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Arab World

Number of COVID-10 Cases in Sudan Declines

Director of Sudan's Health Promotion Directorate Sarah al-Malek at the Ministry’s launching of its online coronavirus testing project (SUNA)
Director of Sudan's Health Promotion Directorate Sarah al-Malek at the Ministry’s launching of its online coronavirus testing project (SUNA)
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Number of COVID-10 Cases in Sudan Declines

Director of Sudan's Health Promotion Directorate Sarah al-Malek at the Ministry’s launching of its online coronavirus testing project (SUNA)
Director of Sudan's Health Promotion Directorate Sarah al-Malek at the Ministry’s launching of its online coronavirus testing project (SUNA)

The Sudanese Ministry of Health has issued reports indicating a marked decrease in the number of infections and deaths due to COVID-19 over the past few weeks.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry said it recorded 42 infection cases over the past three days, 11 deaths, and 47 recoveries.

According to health reports, the capital, Khartoum, tops all the states with 8,393 infections, followed by Gezira with 1,097 cases.

While northern and eastern states have seen an increase in the number of reported cases, being on the borders and affected by those repatriated from several countries with various rates of outbreaks.

Since recording the first infection in early March, the country has recorded a total of 11,780 cases and 6,149 deaths.

Reports have indicated a variation in the outbreak rates all over the states, adding that competent authorities are working to reduce them.

In a statement last week, the ministry said it is not certain yet whether the decline in the number of cases is real or sustainable, noting that it is currently in the phase of verification and assessment.

The epidemiological situation, reflected in the daily reports issued by all states, indicates decline to no new cases that need to be verified as correct and sustainable, the statement read, stressing that it can’t consider it a definite decline.

The ministry pointed out that the age of 53 percent of the infected people ranges between 15 and 44 years old, explaining that it is the result of their non-adherence to the directives and health measures imposed, including social distancing and wearing masks.

It urged relevant authorities to implement lockdown decisions, so that competent authorities can control the pandemic and limit the increase in its spread.

Authorities eased restriction in early July in Khartoum, maintained an inter-state and travel ban, allowed the resumption of work in state institutions, reduced number of workers by half and allowed the opening of markets and the practice of trade activities.

Meanwhile, an epidemiological department announced it was conducting a study and analysis to know the factors behind this decline.

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Arab World

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.

Arab World

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.

Arab World

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.