JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday Israel was prepared for very strong action in northern Israel, saying it would restore security “one way or another” in an area targeted by the Iran-backed Hezbollah during months of hostilities.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has been fought in parallel to the Gaza war, has intensified in recent days, adding to concerns that an even wider confrontation could break out between the heavily armed adversaries.
“Whoever thinks that they can harm us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for a very strong action in the north,” Netanyahu said during a tour of the area. “In one way or another we will restore security to the north.”
The fighting — the worst hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel since they fought a war in 2006 — has forced tens of thousands of people to flee homes on both sides of the border.
Israeli strikes have killed some 300 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and around 80 civilians have been killed, according to a Reuters tally.
Attacks from Lebanon have killed 18 Israeli soldiers and 10 civilians, Israel says.
Israeli Military Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday the army was ready for an offensive along the northern border and that Israel was nearing a decision point.
The US State Department said on Tuesday that Washington does not want to see a full-blown war and that it is trying to pursue a diplomatic solution, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself from Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, deemed a terrorist organization by Washington, announced several operations on Wednesday, including a guided missile attack targeting Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system in Ramot Naftali, some 3 km (2 miles) from the border.
Rockets fired from Lebanon set off wild fires this week, burning swathes of land across northern Israel.
Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem told broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that the group’s decision was not to widen the war but that it would fight one if it was imposed on it.
Qassem said the Lebanon front would not stop until the Gaza war stops, Al Jazeera quoted him as saying.
Hezbollah, an ally of Palestinian militant group Hamas, says it has been striking Israel in support of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. It has previously said it will cease fire when the Israeli offensive on Gaza stops.
Netanyahu says Israel prepared for strong action in the north
Netanyahu says Israel prepared for strong action in the north
- Israeli towns near the northern border have been a frequent target of rocket and drone launches from Hezbollah
- Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire for the past eight months in parallel with the Gaza war
Saudi Arabia calls for robust action against land degradation
- Kingdom’s incoming UNCCD presidency aims to increase the number of participating countries and the ambition of their goals
- More than 71,000 square km of land expected to face deterioration before the Dec. 2nd start of the conference
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is encouraging urgent action to combat drought, as vast areas of land — larger than the size of Ireland — are projected to face degradation globally in the near future.
With less than one month remaining until the 16th session of the Conference of Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification begins in Riyadh, the Kingdom’s incoming UNCCD presidency has urged the international community to take decisive measures on drought resilience and land restoration.
Recent data underscores the urgency of this appeal, with more than 71,000 square km of land expected to face deterioration before the Dec. 2nd start of the conference, according to the UNCCD.
“COP16 in Riyadh is a critical moment for the international community to address land degradation if we are to meet the UNCCD target of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030,” said the Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and adviser to the COP16 presidency, Osama Faqeeha.
Faqeeha added: “As the hosts, we are calling for all parties to come to Riyadh ready to increase their ambition by strengthening land restoration targets, bolstering drought resilience initiatives, and enhancing land tenure rights.”
Since 2015, countries have been aligning with voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Over 130 nations have engaged in the LDN Target Setting Programme, with more than 100 already defining their objectives.
Saudi Arabia’s incoming UNCCD presidency aims to increase the number of participating countries and the ambition of their goals.
The UNCCD has estimated that more than $44 trillion in economic output, representing over half of global gross domestic product, is moderately or highly dependent on natural capital.
Restoration investments are highlighted as economically beneficial, with projections that each dollar invested could yield up to $30 in returns, presenting a significant opportunity for a trillion-dollar restoration economy.
COP16 in Riyadh will mark the first time the UNCCD will introduce a Green Zone, a dedicated space for businesses, scientists, and financial institutions, as well as NGOs, the public, and impacted communities to collaborate on sustainable solutions.
The conference will also feature seven thematic days focused on key topics such as land restoration, governance, and agri-food systems, as well as resilience, finance, and advancements in science, technology, and innovation.
Oman’s oil exports hit 230.6m barrels by September: official data
JEDDAH: Oman’s oil exports totaled approximately 230.6 million barrels by the end of September, averaging $82.60 per barrel and accounting for 84.6 percent of total production, which exceeded 272.4 million barrels.
According to statistics from the country’s National Center for Statistics and Information, as reported by the state news agency, oil exports increased by 0.1 percent compared to September 2023, when total exports were nearly 230.3 million barrels. This rise occurred alongside a 5.1 percent decrease in production, which was recorded at over 287 million barrels during the same period last year.
Total crude oil production declined by 6.7 percent, reaching over 208.5 million barrels by the end of September, while condensate production saw a slight increase of 0.6 percent, totaling more than 63.86 million barrels. The NCSI noted that the average daily oil production was 994,200 barrels through the end of September.
The World Bank forecasts Oman’s economic growth will rise to 2.7 percent in 2025 and 3.2 percent in 2026, driven by a rebound in oil and gas production as the Duqm refinery reaches full capacity, alongside a revival in agricultural and construction activities and a strong services sector.
The report also indicated that inflation is expected to remain low, averaging 1.3 percent from 2024 to 2026, largely due to the country’s currency being pegged to the US dollar and regulated fuel prices.
According to the Oman News Agency, China was the top importer of Omani oil, with imports totaling approximately 219.6 million barrels, marking a 4.5 percent increase compared to September 2023.
Japan followed with nearly 4 million barrels, a decline of 46.4 percent, while South Korea imported around 3.8 million barrels, an increase of 31.8 percent. Exports to India totaled 2,002,000 barrels, down 26.3 percent.
Overall, Oman’s oil exports during the first half of 2024 increased by 0.3 percent to 153,362,300 barrels, with the average price per barrel at $82.20, according to the NCSI.
Oil exports constituted 84.6 percent of the total oil production volume, which was over 181 million barrels, down 5.3 percent from 191.4 million barrels in the same period in 2023. Total crude oil production also fell by 7.4 percent to over 138.7 million barrels by the end of the first half of 2024, while oil condensate production rose by 2.3 percent to 42.5 million barrels. The average daily oil production at that time was reported at 842,700 barrels. During this period, China remained the leading country importing oil from Oman, with nearly 148 million barrels.
UNESCO chair hosts translating cultures workshops
RIYADH: The UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, supported by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, recently hosted three online workshops.
The workshops were attended by members of the Translating Cultures Lab and researchers with an interest in translating cultures.
The lab unites renowned scholars and early-career Saudi researchers to publish papers on the 2024 theme, “Rethinking Translating Cultures and its Conceptual Framework,” focusing on knowledge transfer and translation in the Global South.
At the workshops researchers presented papers and received feedback from lab members to refine them for publication.
In the first two workshops, six papers were presented, addressing issues in translating cultures, including cultural narratives, religious concepts such as “mahr” in Islam, and humor translation in modern Saudi literature.
Other topics included foreignizing and domesticating Arab culture in translation, translation as knowledge transfer, and translating Plastic Arts into Arabic.
The papers were presented by scholars from King Khalid University (Saudi Arabia), Indira Gandhi National Open University (India), Jagiellonian University (Poland), Mohammed I University Oujda (Morocco), the Catholic University of America (US), and an independent Australian researcher.
The third workshop reviewed papers for an edited volume by the Translating Cultures Lab on the theme of “Rethinking Translating Cultures.”
The UNESCO chair views “translating cultures” as a concept tied to broader debates in the humanities, regarding it as a continuous process involving translation, cross-cultural communication, and knowledge sharing.
From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
RIYADH: Riyadh Zoo has added a bird show to its already extensive lineup as part of Riyadh Season 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts, as well as giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to learn about animal life, environmental care, and conservation awareness.
A farm area has been enhanced to provide interactive activities that promote an understanding of biodiversity and the importance of preserving nature.
One of the highlights is the Croc Cave, where visitors can safely observe crocodiles up close.
At Kangaroo Arena, visitors can enjoy a rare encounter with the Australian marsupials and capture memorable photos.
To enrich the educational experience, the new farm area provides hands-on activities that educate visitors on nature and wildlife conservation.
The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors ample time to enjoy its diverse facilities, which span 161,000 square meters and house over 1,400 animals of various species.
A variety of outlets and mobile food trucks offer a wide range of food and beverages, as well as family-friendly seating areas for comfort.
In a move aimed at enhancing inclusivity, Riyadh Season offers free entry to senior citizens aged 60 and older for its entertainment areas.
The initiative was announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, as part of efforts to make the season more accessible to all.
Seniors can enter select areas by showing their Tawakkalna application at designated gates.
The areas included in the offer are Boulevard World, Boulevard Runway, and Wonder Garden, along with the standard free-entry areas such as Riyadh Zoo, Al-Suwaidi Park, and Souq Al-Awaleen. They will also have access to Boulevard City and VIA Riyadh without the need for prior tickets.
However, the offer does not cover events with reserved seating, such as concerts, plays, boxing matches, or special experiences, which require separate ticketing arrangements.
The initiative underscores Riyadh Season’s commitment to ensuring that all segments of society can enjoy its diverse offerings.
Pro-Palestinian protesters take Israel sculptures from UK university
LONDON: A pro-Palestinian group took two sculptures of Israel’s first president from a UK university in a protest marking the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, with police on Sunday confirming they were investigating reports of a burglary.
“Today, Palestine Action have marked 107 years since the Balfour Declaration, by taking two sculptures of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, from its display case at University of Manchester,” the protest group said in a press release.
Greater Manchester Police told AFP in a statement that it had received a report of a burglary at the north west England university at around 11.55pm (2355 GMT) on Friday.
The local Jewish Representative Council of GM & Region community group wrote on X that “overnight, criminals from Palestine Action broke into the University, smashed the case and stole the statue of Weizmann.
“We urge the authorities and Home Secretary to fully proscribe Palestine Action as it is essential they face the full force of the law,” it added.
In the Balfour Declaration, UK foreign minister Arthur Balfour spelled out plans to form “a national home for the Jewish people” in a 1917 letter to Walter Rothschild, a British politician and supporter of the idea of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
The letter was endorsed and published by the government on Nov 2, 1917.
Palestine Action also sprayed the London office of charity Jewish National Fund (JNF) with red paint, and carried out a similar protest at the Britain Israel Communications and Research Center (BICOM) lobby group HQ in London.
It also collaborated with students from the University of Cambridge, where Balfour was educated, to spray the university’s Institute of Manufacturing and Senate House.
