In brief [Archives:2007/1034/Local News]
Al-Mahrah
Housing development for expatriates
17 March ) The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Office in Al-Mahrah is planning to build a housing development in the foreseeable future for expatriates who returned home following the First Gulf War. “Building this city comes as part of implementing President Saleh's platform, which aims to improve the living standards of expatriates and reintegrate them into the society,” said Mohamed Al-Shami, Manager of the Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Office in the governorate. He added that his office is in discussions with the Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry to fund the project with the grant given by the International Organization for Migration.
MAREB
5,000-year-old settlements discovered
17 March ) Surveys conducted by the Yemeni-German Antiquities Team have discovered human settlements near the city of Mareb confirming that these settlements date back to 5,000 years. In light of their surveys, the team, which belongs to the German Antiquities Institute and the Yemeni Antiquities Authority, came up with important and interesting findings revealing secrets of the Old Kingdom of Sheba. Also, the team charted as many as 300 historic sites in their map.
SOCOTRA
Socotra Airport to be launched
18 March ) International flights from Socotra Airport are due to begin at the beginning of April, according to Hamed Faraj, Chairman of the General Aviation Authority. He added that Socotra Airport is to be an international transit point providing refuelling for aircraft which would then depart to different destinations worldwide. Faraj indicated that all the arrangements and facilities necessary for accommodating international flights at the airport have been completed except for refuelling equipment.
TAIZ
UNICEF to discuss friendly school environment
16 March ) The UNICEF Office in Taiz governorate is preparing to organise a two-day workshop programme on friendly schools for children next week. Head of the office Fadhl Al-Bashir clarified that the workshop is due to discuss changes of school environments in a way conducive to achieving the programme's goals. Al-Bashir noted that this is the first time such a programme has been onducted in Yemen, adding that a number of Education Ministry officials, local council members and NGOs' representatives are due to participate in the workshop.
HODEIDAH
Chinese company to establish cement factory
17 March ) The Chinese company, SMK, is due to start laying the foundations for a new cement factory in Rajaf district, Hodeidah governorate for a total cost of $113 million, according to Ismail Al-Shaibani, Chairman of the Cement Industry and Marketing Corporation. He added the Chinese company will start constructing the factory this year following the signing of an agreement with the Corporation on the implementation of the project. The Chinese government has pledged to pay 80 percent of the total cost while the remaining funds are due to come from the Yemeni government.
SANA'A
Court adjourns terror suspects' trial
17 March ) The State Security Specialized Penal Court adjourned the trial of 16 suspects, out of a total of 23 people, accused of links with Al-Qaeda until 22 April. The 16 suspects are charged with forging ID documents and passports with the aim of travelling to Iraq to fight against occupation forces. At the hearing, chaired by Judge Sa'eed Al-Qatta, the prosecutor asked the court not to accept the appeals filed by 12 of the suspects since their appeal against the verdict was lodged after the expiry of the the 15-day deadline. Also, he urged the court to uphold the preliminary verdict, under which all the suspects were sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in jail each.
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