Author: Web Desk

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday that US forces destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) launched by Houthis in Yemen towards the Red Sea.

“There were no injuries or damages reported by US, coalition, or merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.

“It was determined that these UAS presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region,” it affirmed.

“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM added.

Since Nov. 19, 2023, Houthis launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, which they consider to be linked to Israel or heading to its ports.

Washington leads an international maritime coalition with the aim of protecting maritime navigation in this strategic region, through which 12% of global trade passes.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Bahraini Minister of Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa stated on Sunday that current global challenges require joint efforts to enhance economic and social integration in the region.

This came in a speech by Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa during his chairmanship of the opening of the preparatory meetings of the Arab League’s Economic and Social Council for the 33rd Arab Summit, which will be held in Bahrain next Thursday.

The Bahraini Finance Minister praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia during its chairmanship of the previous session of the council and expressed his gratitude to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS), Ahmad Aboul Gheit, and all the members of the General Secretariat for t5heir efforts in preparing for the meeting.

He said that Bahrain’s hosting of this meeting comes as an affirmation of the support and follow-up of the Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, and everything that would enhance Arab solidarity and the
process of construction and development to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future for Arab countries.

He emphasized that the current challenges require joint efforts to enhance economic and social integration in the region through supporting infrastructure, transportation, energy, and food security projects that enhance our economic capabilities.

Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa was confident that cooperation and enhancement of economic and social integration will achieve the aspirations of future generations towards prosperity and development.

He added that based on Bahrain’s steadfast support for important issues regarding Arab countries, Bahrain underlined the urgent and immediate need for intervention to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and the prevention of military expansion operations in order to preserve regional security, peace and stability.

He emphasized the importance of working with other Arab countries and international financial institutions and specialized organizations to overcome the humani
tarian situation in Palestine and support peace in the Middle East by granting the Palestinian people their legitimate rights.

Kuwait participated in the meeting with a delegation headed by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Preparatory meetings for the 33rd session of the Council of the League of Arab States scheduled to be held next Thursday began on Saturday in Bahrain.

Kuwait participated in yesterday’s meeting with a delegation led by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, Ambassador Talal Khalid Al-Mutairi

Source: Kuwait News Agency

A Palestinian youth was shot dead on Sunday morning and another one injured by Israeli occupation forces during their raid on Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Palestine’s News Agency (WAFA) quoted the Palestinian Red Crescent Society as saying that the Palestinian youth was shot in the back with live ammunition by Israeli occupation soldiers during the raid in Balata, and was subsequently rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

Earlier at dawn, Israeli occupation forces raided the eastern area of the camp, where confrontations erupted between the Israeli occupations forces and Palestinians. Israeli troops used live ammunition against the residents, resulting in casualties.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Omani Environment Authority announced, Sunday, its initiative in building an underwater museum with out-of-service military equipment, suitable for the coral reefs to acclimate to and reproduce.

In a statement to the press, the Authority said this initiative is in cooperation with the Omani Ministry of Defense, attending to the decline of coral reefs from natural and human interventions and influences.

The initiative aims to create a new ecosystem that accommodates coral reefs and attracts numerous marine life to the area, added the Authority.

The underwater museum, the Authority explained, is an innovative idea to bolster ecotourism in Oman, appealing to marine life and diving enthusiasts, and limiting the burden tourists have on natural coral reefs.

The Authority added that the emphasis on preserving and rehabilitating the marine environment is because it accounts for a large amount of Oman’s environment, and affects the overall evaluation and performance of Oman’s environmental performance. The Min
istry of Defense provided eight decommissioned military equipment of which are seven Man Atlas trucks and a Skyven aircraft, with the underwater museum taking place near Daymaniyat Island’s Natural Reserve.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Prime Minister-designate Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received Sunday at Bayan Palace United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and accompanying delegation on occasion of visit to the country.

The meeting, also attended by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, handled discussion on cooperation between Kuwait and the UN as well as regional and international developments and efforts boosting peace and security both regionally and globally.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

An earthquake measuring 5.4 magnitude on the Richter scale struck Sunday the Kermadec Islands off the coast of New Zealand.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 44 km. No tsunami warnings were issued, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

There have been no reports of casualties or material losses due to the earthquake so far.

The Kermadec Islands are about a thousand kilometers northeast of the North Island of New Zealand, and are often exposed to strong earthquakes.

Source: Qatar News Agency