Category: General

Doha: Weather inshore until 6:00 pm on Monday will be hazy and partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a chance of scattered rain at places, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report. Offshore, the weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a chance of scattered rain at places, the report added. Wind inshore will be mainly northeasterly - southeasterly at a speed of 05 to 15 KT, gusting to 20 KT at places at times. Offshore, it will be southeasterly - northeasterly at a speed of 03 to 12 KT, gusting to 20 KT at places at times. Visibility inshore and offshore will be 5 - 9 km/3 km or less at places with rain. Sea state inshore will be 1 - 3 ft, rising to 4 ft at places at times. Offshore, it will 1 - 3 ft, rising to 6 ft at places at times. Area High Tide Low Tide Max Messaid 05:25 - 18:14 12:30 - 29 Wakrah 04:24 - 17:36 11:25 - 23:36 32 Doha 03:45 - 16:25 11:29 - 23:24 36 Al Khor 03:51 - 16:11 11:30 - 22:14 33 Ruwais 04:43 - 17:15 11:25 - 23:42 28 Dukhan 09:40 - 22:09 0 3:25 - 16:00 32 Abu Samra 09:17 - 21:38 02:37 - 16:31 38 Sunrise: 05:17 LT Sunset: 17:53 LT Source: Qatar News Agency

The Lebanese Association for Taxpayers' Rights (ALDIC) has sent its report for the year 2023, issued in collaboration with the "Konrad Adenauer Stiftung" Foundation and "The Policy Initiative" Association, as part of the BINA' program funded by the European Union and managed by Transparency International (TI-LB), to all representatives of the Lebanese people in the Parliament. This report addresses the topic of public financial management in Lebanon. In a personal letter addressed to each MP, along with the mentioned report, ALDIC explained that "adopting a sound, transparent, and efficient management of public funds is an urgent necessity for Lebanon today, more than ever, especially in the absence of effective oversight, accountability, and transparency, particularly with the exacerbation of the current crisis." ALDIC added, "Sound public financial management can achieve positive economic and social results, as well as distribute resources more effectively and fairly. Following the principles of successful modern public financial management achieves sustainable economic growth, which Lebanon urgently needs to emerge from the successive crises afflicting it. All of this, of course, requires good public finance management, securing the necessary revenues, knowing the state's actual financial needs, and how to collect and spend them according to rules and conditions and under any mechanisms for effective monitoring." ALDIC has decided to communicate with parliamentarians , whether individually or through their parliamentary blocs, and send them the above-mentioned report for their close review and constructive action if necessary, or to consider its contents and recommendations. This step will be followed by continuous work meetings to discuss this extremely important matter for Lebanon, as well as to exchange views and experiences in order to explore possible solutions and the possibility of joint action and coordination to issue necessary legislation in this regard. It is worth noting that ALDIC had previously met with representatives from both the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb parliamentary blocs in the Parliament, alongside various private sector entities and organizations. These meetings will be followed by continuous ones with all other active parliamentary blocs and major committees, alongside ongoing engagement with Lebanese public opinion through media channels. The Lebanese Association for Taxpayers' Rights (ALDIC) was established in 2012. It is dedicated to promoting citizenship and ethical tax practices through compliance, commitment, knowledge dissemination, and informing citizens about their rights and obligations. ALDIC also aims to raise awareness about the importance and dimensions of taxation, as well as encourage citizens to advocate for enhanced oversight of public finances. For over a decade, ALDIC has functioned as an observatory, alerting and mitigating violations and irregularities in the fields of taxes and public finance. It stands as a hub for cooperation, exchange, and initiative, with a mis sion to serve the general and public interests while promoting good governance. ALDIC firmly believes that effective public fund management is paramount for a modern state to fulfill its core mission of ensuring the well-being of its citizens. It is committed to raising awareness of the role that civil society must play, as the proper management of public funds requires the active participation of citizens, essential for ensuring sound and proper management of public funds. In all its initiatives and activities, ALDIC emphasizes its non-political, non-partisan, and non-denominational role. It works to support the rights of all taxpayers without discrimination and maintains complete independence in all its efforts. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Manama, Marking the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne and on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, issued a royal decree pardoning inmates who have been convicted for riot and criminal cases. The number of inmates pardoned by this decree amounts to 1584. This Royal Decree reflects His Majesty's keenness to maintain the cohesion and stability of the Bahraini society, while protecting its social fabric, upholding public interest, safeguarding individual and civil rights, and adhering to the principles of justice, the rule of law, and the preservation of judicial independence. It also aims to strike a balance between retribution and the humanitarian and social circumstances of the convicted inmates. It offers the opportunity for positive re-integration into society, promoting the values of human rights in line with the Kingdom's approach in this regard. Source:Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, said that the royal pardon decree demonstrated the approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, of consolidating social stability and upholding human rights Chairman Al Saleh lauded the decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, pardoning 1584 inmates who have been convicted in riots and criminal cases, marking the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession and Eid Al Fitr. Al Saleh noted that the royal initiative reflected His Majesty's keenness to maintain the cohesion and stability of the Bahraini society, and to enable pardoned inmates them to re-integrate into society and to participate in the development of Kingdom of Bahrain. He welcomed the timing of the decree which coincides with Eid al-Fitr, noting that it will bring the inmate's family immense joy. Al Saleh said that the HM the King's ongoing humanitarian initiatives foster the values of coexistence and tolerance. Al Sal eh expressed his appreciation for the government's efforts, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to implement His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa directives. He also commended the efforts of government entities, national insitutions as well as the civil society organisations in applying the highest human rights standards. Source:Bahrain News Agency

Ramallah - Ma'an - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced the availability of a number of scholarships in Thailand for the academic year 2024-2025, in the field of bachelor's and postgraduate studies (Master's and Doctorate). The Ministry invited students wishing to compete for these scholarships to visit its website http://www.mohe.pna.ps for full details. Source: Maan News Agency

Beirut, Three people were killed in a new series of Israeli air raids on southern Lebanon. The Israeli entity targeted a house in the village of Sultaniyeh in southern Lebanon overnight, killing three people and injuring others, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported. The Israeli airstrikes since last night have caused severe damage to property and homes adjacent to the targeted house. More than ten families lost their homes and heavy damage was to infrastructure, NNA added. The Israeli reconnaissance drones have continued intense flights since the early hours of Monday over the course of the Litani River and in the airspace of the south, especially over the southern villages and towns adjacent to the Blue Line, NNA said. Source: Qatar News Agency

An Israeli enemy airstrike on an inhabited house in the Sector Centre town of Sultanieh killed three and wounded many on Sunday night. The airstrike also caused massive damages to nearby properties and infrastructure. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Manama, Following the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to open, restore, and develop 32 mosques belonging to the Sunni and Jaffari Endowments, located across the Kingdom's governorates, as part of a development plan for mosques, Yousif Saleh Al Saleh, Jaffari Endowments Council Chairman, opened Al Khaif Mosque in Aldair. Al Saleh lauded the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for building, maintaining, care of houses of worship. He praised the directives of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to restore and rehabilitate places of worship, including the opening of 32 mosques under the Sunni and Jaafari Endowments for the third consecutive year. Al Saleh praised the initiatives of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), led by Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, and the efforts of Na waf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, in implementing these directives. Source:Bahrain News Agency