Category: General

The head of the national negotiating delegation, Mohammed Abdul Salam, confirmed that Yemen has tended towards escalation by chasing Israeli ships in the Indian Ocean and preventing them from sailing towards Good Hope.

Abdul Salam said in a post on the “X” platform on Thursday, “In the face of the continued aggression on Gaza, we confirm that Yemen has tended towards escalation by chasing Israeli ships in the Indian Ocean and preventing them from sailing towards Good Hope.”

“International shipping companies linked to Israel should take this escalation very seriously and realize that any ship linked to Israel is vulnerable to Yemeni missiles.”

Source: Yemen News Agency

VIENNA: The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the UN’s main policy-making body on drugs, opened today in Vienna to review progress made in addressing the world drug problem and how to accelerate implementation of international commitments.

According to UN Information Service, this year’s session of the Commission begins with a special segment attended by a number of high-level officials and heads of UN bodies, as the CND marks the mid-point to achieving the commitments set out in the Ministerial Declaration adopted by the Commission in 2019.

The 67th session of the CND convenes amidst the emergence of highly agile drug trafficking networks, a record-high supply of certain drugs, and a significant treatment gap, wherein only one in five individuals with a drug use disorder receives adequate care.

‘Drug challenges are evolving swiftly, as synthetics change the market, trafficking networks evolve their business model, and illicit markets overlap with conflict and instability,’ said Ghada Waly, Executive Dir
ector of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). ‘The global response is at an important juncture, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs must use this milestone session to unite around balanced responses that safeguard our communities, promote public health, and uphold human rights.’

”The impact of the world drug problem continues to be devastating. Almost 300 million people are estimated to use drugs around the world, and more than 39 million of them suffer from drug use disorders.”

For the first time, Member States will be making new pledges on the challenges identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, which will aim to turn the policy commitments into action on the ground. Launched by the Chair of the CND, Ambassador Philbert Johnson of Ghana, the Pledge4Action allows Member States to publicly declare their readiness to invest efforts, expertise, and resources into implementing their global drug policy commitments.

‘Amidst the complexities of the global landscape, failure to unite in our efforts
is not an option,’ said Ambassador Johnson. ‘This mid-term review underscores the necessity of collaborative diplomacy to accelerate our actions to address the world drug problem. Together, through steadfast diplomacy and unified action, we will advance.’

Resolutions under consideration by the Commission address topics related to rehabilitation and recovery management programmes; improving the access and availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes; preventing and responding to drug overdoses; and alternative development.

The 67th session will run until 22 March.

Source: Emirates News Agency

In a collaborative effort with the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the Italian Embassy in Lebanon unveiled a series of initiatives today as part of the Italian Design Day 2024. This event, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is celebrated this year under the theme “Manufacturing Value: Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Sustainability”.

The theme of this year’s edition is explored from diverse angles through a comprehensive program featuring events and initiatives showcasing the creative and industrial excellences of Italian design. These activities are targeted towards professionals, designers, universities, and students alike.

One of the first events organized by the Italian Trade Agency took place at Le Cercle Hitti in Down Town Beirut earlier today. The event saw the participation of industry representatives, key opinion leaders, media, and architects. A dynamic discussion was led by Italian architects and designers Francesca Parot
ti and Maurizio Corrado, joined by ITA Beirut Director Claudio Pasqualucci and architect Fadlallah Dagher, the Dean of the ALBA Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts. Attendees also had the opportunity to embark on a tour at Le Cercle Hitti, delving into the evolution of Italian design from the 1930s to the present day.

Later in the afternoon, the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC), in collaboration with the Sursock Palace Association and ALBA-Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts, unveiled the exhibition titled ‘Tools For After – Design’ (TFA Design). Hosted at the Sursock Palace, the exhibition opened on March 14th and will run until April 7th, 2024.

The exhibition, divided into four thematic sections: “LYFE’, “PALEO: Echoes of Prehistoric Influence”, “TOOLS’, and ‘MAPS’, showcases 44 meticulously curated objects crafted by a new generation of designers. These objects serve as a testament to their creators’ visionary proposals, presenting pioneering materials and strategic approaches to shaping a sustainable future. De
veloped in partnership with esteemed design institutions, universities, designers, and private companies across Italy, the exhibition confronts the pressing inquiries posed by the Anthropocene era, challenging the philosophy of mass consumption and advocating for a return to human creativity, curiosity, and ecological consciousness.

Moreover, “Tools for After” transcends conventional boundaries by presenting a spectrum of ideas, solutions, alternative materials, and technologies that extend beyond the current paradigm. It includes cutting-edge prototypes, projects, scenarios, and proposals addressing sustainability challenges. The exhibition also features selected projects by students from the aforementioned partners, representing the future generation of designers.

“Tools For After – Design Exhibition” represents a captivating convergence of creativity, sustainability, and forward-thinking design philosophy. It showcases Italian cultural excellence and collective commitment to a brighter, more sustainable
future. Members of the press, design enthusiasts, and the public are cordially invited to visit this exhibition and experience the essence of Italian design innovation firsthand.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Units of the Special Forces of the Central Military District carried out one of its largest combat training and military maneuvers entitled ‘The Promised Day Maneuver.’

The maneuver simulated violent and widespread confrontation operations against enemy forces after it carried out parachute landings on some Yemeni areas and infiltrated some areas.

The military maneuvers of units of the Special Forces of the Central Military District took place according to a scenario of complex fire clashes on different terrain.

The maneuver lasted more than two hours, in which a thousand fighters from the region participated, with the participation of engineering, anti-tank, sniper, artillery, and all kinds of vehicles.

Source: Yemen News Agency

The city of Dhamar witnessed today a mass march to confirm the Yemeni position in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and rejecting the continuation of the US-British aggression against our country.

During the march, which was presented by members of the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, the leadership of the local authority and the executive offices of the directorate, the participants chanted slogans and slogans condemning the continuation of Zionist massacres and the occupation’s starvation, war of extermination and forced displacement against Palestinians.

The statement praised the steadfastness and steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their valiant resistance in the face of repeated Zionist crimes, reaffirming the position of the Yemeni people with their continuous activities, activities and military operations and their honorable exit in support of the oppressed Palestinian people in all fields and arenas.

The statement praised the decision of the Leader of the
Revolution and the armed forces to expand the position of support and support for the Palestinian people, which is to prevent the passage of Israeli ships destined for the Zionist entity through the Indian Ocean.

Source: Yemen News Agency