Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

A young man came from Germany to Afghanistan on a motorcycle...to attend a wedding

Islamabad - (dpa) - Afghan officials told the German News Agency (dpa) today, Sunday, that a person with dual citizenship arrived in the country after a 12-day journey, coming from Germany, on his motorcycle. .


And Afghan sources confirmed that the person, an Afghan believed to have a German passport, arrived in Ghazni province in central Afghanistan yesterday.


The man explained that he was living in the Afghan province of Paktia, and stated that he entered Herat province after passing through many countries, including Turkey and Iran, in order to attend a wedding.


Hafiz Omar, a spokesman for the governor of Ghazni province, said the man was met by Taliban officials at a security checkpoint after he was arrested.


The Taliban sports affairs official in the province, Bilal Mujahid, hurried to visit the cyclist and take souvenir photos with him.


Mujahid said: "When we heard about him, we went to meet him. But he was in a hurry. He told me that he needed to get to Kabul to attend a wedding."


The local official explained that he had permits to enter Iran and other countries, but entered Afghanistan without informing the officials about it.


Mujahid said: "I asked him about his goal, and he said / I want to show the world that Afghanistan is safe, and that before that people used to flee, but now you can travel by bicycle or motorbike."

OPINIONS

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

The return of Great Russia hopes and aspirations

بقلم:الدكتور اسعد العويوي
أستاذ التاريخ المعاصر في جامعة القدس المفتوحة
عانت روسيا في بداية ظهورها بعد انهيار الاتحاد السوفيتي وظهور نظام عالمي أحادي القطبية بزعامة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية من عدة مشاكل، على مختلف الأصعدة الاقتصادية والعسكرية والأمنية، بالإضافة إلى المشاكل الداخلية وضعف في سياستها الخارجية. إلا أنها لم تستسلم لتلك المشاكل والأزمات وعملت على استعادة هيبتها وقوتها عن طريق تبني استراتيجيات متعددة للحفاظ على أمنها وسيادتها. كما تمكنت خلال فترة حكم الرئيس بوتين وميدفيدف من تحسين أوضاعها الاقتصادية والسياسية وتعزيز مكانتها الدولية وتحسين أوضاعها على الصعيد العالمي.
المـذهب العسـكري الروسـي لمرحلـة ما بعـد الحـرب البـاردة فقـد أشـتمل علـى مجموعـة مـن المبــادئ الرئيســة ذات الأولوية في التفكــير العســكري الروسي ولعــل مــن أبرزها، تركيــز المــذهب العسكري الروسي على بناء قوات تكفي للتصدي للتهديدات المحتملة، وذلـك للتـأثير في مـدركات الخصـم الإسـتراتيجية (أي إن الـردع هنـا يسـتهدف عقـل الخصـم قبـل فعلـه) .
أبعاد الصعود الروسي
تحدث الآن العديد من التحولات الجذرية في المجتمع والنظام الدولي بأكمله وترجع هذه التحولات بالأساس إلى تحولات مرت فيها روسيا الامبراطورية ، فقد تم القضاء على النظام متعدد الأقطاب بسبب الثورة البلشفية خلال فترة ما بين الحربين العالميتين وبروز نظام أحادي القطبية بعد انهيار الإتحاد السوفيتي عام 1991، ولكن صعود روسيا الآن في القوة والدور الروسي يعتبر من أبرز محددات التحول في بيئة هذا النظام ، وقد كشفت التطورات التي شهدها العالم في العقد الأخير عن مجموعة من المؤشرات التي تشير إلي أن النظام الدولي يرفض هيمنة قوة واحدة عليه وبات الحديث الآن عن تحوله إلى نظام متعدد الأقطاب أو ما يطلق عليه ” نظام اللاقطبية ” ، حيث ستسيطر العديد من القوي على النظام ولن تعود لأمريكا الهيمنة على مسار النظام كما كان في السابق.

وجاءت روسيا بعد انهيارها لتستغل التصدُّع الحاصل في النظام الدولي خاصة خلال فترة العشر سنوات الأخيرة والتي بدأت مع وصول فلاديمير بوتين إلى مقعد الرئاسة في روسيا (2000_2008) . فقد صعدت القوة الروسية في المجتمع الدولي سواء على مستوى السياسة الداخلية أو الخارجية حيث نجح بوتين في القيام بإعادة هيكلة سياسية واقتصادية وقد ترسخ هذا الوضع خاصة مع وصول رئيس الحكومة الحالي ديمتري ميدفيديف الذي أصدر ما يسمي بــــ ” مبدأ ميدفيديف ” ، وهو يتكون من خمسة مبادئ تنص : إعطاء الأولوية للمبادئ الأساسية للقانون الدولي والسعي إلى بناء عالم متعدد الأقطاب، وعدم السعي إلى المواجهة مع دول أخرى، وأن تحمي مواطنيها أينما كانوا، وتطوير روابط مع الأقاليم الصديقة، فضلاً عن خطة فلاديمير بوتين ” رئيس الجمهورية الحالي ورئيس الحكومة السابق” الإستراتيجية لإخراج روسيا من تحت الركام لتشكل ثقلا إقليمياً ودولياً وهو ما يمكن تحقيقه بطبيعة الحال خلال القيام بدور مؤثر وفعال في نزع فتيل قضايا الشرق الأوسط وفي مقدمتها القضية الفلسطينية التي تمثل، وبحق، أهم قضايا الشرق الأوسط .
لقد ساد الاعتقاد أن روسيا لن تحتل مكانة مرموقة في العالم ما لم تنتقل بسرعة إلى النمو الاقتصادي. لدى وصول الرئيس فلاديمير بوتين إلى السلطة في العام 2000 وضع هدفاً له الأولوية، هو جعل روسيا شريكاً لا غنى عنه للغرب في التوازنات الدولية. انطلق بوتين في رسم سياسته الخارجية من اعتباره أن لروسيا خصوصية في كونها قوة عالمية تستند تاريخياً إلى اتساع رقعتها الجغرافية كجسر بين القارة الأوروبية وقارة آسيا. ولهذا فإن التمدد الغربي في مناطق نفوذ الاتحاد السوفييتي السابق يثير حساسية مفرطة عند النخبة الروسية، ويُعتبر بمثابة تدخل خارجي. فالسيطرة على هذه المناطق تهدد هوية روسيا الأورو آسيوية، وتقلص من دورها الإقليمي والعالمي. فلو عجزت روسيا عن تأكيد دورها في مجال الاتحاد السوفييتي السابق، لعجزت أيضاً عن تأكيد نفسها كقوة عالمية عظمى.
عندما تولى بوتين السلطة في روسيا ، كانت روسيا في ذلك الوقت تعيش أزمة اقتصادية ومنتشر فيها الفساد والفوضى وعدم الاستقرار حيث شهدت فترة الرئيس يلتسن العديد من السياسات الاقتصادية المضطربة وغير المحسوبة أدت إلى تزايد وخلق العديد من المشاكل الاقتصادية في الداخل وكان منها : سياسة الخصخصة المتسرعة وغير المدروسة التي تبنتها حكومة يلتسن حيث تم نهب العديد من الثروات والأصول الاقتصادية في روسيا لصالح قلة من رجال الأعمال الجدد تحت ستار ما يسمي بالخصخصة من خلال المزادات الوهمية محددة الأسعار مسبقاً بالإضافة إلي الرشاوي والعمولات غير المشروعة، وما يزيد الأمر سوءاً هو تهاون يلتسن فيما يخص تدخل الأجانب في أهم قطاعات الاقتصاد الروسي وهو النفط والغاز الطبيعي .
البعد العسكري
دخل الجيش الروسي في مرحلة كبيرة من التراجع الحاد بعد انهيار الإتحاد السوفيتي، حيث انخفضت الروح المعنوية للجنود الروس بالإضافة إلى تفاقم مشاكل التدريب والانضباط ونقص المعدات الحديثة وما يزيد الأمر سوءاً الفساد المستشري في الجيش الروسي. والمثال الواضح على هذا التراجع في الجيش الروسي هو الهزيمة في اجتياح جورجيا 2008 فالبرغم من صغر حجم الخصم لم تستطع روسيا هزيمته وقد وصفت هذا “خدمة أبحاث الكونغرس” في آب/أغسطس 2011 بأنه “الفشل العملياتي الواسع النطاق للجيش الروسي”. وكان من نتائج ذلك هو إعلان وزير الدفاع الروسي أناتولي سيرديوكوف في تشرين الاول 2008 عن إصلاحات عسكرية كبرى واسعة النطاق، كان الهدف منها إعادة تنظيم هيكلية الجيش وتسلسله القيادي، وتقليص حجمه، وإنشاء قوة متقدمة وعصرية وذلك بحلول عام 2020.

وابتدأت روسيا بأكبر عملية بناء لجيشها، والزيادة الهائلة في الإنفاق الدفاعي التي من المقرر أن تستمر حتى 2020 ووفقاً لمجلة “الإيكونيميست”، تتمثل التغييرات الأكثر جوهرية في إطلاق برنامج لتحديث الأسلحة في عام 2010، يمتد على عشر سنوات وتبلغ كلفته 720 مليار دولار.
قامت روسيا بإعادة النظر في سياستها وعقيدتها العسكرية، وتصدرت مسألة إعادة تسليح الجيش من أول أولويات بوتين حيث يري أن روسيا لن تستطع أن ترجع كقوة دولية إلا إذا امتلكت العناصر الثلاثة: الاقتصاد المتعافي، الجيش المتماسك، السياسة الحاسمة.
البعد السياسي
تغيرت السياسة الروسية بدرجة كبيرة، حيث تطورت سواء على المستوى الداخلي أو المستوى الخارجي خلال الآونة الأخيرة، فمثلاً على المستوى الداخلي تم إطلاق الحريات السياسية والدليل على ذلك إجراء انتخابات رئاسية وبرلمانية بها قدر من المنافسة في ظل شعبية بوتين الكبيرة الساحقة، هذا بالإضافة إلى التطور والتقدم على المستوى الخارجي حيث سعت روسيا لاستعادة مكانتها في النظام الدولي وعودتها بقوة وضرورة احترام روسيا كقوة كبيرة لها مكانتها ودورها العالمي.
وجاء بوتين بعد نجاحه في الانتخابات بتوجهات جديدة في السياسة الخارجية تعلن أن عصر روسيا المُنهارة الضعيفة وسنوات المهانة التي مرت بها قد انتهت، وطالب بوتين الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والغرب بالتعامل مع روسيا كدولة كبرى توازيهم لها مكانتها واحترامها في النظام الدولي.
وكان من اهم محددات السياسة الروسية، الاستقلال عن النماذج الغربية في القوة والعمل على بناء القوة الروسية الذاتية حيث يتم النظر إلى هذه القوة على أنها المحدد الأساسي لوضع روسيا في السياسة الدولية.
وكان من ضمن سياسات فلاديمير بوتين في السياسة الخارجية هو تقوية دور روسيا في منطقة الشرق الأوسط لتقوم بدور فعال حيث تحتفظ روسيا بعلاقات قوية مع دول الشرق الأوسط ومن ثم تحول بوتين من سياسة الحياد السلبي إزاء قضايا المنطقة إلى سياسة المبادرات وروسيا في مبادراتها حاولت بكل الطرق أن تتجنب الصدام مع الولايات المتحدة.
لروسيا أهمية كبيرة، فهي ليست فقط قوة عالمية عظمى بسبب قدراتها العسكرية الكبيرة ولا مساحتها الشاسعة، ولا مواردها الاقتصادية، والقدرات العلمية والثقافية والتكنولوجية التي تمتلكها، ولكن تحتل هذه المكانة العظمى بسبب ما شهدته خلال العام 2000 منذ تولي الرئيس فلاديمير بوتين رئاستها حتى الآن من إستراتيجيات وخطوات متقدمة تجاه الإصلاح للعودة إلى مسرح السياسة العالمية السياسية بعد معاناتها من التفكك والانهيار لسنوات طويلة التي أضحت على حافة التجزئة والانقسام والانفصال بعدما كانت إمبراطورية كبرى أثناء الإتحاد السوفيتي. وتتضاعف أهمية روسيا بالنظر إلى ميراثها من الإتحاد السوفيتي الذي كان يعتبر قطبا عالميا في ظل الثنائية القطبية لعدة قرون، وحتى بالرغم من انتهاء صراع القطبية وظهور التعاون العالمي إلا أنه ما زالت المواقف الروسية تلعب الكثير من التأثيرات على مجلس الأمن. وفي السنوات الأخيرة تبنت روسيا العديد من المواقف في السياسة الخارجية أدت إلى إحياء الآمال والتطلعات بعودة التوازن إلى قمة العالم.
فالصعود الروسي أثبت أن الولايات ليست هي الدولة الرائدة الوحيدة في النظام الدولي سواء اقتصادياً أو عسكرياً ، إلا أن روسيا لم تقف مكتوفة الأيدي أمام هذا الانهيار وسعت بكل قوة إلى العودة لساحة التنافس الدولي من جديد وبدأت روسيا تفوق من كبوتها التي أصابتها منذ انهيار الإتحاد السوفيتي، مستغلة في ذلك حالة الانهيار التي يمر بها النظام والتفكك التدريجي للولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وضعف قبضتها على العالم، وصعود قوى أخرى دولية (كالصين والهند والبرازيل وغيرها ) تأخذ من نصيب ومساحة الولايات المتحدة على أرضية ذلك النظام.
واهم تجليات عودة روسيا كقوة عظمى جاءت من خلال الحرب الروسية على أوكرانيا ، 2022، وسط صراع متعدد الجبهات عبر العديد من الأقاليم، سعت فيه روسيا إلى إعلان تحدي الغرب والتصدي لاستراتيجية الناتو في شرق أوروبا، ومحاولة فرض ذلك بالقوة العسكرية، لتعزيز مكانتها في ظل إعادة تموضع استراتيجي أميركي وانسحابات عسكرية أميركية من عدة مناطق، مقابل تمدد الصين التي باتت تمثِّل مركز الاهتمام الاستراتيجي للولايات المتحدة وحلفائها الغربيين أمام سعيها الحثيث خلال العقد الأخير نحو تحصين موقفها الدولي وتعزيز تحالفاتها ووضع أسس لنظام دولي جديد تكون لها فيه مساهمة أكبر في إدارة المشهد الدولي، وخاصة مع مركزية دور الصين في التحركات الروسية ضد الغرب.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Despite the life sentence.. The occupation isolates the prisoner, Ezz El-Din Hamamra, and deprives him of all his rights

Jenin - "Jerusalem" dot com - Ali Samoudi - a life sentence and the demolition of the house was not enough for the occupation, so 18 years after the arrest of the prisoner Ezzeddin Khaled Al-Hamamra (44 years), he was punished by isolation in his solitary cell in Ashkelon prison, while depriving him of all his rights .


In the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem, Izz al-Din was born the firstborn of his family of 10 members. Izz al-Din grew up and lived his childhood and youth in the village that he loved and loved so much. He studied in its schools until he finished high school. In legal affairs in the National Authority, he joined Al-Quds University Abu Dis to obtain a master's degree in law.


arrest and demolition

Sherine, the sister of the prisoner Hamahreh, recounts that dozens of occupation soldiers and intelligence officers stormed her family's home in Husan at dawn on March 7, 2004, detained the family, searched everything in the house, and snatched Izz al-Din from her midst, without allowing her to say goodbye to him, and transferred him to the cells. Investigation in Al-Mascobiyeh prison, where he was tortured for three months.


Shireen says: "My brother persevered despite the pressure and torture, and refused to confess the charges against him. They stormed our house on May 31, 2004, and demolished it to put pressure on him, but he persevered and defied the occupation and proved to the interrogators that they would not break him and kneel despite the demolition." She adds, "During the storming and demolishing of our house, The intelligence officer told my father, “We will demolish a castle, not a house, with the aim of putting pressure on Ezz El-Din, but he remained steadfast and steadfast.”


the verdict

The occupation practiced punishment against the prisoner, and his trial continued for a long time, and his sister says, "He went to the military courts for more than 35 sessions, until he was tried for life imprisonment 9 times. During the verdict, the judge asked him, "You are a man of law and you understand the law... Why did you not fight the State of Israel by law?" He answered them, "The occupier does not follow any law, but rather follows the law of the jungle by killing innocent people, children and women, so an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and the beginning is darker.. and you are an occupier." And she adds, "After issuing the verdict against Izz al-Din, the judge asked him: Do you regret what you did?", He responded with determination and heroism, "I did not regret it...because you are the ruler and the executioner at the same time...and it is a struggle against the occupier, in defense of the innocent children and the dignity of our people."


Throughout his years, Ezz moved between all Israeli prisons, and the occupation punished him by moving and preventing stability, due to his militant personality, willpower, thought, leadership, and constant incitement against the occupation, which punished him with isolation in Ashkelon prison since 7/11/2022.


His sister says, "To this day, he is still isolated and banned from visits and meeting with lawyers. He was fined 500 shekels, and he has been banned from visiting his family for 3 months." She added, "The cell in which my brother lives lacks all the necessities of human life, and we do not know anything about his condition. Whether health or physical, and there is no one to communicate with him in that cell or any contact with the outside world, the occupation has completely isolated him from the world.”


Sherine explains that her brother was subjected to arbitrary punishment, and until this moment, neither the family nor the family received any justification or clarification for this decision imposed by the prison administration, and she said, "We feel fear and concern for his life and condition, and the intelligence services claimed that there is a secret file to remove him, and this is evidence that the decision They are unjustified and flimsy arguments to harass Ezz El-Din and punish him however they want."


The sixty-year-old mother, Khadra, “Umm Izz al-Din,” who suffers from pressure and diabetes due to worries and oppression, experiences feelings of fear and anxiety for her son in light of the absence of news of him. Sherine says, “She cries, loses him, and calls with him day and night. Her life, our joys are always postponed, but we believe in God Almighty, and that relief is near.” And she adds, “In every occasion, session, event, and conversation, my mother talks about the sweetheart of her heart.


And she continues, "Despite the nose of the occupation that punishes Ezz El-Din, but he is steadfast and steadfast, and we and his family are with him every step of the way. The occupation cannot restrict our minds from his images or forget his beautiful positions, for he is always in our lives and our details." And she continues, "The most difficult moments of life, the death of my father during He was arrested 3 years ago, before his dream of seeing him free came true, but we will continue to derive steadfastness and strength from Ezz El-Din, as he is an optimistic and strong person, his spirits are always high and he is the role model for us, and we await his return every morning to be with us.”

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Injuries of suffocation in Hawara and Hebron.. The occupation closes the entrances to the towns in Hebron and releases gas in Anata

Governorates - "Jerusalem" dot com - Today, Thursday, a number of citizens suffocated during clashes with the Israeli occupation forces and settlers, in the center of the town of Hawara , south of Nablus, and in the south of Hebron .


And press sources reported that a number of citizens suffocated from tear gas and pepper gas, after the occupation forces targeted shops in the center of the town.


The settlers had attacked the citizens on the main street in the center of Hawara, and confronted them, which led to the outbreak of clashes amid heavy shooting of bullets and tear gas.


And in the town of Anata , northeast of Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation forces fired tear gas at the citizens and their vehicles, as part of the systematic siege imposed on them.


In Hebron, the Israeli occupation forces closed the entrances to the towns of Sa’ir, Al-Shuyoukh, and Beit Anoun, northeast of Hebron, and the entrance to Al-Arroub camp to the north, with iron gates, and prevented the movement of citizens, and set up military checkpoints at the entrance to the towns of Tarqumiya and Ithna, west of Hebron.


The occupation forces intensified their punitive measures against the citizens in the Old City of Hebron, and closed a number of roads leading to some of its neighborhoods in the Old Municipality Gate and Al-Zahid area, and prevented the movement of the people, to secure the incursions of hundreds of settlers and the establishment of Talmudic prayers and loud parties inside the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque. Sheriff.


The forces also deployed extensively at the northern entrance to the city of Hebron near the "Halhul Bridge", and at the southern and western entrances to the city in the "Al-Fahs and Farsh Al-Hawa" areas.


In southern Hebron, dozens of students and faculty members fainted and suffocated, as a result of the Israeli occupation forces firing tear gas canisters, at Al-Nahda Basic School for Boys.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Poll: Declining percentage of supporters of the Abrahamic Accords in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE

A translation by Al-Quds.com - A recent Washington Institute poll showed that the percentage of supporters of the Abraham Accords in Saudi Arabia , Bahrain , and the United Arab Emirates has declined since last year.

According to the survey conducted by the American Research Institute, more than two-thirds of citizens in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates view the Abraham Accords in a negative light, less than two years after they were signed.

In a poll conducted by the same institute in November 2020, 47% of Emiratis showed their support for the agreement compared to 49 opposition, and in Bahrain 45% expressed their satisfaction with it compared to 51% opposition, so that the percentages were equal.

The new poll, which was carried out in March of this year, shows a sharp decline in its support, by 25% in Bahrain, compared to 71% who saw it as very negative, and in Bahrain 20% with it, and 76% against it.

In the 2020 poll, 41% of Saudis considered the Abraham Accords positive, compared to 54% opposing them, but the new poll saw only 19% as good, and 75% opposed them.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Egypt reveals the remains of the temple of the god Zeus Cassius

CAIRO - "Jerusalem" dot com - (Xinhua) - The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced today, Monday, the discovery of the remains of the temple of the god Zeus Cassius at the "Tal El-Farma" site in North Sinai, northeast of Cairo.


The ministry said in a statement that an Egyptian archaeological mission operating at the Tell Al-Farma site (Pelozium) in the North Sinai antiquities region succeeded in discovering the remains of the temple during the excavations it was conducting at the site as part of the Sinai development project for the year 2021-2022.


The unearthed temple of the god Zeus Cassius is located about 200 meters west of Pelusium Castle, and 100 meters south of the memorial church at the site, according to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, Mostafa Waziri.


Waziri explained that the location of the discovered temple was determined based on the presence of the remains of a huge gate on the surface of the earth that collapsed in the past due to a strong earthquake that struck the city.


The gate consisted of two columns of pink granite, each about 8 meters long and a meter thick, in addition to a granite upper lintel that was installed at the top of the gate.


For his part, the head of the Egyptian antiquities sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ayman Ashmawy, said that the archaeological mission succeeded in discovering for the first time the remains of the temple, which is built of mud bricks on a raised platform of rubble and broken stones, and its roof bears columns of pink granite, where the entrance to the temple is located towards the east. Pointing out that the ascent to it was by means of an ascending staircase covered with marble.


Ashmawy pointed out that the French archaeologist Jean Claida had managed in 1910 to discover late Greek inscriptions executed on the lintel indicating the presence of the Temple of Zeus Cassius in this place, but he did not find it.


In turn, the head of the Central Department of Antiquities of Lower Egypt, Nadia Khader, said that many huge stone blocks of pink granite were discovered dumped in the streets surrounding the site of the temple, which is likely that the site was later exploited as a quarry and some of its parts were moved to be reused in building churches in Tal Al-Farma. , including the Corinthian crowns of the Temple of Zeus Cassius, which were reused in the memorial church located north of the temple.


While the Director General of Sinai Antiquities, Hisham Hussein, confirmed that those discovered blocks are now being studied, documented and photographed using photographic technology to re-install them using modern programs and technologies, which contributes to reaching the closest architectural design to the Temple of Zeus Cassius.


Hussein explained that the archaeological survey and limited excavation work carried out at the site during the year 1910 by the French archaeologist Jean Claida within the archaeological survey and excavation project of the International Suez Canal Company did not succeed in uncovering the remains of the temple.


However, it revealed in the place a stone block of pink granite with an incomplete inscription in ancient Greek, which was rediscovered again during this season 2022, in addition to another stone block of pink granite with an intaglio inscription in Greek that was discovered for the first time this season. By studying the two blocks, it was found that the texts complement each other. , according to Hussein.


He added that the inscriptions indicate that Emperor Hadrian ordered new additions to the temple of Zeus Cassius, and that the ruler of Egypt, Titus Flavius Titanos, made these additions.


SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

England Championship: Arsenal increases the ordeals of Liverpool and regains the lead, and Ronaldo's 700th goal with clubs

(AFP) - Arsenal increased Liverpool's ordeals when they beat them 3-2 Sunday at the "Emirates" stadium in the capital, London, in the tenth round of the English Football League , and regained the lead.


Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli (1) and Bucayo Saka (45 + 5 and 76 from a penalty kick) scored Arsenal's goals, and Uruguayan Darwin Nunes (34) and Brazilian Roberto Firmino (53) scored Liverpool's goals.


Arsenal hit two birds with one stone, as it regained the lead from Manchester City, who beat Southampton 4-0 on Saturday at the opening stage, and stopped a series of four consecutive defeats against Liverpool in the league.


It is the third successive victory for the London team and the eighth in the league this season, raising its tally to 24 points, one point ahead of Manchester City.


On the other hand, Liverpool suffered its second loss and failed for the third consecutive match to win after two disappointing draws against its neighbor Everton 0-0 and its guest Brighton 3-3, so its score froze at 10 points and fell to tenth place with a postponed match against Chelsea.


Liverpool awaits a fiery summit at home next Sunday against Manchester City.


The Spanish coach of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, praised the personality of his team, and said, "It is a wonderful victory, especially the way we played and the atmosphere we created. We deserved to win."


He added, "Liverpool were very effective in the way they translated their chances, but we showed a lot of composure and personality in difficult moments to beat them."


Arsenal first scored, specifically after 58 seconds and from the first attack, when French defender William Saliba snatched a ball from Nuñez and passed it to Ben White and from him to Saka on the right side, so he went off and passed it to the Norwegian Martin Odegaard, so he prepared it on a plate of gold to Martinelli, who penetrated from behind into the area, to follow it inside. The goal of compatriot Alisson Becker.


It is the fastest goal for Arsenal at home since Robin van Persie's goal against Sunderland in October 2011 after 29 seconds, and it is the fastest goal for the London team against Liverpool in the Premier League, according to "Opta" statistics.


It was the first and most dangerous opportunity for Liverpool when the Egyptian international, Mohamed Salah, passed a ball behind the defense to Nunes, and he hit it hard with his right hand, which was removed by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (26).


Saliba almost deceived his goalkeeper when he cut a ball for Salah from the right, but Ramsdale pushed it away with difficulty (30).


Nuñez managed to equalize when he took advantage of a ball on a plate of gold from Colombian Luis Dias after a long ball by Trent Alexander-Arnold, which Brazilian defender Gabriel failed to clear, so he followed it with his right to the left of Ramsdale (34).


It is the second goal for Nunes this season after the first against Fulham (2-2) in the first stage.


Liverpool suffered a painful blow by injuring his wing, Dias, so he left his place for Firmino (42).


Arsenal succeeded in advancing again, following a counterattack led by Brazilian Gabriel Jesús, and from him to Martinelli, who started from the right side and penetrated into the area before passing a cross that was followed by the unmarked Saka into the goal (45 + 5).


Odegaard missed the opportunity to reinforce when he received a ball at the edge of the area from Martinelli, so he penetrated and hit it powerfully creeping into the hands of Alison (50).


Firmino managed to equalize for Liverpool when he received a wonderful ball from Portuguese Diogo Jota behind the defense, so he penetrated into the area and hit it with his left crawling to the left of Ramsdale (53), scoring his sixth goal this season.


Arsenal got a penalty kick after Spaniard Thiago Alcantara blocked Jesus inside the area, so Saka successfully set it up (76).


Klopp expressed his anger at referee Michael Oliver's decision to award a "soft" penalty kick, with which the London club decided the result in his favor, pointing out that the friction between Thiago and Jesus did not deserve a penalty kick.


"The situation around the penalty kick, of course, should have canceled it," Klopp told BBC Sport. "Now I saw it and I think you can imagine I don't think it's a clear penalty, it's a very soft penalty."


"Overall it was a good game away from home against a good team. We caused a lot of problems, but we are standing here without points. I think we deserved to draw."


Portuguese international striker Cristiano Ronaldo led his Manchester United team to restore balance locally and erase the disappointment of the humiliating loss against neighbor Manchester City 6-3 in the last stage, by defeating Everton 2-1.


Everton was the first to score through Nigerian Alex Iwobi with a wonderful shot from outside the area (5), and Brazilian newcomer Anthony equalized with a shot from inside the area after a pass from Frenchman Anthony Martial (15).


Dutch coach for United, Eric ten Hag, had to replace Martial due to injury and the involvement of Ronaldo (30).


And the Don succeeded in giving United the lead after only 15 minutes when he received a pass from his former Real Madrid colleague Casimiro, so he penetrated into the area and shot it powerfully creeping into the goal (44).


It is Ronaldo's first goal (37 years) in the league this season, raising his tally to 144 goals with United, who is defending his colors for the second time in his career.


The Portuguese scored 450 goals with Spanish Real Madrid, 101 goals with Italian Juventus, and five with his starting Sporting team.
United climbed to fifth place with 15 points compared to 10 for Everton twelfth.


West Ham continued its revival by defeating Fulham 3-1 at home.


And the London team found itself lagging behind with an early goal scored by Brazilian Andreas Pereira in the fifth minute with a wonderful shot from inside the area at the ceiling of the Polish goal, Lukasz Fabianski, but he caused a penalty kick for the owners of the land in the 29th minute after he was hindered by Craig Dawson Fanbury, who successfully scored Jarrod Bowen, equalizing.


The Italian international newcomer, Gianluca Scamaka, gave West Ham the lead at the beginning of the second half, after a dropped pass behind the defense inside the area from the other newcomer, the Brazilian international midfielder Lucas Paqueta. Mikael Antonio won by scoring the third goal in the first minute of stoppage time, taking advantage of a fatal mistake by goalkeeper Leno and one of his defenders to clear the ball.
West Ham rose to thirteenth place with ten points, while its neighbor's balance was frozen at 11 in ninth place.
Crystal Palace regained its balance by turning the tables on its guest Leeds 2-1.
Leeds was the first to score through Dutchman Pascal Strwick (10), but Palace responded with French Odson Edouard (24) and Iberici Easy (76).

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Tunisian organizations accuse the electoral commission of threatening freedom of expression

Tunisia - (AFP) - Tunisian non-governmental organizations on Tuesday accused the electoral commission of threatening freedom of expression after it took legal action against media outlets and social media pages for alleged irregularities related to the referendum on the new constitution in July.


On December 22, the Independent High Authority for Elections filed 24 complaints before the Court of First Instance in Tunis against media outlets and Facebook pages, on charges including “defamation,” “insulting good morals,” “foreign funding,” “political advertising,” and “insulting the dignity of voters,” according to what was stated in the Official Gazette.


The commission said that these violations were committed through leaflets during the electoral campaign for the July 25 referendum, which witnessed a large abstention in voting on a new constitution that would impose an enhanced presidential system proposed by President Kais Saied.


In a joint statement, 28 Tunisian non-governmental organizations denounced "threats made by the Electoral Commission against freedom of opinion and expression that amounted to censorship of the media," and considered this "a backward, poor practice hostile to freedoms."


Non-governmental organizations, including the Journalists Syndicate, the Tunisian Association for Rights and Freedoms, and the Tunisian Organization for the Prevention of Torture, condemned the "censorship" practiced by the commission and the "police's role as a watchdog over public opinion and the media."


The organizations expressed their astonishment at "the Electoral Commission's lack of interest in the integrity and transparency of the electoral process and the provision of a sound electoral climate based on freedom."


Since President Kais Saied monopolized the executive and legislative powers in July 2021, many local and international NGOs have denounced the decline in freedoms in Tunisia.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Under the pressure of the protests, Iran announces the dissolution of the morality police

Tehran - (AFP) - Iranian Public Prosecutor Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Jaafar Montazeri announced the abolition of the morality police by the relevant authorities, as reported by the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) on Sunday.


Montazeri said on Saturday evening in the Shiite holy city of Qom, "The morality police has nothing to do with the judiciary, and whoever established it abolished it."


During a religious conference, the Public Prosecutor was responding to a question he asked about the reason for "closing the morality police".


The morality police, known locally as "Kesht Arshad" (meaning the Guidance Patrols), were established during the era of the ultra-conservative former Iranian President Mohammad Ahmadinejad in order to "spread the culture of decent dress and veil."


It includes men in green suits and women in chadors.


This unit started its first patrols in 2006.

SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

French Championship: The deficient Saint-Germain settles for a goalless draw with Reims, and a first loss for Marseille

(AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain, who played with ten players throughout the second half, was satisfied with the dismissal of its Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, in a goalless draw with its humble host Reims, Saturday, in the tenth stage of the French Football Championship .


Despite being satisfied with one point, the French capital team moved away from the lead, taking advantage of Marseille's sudden loss at home to Ajaccio 1-2, before their match in the "Classico" next week.


Saint-Germain has 26 points, 3 points ahead of Marseille, but Lorient, third and the surprise of the season, can narrow the gap to one point from the leaders if it beats Brest on Sunday.


Saint-Germain played the match in the absence of its Argentine star, Lionel Messi, who suffers from a slight calf injury, and his coach, Christophe Galtier, preferred to rest him before the return match against Benfica in the Champions League next week.


Messi had asked to be substituted in the final minutes of his team's match against Benfica (1-1) in the Champions League on Wednesday, suffering from a slight calf injury, following the intervention of one of the opponent's players.


"Leo will rest. He will return to training Sunday and Monday before the return match against Benfica," Galtier said in a press conference on the eve of the match. Brazilian star Neymar also sat on the benches of the reserve players before participating in the last half hour. As for Kylian Mbappe, the footballer with the highest income, according to Forbes magazine, he participated mainly after recovering from a sore throat.


Reince was a stubborn match for the French capital team and played without any inferiority complex in the face of a team that excels him in all fields.
Fabian Royce almost opened the scoring when he fired a powerful ball, which was blocked by Reins goalkeeper Yavan Diouf (14). Then Diouf intervened to stop Mbappe alone in the 33rd minute, after a deep pass from Spaniard Gerard Soler.


The referee expelled Sergio Ramos, who intercepted one of the Reims players as he advanced towards the goal, and quickly raised the second in his face a few seconds later, perhaps because the player directed obscene phrases towards him in the 41st minute, so that his team completed the match with ten players.


Consequently, Ramos received his twenty-first red card in his career in the French and Spanish leagues, according to the "Opta" statistics website, that is, 7 more cards than any other defender in the five major European championships.


The second half did not witness real opportunities on the part of the two sides, as each of them scored one point.

Marseille suffered its first loss this season in the league, by suddenly falling at home to Ajaccio 1-2.


At the Velodrome stadium, and unlike their impressive display against Sporting Portugal (4-1) in the Champions League in the middle of the week, the hosts made a very bad show despite opening the scoring through team captain Dimitri Payet from a penalty kick after a handball inside the area after a quarter of an hour had passed to score. His 100th goal in the colors of his team.


However, Congolese Bevek Musetti Omo equalized with a creeping shot (25), before Marseille's Argentine player, Leonardo Balleridi, gave Ajaccio the victory by scoring the second goal, a mistake in his own goal (47).


Marseille's new Croatian coach, Igor Tudor, threw three new strikers in the second half, the Colombian Luis Soares, the Moroccan Amine Harith and the Senegalese Bamba Dieng, without any of them being able to equalize at least.


Tudor commented on his team's loss, saying, "We did not expect not to lose throughout the season, but it is certainly difficult to lose at home against the bottom of the standings," stressing that he is "very angry" at the present time.
"We must learn the lesson, raise our heads and look forward," he added.
As for Payet, he said, "We started the match very well, but without any reason, and after we opened the scoring, we slackened a bit, so the opposing team took advantage of the situation."
Ironically, Ajaccio had only scored 5 goals in its first nine matches in the league, where it ranks eighteenth.
On the other hand, Marseille is waiting for two strong matches next week, as it will visit Sporting in the second leg, and then play the El Clasico match against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

The sacking of Luis Enrique as coach of the Spain national team

Doha - (AFP) - The Spanish Football Federation sacked its first-team coach, Luis Enrique , after "La Roja" was eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Morocco by penalty kicks.


"President Luis Rubiales and sporting director Jose Francisco Molina have informed the coach of the decision," the RFEF said in a statement on Thursday.


Enrique, 52, took charge of the Spain national team in 2018 and led them to the European Cup semi-finals last summer.


And after a crushing victory over Costa Rica, opening 7-0, the largest in the history of its participation in the World Cup, the 2010 champion tied with Germany 1-1 before losing to Japan 1-2.


In the final price, Morocco took possession of the ball, but lost to it on penalties 0-3 after they tied without goals.


And while the federation expressed in its statement its “thanks to Luis Enrique and his coaching staff,” it indicated that it had submitted a report “in which it was decided to start a new project for the Spanish football team, with the aim of continuing the growth achieved in recent years thanks to the work done by Enrique and his assistants.”


The federation did not refer to Enrique's possible replacement, but the Spanish press talked about possible candidates, Luis de la Fuente, the current coach of Spain's U-21 national team and the Spanish Olympic team, as well as the former coach of Valencia, Seville and Athletic Bilbao Marcelino.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

We are approaching an operation in the West Bank.. Bar Lev: We will reach the perpetrator of the Shuafat operation

Translation by "Al-Quds" dot com - The Israeli Minister of Internal Security , Omer Bar-Lev , said, on Sunday, that the perpetrator of yesterday's attack at the Shuafat checkpoint, withdrew from the place on foot towards the Shuafat camp where he lives, and did not flee with the driver of the vehicle, who later turned himself in.


In an interview with the Hebrew Kan radio station, Bar Lev indicated that his forces surrounded the camp and continue to work there closely with the Shin Bet, saying: "I think they will arrest the terrorist, after they arrested the first 3 accomplices with him.. It may take hours or days, but we We'll catch him." according to his expression.


He added, "This is not the first time that terrorists have left East Jerusalem. This is a very difficult incident. I hope the fourth terrorist will be arrested." According to his description.


He noted that his police, army and Shin Bet forces have been on high alert for some time due to the extremely sensitive situation.


In response to a question about not imposing a comprehensive closure on the West Bank due to the holidays, Bar Lev said: "The decision is within the competence of the Minister of Defense, and I have no doubt that a new assessment of the situation will be made with the Prime Minister, and the necessary decision will be taken."


Regarding the situation in the West Bank, he said: "We are doing our best not to lead to a large-scale military operation in the north of the West Bank, but there is no doubt that the events that took place in the past weeks and days were harsh, and if they do not stop and what we are doing is not enough, we will have to carry out a major operation." ".


He added, "With the exception of the difficult incident tonight, the security forces managed to get their hands on the time bombs in Nablus and Jenin. We are approaching a large-scale military operation, but the deadline has not come yet. We need to continue discussions, examinations, and decision-making."

ECONOMY

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Stop lighting municipal buildings at night in the French capital due to the energy crisis

Paris , (AFP) - The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, announced Tuesday that the lighting of the town hall, the Saint-Jacques tower, municipal museums and town halls in the capital's districts will stop at 22:00 (20:00 GMT) starting from September 23 due to the crisis . energy .


The mayor, who refuses to stop street lighting for "security" reasons, will ask the state to "do the same" for the national monuments, and for the owners of private monuments to take measures "in the same direction."


Among the most important landmarks in the capital is the town hall, which was lit until 1 am (23:00 GMT), and the Eiffel Tower will also turn off its lights when the last visitors leave at 23:45 (21:45 GMT), according to Anne Hidalgo.


As for the bridges in the capital, they can be extinguished if this coincides with the safety necessities of river navigation, according to what was announced by the assistant in the Paris municipality in charge of environmental transformation issues, Dan Laert.


Temperatures in city buildings will be reduced by one degree during the day from 19 to 18 degrees Celsius, with the exception of nursing homes and nurseries, and to 12 degrees Celsius in the evening and on weekends, i.e. during “periods when these buildings are vacant,” Hidalgo announced. .


She stressed that the city council wants to delay the start of heating buildings in the morning by "30 minutes" in the time period "winter is approaching". She reassured that the delay would be canceled in the event of a drop in temperatures in November.


And temperatures will be lowered in about forty swimming pools in Paris by one degree "outside the water and in the pool," Hidalgo said. It was set at 27 degrees for air and 26 degrees for water.


The goal of the Emergency Plan for Balance is to "reduce consumption by 10 percent," which is equivalent to "the energy consumption of 226 schools," Hidalgo said.


Energy prices have risen significantly in the past months due to tensions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and individuals, institutions and public bodies in many countries are seeking to reduce energy consumption.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Lebanon records its first death from cholera, with an outbreak of the disease in Syria

Beirut - (AFP) - The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that it had recorded the first death from cholera , with the number of infections rising after an outbreak of the highly dangerous disease in neighboring Syria .


Lebanon recorded 26 cases of cholera this month, in light of the collapse of the sewage system and infrastructure, three years after the start of the unprecedented economic crisis.


"What unites these cases is that the majority of them are displaced Syrians," Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad said on Tuesday.


"What constitutes a fertile ground for the spread of the epidemic in Lebanon is the absence of basic services in the places where refugees gather, such as safe water or water drainage," Al-Abyadh added.


Syria recorded 41 cholera deaths and more than 700 infections, according to what was reported on Tuesday by the official news agency (SANA).


For its part, the United Nations warned earlier this month that the outbreak was "evolving in an alarming manner."


Lebanon hosts more than a million refugees who fled the Syrian war that broke out in 2011.


Most Syrian refugees live in poverty, their living conditions worsened by Lebanon's economic problems.


Cholera is generally transmitted from contaminated food or water and causes diarrhea and vomiting.


It can spread in residential areas that lack proper sanitation or drinking water.


Cholera can kill within hours if left untreated, according to the World Health Organization, but many infected people are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.


The disease can be easily treated with oral rehydration solution, but more serious cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization.


The disease affects between 1.3 million to four million people every year around the world, and leads to death between 21 thousand and 143 thousand people.

SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

UEFA threatens to exclude Paris and Marseille from European competitions

Paris Saint- Germain and Marseille are now threatened with sanctions by the European Football Association (UEFA) because of the material losses they suffer and their lack of commitment to fair financial play policies, according to a French press report.


Yesterday, Friday, the newspaper "L'Equipe" reported that the financial authority of the European Union had approved a settlement agreement with the two clubs, which includes economic sanctions that may be accompanied by sports sanctions, in the event that the situation does not change during the coming seasons.


Paris Saint-Germain's losses have exceeded the permitted 30 million euros, in the last 3 seasons.

It has become necessary for Paris and Marseille to adjust their accounts, in order to avoid exposure to harsh penalties, which may amount to exclusion from participating in European competitions.

The UEFA Financial Authority was not satisfied with the files sent by the two clubs, to be fined financially.

It is noteworthy that Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille are participating in the European Champions League this season, and they are awaiting the group stage draw, which is scheduled for August 25.

SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Haniyeh honors sports expert Abdel Hamid Shaheen, the founder of volleyball


Gaza - "Jerusalem" dot com - Ahmed Al-Masharawi - Assistant Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Vice President of the Volleyball Association, Abdul Salam Haniyeh, one of the founders of the Palestinian volleyball game and President of the Game Association from 1978-1994, honored Hajj Abdul Hamid Ibrahim Shaheen, in the presence of An elite group of sports and volleyball leaders, led by Muammar Bseiso, Ali Abu Hassanein, Hosni Al-Mughni, Walid Ayoub, President of the Olympic Council, and Fathi Joudeh, former Secretary General of the Olympic Committee.


Abdul Salam Haniyeh praised the rich history of Hajj Shaheen in establishing the game and granting it international membership, and touched on bright stations in his life in arbitration, studies, training courses, and sports leadership outside the country in Kuwait and other countries, and conveyed the greetings of his father, Ismail Haniyeh, to the sports family. In turn, he thanked Shaheen Haniyeh for this gesture, in the presence of the sports leaders with whom he contributed to the establishment and development of volleyball, and expressed his pride in what he presented and wished success to all athletes in Palestine.


Hajj Al-Mughni, one of the founders of the volleyball game, talked about the memories that brought him together with Shaheen in Kuwait, the difficult conditions that accompanied Palestinian sports, and the Palestinian athletes standing at the forefront of the ranks to raise the flag of the homeland. Al-Mughni thanked Abdel Salam Haniyeh for appreciating the athletes and celebrating them on all occasions.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Egypt reopens the Rafah crossing tomorrow

Gaza - "Al Quds" dot com - Tomorrow, Sunday, the Egyptian authorities will reopen the Rafah land crossing in both directions for the movement of travelers to and from the Gaza Strip .

The crossing was closed last week for the entire Eid al-Adha holiday.

From 3 to 7 July 2022, the crossing witnessed the departure of 2,547 passengers and the arrival of 6,881 returnees, according to the General Authority for Crossings and Borders at the Ministry of Interior in Gaza.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Hackers attack the websites of a number of US airports

Washington (AFP) - Websites at several major US airports were briefly down on Monday, following cyber attacks instigated by a pro-Russian hacking group.


The "Distributed Denial of Service" (DDoS) attacks targeted the websites of airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and St. Louis.


Distributed denial-of-service attacks flood websites and servers with erroneous traffic and confuse them, impairing their functionality or completely disabling them.


The attacks on US airport websites began after the pro-Russian hacking group KillNet published a list of targeted sites and encouraged its supporters to attack them.


The electronic attacks affected websites that provide services to travelers only and not those concerned with operations.


Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta said its site was "returned to operation after an accident early this morning rendered it unavailable to the public."


"An investigation is underway into the accident," he added, noting that operations at the airport were not affected at any time.


It appeared that most of the targeted airport sites returned to work normally after they were temporarily suspended from connecting to the Internet.


Last week, the Killnet group claimed responsibility for attacks on a number of US government websites, as well as those of other countries opposed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
There was no immediate comment from the US Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Two young men from Nablus were injured while trying to enter the 48 lands

Qalqilya - "Jerusalem" dot.com - Two young men from the village of Orif, south of Nablus , were injured while trying to enter the 1948 lands to work.


According to press sources, the occupation forces shot the two young men near the separation wall, west of Habla town, south of Qalqilya.



ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Cuba records an increase in the number of tourists and hopes that more Russians will come

Havana - \ (AFP) - The number of foreign tourists in Cuba so far this year has reached six times more than in the same period in 2021, but it is still below the levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic, the government said Saturday. .


Officials hope that Russian tourists will flow in when the number of flights returns to normal, that is, to what it was before flights were canceled due to the repercussions of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.


The National Statistics Office reported that 834,891 tourists visited the island between January and July inclusive, compared to 141,293 tourists in the first seven months of 2021.


International tourism constitutes the second largest economic activity in Cuba, but travel restrictions due to the pandemic and the ongoing US embargo caused numbers to decline in 2020 and 2021.


The total number of foreign tourists decreased from 4.2 million in 2019 to almost 1 million in 2020.


But after the outbreak of Covid-19 has been better controlled, the authorities in Cuba hope to receive 2.5 million tourists this year.
Cuba depends, in particular, on the recovery of tourism, thanks to Russian tourists, whose number exceeded the number of Canadian tourists in 2020 and 2021, after Canada was the largest source of tourists in Cuba.


Last week, the Cuban ambassador to Moscow, Julio Garmendia, said in an interview with the Izvestia daily that there are efforts to return air traffic to normal levels by winter.


"We know that the Russians are again yearning for a vacation in Cuba, and the Cuban people are waiting for them with special hospitality," he added, according to the official Cubadebate blog.


ONS figures indicate that Canada tops the list of countries from which tourists come to Cuba, with 258,896 Canadians having visited Cuba by the end of July.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Al-Marsad Al-Arabi: The closure of Palestinian human rights organizations is a blatant attack on the international human rights system

Ramallah - "Al Quds" dot com - The Arab Observatory for Human Rights condemned, in a statement today, the Israeli authorities' closure of seven Palestinian civil and human rights organizations and institutions, and direct incitement against these institutions, in a flagrant defiance of the international human rights system, and a violation of rights and freedoms.

The Observatory considered that these arbitrary measures against these institutions come within the framework of covering up the crimes of the occupying power, and are an integral part of the comprehensive aggression against the Palestinian presence.

The Arab Observatory for Human Rights called on the international community and international and regional organizations concerned with human rights to put an end to the violations of the occupation, hold it accountable for these crimes, provide protection for the Palestinian people and civil work institutions, and put pressure on the occupying state to stop the ongoing aggression against it.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Is it permissible to pay Hajj expenses in installments?

Cairo - "Jerusalem" dot com - Regarding the ruling on Hajj in installments, Dr. Shawky Allam, Mufti of Egypt: It is legally established that the ownership of the expenses of Hajj or Umrah, which is expressed in jurisprudence in terms of provisions and travel, is a condition of obligation and not a condition of validity, meaning that the person’s lack of ownership of it at the time of Hajj does not mean that the Hajj is invalid; Rather, it means that it is not obligatory for him, so if he does not perform Hajj at that time, then there is no sin on him. But if he enters ihram for Hajj, then he is obliged to complete it, and his Hajj is valid, and the obligatory argument falls from him.

The Mufti asked why the Muslim fabricates fulfilling the conditions of the Hajj. A Muslim who does not have the full expenses of Hajj will not be held accountable by God Almighty for not performing the Hajj. God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

As for the ruling on presenting Umrah or Hajj as a prize in a competition, a grant, a reward from work, or an invitation from a person, there is nothing wrong with that, provided that all of this is done through legitimate means and in accordance with the laws in force.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We follow around the clock the conditions of the embassy, the community and students in Ukraine

Ramallah - "Al-Quds" dot com - The political advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Ahmed Al-Deek, confirmed that the Ministry is following up around the clock the conditions of the Embassy of the State of Palestine , the community and students in Ukraine in order to check on them.


Al-Deek said during a phone call with the Palestinian ambassador to Ukraine, Hashem Dajani, that the embassy staff is fine and on top of its work at its headquarters in Kiev.


In turn, Dajani confirmed that the embassy staff is conducting a series of contacts with all members of the Palestinian community, students and Arab brothers to check on their safety.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

The occupation renews preventing the secretary of the "Fatah" movement from entering the West Bank

Jerusalem - "Al Quds" dot com - The Israeli occupation authorities renewed today, Tuesday, the decision to prevent Fatah movement secretary in Jerusalem, Shadi Mottour, from entering the West Bank.


The new decision is valid for an additional 6 months.


The occupation authorities impose similar decisions from time to time on Jerusalemite personalities within the framework of the policy of collective punishment.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Settler assault on a citizen in the northern Jordan Valley

The Jordan Valley - "Jerusalem" dot com - Today, Tuesday, settlers attacked the citizen, Fathi Daraghmeh, while he was grazing his cows in the Ain Al-Hilweh area in the northern Jordan Valley .


According to press sources, the settlers have started building works near Al-Ain, which raises fears that they will close additional areas of pastoral lands.


SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Spain Championship: Barcelona narrowly returns to the top

(AFP) - Barcelona regained the lead by narrowly defeating Celta Vigo 1-0 on Sunday at the "Spotify Camp Nou" in Barcelona in the eighth phase of the Spanish Football League championship.


The Catalan club owes its seventh successive victory to its international midfielder Pedri, who scored the only goal in the 17th minute, while the present absentee was his Polish scorer Robert Lewandowski, who did not threaten the guests' goal throughout the match.


Barcelona was the best party in the first half, but without much danger to the goal of its guests, who rose up in the second half and were close to scoring on more than one occasion had it not been for the brilliance of German international goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who saved more than one opportunity and secured three points. Valuable to his team.


Barcelona regained the top spot in La Liga with 22 points and a goal difference in front of arch-rivals Real Madrid, the defending champions, before the hot El Clasico between them next Sunday at the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium in Madrid at the summit of the ninth stage.


Barcelona regained the winning streak before hosting Inter, Italy, on Wednesday, at a crucial summit of its path in the Champions League competition, where it will be required to win to maintain its hopes of competing for the second card in Group C, and avenge its loss to the Italian team, 0-1, on Tuesday, in the third round.


Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso said, "We suffered at the end of the match, but we achieved the most important thing by getting the three points. We have to improve so as not to give the opponent chances to score."


He added, "Now we have to rest and prepare to face Inter, on which we bet everything in order to continue the campaign in the Champions League."


On the other hand, Celta Vigo captain Yago Aspas said, "We deserved more than a draw. We made a great second half and got six chances, and when you don't take advantage of them at Camp Nou, where you face a big team, you pay a heavy price."


The Catalan club imposed its advantage from the start and succeeded in translating it into a goal in the 17th minute, when Pedri took advantage of a ball that defender Unai Nunes frivolously removed after a cross pass by Gavi from the left, and he followed it into the empty goal.


Jordi Alba missed the opportunity to reinforce after receiving a wonderful pass from captain Sergio Busquets inside the area, and he hit it next to the right post (23).


Ter Stegen saved the Catalan club's goal from a goal when he cut Yago Aspas' pass to Argentine Franco Cervi inside the area at an appropriate time (31).


Celta Vigo imposed his preference at the beginning of the second half, and Aspas continued his brilliance in assists and prepared a ball on a platter for Oscar Rodrigues inside the area, but he recklessly hit it away from the three sticks (48).


Defender Marcos Alonso saved Barcelona from the equalizer by blocking Rodriguez's shot from close range (56).


French international Osman Dembele, substitute for Brazilian international Rafinha, tried his luck with a powerful shot from inside the area in the hands of Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Marchisen (83).


Ter Stegen continued his brilliance by blocking with his left a creeping shot by Aspas from close range and Gerard Pique turned it into a corner (84), and a ball was prepared in front of Hugo Mayo in front of the goal and he hit it near the left post (84).


The Portuguese substitute, Gonzalo Paciencia, was denied an equalizer by returning his shot from close range (90 + 4), then Ter Stegen blocked a powerful ball by Carles Pires (90 + 7).

Real Betis continued bleeding points and failed to regain third place by falling into a goalless draw against its host Valladolid.
The men of the Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini missed the opportunity to take advantage of the fall of Athletic Bilbao in a draw trap in front of its host Sevilla 1-1 on Saturday.


Real Betis also neglected the opportunity to regain fourth place from Atletico Madrid, which won 2-1 against Girona on Saturday as well, and fell to fifth place, on goal difference from the second pole of the capital.


It is the first draw for Real Betis this season, and it came after losing 0-1 to Celta Vigo in the seventh stage. It was his second this season after the first against Real Madrid 1-2 in the fourth stage, when the latter put an end to his three consecutive victories and broke up with him the lead partnership.


On the other hand, Valladolid tied for the second time this season against two wins and four defeats, raising its tally to eight points in thirteenth place.


Real Sociedad continued its uprising by defeating its guest Villarreal 1-0, scored by Price Mendes in the 33rd minute.


It is the third successive victory for Real Sociedad and the fifth this season, raising its tally to 16 points and climbing to sixth place, on goal difference, behind fourth Atletico Madrid and fifth Real Betis.


Villarreal suffered his second loss in his last four matches, in which he did not taste victory, so his score froze at 12 points and fell to ninth place.
Cadiz tied with Espanyol, with two goals for Victor Schust (41) and Lucas Perez (78), compared to two goals for Jesolo (51 and 67).
Espanyol raised its tally to six points in the seventeenth place, compared to five points for Cadiz, the penultimate nineteenth.
The stage ends on Monday with Elche's meeting with Real Mallorca.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Nine dead and injured in a traffic accident in Algeria

Algeria - (AFP) - Nine people were killed and six others injured in a collision between a truck and a bus on Saturday night in the province of Illizi, southeastern Algeria, according to what the Algerian Civil Protection Directorate announced on Sunday.


According to a first statement by the directorate, its units "interfered last night (Saturday) at 10:15 a.m., following a traffic accident involving a collision between a bus transporting workers and a truck transporting fuel on National Road No. 3 in the state of Illizi, which left eight dead and seven injured."


In a second statement on its Facebook page, it announced that the death toll had risen to nine, after the death of one of the injured, in the accident that occurred in Bordj Omar Idris, 1,200 km southeast of Algiers.


According to the annual report of the National Delegation for Road Safety, a government body, Algeria witnessed 22,000 traffic accidents last year, killing 3,061 people and injuring 29,763 others.


According to the delegation in charge of collecting data related to traffic accidents, the "human factor", especially reckless driving by young drivers, is the primary cause of accidents, but also some road sections classified as "black spots", especially on the east-west highway that extends over more than of 1,200 km, and the national road that connects the capital in the far north with Tamanrasset in the south, with a length of 2,000 km.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

Trump's first wife, Ivana, dies

New York - (DBA / TCA) - Former US President Donald Trump announced the death of his ex-wife, Ivana Trump, at the age of 73.


"I am deeply saddened to inform all of those who loved her, which are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York," Trump said on the "Truth" social media platform.


"She was an amazing, beautiful, amazing woman who led an amazing and inspiring life," he added.


Police went to Ivana Trump's home in Manhattan, New York, and no crime was suspected behind the death, according to the New York Daily News.


It is noteworthy that Ivana Trump is the mother of the president's daughter, Ivanka, and his two sons, Don Jr. and Eric. Trump married her in 1977 and they divorced in 1992.

OPINIONS

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

A promising Arab democratic experience

Written by: Dr. Ali Mohammed Fakhro


The Arab people in Kuwait have the right to be proud that their growing democratic system over the decades is one of the best Arab democratic systems, and that their practice of that system, despite some shortcomings, mistakes and temporary setbacks, is one of the best Arab practices.
The results of the recent elections, and the accompanying corrections of past mistakes and indications of maturity in the political and social orientations of the voters, have proven that the unjust charge launched by some enthusiasts in some circles of the West, that the Arabs are not qualified to practice democracy and accept the intellectual principles that stem from it, is an orientalist charge. Synthetic racism.
Rather, it proved more than that, as at a time when democracy is declining in some countries in the West, and at a time when many voters in the West tend to choose the right-wing populist forces that hate foreigners and call for a return to ethnic, religious, or cultural isolation, voters in Kuwait tended to Towards more Arab self-liberal ideas, and towards further distancing from demagoguery and puritanical ideas.
Nevertheless, we must await the results of these changes in the Kuwaiti electoral scene in terms of practices in the next Kuwaiti Parliament: the extent of depth and objectivity of the discussions, the extent to which legislation favors the poor, the marginalized and women and towards more democratic openness, and the extent to which adherence to national, pan-Arab and unitary commitments is made, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue. , and the extent of the contribution to rebuilding the Gulf Cooperation Council in order to achieve the interests of all its peoples, and their historical social relations, and the extent to which the Kuwaiti oil wealth is used to launch knowledge-based technological and productive development projects that contribute to the required Arab economic and civilizational advancement.
The list may seem long, difficult, and complicated, but what is important is the amount of effort, seriousness, and harmony between the parliamentary blocs and the struggling members committed to major issues. Verification will also require a conducive environment.
From this atmosphere, the extent of the intimacy of the relationship between Parliament and the government, and the extent of its commitment to the requirements of democracy in terms of flexibility, give and take, reasonable consensual solutions, and sensitivity towards the virtue of justice.
Among this atmosphere, as a top priority, is the extent to which voters follow the sayings, positions, and discussions of those who elected them, and hold them accountable for any shortcoming, or any retreat from their previous electoral promises, and remind them of the voters’ ability to punish during the upcoming future elections. This democracy will not succeed unless the voter remains interested in the general political life, in the parliamentary debates, and in communicating with the elected in a periodic, interactive manner.
Many attempts to transition to Arab democracy have faltered, for internal and external reasons, and some have begun to tire of committing to the struggle for it. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the Kuwaiti democratic experiment succeed, which overcame internal obstacles and external conspiracies, as confirmation that the transition to a democratic political, economic and social system Just, even if it is gradual and difficult, across the entire Arab world, has become a demand that can be achieved, provided that the people do not get tired of adhering to it and fighting for its realization in the reality of Arab life. In agreement with the Gulf

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 9:06 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Bar Association decides to suspend its work on Sunday and continue the protest activities

Ramallah - "Jerusalem" dot com - The Council of the Bar Association decided, on Saturday evening, to continue the protest activities and suspend work throughout the day Sunday before all regular, military and administrative courts of all types and levels, as well as before the prosecution offices of these courts, including the settlement courts and the exception of the notary public. Releases on bail and recovery of detention orders, as well as procedures related to legal periods.


The union stated in a statement that the union council will convene on an emergency basis on the same date to evaluate the outcomes of the aforementioned coordinating council meeting.


And she added that the Syndicate Council will address the members of the Coordinating Council to stand up to their historical and national responsibilities.


The Syndicate stressed that the compass should be towards the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in a way that preserves the dignity of citizens and their rights and public freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law, pointing to maintaining the language of dialogue and the extended hand of the Syndicate Council for partnership and advancing the justice sector, given that lawyers are the aides of the judiciary and partners in building justice.