JERUSALEM: Israeli police arrested the Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs early Friday for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem.
Fadi Al-Hidmi was arrested at his home near the Mount of Olives. His office circulated surveillance camera footage showing police searching his home with dogs. It said they confiscated 10,000 shekels (around $2,750). It was the fourth time he has been arrested.
Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. Israel views the entire city as its capital.
Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there.
Palestinian officials said Al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Israel targets (those) who work for Jerusalem, even at such critical moments as we work to save our people’s lives from COVID19,” Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tweeted, referring to the illness caused by the virus. “We demand his immediate release.”
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Al-Hidmi was arrested “on suspicions of Palestinian activities in Jerusalem.” He said police searched the home and confiscated documents as well as “large sums of money.”
He said the arrest was not connected to any efforts to combat the pandemic.
Israel has reported more than 7,000 cases and at least 36 deaths. The Palestinian Authority has reported 143 cases and one death in the territories it administers in the West Bank. Both have imposed sweeping lockdowns to try and slow the spread of the virus.
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, who recover within a few weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems.
Israel arrests Palestinian official in east Jerusalem
https://arab.news/yse7j
Israel arrests Palestinian official in east Jerusalem
- Palestinian officials said Al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic
- Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there
Hundreds protest power outages in Pakistan’s north for fifth consecutive day
- Routine load-shedding is widespread across fuel-deprived Pakistan, but residents of mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region endure prolonged blackouts
- Senior government official in the region says negotiations are ongoing with the protesters, who demand under-construction power projects be expedited
KHAPLU: Hundreds of people blocked a highway on Tuesday in Pakistan’s mountainous northern region in protest against power outages lasting longer than 20 hours, as temperatures plunged to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Routine load-shedding is widespread across fuel-deprived Pakistan, but residents of the mountainous, snow-covered regions in Gilgit-Baltistan endure prolonged blackouts.
“We have been facing the worst kind of power cuts, we get only one or two hours of electricity during the whole day,” Baba Jan, a political activist who organized the protest, told AFP.
Around 1,000 people have joined the demonstration in the picturesque valley of Hunza since Friday, blocking a section of the 1,300-kilometer (808-mile) Karakoram Highway and preventing dozens of freight trucks from crossing into China.
People in the region usually rely on wood to keep warm as both gas and fuel-operated generators are too expensive.
“People from all walks of life including the tourists are suffering in extremely cold weather due to the absence of electricity,” Zahoor Ali, another protest organizer told AFP.
The highway is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in which China has invested billions of dollars, connecting the northern border to the southern coastal city of Gwadar.
“The Karakoram Highway at Ali Abad in Hunza is completely blocked for traffic... business between Pakistan and China is suspended for days owing to the blockade,” local trader Javaid Hussain told AFP.
“For the smooth running of business between Pakistan and China, the government should take steps to end the power crisis in the region.”
Pressure on the electricity grid increases during peak winter and summer seasons, leading to planned load-shedding as the government grapples with an energy supply crisis, exacerbated by political instability and economic stagnation.
Owing to its remoteness, Gilgit-Baltistan is not connected to the national grid and fails to generate enough power from dozens of hydro plants while thermal plants have proven costly.
Kamal Khan, a senior government official in the region, told AFP by phone that negotiations were ongoing with the protesters, who have demanded that under-construction power projects be expedited and thermal generator plants activated.
“Their demands are genuine and we agreed to fulfil all of their demands except the running of thermal generators... because they are very expensive,” he said.
Public protests against rising electricity prices and load-shedding have increased over the years in the country.
Meanwhile, prices have soared to more than double their 2021 rate as the government attempts to comply with demands from the International Monetary Fund to raise revenue.
Pakistan police arrest man for killing citizen for Umrah tickets
- The shooter was hired by his neighbor to kill his brother-in-law in Lahore last week over a property dispute, police say
- The suspect already has a criminal record and is a proclaimed offender in a kidnapping and sexual assault case in Sheikhupura
KARACHI: Police have arrested a man for killing a citizen in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore last week in return for two Umrah tickets and a motorbike, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.
The suspect, Hafiz Usman, was hired by his neighbor, Imtiaz, to kill Muhammad Riaz, Imtiaz’s brother-in-law, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amir Malik.
Imtiaz had a property dispute with his wife and brother-in-law and he lured Usman into killing Riaz.
“Exploiting Usman’s religious inclinations, Imtiaz offered to send him on an Umrah pilgrimage instead of paying him in cash for committing the murder,” DSP Malik told Arab News.
“As part of the deal, the shooter was supposed to get two Umrah tickets and a motorcycle. Motivated by this offer, Usman killed Muhammad Riaz on January 1.”
Imtiaz had transferred a house to his wife’s name, who had refused to return the property after a domestic disagreement and sought her brother Riaz’s counsel. The disagreement escalated and Imtiaz’s wife left him to stay at her brother’s house, according to the police officer.
Usman already has a criminal record and is a proclaimed offender in a kidnapping and sexual assault case in the Sheikhupura district.
DSP Malik said they managed to arrest the suspect with the help of surveillance footage from Lahore Safe City Project cameras and call data records.
“Efforts are underway to arrest Imtiaz and any other suspects,” he added.
In Nov. last year, police arrested a woman who had stolen 20 tolas of gold, worth Rs5.6 million ($20,250), from her neighbor’s home in the southern port city of Karachi and had gone to perform Umrah pilgrimage, according to local media.
The police later arrested the woman and recovered three tolas of gold and Rs1.5 million ($5,363).
Saudi Arabia sees 45% annual growth in domestic flight bookings: report
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded a 45 percent annual growth in domestic flight bookings in 2024, fueled by the Kingdom’s expanding tourism offerings and increased connectivity through low-cost carriers.
According to Almosafer’s latest travel trend report, domestic room night bookings also saw 39 percent yearly growth. Additionally, combined domestic flight and hotel reservations contributed over 40 percent to the overall travel market, an 11 percent yearly increase.
The growth in domestic travel is largely driven by a broader range of destinations, accommodation options, and experiences that continue to attract leisure visitors to explore their home country. Family and group travel have been key contributors to this upward trend, with bookings in these segments surging by over 70 percent.
Commenting on the trends, Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, said: “These travel trends align seamlessly with the government’s vision to enhance in-destination value and increase domestic tourism as part of Vision 2030.”
Cities such as Makkah, Riyadh, and Jeddah, as well as Al Khobar and Madinah, remain key attractions.
However, emerging destinations like Abha, Al Jubail, and Jazan, as well as Tabuk and Hail, are gaining momentum due to their distinct offerings, including mountain views, beaches, landscapes, and desert experiences.
“The growth of domestic tourism and the rise of family and group trips, with a focus on unique accommodation experiences and rich in-destination activities, showcase the success of the national agenda of building a thriving leisure tourism sector that contributes significantly to the economy,” Ahussain added.
Almosafer’s report highlights a notable shift in traveler preferences for accommodations. While luxury remains prominent, with 36 percent of room nights booked in five-star properties, budget-friendly stays in three-star or lower hotels now represent 35 percent of total bookings — a segment that has grown 100 percent for families and groups.
Alternative accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel apartments have also gained traction, with family bookings rising 90 percent and group reservations increasing 60 percent, reflecting growing demand for flexible and affordable lodging options.
Low-cost airlines have also played a crucial role in the domestic travel boom. Increased capacity, expanded connectivity, and additional routes have made budget carriers more accessible to cost-conscious travelers.
While flight bookings grew by 45 percent, the average order value decreased by 7 percent, demonstrating how expanded options are enabling travelers to secure more cost-effective deals.
In-destination activities have become a cornerstone of travel value, with visitors increasingly opting for guided tours, adventure sports, and cultural experiences.
Booking behavior also evolved in 2024, with mobile platforms dominating the market. App bookings grew by 67 percent and accounted for 76 percent of total bookings, while web reservations contributed 17 percent, reflecting 7 percent growth.
Retail bookings, though representing a smaller 7 percent share, remain relevant for complex and higher-value itineraries as travelers seek in-person assistance for personalized planning.
Flexible payment options have further transformed the travel market. Buy now, pay later plans have gained popularity, while Apple Pay accounted for 44 percent of all domestic bookings processed in 2024, reflecting the growing adoption of digital payment methods.
Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh
The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, praised on Tuesday the outcomes of recent talks held between senior Saudi officials and a high-ranking delegation from Syria's new administration.
The cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Syria's security and stability, as well as continuing its humanitarian and relief assistance to the Syrian people.
In a statement following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari highlighted the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's stance on international law and humanitarian principles.
Domestically, the cabinet reviewed the progress of development programs aimed at enhancing services for citizens and diversifying the economy, alongside updates on various agenda topics, including those coordinated with the Shura Council and other government bodies.
Qatar’s non-oil business growth steady in December; Lebanon’s PMI at 8-month high
- Qatar’s labor market was a key driver of the country’s overall progress in business conditions
- S&P Global added that activity levels across Lebanon’s private sector economy fell in December
RIYADH: The growth of non-oil business activities in Qatar was steady in December, with the country’s purchasing managers’ index remaining stable at 52.9, unchanged from November, an economy tracker showed.
The latest report released by Qatar Financial Center and compiled by S&P Global said that the headline PMI figure for the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at 52.9, up from 52.0 in the previous three months and above the long-run survey average of 52.3 since April 2017.
According to the PMI survey, Qatar’s labor market was a key driver of the country’s overall progress in business conditions in December, with employment and wage increases reaching some of the highest levels on record.
The strong growth in non-energy business activities aligns with the broader economic diversification efforts across Gulf Cooperation Council nations, which continue to reduce reliance on oil revenues.
Earlier this month, S&P Global revealed that Saudi Arabia’s December PMI hit 58.4, driven by a sharp increase in new orders. The Kingdom’s PMI has remained above the neutral 50 mark since September 2020, indicating substantial expansion in the non-oil private sector.
In the UAE and Qatar, the PMI for December stood at 55.4 and 54.1, respectively.
“The headline PMI was unchanged at 52.9 in December, remaining above the long-run trend level of 52.3 and indicating a solid improvement in business conditions in the non-energy sector,” said Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO of QFC Authority.
According to the report, employment and wages have risen more quickly in Qatar’s non-energy business sector than at any other time in survey history, which reflects efforts to raise output, improve services, win new business, and address outstanding workloads.
Even though wage pressures remained strong in December, overall input price inflation eased further from October’s four-year high.
The survey added that Qatari firms continued to hold an optimistic outlook for the next 12 months in December, albeit slightly easing from November.
According to the analysis, Qatar’s Financial Services Future Activity Index rose from 62.1 in November to 68.3 in December, well above the long-run series trend of 63.6.
“The outlook for 2025 is strongly positive, continuing to support a booming labor market. New business growth generated a renewed rise in outstanding work during December, and companies continued to build inventories in expectation of sales growth in the coming months,” added Al-Jaida.
Business confidence in Lebanon rises
In a separate report released by BLOMINVEST Bank, compiled by S&P Global, the PMI of Lebanon hit an eight-month high in December, reaching 48.8, up from 48.1 in November.
The survey revealed that companies recorded their most optimistic assessment of the 12-month outlook in December as the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire buoyed sentiment.
S&P Global added that activity levels across Lebanon’s private sector economy fell in December, although the pace of decline cooled to the softest seen since March.
“The BLOM Lebanon PMI for December 2024 improved for the second month in a row from the 44-month low in October (45.0) to record 48.8, as slower declines in new orders and new export orders resulted in a softer output contraction,” said Helmi Mrad, research analyst at BLOMINVEST Bank.
He added: “It is interesting to note that the surveyed companies were optimistic regarding the 12-month outlook, with the Future Output Index recording an all-time high of 61.8. This optimism is due to the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel.”
According to the survey, the decline in new export business also cooled sharply in December, with the contraction being the slowest in 10 months. This trend also signaled a marked easing of the contraction in international client demand for Lebanese products.
