroyed, and at least 400 people were killed inside them as they sought protection under the UN flag. We also have reports that our buildings, which were evacuated, have been used for military purposes… and arrests have also been made.’ Our employees were subjected to ill-treatment, if not torture.”
He pointed out that the average number of trucks that entered Gaza reached 200 trucks during the month of April, and the entry of trucks reached its peak yesterday, M
onday, when 360 trucks entered. This represents a positive trend compared to previous months, he said.
But the Commissioner-General also pointed to concerns with the advent of summer and the renewed outbreak of diseases, especially in the south, noting that garbage collection has become a priority to prevent the spread of diseases.
He also noted the deep concern over the possibility of a looming Israeli military attack on Rafah, ‘which appears to have been back on the table.’
Source: Maan News Agency
Where is the municipality of Al-Bireh in the industrial zone disaster?
Ramallah – Ma’an – The industrial zone in Al-Bireh poses a threat to the health of residents due to the continuous burning of waste and the resulting emission of unpleasant and toxic odors, in light of the municipality’s failure to respond to citizens’ calls.
Numerous complaints addressed to the municipality and officials reached the newsroom of the agency together, in which they expressed their deep concern about the situation of waste burning occurring in the area. And the emission of unpleasant and toxic odors as a result of this burning.
The residents added, “We are concerned about the serious health effects that may result from our constant exposure to these harmful odors, and we call on the municipality to take urgent measures to confront this disaster, and the necessity of searching for alternative solutions to dispose of waste in a healthy and environmental manner, strictly implementing environmental laws and imposing the necessary penalties on violators.”
Source: Maan News Agency
Hong Kong on high alert, warns of flooding threats after torrential rain
HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Observatory warned residents to prepare for possible flooding on Tuesday, after heavy rain and strong gusts battered the city earlier in the day, China Daily reported.
According to the Chinese daily newpaper, the observatory has activated the amber rainstorm signal, denoting the least severe level in the three-tier warning system, at 8:30 HKT. This action was taken due to the progression of a concentrated cluster of thundery showers across the Pearl River Estuary in an eastward direction. The issuance of this signal signifies anticipation of precipitation surpassing 30 millimetres within an hour, consequently raising concerns of potential flooding in susceptible low-lying and inadequately drained regions.
The signal was removed at 12:50 HKT, and the observatory warned people to stay alert for river flooding that may occur.
Most parts of Shenzhen, including the Luohu and Futian districts, issued their highest rainstorm warning signal at 11:00 HKT due to continuous rainfall. The sign
al was downgraded to yellow, the second-highest warning in the three-tier system, at 12:20 HKT.
Source: Emirates News Agency