Tunis: Tunisian authorities have arrested an Al Jazeera reporter, the network’s bureau chief said Thursday, as campaigners voiced concern over a growing number of journalists behind bars in the North African country.
“Samir Sassi, a journalist at the Al Jazeera office in Tunisia, was arrested after security forces raided his house” late Wednesday, said Lotfi Hajji, director of the Qatar-based television network’s bureau in Tunis.
He told AFP that police did not disclose the reasons for the arrest nor where Sassi was being held. There was no official comment from Tunisian authorities.
Hajji said the security forces had also seized Sassi’s “computer, phone, and the phones of his wife and children.”
Al Jazeera’s Tunisia bureau has been closed since President Kais Saied’s swift power grab in July 2021, but the network’s journalists remained accredited and maintained their coverage in Tunisia.
Authorities did not provide a reason for shutting down the bureau at the time.
Tunisia has come under criticism for a crackdown on the freedom of speech, including the arrests of more than 30 journalists in 2023, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
In an open letter to Saied published on Thursday, the IFJ expressed its “deepest concern at the frequent imprisonment of journalists, in total contravention of the provisions of the Tunisian Constitution in respect of freedom of expression and the media.”
It mentioned the case of Tunisian journalist Zied El Heni, who was arrested on December 29 after criticizing Tunisian Commerce Minister Kalthoum Ben Rejeb in a radio show he hosts.
Heni became well known during the 2011 uprising that ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and set in motion what later came to be known as the Arab Spring.
The journalist remains in detention, awaiting trial scheduled for January 10.
“Heni’s case is not an isolated one, but clearly indicates the existence of a systematic policy of instrumentalising legal procedures and the judicial system to systematically intimidate, bully and imprison journalists,” said the IFJ.
Last summer, the United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said he was “deeply concerned” over the crackdown on media in Tunisia, with vaguely worded legislation used to criminalize criticism.
Seventeen journalists in Tunisia currently face trial, according to local media.
Heni and some other journalists have been prosecuted under the provisions of Decree 54, which punishes those accused of spreading “false news” with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
The legislation “is being used to silence journalists and opponents of the president,” Anthony Bellanger, general secretary of the IFJ, said earlier this week, accusing the government of “attacking journalists.”
Tunisia arrests Al Jazeera journalist: bureau director
https://arab.news/c6xau
Tunisia arrests Al Jazeera journalist: bureau director
- Al Jazeera’s Tunisia bureau has been closed since President Kais Saied’s swift power grab in July 2021
- Campaigners voiced concern over a growing number of journalists behind bars in the North African country
Russians throng to display of Western ‘trophy’ tanks captured in Ukraine
- Long queues of people formed on what was a sunny May Day public holiday at the entrance to the exhibition, entitled “Trophies of the Russian Army“
- “History is repeating itself,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement
MOSCOW: Western tanks and military hardware captured by Russian forces in Ukraine went on display in Moscow on Wednesday at an exhibition the Russian military said showed Western help would not stop it winning the war.
Long queues of people formed on what was a sunny May Day public holiday at the entrance to the exhibition, entitled “Trophies of the Russian Army,” which is being held outside a museum celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
“History is repeating itself,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that the Soviet Union had in 1943 also put on a display of captured tanks and hardware, in this case from the German army.
“Strength is in the truth. It’s always been that way. In 1943 and today. These war trophies reflect our strength. The more of them there are, the stronger we are,” the ministry stated, predicting a Russian victory in what it officially calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“No Western military equipment will change the situation on the battlefield,” the statement added.
According to Western and Ukrainian critics, much of Russia’s military hardware is old or outdated, and Russian battlefield gains have resulted from sheer force of numbers and high casualties. Both sides keep the number of dead and injured a secret but are known to have suffered heavy losses.
The Moscow display, which includes US, German and French tanks supplied to Ukraine, came days after the US approved a $61 billion aid package for Kyiv and after Russia made some swift but incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine at a time when Kyiv’s forces say they lack ammo and manpower.
Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky says it will eventually push Russian forces from its soil, held a similar exhibition along Kyiv’s central boulevard last summer featuring burnt-out husks of Russian tanks and fighting vehicles.
Russia, says the International Institute for Strategic Studies, has itself lost over 3,000 tanks in Ukraine amounting to its entire pre-war active inventory, but has enough lower-quality armored vehicles in storage for years of replacement and says it is now ramping up production of new tanks.
In addition to tanks, British and Australian armored vehicles seized in Ukraine are on display in Moscow along with military hardware made in Turkiye, Sweden, Austria, Finland, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
State TV’s Channel One said the star of the show was a captured American M1 Abrams battle tank, which it said had been taken out by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine using a guided rocket and kamikaze drones.
Clambering over the Abrams holding his microphone, a state TV correspondent told Russians that the tank had been billed in the United States as an indestructible “wonder weapon.”
“But that was all nonsense — look at this — all of its reputation has been destroyed,” he said.
Mulberries — the superfood coloring Al-Ahsa’s markets
- Small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring
- Season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month
RIYADH: Mulberry season has arrived, adding a bright splash of color to the fruit and vegetable markets in Al-Ahsa governorate.
The small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring.
Their season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month. The current harvest is red, but the berries can also be blue or purple. They are sweet when fully mature and have a tart flavor during the earlier stages.
Mulberries enjoy a devoted following among farmers and consumers alike. Prices fluctuate depending on ripeness and size, ranging from SR5 ($1.33) to SR15 ($4) per half kilo, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They are a popular ingredient in cakes and ice cream, or as a decoration for various foods. The juice is enjoyed by many and the berries can be frozen for later consumption.
Dr. Hossam Al-Din Hussein Mahmoud, a professor of fruit science at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa, said various types of mulberries were grown in the region including red, Iranian, Kashmiri and American.
He also talked about ongoing research at the university’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, which aims to document all strains and varieties of fruit found in Al-Ahsa, and discussed the health benefits associated with mulberries.
Classed as a superfood, they are rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also believed to contribute to healthy blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Their high anthocyanin content means they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can lower the risk of some diseases and enhance the immune and digestive systems.
Consumption of mulberries is also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease risk, lower blood cholesterol, better skin health and heart rate regulation.
Chelsea working to understand injury woes, says Pochettino
- Defenders Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi are the latest additions to the list since Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa
- “Too many circumstances have happened,” Pochettino said on the eve of Chelsea’s match against his former club, who are in fifth spot in the table
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea’s medical and coaching staff are trying to work out why the club have been so badly plagued by injuries, with as many as 14 players likely to be missing for Thursday’s visit of Tottenham.
Defenders Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi are the latest additions to the list since Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, in which the Chelsea boss was forced to name five academy graduates aged 20 and under on the bench.
The Blues’ campaign has been badly disrupted by the unavailability of players, including several acquired at huge expense as part of a £1 billion ($1.25 billion) transfer spree over the past two years.
Notable absentees include Wesley Fofana, who has not played all season after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury, and forward Christopher Nkunku, who has been limited to seven Premier League appearances.
Romeo Lavia has played only once for the club while Reece James and Ben Chilwell have also had lengthy spells out of the side, who are in mid-table.
Last week it was confirmed that Enzo Fernandez, signed for a then-British record £105 million in January 2023, will not play again this season following a hernia operation.
“Too many circumstances have happened,” Pochettino said on the eve of Chelsea’s match against his former club, who are in fifth spot in the table.
“It’s difficult to explain with one word or in one sentence. Of course we are working on trying to improve. We have an amazing staff — medical staff, coaching staff. They have experience in managing clubs and being in this business.
“When some circumstances arrive, sometimes it can happen. We need to now, until the end of the season, put all the information on the table and try to be better next season.
“We need to improve in communication, dynamics, strategy. Everything to do with our knowledge to improve and coordinate better.”
Pochettino paid tribute to veteran Brazilian defender Silva, 39, who is leaving the club at the end of the season after a four-year stay.
“He’s an amazing guy and amazing professional,” said Pochettino. “Playing until nearly 40 years old is an amazing career.
“Of course, the players, the fans and club are going to miss him. But he’s happy, he’s so proud of his career here at Chelsea. We wish him the best because he deserves the best.”
Saudi development program teams up with Selah Foundation for water project in Yemen
- The initiative, in Hadhramaut region, will install solar power stations to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water to 1.7 million people
- The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has more than 229 active projects in 8 sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture
RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the Selah Foundation for Development agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on a renewable-energy water-security project in Yemen’s Hadhramaut region, which they said will benefit about 1.7 million people.
The deal was signed by Hassan Al-Attas, the assistant general supervisor of the development program, and Ali Hassan Bashmakh, the foundation’s executive director.
The governor of Hadhramout, Mabkhoot bin Mubarak bin Madhi, attended the signing ceremony and thanked Saudi authorities for the assistance provided to Yemen through the development program. He also expressed gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the employees of the program for their contributions.
Al-Attas said his organization has more than 229 active development projects in Yemen, helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the country. They span eight sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture.
As part of the project in Hadhramaut, solar power stations will be established in nine areas to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water. Training and capacity building will also be provided to ensure local technicians can operate and maintain the solar equipment.
The development program and the foundation previously partnered with the Arab Gulf Program for Development on other renewable-energy projects to help improve the quality of life of an estimated 62,000 people in five of Yemen’s governorates. And in January, the two organizations launched a water-security project that aims to benefit about 800,000 people in Aden. On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the development program’s projects help meet about 50 percent of water needs, 100 percent in Al-Ghaydah, and 10 percent in Aden.
The Selah Foundation for Development received the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development in 2020 for its continual efforts to enhance water security.
Other officials who attended the signing ceremony on Wednesday included Yemen’s planning and international cooperation minister, Waed Badheeb; the minister of water and environment, Tawfiq Abdulwahed Al-Sharjabi; and Mohammed Al-Jaber, supervisor general of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
Rotana to double Saudi-based workforce to 5k employees as it expands offering
RIYADH: Rotana Hotels is planning on more than doubling its workforce in Saudi Arabia to 5,000 staff as it expands its outlets to 15, the company’s CEO has told Arab News.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, Philip Barnes highlighted the diverse nature of hotels in terms of size and staffing, indicating that the current portfolio in the Kingdom employs around 2,000 people.
He said that between eight and nine hotels are under development and set to open within the next two to three years, and the firm has “a number of others coming.”
Barnes expressed his desire to expand the company’s presence in various parts of Saudi Arabia, not just in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah.
Reflecting on the increase in workforce needed, he said: “I think you’d be looking at 4,000 to 5,000 people by the time we get to that 15 hotel.
“It ranges between 200 to 300 people per property as we go forward depending on the size of the property.”
Rotana is seeking opportunities across a broader range of locations within Saudi Arabia, and Barnes believes that being a UAE-based company gives it an insight into the tourism landscape that other firms may lack.
“We see ourselves as being able to come into the Kingdom in a way that others can’t because we are recognized as that brand that is from the region. We can go into destinations that maybe aren’t the premier destinations as other people see them, everybody wants to be in Riyadh, everybody wants to be in Jeddah,” Barnes said.
He added: “We have a lot of things happening, but we have further developments coming online in Egypt over the course of the next two years. We’ve got more coming on board in Qatar.”
He also stated that the company is also exploring new territories, with recent moves into Pakistan, which Rotana views as a promising and emerging market
Additionally, he further explained the group’s plans for expansion by exploring opportunities in Eastern Europe, though not on a large scale. Turkiye is also a focus, with two hotels opened in the past year and more development expected.
“We’re also opening two hotels in London, not in central London. We’re opening one hotel in Kingston, which is a suburb of London, 20 minutes from downtown,” Barnes said.
He continued: “I personally am hoping that that will then be a springboard into six or seven or eight other Centros around the UK in places like Liverpool or Leeds or, Manchester etc. because I see it as being a brand that has tremendous legs, and we've already got a number of those properties here in this part of the world.”
