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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially inaugurated the new building of Palestine’s Embassy in Vatican City on Thursday.
Abbas called on countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so, and to acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the news and information agency WAFA reported.
After raising the Palestinian flag, Abbas spoke of efforts to gain full UN membership and achieve greater international recognition for Palestine.
The Vatican officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 13, 2015. On June 26 of the same year, the Vatican’s Holy See and the Palestinian Authority signed a comprehensive agreement for mutual recognition.
Armenia was the last country — the 149th — to recognize Palestine, on June 21, 2024. There are Palestinian embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions in 110 countries.
The opening ceremony of the new embassy building was attended by several Palestinian Authority officials, including Ziad Abu Amr, the first deputy prime minister, and Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Vatican.
Earlier, Abbas had a private audience with Pope Francis and senior Vatican officials. He is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially inaugurated the new building of Palestine’s Embassy in Vatican City, Dec. 12 (WAFA)
Somali-born athlete Abdihamid Nur has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Team after finishing second in the men’s 5 000 metres with a time of 13:09.01 at the 2024 Team USA Olympic Trials held on Sunday at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon State.
Nur’s performance was a significant improvement on the time he posted in the first round of qualifying, a race he completed in 13:24.14.
Before confirming his place, Nur engaged in an entertaining duel with Grant Fisher, who won the race with a meet record of 13:08.85.
The duo broke away from the rest with four laps to go and exchanged the lead several times before Fisher surged past Nur in the final stretch to win the race.
At the moment the two will be Team USA’s only representatives in the 5 000 metres at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as, Parker Wolfe, who finished third in 13:10.75, will still have to negotiate more qualifying hurdles based on world rankings to seal a spot.
Epic finish between Grant Fisher and Abdihamid Nur.
Until Wolfe’s qualification is confirmed, Fisher and Nur will be tasked with ensuring that USA gets a medal in the 5 000 metres for the third consecutive Olympic Games.
Kenyan-born Paul Chelimo, who won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020, ensured that USA had a place on the medal winners’ podium at the last two Olympic Games.
Other American Olympic medallists in the 5 000 metres are: Ralph Hill (silver at Los Angeles 1932), Bob Schul (gold at Tokyo 1964), and Bill Dellinger (bronze at Tokyo 1964).
Nur was born in Mogadishu on October 14, 1998. His family emigrated to Kenya briefly before moving to Egypt when Nur was four years old. Nur’s family later relocated to the USA in 2006, first living in New Mexico, before moving to Minnesota, and later settling in Phoenix, Arizona, where Nur nurtured his athletics talent as High School student at North High School and later at the Northern Arizona University.
At Northern Arizona University, Nur featured in the NCAA Championships winning several races across the 1 500 metres, 3 000 metres, and 5 000 metres.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be the first of Nur’s career.
However, that does not mean he lacks international experience as he has represented USA in the 5 000 metres at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene and Budapest respectively.
Prominent Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh won the Courage Prize at the 32nd Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Awards.
Each year, the RSF Press Freedom Awards honour the work of journalists and media outlets that have made significant contributions to the defence and promotion of press freedom worldwide.
This year, 18 journalists and journalist teams, two media outlets, and five photojournalists from 22 countries were in the running.
The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Awards said they celebrate “the courageous journalists who have made sharing reliable information to their life struggle.”
The statement announcing Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chiefas winner reads, “The awards went to Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, who has never stopped reporting despite injuries and the death of his family members in Gaza (Courage Prize)”
Wael Al-Dahdouh is described as “journalist who embodies resilience and the fight for reliable information.”
In a video message posted on the RSF X handle, Dahdouh thanked the RSF team, adding ,”I consider it a way to honor all my fellow journalists in Gaza, who have covered and continued to cover the events of this terrifying war conducted by the Israeli army occupying Gaza.”
Further, he added, “We made a huge sacrifice and paid an expensive price: exhaustion, sleepless nights, blood, sweat, fear, terror, loss, displacement, to make sure that all the news, the images and the information coming from Gaza during this war, could arrive to the rest of the world.”
Dahdouh has become an epitome of courage during Israel’s continuing siege on Gaza, despite the loss of his wife, grandson, and three of his children — one of whom was also a journalist for Al Jazeera — he continued to report the devastations in Gaza.
Al-Dahdouh, who was injured by an Israeli drone strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in December, left for Qatar to receive medical treatment, and is currently undergoing treatment in Germany.
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN in New York, will stage events from Dec. 9 to 11 at UN headquarters to celebrate World Arabic Language Day.
This year’s theme is “Arabic Language and AI — Advancing Innovation While Preserving Cultural Heritage,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event will welcome high-ranking international and diplomatic figures.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of the celebration, which displays the academy’s efforts to promote Arabic in global organizations and highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to preserving the language’s cultural and scientific heritage.
The event will include a panel discussion titled “Arabic Translation at the UN,” featuring international experts, and a virtual training course on “Arabic Translation Skills for Diplomatic Purposes” for UN staff.
An Arabic Language Exhibition will feature artistic works and digital displays focused on the language’s beauty, history, and impact on other civilizations. It will reflect Saudi culture’s authenticity while introducing the academy’s activities and publications.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language will stage events from Dec. 9 to 11 at UN headquarters to celebrate World Arabic Language Day. (AFP file photo)
Doctor in China, patient in Morocco: How world’s longest remote surgery was performed.
A French doctor in China successfully performed prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Morocco, located 12,000 kilometres away. Using a Chinese-made robot, the doctor performed the world’s longest remote surgery in just two hours.
Sitting in China, a French doctor performed prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Morocco, 12,000 kilometres away.
But how did he pull off this groundbreaking procedure?
The doctor used a Chinese-made robot to carry out the surgery.
On November 16, Youness Ahallal completed the surgery in under two hours, with a one-way latency of just over 100 milliseconds.
This intercontinental surgery has set a record for the world’s longest remote surgery ever performed, with a round-trip transmission distance surpassing 30,000 kilometres, according to Xinhua News Agency.
How was the surgery performed?
The surgery was carried out with the help of the Toumai Robot, which allowed for precise control and high-definition imaging from a remote location in real-time.
This groundbreaking procedure comes after an October surgery for a renal cyst, where the Toumai Robot helped a minimally invasive operation between Shanghai and Cotonou in Benin, with a round-trip distance of 27,000 kilometres.
In Morocco, the robotic arm followed the surgeon’s commands from Shanghai, performing the prostate tumour removal and suturing with exceptional accuracy, while ensuring the preservation of the vascular-nerve bundle and maintaining the urethra’s length.
Despite relying on a standard broadband connection instead of 5G technology, the video feed remained clear and smooth. The robot’s flexibility, precision, and stability were crucial in carrying out this high-complexity surgery, Ahallah told the news agency.
Notably, this form of remote surgery can increase access to skilled surgeons worldwide, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad. It also provides a platform for senior surgeons to remotely guide junior colleagues in handling complex procedures.
Will remote surgery become routine practice?
He Chao, president of MicroPort MedBot, the company behind the Toumai Robot, told Xinhua news agency that this remote technology is set to bring “disruptive changes to future medical services.”
“Our goal is to make remote surgery a routine practice.”
Surgical robots have emerged as a key area of focus for Chinese tech startups in recent years. According to a recent industry report, China’s surgical robot market is projected to grow to $38.4 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate surpassing the global average.
The rapid expansion of 5G networks in China is expected to accelerate the adoption of remote surgery, making it a more practical and widely accessible option for healthcare services.
He Chao revealed that the Toumai Robot has already been involved in over 250 successful 5G ultra-long-distance surgeries, with a 100% success rate and a total transmission distance exceeding 400,000 kilometres.
As of August, China had over 4 million 5G base stations, according to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The Toumai Robot, which received EU CE certification in May, is now authorised for use in various surgeries, including urology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and gynaecological endoscopy.
World’s first transcontinental remote surgery
Earlier this year, a Chinese surgeon made history by performing the world’s first live transcontinental remote robotic prostate removal – an operation carried out in Rome on a patient located in Beijing.
This groundbreaking telesurgery, which helped cover a distance of 8,000km (about 5,000 miles), was performed through a 5G network and fibre-optic connections linking a surgical console in Italy to robotic arms in China, according to the South China Morning Post.
While Zhang Xu, the surgeon, conducted the radical prostatectomy from Italy, a medical team and a backup surgeon were present in China to help the patient. The robotic arms in China imitated every movement Zhang made to remove the cancerous tissue.
The total two-way communication distance was over 20,000km, which was a huge challenge due to the potential latency, or delay, between the surgeon’s console and the robotic arms’ response.
Vito Pansadoro, one of the conference directors and a robotic surgery expert, described the event as “a historical experience, a historical moment,” during an interview with state broadcaster CCTV.
Before carrying out the prostate telesurgery, Zhang and his team conducted more than a hundred experimental remote surgeries on animals, along with exploratory and small-scale human patient trials, according to People’s Daily.
Surgical robot system in India
India has also developed its indigenous surgical robot system, the SSI Mantra, designed by Sudhir Srivastava. This system allows surgeons to perform robotic surgery even when they are not physically close to the patient.
The SSI Mantra features a modular design with more than five detachable arms, making it versatile for complex procedures, including heart surgery.
Srivastava, who previously worked on the Da Vinci robotic system, wanted to create a device that would be both affordable and accessible in India, as 90% of existing systems were used in the US and Japan, he told India Today.
In 2012, he began developing what would become India’s first surgical robot, the SSI Mantra.
With inputs from agencies
source/content: firstpost.com (headline edited)
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Dr Youness Ahallal completed the surgery in under two hours. Image courtesy: X/@ChineseCGMumbai
Morocco has bolstered its global insurance standing with Bachir Baddou’s election, marking a significant step for African and Arab insurance sectors.
Bachir Baddou, Vice President of the Moroccan Federation of Insurance (FMA), has been elected Vice President of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) during its General Assembly in Cape Town on December 4, 2024. This marks a significant achievement for Morocco, as well as the African and Arab insurance sectors, in a global context.
Baddou, a member of the GFIA Executive Committee since 2016, has been recognized as the first Arab and African to hold a position in this key decision-making body. His election reflects growing recognition of Morocco’s contributions to the international insurance industry.
The GFIA, representing 89% of global insurance premiums through 42 member associations and one observer association from 68 countries, serves as the world’s foremost organization for insurers. It plays a crucial role in addressing shared challenges in the sector and engaging with international regulatory bodies.
The elections in Cape Town also saw the appointment of Stephen Frank of Canada as GFIA President. Other key members of the new leadership include Thea Utoft Høj Jensen from Insaurance Europe as Secretary-General, Toyonari Sasaki of Japan as Treasurer, Andrew Hall of Australia as Regional Representative, and Norma Alicia of Mexico as Head of Memberships.
Morocco’s active participation in the GFIA is part of broader efforts by the FMA to strengthen international cooperation and promote innovative approaches within the insurance sector. The federation’s work, led by its president Mohamed Hassan Bensalah, has contributed to the country’s growing influence in global insurance discussions.
The GFIA continues to address key issues affecting the industry, including regulatory frameworks, market accessibility, and global risk management strategies. Baddou’s election as vice president is expected to enhance Morocco’s role in these critical conversations, providing a platform to advocate for the perspectives of emerging markets and African economies.
This development showcase the increasing presence of Moroccan and African voices in global financial organizations as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international collaboration in the insurance sector.
The ‘Rig 1938’ tower made two entries in the Guinness Book of Records, as the world tallest water slide tower with a height of 76.309 meters; and the first tower of its kind to have 12 water slides.
General Manager and Chairman of Qetaifan Projects Company, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in a press conference that the tower provides an exceptional experience that enhances Qatar’s position as a world class global tourist.
He added that the tower is not just an entertainment landmark, but a symbol that expresses Qatari culture and promotes creativity.
The tower, which is 85 meters high and includes 12 water slides, is an architectural masterpiece inspired by the history of oil and gas discovery in Qatar. It was designed according to the highest safety standards to be suitable for all age groups to enhance the visitor experience.
The tower is located in the heart of Meryal City, which extends over an area of 281 thousand square meters, and is one of the largest water parks in the region, with 36 innovative water games.
Meryal is part of Qetaifan Island North, which is an integrated tourism project extending over an area of 1.3 million square meters, and includes multiple facilities as well as residential, educational and health projects, making it a destination that combines authenticity and innovation.
Wafaa bint Saeed al Simriyah, a former talented basketball player, has become the first Omani woman to earn an international badge as a basketball court referee. She has been a certified basketball referee for several basketball tournaments.
The International Basketball Federation recently announced its roster of international referees for the term 2023-2025, and among the distinguished names is Wafaa bint Saeed al Simriyah from Oman. This is considered a historic achievement for Oman and marks her career as the first Omani female referee to receive this credential.
Wafaa had embarked on her basketball journey in 2012 with the Caledonian College of Engineering team, eventually joining the Omani national team and showcasing her skills in the 2019 Gulf Championship.
Representing the Ahli Sadab Club and the Petroleum Development Oman team in local tournaments, she said, “I chose basketball because it is one of the games I enjoyed playing the most since I was very young.”
Her list of accomplishments includes triumphs in various local championships, such as the Federation Championship, Basketball Trios Championship, Sultan University Championship, Corporate Championship, and internal championships of the Petroleum Development Oman Company. Notably, she has secured the top scorer award and best player award in many of the championships.
Transitioning to refereeing in 2019, Wafaa earned the International Refereeing Certificate for Backgammon Referees in 2020. Her journey into refereeing involved officiating in internal championships and leagues across different age categories.
Reflecting on this shift, she said, “As a player, my focus was on skill and tactics, but when I became involved in refereeing, I learned how to get a comprehensive grasp of all aspects of the game from a referee’s perspective.”
In 2020, Wafaa began officiating in internal championships and leagues across various age categories. She also took part in external camps in Kuwait and Qatar, which included matches.
Omani referees are currently recognised as elite, actively contributing to the refereeing of major continental competitions. With pride, she noted, “Our referees participate in refereeing the largest continental competitions.”
Recently awarded the international badge for the 2023-2025 session, she said it served as a motivation to intensify her efforts in this field. Her goal is to be fully prepared for any external assignment, emphasising, “I want to represent Oman optimally. I hope that obtaining this badge will motivate my fellow players to also engage in refereeing some day.”
To Omani female athletes, she offered valuable advice, saying, “Continue your efforts, develop your skills, set tough goals, and aim high. It requires a lot of effort and patience but you will reach your goals with dedication and hard work.”
Wafaa was, however, skeptical about the prospects of Oman hosting world championships, due to logistic constraints. Nevertheless, she said, “I hope to see Omani women’s basketball teams on the podium in coming years. We are capable of that.”
The Arab League announced today the launch of the Arab Common Electricity Market, in a step aimed at achieving regional integration in the field of electrical energy.
This was announced during the 15th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity, which was held in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt.
The meeting was attended by electricity and energy ministers and delegations from 22 Arab countries. During the meeting, two agreements were signed: the “General Agreement,” which defines the goals of the market and mechanisms for its development, and the “Market Agreement,” which sets the institutional and commercial framework for the market, including governance of operations and cooperation between member states.
The agreements were signed by the UAE, Kuwait, Palestine, Syria, Egypt,Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Morocco, and Jordan.
The goal of this market is to enhance the stability of electricity supplies, reduce costs, support investments in renewable energy, establish the position of Arab countries as major exporters of clean energy globally, improve electricity consumption efficiency, and expand developmental projects, thereby strengthening the national energy strategies of the member states.
