Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 16, Palestinian officials say/node/2583932/middle-east
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 16, Palestinian officials say
Palestinians inspect the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, December 22, 2024. (REUTERS)
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 16, Palestinian officials say
Israel has continued to carry out daily strikes in Gaza more than 14 months into the war with Hamas
Updated 22 December 2024
AP
DEIR AL-BALAH: Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 16 people, Palestinian medical officials said.
A strike on a school housing displaced people in Gaza City killed at least six people, including four children, according to the Civil Defense, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run government. The Israeli military said it carried out a precise strike on Hamas militants sheltering there.
A strike on a home in the central city of Deir Al-Balah late Saturday killed at least eight people, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies. A further two people were killed in a strike in the southern city of Khan Younis on Sunday, just after midnight, according to the nearby Nasser Hospital.
There was no immediate comment from the military on those strikes.
Israel has continued to carry out daily strikes in Gaza more than 14 months into the war with Hamas. It says it only targets militants, whom it accuses of hiding among civilians, but the bombings frequently kill women and children.
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in a surprise attack, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s subsequent bombardment and ground invasion have killed over 45,000 people in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count.
The offensive has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps along the coast as the cold, wet winter sets in.
Israel has been carrying out a major operation in northern Gaza since early October, battling Hamas in the most isolated and heavily damaged part of the territory. Tens of thousands have fled as the military has ordered a complete evacuation and allowed almost no humanitarian aid to enter.
The Israeli military body overseeing civilian affairs in Gaza, known as COGAT, said it had facilitated the evacuation of over 100 patients, caregivers and others from the Kamal Adwan Hospital and the Awda Hospital in the far north, which have struggled to function. COGAT said it had also facilitated the delivery of 5,000 liters of fuel and food packages to the hospitals.
Israeli authorities also allowed Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, to enter Gaza and celebrate a pre-Christmas Mass with members of the territory’s small Christian community. The Latin Patriarchate confirmed the visit in a brief statement.
‘Good morning, teacher!’ Senegal introduces English in nursery schools
Updated 1 min 47 sec ago
AFP
DAKAR: “Good morning, teacher!” a chorus of Senegalese five-year-olds responded at a school where English has been introduced alongside the official language of French.
The pupils at the nursery school near central Dakar repeated the English words out loud.
“They’re interested in the lesson, and they start a conversation with ‘how are you?’” teacher Absa Ndiaye said.
Hers is one of more than 600 classes in Senegal that have been testing a new program of teaching English in nursery and primary schools since mid-January in a push for better connectivity with the wider world.
The developing country, which has seen a massive youth boom but also an exodus of young people searching for a better life, has recently become an oil and gas producer.
Senegal is a member of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations and uses French in public schools and in administration.
Students also learn Arabic and the country’s national languages.
Until recently, English was only taught in public high schools and universities, although it is sometimes taught from nursery school onwards in the private sector.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was elected in March on a nationalist ticket, is trying to recalibrate Senegal’s relationship with former colonial power France after decades of strong ties, without breaking away altogether.
Senegal will remain “the steadfast and reliable ally” of all its foreign partners, Faye announced, emphasising his desire to widen Senegal’s prospects.
Despite seven years of teaching, “students can barely communicate properly in English,” lamented Aissatou Sarr Cisse, who is in charge of the Education Ministry’s English program.
“We’re starting from a younger age so that they can improve their language skills.
“The aim is to shape people who are open to the world. Mastering English will give them access to opportunities and facilitate better collaboration with Senegal’s partners,” she said.
In the pilot schools, English is taught every Tuesday and Thursday — two lessons of 25 minutes each in nursery and two 30-minute lessons in primary schools.
The subjects taught include family, colors, everyday greetings, the environment and the weather.
Teacher Mamadou Kama listens to a conversation in English between two 13-year-olds in his class of around 60 at a primary school in Dakar’s working-class Medina neighborhood.
“I can see that the students are motivated. Some of them are asking for English lessons to be (taught) every day,” Kama, who has a degree in English, said.
Most of the teachers have not yet received the digital teaching materials the ministry is meant to provide, but Kama has tablets, video projectors and USB sticks given by the school’s management.
“We haven’t had the time to create handbooks. Computers have been ordered, and in the meantime, we have provided students with printed documents with fun pictures,” Cisse, from the education ministry, said.
The ministry has “invested in teachers who are proficient in English” and have been selected and trained after an application process, Cisse added.
The initiative has been praised by Ousmane Sene, director of the Dakar-based West African Research Center, which handles academic exchanges between US and west African universities.
“English is the most common language at an international level and it’s the most used language in diplomacy and international cooperation, so it’s an additional asset,” Sene said.
Additionally, the bulk of “global scientific output is written in English. If Senegal doesn’t adapt to this way of accessing knowledge, there will be an epistemological wall,” said his university colleague Mathiam Thiam, who was involved in creating the program.
But Sene said there was a “prerequisite — to train and equip the teachers well.”
Opponents of the scheme have criticized a shortfall in teachers.
“On these grounds alone, introducing English at nursery and primary school levels is a pipe dream, it’s impossible,” former member of parliament and retired teacher Samba Dioulde Thiam wrote in an opinion column.
“Is the aim to compete with French? Is the aim to flatter the Anglo-Saxons who dominate this planet and get them to give us resources?” Thiam wrote.
He pointed out that intellectuals have been demanding the introduction of Senegal’s national languages in education for many years which risks being “postponed indefinitely.”
Despite problems with training, Mathiam Thiam said “doctoral students are among the teachers who have been chosen.”
Former Education Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam said that before launching the program, “it would have been wise to understand why Senegalese students who study English throughout high school struggle to reach the level required.”
Far from the controversy, though, Aissatou Barry, 13, said she “can’t wait to study English in sixth grade.”
Khaled Almsaad’s Tanafs initiative invites people to explore the city’s hidden gems and vibrant past
Updated 10 min 23 sec ago
Jasmine Bager
ALKHOBAR: Khaled Almsaad, a lifelong resident of historic northern Alkhobar, is bridging the city’s past and present through guided walking tours that promise a deeper connection with its heart and past.
His cultural initiative, Tanafs, connects the community with the arts, with a permanent location launched this year after the project first began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hub offers a range of activities including workshops and local tours designed to enrich Alkhobar’s cultural scene.
One memorable stop takes place at a watch repair stand in a bustling market, where time seems to stand still. (Supplied/AN photos)
The ticketed walking tour, which Almsaad guides personally, begins at Tanafs’ headquarters, which also houses his coffee shop, Marfa, located on the first floor of the building.
During a recent tour, participants were given a brief presentation about the activity and about Alkhobar itself.
Almsaad, who is also a street photographer with over a decade of experience, spoke about the neighborhood’s evolution, reflecting on his deep understanding of the city’s character and evolving maps. Many of his own photographs were showcased on the walls.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Tanafs offers a range of activities including workshops and local tours designed to enrich Alkhobar’s cultural scene.
• The walking tours are organized every Friday afternoon and sessions will continue until Ramadan.
• Tickets can be booked through Tanafs’ Instagram.
He shared safety tips and general advice before leading the group on a tour through northern Alkhobar’s streets.
The walking tour provides participants with an opportunity to experience the evolution of Alkhobar firsthand. (Supplied/AN photos)
Alkhobar itself, with its unique historical and urban development, serves as the perfect backdrop for these tours. The headquarters directly overlook the beloved old Al-Shula Mall.
Almsaad explained that Alkhobar’s development is unlike other cities in Saudi Arabia. “Alkhobar is unique among Saudi cities because it was not formed out of natural growth through trade or tribal alliances. Instead, it emerged out of industrial necessity, driven by the need to house the workers in the early days of oil production,” he says.
The city became the first planned urban development in the region, setting a precedent for other cities, such as Riyadh, that followed a more organic path of growth.
Old rusted doors with intricate designs stand as reminders of the city’s past. (Supplied/AN photos)
One of the first stops is a hidden gem tucked away in the neighborhood. This shop, which has “no photography allowed” signs in every single cluttered aisle, is filled with slightly dusty but pristine toys and trinkets from long ago — objects that remain untouched and undocumented, giving visitors a rare glimpse into the past.
We passed by several friendly northern Alkhobar cats and continued our journey through the streets, learning the city’s secrets as Almsaad shares its history.
Alkhobar’s commercial rise began in 1923, when it became a hub for movement and trade between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Despite its modern growth, the city’s cultural heritage has always remained intertwined with its commercial activities — a theme Almsaad continues to explore throughout the tour.
A watch repair stand in a bustling market is a memorable stop. (Supplied/AN photos)
One notable historical figure in the city’s development is Floyd Ohliger, an American engineer who played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s oil discovery. In 1938, he was instrumental in the discovery of commercial oil at Oil Well No. 7 (Dammam Well No. 7), a landmark event that confirmed the country’s vast oil reserves.
Later, in 1945, his arrival in Dhahran marked the beginning of planned urban developments. His work in establishing “company towns” to house Aramco workers led to the creation of self-sufficient communities with modern infrastructure, setting a blueprint for urban growth in the region.
The walking tour provides participants with an opportunity to experience the evolution of Alkhobar firsthand. Stops along the way include businesses, marketplaces, and cultural landmarks that showcase the city’s transformation over time. Old rusted doors with intricate designs stand as reminders of the city’s past. Many are still used today as people and businesses still reside behind those doors.
One memorable stop takes place at a watch repair stand in a bustling market, where time seems to stand still.
Ashraf Ali Khan has been operating his stand for 36 years. “I am from Pakistan. I came in 1989 and opened this shop. I’m still here, Alhamdulillah,” Khan told Arab News.
Reflecting on the changes in the market, Khan said: “After a few months of moving here, the first Gulf War came. Many people went to Riyadh, left for Bahrain, or went back to India or Pakistan. I stayed. My children were born in Alkhobar. This clock repair stand has been here for decades. The customers have changed, but I am still here, Alhamdulillah.”
Participants on the tour also get to sample local foods, from fluffy Filipino bread, which is light and soft, to engaging in a detailed conversation about coffee with the vivacious and knowledgeable founder of Hiqbah specialty coffee.
During the tour, we sampled fried snacks from a local vendor and enjoyed a chai latte at the elegant Oi cafe.
Rawan Albakri, a participant at the tour, told Arab News: “As someone not from Alkhobar, I find the tour very interesting. I love this, actually. I learned that there are untold stories. Stories that we always pass by but never had the chance to ask about or learn the history of this place.
“It actually has a lot of history. We walked around, we went to different businesses, we tasted some of the foods and drinks. I love walking — I think that was an experience in itself.”
Throughout the tour, Almsaad emphasized the importance of community and cultural awareness. As the group moved between stops, he explained how the city is divided into specialized commercial zones, catering to different needs.
“If you want to buy home decor, you’ll go to a different district. This organization makes it easy to find what you need, but it also means that certain areas become specialized over time,” he noted.
One of the tour’s highlights is the bus ride back, which surprised the participants who had never used public transport in the city.
The event, which lasts for several hours, immerses participants in a blend of history, culture, and modern life.
Almsaad encourages the younger generation to connect with the city’s past and future by physically walking through its streets. “For Alkhobar to grow, we need to collaborate. The new generation has to support each other, work together to create a stronger, more connected community. It’s not just about businesses; it’s about sharing ideas, uplifting one another, and making the city better together.”
As the tour neared its end, Almsaad shared a personal anecdote — how his 2-year-old son now visits the same barbershop he used to visit as a child, highlighting how the traditions of the community remain close to his heart.
“They also still give the same exact little gift after the haircut. I got it when I was a kid and now my son gets it,” he said.
Tours are organized every Friday afternoon and sessions will continue until Ramadan. Tickets can be booked through Tanafs’ Instagram.
As Almsaad put it: “To truly preserve and understand Alkhobar, you have to experience it on foot.” And with every step, the city’s rich history and vibrant present come alive.
Fragrance meets flora in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region
Authorities are making significant efforts to conserve wild plants by intensifying awareness campaigns and rehabilitating natural areas to preserve plant diversity
Updated 10 min 31 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, renowned for its plant diversity, is home to a variety of aromatic species that enhance the area’s natural beauty, a Saudi Press Agency report has highlighted.
Among these, Asteriscus graveolens, commonly known as fragrant oxeye, stands out for the distinct scent emanating from its leaves.
The fragrant oxeye plant represents an integral part of the Northern Borders’ natural heritage. (SPA)
Nasser Al-Majlad, head of the Aman Environmental Association, told the Saudi Press Agency that two types of fragrant oxeye are found in the Kingdom: One with petals and another without.
He added that the flowering wild plant belongs to the daisy family and is characterized by its dense, intertwined branches, which can reach up to one meter in height.
FASTFACT
Environmental initiatives have also been launched to protect plants from extinction, ensuring their survival for future generations, including the cherished fragrant oxeye of the Northern Borders region.
Its bright yellow flowers bloom in spring, adding a vibrant touch to the region’s landscapes.
The fragrant oxeye plant represents an integral part of the Northern Borders’ natural heritage. Essential oils extracted from its leaves are used in perfume production.
Flowering wild plants also play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and providing habitats for wildlife.
Authorities are making significant efforts to conserve wild plants by intensifying awareness campaigns and rehabilitating natural areas to preserve plant diversity, the report said.
Environmental initiatives have also been launched to protect these plants from extinction, ensuring their survival for future generations, including the cherished fragrant oxeye.
Red Sea Fund broadens film support to include Asian filmmakers
“The fund provides financial grants enabling emerging filmmakers to showcase their creative talents,” said Imad Iskandar, director of the Red Sea Film Fund
Updated 10 min 39 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Red Sea Fund, under the Red Sea International Film Foundation, has announced it will now extend its post-production support to emerging filmmakers from Asia, marking a first in its history.
This expansion builds upon the fund’s established support for creators from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and Africa, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The fund has opened its first round of applications for 2025, with submissions being accepted until Feb. 27.
The fund has opened its first round of applications for 2025, with submissions being accepted until Feb. 27. (SPA)
This round specifically targets completed productions seeking post-production support, encompassing feature films, documentaries, and animated works.
Through direct financial grants, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between filming and final cut, according to the SPA.
The initiative reflects the Red Sea International Film Foundation's broader mission to nurture emerging talent across cultural boundaries, giving them the opportunity to complete their film projects and showcase their unique narratives to the world.
“The fund provides financial grants enabling emerging filmmakers to showcase their creative talents,” said Imad Iskandar, director of the Red Sea Film Fund.
“This expansion into Asia reinforces our commitment to amplifying diverse voices in cinema,” he said.
Since its inception in 2021, the fund has backed over 280 film projects, with many going on to receive recognition at prestigious international film festivals. Success stories from the fund’s portfolio have demonstrated its crucial role in transforming regional storytelling into global cinema.
Interested filmmakers can submit their applications through the fund’s official website at redseafilmfest.com/ar/red-sea-fund/. The program offers both financial grants and technical support necessary for project completion.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that the India Ocean should not be made a “rivalry playground” and it should rather serve as a “center of opportunities” for all nations as he addressed the concluding session of the AMAN Dialogue at the AMAN-2025 naval exercise in Karachi.
The Indian Ocean, which represents the crossroads of global oil markets, has been the site of geopolitical competition between major powers, including India, China and the United States, which involve economic, military, and political factors.
The US has expanded defense ties with India in recent years and frequently conducted Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the Indian Ocean, especially in areas around India, as part of its strategic partnership with the country, in a bid to counter China’s growing maritime assertiveness in the region.
China, which commands the world’s largest naval force with more than 370 ships, has developed ports and bases across the Indian Ocean, including in Gwadar in Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s Hambantota, and Djibouti in Africa, to promote its trade interests.
“Pakistan prefers collaboration over confrontation and trade over tensions,” Iqbal said at the concluding session of the AMAN Dialogue. “Indian Ocean should not be the center of tensions and strategic contention, rather it should be a center of opportunities and shared progress.”
The dialogue, hosted by Pakistan on Feb. 9-10 as part of AMAN-2025 naval exercise, focused on security challenges in the Indian Ocean, including strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, non-state actors, resource exploitation, climate change, emerging technologies such as AI and unmanned systems, the blue economy and the need for global collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity.
It brought together chiefs of navies, coast guards and defense forces from several nations, with an aim to provide them an opportunity to exchange views on global and regional security and adopt innovative solutions.
Iqbal called the AMAN Dialogue an example of mutual trust and shared prosperity, which signified Pakistan’s commitment toward peaceful maritime sector. He hoped that relations forged at the forum would turn into longstanding partnerships for the betterment of global maritime sector and yield results in shared progress.
Pakistan Navy has conducted the AMAN maritime exercise every two years since 2007 under the theme “Together for Peace,” involving ships, aircraft and special operations forces. Naval troops and special forces from more than 60 countries have been taking part in this year’s exercise, being held on Feb. 7-11.
