Latest news with #Al-Rai
Arab Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait facilitates the transit of thousands stranded by Israel-Iran conflict
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: In response to escalating regional tensions triggered by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Kuwait has stepped in to assist approximately 30,000 travelers stranded due to suspended air traffic. Since last Friday, these travelers — many of different nationalities — have entered Kuwait through the Abdali border crossing, with numbers continuing to rise. According to security sources cited by Al-Rai, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior, under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, is actively working to facilitate the entry and return of stranded individuals. The operation includes Kuwaitis, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals, and Arab, European, and Asian citizens who have been unable to leave Iran or Iraq due to halted air travel. A structured mechanism has been implemented, allowing travelers to cross from Iran's Shalamcheh port into Iraq, then through the Safwan and Abdali land ports, and onwards to their home countries via Kuwait International Airport or through Nuwaiseeb and Salmi border crossings. For humanitarian purposes, Minister Al-Yousef has authorized a seven-day transit visa for GCC residents holding valid travel tickets, enabling them to pass through Kuwait. Additionally, some European citizens have been granted special entry to facilitate their return via the airport. Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani has also instructed that all humanitarian services be extended to support the safe and efficient movement of stranded travelers. The Abdali crossing has become a hub of logistical activity, with border and customs officials operating around the clock. Coordination is underway with GCC embassies to evacuate citizens before they arrive at Abdali. The Kuwaiti government has deployed approximately 40 buses to transport travelers from the Safwan crossing to Abdali, streamlining their onward transit. 'All relevant personnel are working at full capacity,' the sources confirmed, 'to ensure travelers can safely and easily reach their destinations with the support and care they need.' Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to the 'safe and speedy' return of Kuwaiti citizens currently in Iran. In an interview with Al-Akhbar TV, Al-Yahya emphasized that no injuries or infections among nationals have been reported since Israel began a major military campaign against Iran last Friday. 'The safety of our citizens abroad is our top priority,' he said. 'We have begun tallying Kuwaiti nationals in Tehran, Mashhad, and Qom, and are arranging their evacuation through the closest exit points.' Evacuations are being coordinated through land crossings into Iraq, with citizens transported back to Kuwait via secure routes. Additional efforts include moving groups through Turkmenistan and its capital to arrange further repatriation. Al-Yahya noted ongoing coordination with neighboring states to ensure smooth passage and expressed hope for the safe return of all citizens. He also highlighted Kuwait's role, as current chair of the GCC, in convening a virtual ministerial meeting last Saturday. The meeting concluded with a joint statement condemning the Israeli military operations and urging de-escalation and a return to negotiations. Kuwait is also monitoring potential radioactive fallout as a precaution, with current indicators remaining stable. Regarding consular support, Al-Yahya said Kuwait's diplomatic mission in Tehran is active, while other GCC countries operate additional consulates in Mashhad and Qom. This Gulf-wide coordination is ensuring comprehensive coverage for citizens across affected areas. 'We operate as a unified team,' he concluded, 'providing direct support to Gulf nationals wherever they are.'
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Ranked 5th in Gulf for Overall Skills
KUWAIT CITY, June 14: The Global Skills Index (GSI) 2025, issued by the online learning platform Coursera, showed that Kuwait ranked fifth in the Gulf and 69th globally in terms of overall skills under the 'Emerging Countries' category, which includes countries with skill performance score ranging from 25 to 49 percent, reports Al-Rai daily. Kuwait was ranked among the relatively average performing countries in skills in the fields of Business, Technology and Data Science, but lagged in the AI Maturity Index -- a subindex -- where it ranked 72nd globally. Comparing Kuwait's performance with its Gulf counterparts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) topped the Arab world, ranking 38th globally; followed by Qatar at 40th, Bahrain at 51st, Saudi Arabia at 54th, and Oman at 75th. Thus, Kuwait surpassed Oman among Gulf countries in the overall skills ranking, but ranked sixth in the Gulf on the AI Maturity Index. Meanwhile, Switzerland topped the overall ranking, followed by the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, and Finland in the top five, reflecting their superior mix of technical, business and Data Science skills. In contrast, Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, Venezuela, and Iraq ranked last -- all these countries are suffering from multiple crises in education and technical infrastructure. The report is based on an analysis of data from more than 170 million learners on the Coursera platform, along with external indicators from organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The GSI is a global benchmark for measuring workforce readiness for digital market demands. It provides comprehensive rankings for more than 109 countries in three main areas: Business, Technology and Data Science, in addition to the new AI Maturity Index. The authors indicate that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies have become the most in-demand skill globally, with enrollment in AI courses increasing by 195 percent in one year. However, the skills gap remains a global challenge, with data from the report confirming that more than two-thirds of employers worldwide consider skills shortages a major barrier to adopting new technologies.
Kuwait News Agency
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
Kuwait chief editors: Press freedom nat'l responsibility, base for development
News report by Mubarak Al-Enezi KUWAIT, May 3 (KUNA) -- A number of editors-in-chief affirmed on Saturday that press freedom was a responsibility of national importance that supports overall development and is an important pillar in that aspect. Speaking to KUNA on World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3, the top journalists affirmed that Kuwait had a long and illustrious history in media and press, saying that freedoms within journalism were constitutionally protected in the country, which is uniquely known to all people living in the region as well as the world. "Responsible freedom" is a unique concept within journalism, which is a cornerstone of the national press in Kuwait, asserted Waleed Al-Jassem -- Editor-in-Chief of Al-Rai newspaper -- told KUNA in an interview. Having the press without a ceiling for freedom would only lead to chaos and unruliness, he said, saying that a journalist's job was to show the truth in a responsible manner that protected society and ensured its best interest. The rules and regulations that governed Kuwaiti media and press, whether visual, written, or audible, ensured freedom of the press without leading to hate speech or chaos, creating a unique balance and peace within society, he added. Whether private or public, press and media institutes have the utmost responsibility to protect responsible freedom without going above the law and societal norms, Al-Jassem affirmed. Al-Jassem spoke about digital journalism, stressing that it has become a necessity and has opened a new horizon for the press and media, enabling them to reach more audiences beyond borders and restrictions. With this great power must also come great responsibility, he asserted, adding that a journalist in Kuwait must think globally for his/her words, images, and videos have a greater audience. Refuting rumors, seeking truth and documenting facts are more of a necessity, especially during this time and age of digital media and press, reiterated Al-Jassem. A journalist must be fearless, honorable, and fight corruption with every tool in his/her position, especially with the advent of the new media, Nasser Al-Otaibi, Editor-In-Chief of Al-Jareeda newspaper. Press with no freedom resembles a body without a soul, Al-Otabi argued, saying that lack of freedom, journalists become more of paper tigers than truth-bearers. The World Press Day is an occasion that reflects the global admiration of people working in this valuable field, said Al-Otaibi, who alluded to the bravery of journalists in danger zones, especially in the Gaza Strip, who are regularly targeted and killed for showing the world the brutality of the Israeli occupation. While the world celebrates this occasion, nine out of 10 cases of killing journalists go without holding murderers accountable for their heinous actions, said Al-Otaibi, who called on people in power to ensure the safety of journalists and protect them against all dangers and unlawful targeting. Dr. Barakat Al-Hudaiban -- Editor-in-Chief of Al-Sabah newspaper and chairman of Al-Sabah news channel -- said that balancing freedom and social responsibility was the ultimate goal of a journalist, saying that unruly journalism would only lead to dire consequences on society and the world. There are many challenges facing journalists in Kuwait and the world, namely finding reliable sources and making sure what they cover and related is accurate and to the point. He affirmed that Kuwait has made huge leaps in recent years, setting advanced regulations for electronic and digital media despite the infancy of such media. Since the 1920s, Kuwaiti press and writers were on the vanguard of protecting freedom of speech and conveying truths in a professional manner, he pointed out, adding that in the age of digitization, press and journalism remain a responsibility not only within the boundaries of the country but on the global level. (end)
Al Bawaba
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Syrian series leads to dismissal and investigation of three officials
Published April 25th, 2025 - 12:04 GMT ALBAWABA - Three Damascus University officials were removed after unauthorized filming of the series "Under the Seventh Earth" sparked major controversy. "Under the Seventh Earth" is a television series that ultimately results in the removal of three Syrian government officials. At Damascus University, three officials have been removed from their positions by an investigating commission of the Syrian government. They were found guilty of assisting the shooting of sequences from the series "Under the Seventh Earth" at its offices without authorization, which is a case that has created enormous controversy during the course of its investigation and prosecution. When the director of the Damascus University Classification Office, Marwan Al-Rai, filed his resignation last month, he did so in protest at the breaching of his office lock and the shooting of scenes from the series there without his approval. This brought the problem to light on the previous month. "Under the Seventh Earth" Al-Rai said that the inquiry committee that was looking into the storming of the classification office in order to shoot the television series during the month of Ramadan carried out the conclusions of the investigation yesterday, Thursday, by removing three directors from their posts at Damascus University. The director of security at the university is one of the directors that was fired, according to Al-Rai, who shared this information on his Facebook account. مدير التصنيف في جامعة دمشق، مروان الراعي، كشف عن أمر غير مستحب، بسبب مسلسل 'تحت سابع أرض' للفنان السوري تيم حسن ومواطنته الممثلة كاريس بشار، والذي تم تصوير أحد مشاهده في داخل مكتبه، مما أدى لضياع أوراق مهمة لها علاقة بملف التقديم إلى اعتمادية الاتحاد الأوروبي. — Souria Post - سوريا بوست (@souriapost) April 6, 2025 He stated that the inquiry demonstrated that the three directors were involved in aiding the admission of the staff of the series and left them alone to break and remove the lock, which led to the loss of university accreditation files in addition to other data. According to him, the investigation established that the three directors were involved. A month ago, Al-Ra'i said that the classification office, whose door was smashed down and the cast entered, had "more than 157,550 pieces of university data and information, in addition to exam papers whose results are awaited by university students." This information was disclosed when Al-Ra'i submitted his resignation. In his letter of resignation, he also gave further information regarding the event, including the fact that the office was emptied of its belongings while the series was being filmed inside. This past Ramadan, the television series "Under the Seventh Earth" was shown. Among the actors who appear in it are Tim Hassan, Karis Bashar, Mona Wassef, Anas Tayara, Joan Khader, Sarah Baraka, Majd Fadda, and Tayseer Idris. The script was written by Omar Abu Saada, and Samer Al-Barqawi was the director of the film. The events that take place in "Under the Seventh Earth" take place in the present day in Syria. They focus on themes of social strife and corruption in a neighborhood in Damascus that is inhabited by people of working-class backgrounds, as well as the suffering of Syrians who are forced to live in very terrible circumstances. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Anbat News
25-02-2025
- Business
- Al Anbat News
Orange Jordan and Al-Rai Sign Cooperation Agreement to Enhance Digital Transformation in Media
In a step that reflects their commitment and efforts to foster digital transformation in the media sector, Orange Jordan and Jordan Press Foundation "Al-Rai' have announced signing a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the sector. The collaboration focuses on modernizing digital infrastructure and advancing technological integration in journalism practices. The partnership agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony held on February the 23 rd, bringing together Chief Executive Officer of Orange Jordan, Philippe Mansour, and General Manager of Al-Rai, Heyam Karaki. The ceremony was also attended by Chairman of the Board of Al-Rai, Samih Maaitah, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Rai, Dr. Khalid Al Shaqran, and the Chief Corporate Communication and Sustainability Officer of Orange Jordan, Eng. Rana Dababneh. Commenting on this partnership, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Jordan, Philippe Mansour, stated, "Today, we establish a strategic partnership that brings together Al-Rai newspaper's rich heritage with Orange Jordan's continuous innovation. This agreement between the two deep-rooted Jordanian companies is an important step towards strengthening our position as a trusted digital partner in the media sector, as we continue our commitment to providing advanced digital solutions that meet the requirements of the era." He further noted, "We believe this partnership will open new horizons of fruitful cooperation and contribute to driving digital progress in the Jordanian media landscape, building on our extended relationship with Al-Rai newspaper and our shared experiences in serving the Jordanian community." Samih Maaitah highlighted Al-Rai newspaper's pivotal role in political, economic, and social influence, which will work to maintain through its electronic platforms that serve as a reliable and important source of information for the audience. He added that signing the agreement with Orange reinforces the institution's pursuit of digital transformation and keeping pace with the rapid developments in both sectors by providing distinguished digital media content that aligns with the public's aspirations. For her part, Heyam Karaki emphasized the importance of digital transformation while maintaining the quality of content, authenticity, and credibility that Al-Rai enjoys, as digital media has become the driving force for most media institutions. She also stressed the importance of utilizing the latest technologies, advanced analytical tools, and artificial intelligence, as well as keeping pace with rapid technological developments, so that Al-Rai newspaper maintains its leadership in the fast-paced digital media space through cooperating with its strategic partners such as Orange Jordan, which is considered one of the leading companies in the telecommunications, information technology, and innovation sectors. By the end of the signing ceremony, attendees highlighted the importance of cooperation between media institutions, telecommunication, and technology companies in driving digital transformation, contributing to the development of the Jordanian media landscape, and enabling it to fulfill the audience's needs, especially in the new digital age. Through this agreement, Orange Jordan demonstrates its motto "Orange is Here' with services and solutions that cater to the needs of various sectors and community members in different aspects of life—stemming from its position as a responsible digital leader. For more information, please visit the company's website: -END- About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan is one of the subsidiaries of Orange Global Group, it enjoys a geographical expansion that spans over all of Jordan. Orange Jordan, with more than 1600 employees strive to provide the best customer experience available in line with the company's positioning as a Responsible Digital Leader. Orange Jordan offers an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed, mobile, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.1 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan's solutions are comprehensive as they serve businesses in addition to individuals under its sub brand Orange Business. Orange Jordan inspires by its values namely transparency, agility, results-oriented, customer centricity, collaboration, caring, and excellence to put its digital empowerment and inclusion vision into action. Such a vision represents a cornerstone in the Orange Jordan's CSR strategy which is enlightened by the Group's strategy "Lead the Future'. It revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, climate and environment, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship. To learn more about us, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with total revenues of 43.5 billion euros in 2022 and 137,000 employees worldwide until 30 September 2023, including 73,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 296 million customers worldwide until 30 September 2023, including 251 million mobile customers and 25 million fixed broadband customers. The Group's geographical presence expands over 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality. Orange is listed in Euronext Paris (ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ORAN).
