Category: General

Five citizens were injured in a drone strike of the aggression mercenaries’ drone in Maqbana district in Taiz province, a security official said on Thursday.

The official added that five citizens were wounded, including a child who was seriously injured, in a drone attack of the aggression’s mercenaries inal- Akhdoo’a area in Maqbana district.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Amman: Exchange companies operating within Jordan’s local market are experiencing a significant surge in demand for the Jordanian dinar, surpassing interest in other foreign currencies. This notable trend has been emphasized by Firas Marwan Sultan, the representative of the financial and banking sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Sultan highlighted the substantial demand for the dinar, attributing it to the increasing remittances from Jordanians working abroad. He noted that alongside this, there are positive indicators suggesting a stabilization in the national economy, with expectations of heightened demand in the days leading up to the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Currently, the exchange sector comprises 250 companies and their branches scattered across the kingdom, employing approximately 4,000 Jordanian workers.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Lebanese American University has achieved a new milestone in its 100-year history with the conversion of its academic center in New York into a branch campus, as per the Board of Regents of the State of New York’s approval on March 12.

LAU New York, strategically located in midtown Manhattan, may now confer master’s and bachelor’s degrees. This landmark decision paves the way for the registration of five cutting-edge programs tailored to the needs of the global job market: An in-person BS in International Business and four master’s programs to be offered online and in person, namely MBA in Business Analytics, MBA in Global Business Administration, MS in Computer Science, and MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

‘Through this move,’ said LAU President Michel E. Mawad, ‘we are expanding the boundaries of higher education, and forging a path toward a future where cross-cultural exchange, experiential learning and global connectivity are seamlessly woven into the fabric of our academic excellence.’

This
groundbreaking achievement unlocks a multitude of opportunities for LAU, enabling the university to offer a host of degree and certificate programs in support of learners in New York and around the world.

LAU’s students in the MENA and their counterparts in New York will benefit from an enriched learning experience centered on cultural exchange and the forging of stronger links between Lebanon and the United States. LAU, which is a leader in offering US-style education in Lebanon, will now have the opportunity to facilitate the flow of knowledge, ideas, and opportunities bidirectionally.

In terms of in-person education, LAU New York is poised to launch a BS in International Business program in September 2025. This cutting-edge program embraces the true meaning of international by featuring classes that will run simultaneously between LAU New York and LAU’s other campuses, fostering significant cultural and educational exchange. Additionally, this program opens up exciting opportunities for local New York st
udents to spend a semester or more on the university’s Lebanon campuses, further amplifying the international learning experience.

LAU’s online programs will be strategically relocated to LAU New York. This move will allow for access to world-class instructors from the professional and academic landscape of New York City, while continuing the partnerships with LAU’s Beirut and Byblos campuses, thereby transcending geographical boundaries.

The branch campus registration will qualify LAU New York to follow through with a special certification (SEVP) which would facilitate ‘student or exchange’ visas (Form I-20) in the future. It will also enable LAU’s US students to apply for federal grants, greatly enhancing their access to education. This will also facilitate authorizations for optional practical training, allowing for internships in the USA for students who spend one year or more studying at LAU New York, greatly increasing skilling and employability prospects.

LAU will also open up exchange programs enab
ling Lebanon-based students to spend a semester or more at LAU New York, immersing themselves in the cultural, educational, and professional scenes of the world’s most diverse city.

‘These exchanges are core to the current educational needs of students, offering a truly international experience from LAU, and very differentiated employability prospects,’ said Dr. Barbar Akle, associate provost and executive director of LAU New York, adding that this momentous change solidifies the institution’s status as a global university.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

SHARJAH: H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Wednesday launched the second phase of the Holy Quran’s Rhetorical Interpretation Encyclopedia and “The Qulun’ Narration from Nafi” the first of its kind in the Encyclopedia of Recitation Methods.

The launch took place during His Highness’s attendance at the annual ceremony for the graduation of the fourth batch of Quran readers certified by the Sharjah Holy Quran Academy, totalling 249 certified readers.

During the ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah signed the first edition of the second phase of the “Encyclopedia of Rhetorical Interpretation,” which comprises 16 volumes covering parts of the second quarter of the Holy Quran. This brings the total number of volumes of the Encyclopedia across both phases to 25.

Additionally, His Highness signed the first edition of the volumes of “The Encyclopedia of the Qulun’ Narration from Nafi,” marking the first encyclopedias of Quranic recitation methods, encompassing
10 volumes alongside the Noble Quran, along with its explanation of the Qulun’ Narration from Nafi’ Al-Madani in the margins.

The Encyclopedia of Rhetorical Interpretation is distinguished by its interpretive and rhetorical nature, offering a comprehensive interpretation of the Holy Quran. It provides precise linguistic explanations of words, drawing from primary linguistic references, Quranic lexicons, and commentaries, ensuring clarity and strength of expression while maintaining accessibility.

Moreover, it meticulously examines the contextual relevance of each surah (Chapter), exploring its connections and nuances within the text.

Furthermore, the Encyclopedia delves into the linguistic and conceptual embellishments that enrich the Quranic text, elucidating nuances and semantic distinctions among Quranic terms. It relies on primary sources of Quranic exegesis, linguistic analysis, and rhetorical studies.

After the ceremony, the graduates of the fourth batch received their Quranic authorisations with a
continuous chain of transmission to the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him.

Source: Emirates News Agency

GENEVA: The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), during its 213th session held in Geneva, Switzerland, elected Sarah Mohammed Falkinaz, Vice Chair of the UAE Parliamentary Division at IPU, as a member of the Committee on Middle East Questions of IPU.

This appointment marks a significant addition to the UAE parliamentary group’s portfolio within the Union. The group already has memberships in various Union bodies, including the Executive Committee representing the Arab Geopolitical Group and the Union’s Standing Committees.

The Committee on Middle East Questions is dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding among regional parliaments, addressing conflicts in the Middle East, advocating for peaceful resolutions, organising meetings and conferences, and formulating recommendations and decisions to bolster peace and security in the region.

The committee also actively monitors the peace process in the Middle East and facilitates dialogue among parliamentarians from conflicting countr
ies to achieve peaceful resolutions.

Source: Emirates News Agency