News in Brief [Archives:2006/973/Local News]

Sana'a:

Smuggled medicines caught

Aug 15 – Security and customs authorities at Sana'a International Airport confiscated smuggled medicine worth seven million YR (US almost 34,000$). The medicine was brought into the country in the luggage (7 suitcases) of a Yemeni passenger coming from Egypt on Egyptian Airlines last week. The medicine is for heart, stomach, diabetes and blood pressure diseases.

Car theft Gang tried

Aug 14 – One of the most dangerous car theft gangs in Sana'a is now on trial. The gang is made of 16 members, of which one is a female, and they're facing crimes of burglary, fraud and resisting police authorities. The gang was caught at the end of last year and is currently in custody at the main prison in Sana'a.

Al-Dhal'e:

Cashier flees with money

Aug 16 – Hundreds of teachers held a strike at the tourism district in front of the governmental compound in Damt in demand for their July salaries. Apparently the treasurer of the Ministry of Education's office at the district fled away carrying with him the salaries of more than 700 teachers. The amount is estimated to be around YR 16 million (more than $US 80,000). Police are still in search for the vanished cashier, who is rumoured to have fled the country.

Refresher course for teachers concluded

Aug 15 – The High Institute for Training and rehabilitation of teachers concluded its professional refresh course for 43 teachers from various districts last Thursday. The course was 12 days long and targeted both male and female primary level teachers. This training comes in accordance to the ministerial plan for enhancing the education level around the republic.

Lahj:

Tour Al-Baha staff continue strike

Aug 16 – Tour Al-Baha Hospital is still handicapped as its staff including professional medical staff and administrative personnel have been striking for one week because of not receiving their salaries and wages last month. Apparently the reason why their salaries were not released is because of a dispute between the previous health office accountant and the district authority who replaced the former with a new accountant. This strike had badly affected the citizens according to those in Lahj who say all medical treatment in the hospital has stopped in addition to no admissions of new cases. The summer rains have made the problem worse as static water increased the risk of malaria infection.

Aden:

Commercial Arbitration seminar

Aug 16 – The seminar discussed the commercial disputes and means of resolving them and the legal background for such legislations. The focus of the seminar was the importance of arbitration in view of Yemen's joining the World Trade Organsiation, and the related issues regarding free trade and the requirements of the international trade system. A number of businessmen, administrative and affiliates to the judiciary system attended the seminar.

Taiz:

Aug 16 – Locals at Hathran area northwest of Taiz complain their water sources are contaminated to the extent that many had to leave the area. Apparently Al-Buraihi Dam, which was built by the state at Al-Taiziya locality as a liquid garbage dump for the area, has polluted the valley water. The liquid dump contains waste from the workshops, slough and domestic waste and dirty water coming from the swamps in the area. The problem in Hathran is four-years-old because the water pipeline network is damaged allowing the contaminated water to mix with the clean water. The pollution leads to the spread of epidemics among the human and animal population in the area and ruins fertile lands.

Awareness seminar on elections

Aug 16 – The Yemeni Women's Union Taiz branch in coordination with the Supreme Elections Committee conducted a seminar on elections last Monday. The seminar focused on the importance of women's participation in elections, and the importance of local elections in development.

Al-Mukala:

Rural area teachers trained

Aug 16 – A workshop, which aims at training and activating teachers in rural areas, have concluded in Al-Mukala. The three-day workshop targeted 30 teachers from Shabwa, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Mahara, Al-Muakla, Sayoun and Soqatra and it was funded by the World Bank and innuagrated by Ms. Faouzia Noman head of girls education sector at the Ministry of Education and Dr. Awadh Al-Bakri director of the Education's Office in Hadramout.

Shabwa:

Summer Activities Center for girls concludes

Aug 15 – The first summer activities center for girls in Shabwa concluded last Saturday. The center arranged for 60 girls from all around the governorate to meet in Ataq for one month and participate in various cultural, sport, artistic and social events as well as be introduced to various art and handi crafts during the summer course. The course events were hosted by Arwa Secondary School in Ataq, and was commended by many of the participants parents and concerned authorities.

The conclusion ceremony included awarding some of the distinguished girls and supporting officials. Ms. Lina Al-Harithi, head of the center, said it proved to be very successful although it was the first of its kind in the governorate.

Sa'ada:

Water Supply and sanitation Project for Sa'ada

Aug 15 – A joint water and sanitation project between the German government (85 percent) and the Yemeni government (15 percent) was signed last Monday. The Project aims to enhance the social and economic development of Sa'ada governorate and reduce the health risks caused by bad water and poor sanitation in the governorate. More than 50 thousand inhabitants are to benefit from this project, which costs YR3.6 Billion. The project includes the construction of seven wells, establishing a large-scale water pump, pipeline network, power generators, Chloroform treatment premises, three water tanks, as well as a sanitation network and waste water treatment station.
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