Schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees opened in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip on Wednesday after it secured funding to offset cuts by its main donor, the United States.

The beginning of the school year had been in doubt after the United Nations Relief and Works (UNRWA) said it lacked funds to pay the 22,000 teachers in its schools in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

“We’re very determined to keep these schools open,” Pierre Krahenbuhl, commissioner-general of the UNRWA, told reporters at a girls’ school in the West Bank refugee camp of Jalazone as students in pinstripe uniforms turned out for calisthenics in the courtyard.

The United States earlier this year cut its aid to UNRWA to $60 million from a promised $350 million for the year, saying the agency needed to make unspecified reforms and calling on the Palestinians to renew peace talks with Israel.

Two weeks ago, Krahenbuhl said schools would open on schedule now that the agency had received $238 million in additional contributions since the beginning of the year.

Krahenbuhl said UNRWA schools in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, would open early next week as planned.

UNRWA was founded in 1949 after the first Arab-Israel war, which led to 700,000 Palestinians being forced to leave their homes. It helps around 5 million Palestinian refugees, a figure that includes descendants of those displaced by the conflict.

 Israeli scholars have pieced together and deciphered one of two previously unread manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls more than half a century since their discovery, an Israeli university has said.

The more than 60 tiny fragments of parchment bearing encrypted Hebrew writing had previously been thought to come from a variety of different scrolls, a Haifa University spokesman told AFP on Sunday.

But Eshbal Ratson and Jonathan Ben-Dov of the university's Bible studies department found the pieces all fit together after they started examining them just under a year ago, Ilan Yavelberg said.

"They put it all together and said it was actually one scroll," he said.

A Haifa University statement said that Ratson and Ben-Dov were now working on deciphering the last remaining scroll.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, date from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD.

Numbering around 900, they were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the Qumran caves above the Dead Sea.

The parchment and papyrus scrolls contain Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic writing, and include several of the earliest-known texts from the Bible, including the oldest surviving copy of the Ten Commandments.

Many experts believe the manuscripts of the Dead Sea were written by the Essenes, a dissident Jewish sect that had retreated into the Judaean desert around Qumran and its caves.

The latest deciphered scroll contains references to the 364-day calendar used by the sect, as opposed to the lunar calendar used in Jewish religious practice today.

It also refers to annual wine and olive harvest festivals no longer observed in Judaism.

Source: AFP

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said it would allow driving permits for women under a royal decree to take effect in June. Princess Nourah University in Saudi Arabia has said it will open a driving school for women, in a first for the ultra-conservative country after a ban on women driving was lifted.

A university in Saudi Arabia has said it will open a driving school for women, in a first for the ultra-conservative country after a ban on women driving was lifted.

"Princess Nourah University is preparing to set up a driving school in cooperation with the relevant authorities," the women's university said on Saturday.

"This is the first such announcement following this week's order by King Salman to allow women to drive," it said.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said it would allow driving permits for women under a royal decree to take effect in June, sparking euphoria and disbelief among activists who long fought the ban.

The Gulf kingdom was the only country in the world to ban women from taking the wheel, and it was seen globally as a symbol of repression in the Gulf kingdom.

Princess Nourah University says it has more than 60,000 female students in Riyadh and other cities. Tuesday's decision is expected to push women into the workforce and boost car sales, especially in the coming months before a scheduled imposition of a government value-added tax in January 2018. Car makers including Nissan, Chevrolet and Ford have rushed to congratulate Saudi women, as millions of women are expected to hit the road in the kingdom in coming years.

Indian Learners’ Own Academy (ILOA) organized its annual Kindergarten Sports Day with great fan-fare in the school premises recently. The children participated in a variety of individual and team sports events and games. The students enthusiastically participated in events such as Pair Marching, Frog Jump, Book Balancing Skill, Tie your own Shoes, Ring Throw, Balance the Ball, Musical Chair, Hula Hoop and Lemon Spoon, which were fun.

Involving themselves in various games and sports developed a feeling of sporting spirit. Following directions and rules, learning safety skills and patience, and the value of effort were the lessons learnt during this Sports Day. The participants had a wonderful time taking part in the races. During the concluding ceremony, the winners were awarded for their efforts and all the students were advised to keep up their sportsman spirit. 

The first Noble Funfair, Namaste India-2018 was organized by the Indian Community School Kuwait (ICSK) Khaitan on Friday, 5 January, in the school premises. The event emphasized great Indian values and traditions, and aimed to fulfill the motto ‘Charity has no boundaries’.

The ceremony commenced with a Bohra Band followed by a Veena performance before the guests were welcomed by the Vice Principal, Ravi Ayanoli. ICSK students performed an invocation dance. In his presidential address, Principal, GangadharShirsath, wearing an elegant Maharashtrian attire, introduced and illustrated the noble motto of Namaste India-2018 to the public.

The chief guest of the day, Shri Raj Gopal Singh, Charge d' Affaires and Appellate Authority, Embassy of India to Kuwait, appreciated the whole-hearted commitment of the entire school to the philanthropic endeavors behind the great event. The guest of honour of the noble event Major General (Retd.) Mahmoud Ibrahim Al-Tabbakh, lauded the considerable effort of the school to provide a helping hand for the marginalized students of the Institution throughout the year.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed one more milestone in the historic journey of ICSK; the beta launching of ICSK Cloud, a new software developed for the user-friendly, easy and fast access of the academic affairs by students, parents and teachers of ICSK.

Carnival souvenir was officially released with the freeing of the doves and balloons symbolically marked the inauguration of the funfair. The occasion was graced by the imperial presence of Hon. Chairman Sheik Abdul Rahiman, Hon. Vice Chairman, Vinukumar Nair and Hon. Secretary Azharuddin Amer Mohammed along with principals Rajesh Nair, ICSK Amman and Sherly Dennis, ICSK Junior and vice principals of all branches of ICSK.

Different corners of the campus were lively with the world currency expo show, planetarium show, games by Kids’ village, horse riding, Shobha’s mini Indian Bazar, and others. The literary scholars from Writers Forum Kuwait conducted the Hindi Poetry Recitation and Mushaira, while popular Telugu comedians Raghava and Sudhakar made their fans laugh during the stage show. Melodious songs by voice-over specialist Dr. Subhash and Shyamlal added a rhythmic beat to the pulsating excitement. The Funfair had something for people of all ages to enjoy in every way as they wish.

The musical extravaganza performed by very popular Indian youth band ‘Samanwaya’, rocked the campus with their fusion music. Talented artists and diversified dance presentations by ICSK students and various organizations turned the day into a memorable and enjoyable one.

Variety of rides and games, face painting, street play, and a crowd-pulling flash mob were highlights of the event. Various raffle draws with attractive prizes stirred the crowd as did the variety of ethnic edible delights from Indian restaurants. The zeal showed by the people and visitors turned the Namaste India 2018 into an unforgettable event, supported by Target International W.L.L.

Indian Educational School (IES), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, a staunch supporter of authentic Indian culture across the Middle East region and elsewhere celebrated the true spirit of ‘Hindi Diwas’ on 14 January at the IES school auditorium.

The Department of Hindi organized many cultural events as part of the celebrations such as the Interschool ‘Nukkat Natak’ (Street Play) contest, which was indeed the highlight of the celebrations.  Eminent writer Dr. Navneeth Gandhi and Sapna Joshi, HoD, Hindi, Kuwait Indian School were the chief guests as well as the adjudicators of the interschool contests.

The program began with the ‘lighting of the lamp.’ The ceremonious lamp was lit by all the invited dignitaries. Many school teams participated in the Nukkat Natak competition which had the theme ‘Kahin kho na jaye bachpan.’ (Childhood). The Street Play team of Delhi Public School, Kuwait was adjudged to be the best. The team that represented the host school was declared as the first runner up and the team that represented the United Indian School was declared as the second runner up of the Nukkat Natak Competition.

In the sub-junior category, Ammar Yusuf of Indian Community School, (ICSK) Junior won the first place in the Story Telling competition. The second and the third prizes were bagged by Ruth Ann Joby of ICSK Amman and Amairah Sharma of IES respectively.  In the junior category, Aman Baig of Learners Own Academy (ILOA) won the first prize. The second and the third prizes were won by Maryam Chorghay of ICSK and Priyati Alkesh of Smart Indian School (SIS). A puppet show and a dance by Devi Nandana and Harichandana added spice to the Hindi Diwas celebrations.

‘Hum honge kamyab,’ the Hindi version of the world famous marching song ‘We Shall Overcome’ was sung by the IES students amid thunderous applause.
The prizes were given away by the guests amid applause of appreciation. Swarna Saini, Faculty Head, Hindi delivered the welcome address.

Mrs. Vandana, a member of the Hindi faculty proposed the vote of thanks.

Smart Indian School (SIS) organized a kite making and flying activity on Thursday, 11 January to help children enjoy the outdoors. The students had a magical thrill to launch a kite up and into the air. Some of these kids held a kite in their hands for the first time. Once the kids figured out how to get it flying, they began to master the challenge of keeping the kite in the air, and maybe even learn a trick or two.

Through flying a kite the teachers explained to the children how wind and weather keep the kite flying up in the air. The little children were excited to fly the kite, which also helped develop hand and eye coordination, kinesthetic awareness, and gross motor skills.

Kindergarteners enjoyed their annual kite making day and had fun while learning to play.

Scarlet hibiscus petals infuse their flavour in a giant pot of liquid, where green leaves picked from the west African kinkeliba shrub also swirl. With a pinch of ginger and some baobab fruit, the concoction is ready to be tasted.

Aissata Diakite's juices are part of an all-natural health startup which the 28-year-old Malian launched in December, blending traditional flavours with an engineer's eye for detail.

The idea of launching a range of entirely natural fruit juices using locally sourced products from the African savannah came from her childhood in Mopti, a region in central Mali through which the Niger River flows.

And it was there, while studying agribusiness in France, that the project came to fruition.

"When I was a student, I used to come back to Mali on holiday and I would drive through rural agricultural areas to meet the farmers, to understand the seasons and how to manage the off-season," she explains animatedly.

And last month, she launched her line of "Zabbaan" juices after meeting prospective buyers at the "Invest in Mali" forum.

The business takes its name from the zaban -- or saba senegalensis, a shrub-like tree native to the Sahel region which grows predominantly on riverbanks and in woodlands, whose fruit and leaves are highly prized.

- Investing in her homeland -

The forum was not for the fainthearted: Mali is struggling with a jihadist insurgency across large swathes of its rugged terrain -- including Diakite's home region -- which are currently being patrolled by several international military forces.

"Coming to Mali today is an act of faith," admitted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in a speech at the forum's opening.

Nonetheless, investors pledged some 34 billion CFA francs ($63 million, 52 million euros) to an array of businesses, from solar energy to cement and packaging.

"Producing what we consume, that's how we create jobs and wealth," Industrial Development Minister Mohamed Aly Ag Ibrahim said a week later at the formal launch of Zabbaan.

And he hailed Diakite as "an inspirational young woman" who had "returned from abroad to invest in her country and succeeded in that challenge".

- Echoes of an empire -

There are 10 juices in the range, each bearing names like "the king", a punchy mango and baobab mix, "the duke" -- zaban and baobab, or "the warrior" which blends hibiscus with mint and baobab, with names evoking the pomp of the Mali Empire, which ruled large sections of west Africa for 400 years.

It was her grandmother who told her stories about Mali at the height of its power when it was a world-renowned centre of learning, she told AFP.

Her recipes are based on leaves, flowers and fruits from the African savannah, "most of them growing wild" with fresh, local products one of the trademarks of the range.

"We work with a network of farmers who supply us, who often work on lands passed down through the family," she says.

"And these products are also used in traditional African medicine."

In order to break into new markets and start exporting overseas, the company is also in the process of obtaining organic certification.

- Essence of Mali -

Bamako's small but growing middle class is taking note.

Zabbaan now produces around 1,000 bottles a day at its production facility in the capital which are mostly sold at supermarkets in Bamako for 500 CFA francs ($0.90) a go.

The juice, which is pasteurised, comes in brightly-coloured 300 ml (10 fluid ounce) bottles, which are made of recyclable plastic.

But even this foothold in a nascent market was hard won.

"It's not easy to grow a network of suppliers like that," Diakite said. "It took me about three years."

On the factory floor, where the latest batch is ready, the production team is in full swing.

Before it can be bottled, the product -- "the prince" in this case -- must be tasted. And it's a job for the whole team.

"Some people think that this one lacks ginger, so we are changing that and adding a bit more," says Lala Coulibaly, who is responsible for quality control and hygiene.

With 65 employees on the payroll, Diakite has now set her sights on the export market, with the company due to start shipping juices to France in February.

And she's also working on a new line of products: the extraction and export of pure essences that will also bear the label: "Made in Mali".

Source: AFP

Freshmen at the University of Jeddah who have shown an outstanding academic performance in high school will be able to skip the university preparatory year.
The university, in cooperation with the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas), will start implementing the academic acceleration system as of the next academic year.
The acting president of the university, Dr. Adnan Al-Homaidan, told Arab News: “This is one of the advantages that our university will soon offer as part of its strategic program to attract talented students in order to help them continue the excellence they have started in their early school stages.”
He said he hoped that this would contribute to increasing competitiveness among students when joining the university. “It would also create an attractive and stimulating learning environment that it is hoped will develop their capabilities and excellence.”
Al-Homaidan stressed that the new program complies with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in terms of investing in young talents and using them as the most important resource in achieving development.
He explained that his university has recently inked an agreement with Qiyas, upon which the latter will prepare the necessary tests that measure the level of students in the scientific courses they had taken.
“Those who pass these tests will be eligible to join the program, which makes them legitimate in the second year,” he said. He pointed out that those tests would be available to all students once they are admitted to the university and found to meet the criteria for applying for the tests.
The general supervisor of the University of Jeddah’s department for adopting and sponsoring gifted students, Dr. Faisal Al-Ameri, told Arab News that the new system aims to expedite the talented students’ educational process.
“It also enables them to learn faster and progress in a way that suits their academic demands and unequaled learning abilities,” Al-Ameri said.
Al-Ameri added that the university is working on the operational guide for the academic grade-skipping system. “This will include the mechanism, conditions of admission and the eligibility to take the exams for the program. The selected students need to pass the Qiyas tests on math, physics, chemistry, biology and English,” he said.
He noted that other preparatory prerequisites, such as entrepreneurship skills and university study skills courses, would be offered to the gifted students in the form of evening training courses along their first year of college.
The supervisor, who sees the program as “a qualitative leap in the Saudi history of sponsoring the talented students”, assured that the academic acceleration system at the university meets the latest international standards in this field. He hoped that the other Saudi universities would adopt such a system, as “it is one of the highest levels of supporting talented students educationally.”

Source: arabnews

Practiced in rooms heated to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), bikram yoga is no better for your health than other, cooler forms of the ancient discipline, scientists said on Friday.

Proponents claim the hot, humid workout, which puts sweaty participants through a series of 26 poses, burns more calories than yoga performed at room temperature, and is better at flushing out toxins.

Others have pointed to potential dangers such as dehydration and heat stroke.

A study published in the journal Experimental Physiology found that yoga was beneficial regardless of whether it was done in a hot room or at ambient temperature.

Both forms reduced changes in the lining of blood vessels that can lead to heart disease, and appeared to delay the progression of plaque build-up in arteries that can cause heart attacks or stroke.

The findings highlight yoga's effectiveness "in the absence of a heated practice environment, in improving vascular health," the study authors wrote.

The findings were important, they added, "given the increased propensity toward heat intolerance in ageing adults."

The team enrolled 52 "sedentary but apparently healthy" adults aged 40-60 for the trial.

They were divided into three groups, two of which did yoga three times a week for 12 weeks, and a third "control" group which did none.

One of the yoga groups exercised in a room heated to 40.5 C, the other at 23 C.

"The heated practice environment did not seem to play a role in eliciting improvements in vascular health with bikram yoga," said study co-author Stacy Hunter of Texas State University.

Source: AFP

A Cypriot court Thursday ordered an Israeli national suspected of being the brains behind an international organ trafficking gang to remain in custody until an extradition process begins on February 5.

Moshe Harel's defence lawyers had asked for the 70-year-old travel agent, who was arrested at Larnaca airport on January 5, to be released from custody on bail terms until the process starts.

Harel is accused of seeking out people in need of kidney transplants and of luring donors to Kosovo from Turkey and the ex-Soviet Union a decade ago.

Both Russia and Kosovo, which Cyprus does not recognise, have issued international arrests warrant for him.

"In view of the seriousness of the crimes, I judge that there is visible danger of him escaping before his extradition process begins… The bail terms proposed by the defence are not satisfactory,” judge Michalis Charalambous said.

The prosecution argued against his release because he had no ties with Cyprus and could flee to the breakaway north of the island.

Harel has been hunted by authorities for almost a decade for exploiting victims, often recruited from poor areas in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, by promising 15,000 euros ($18,000) for their organs.

Recipients, mainly Israelis, would pay up to 100,000 euros ($122,000) for the transplant.

The organ trafficking network came to light in 2008 after a Turkish man collapsed at Pristina airport after having a kidney removed.

In 2013, an EU-led court in Kosovo sentenced five Kosovan doctors to up to eight years in prison for organ trafficking.

Donors, whose organs were illegally removed, were left without proper medical care and treated "like waste", prosecutors said at the time.

But the supreme court of Kosovo annulled the verdict in 2016 and ordered a new trial, which is ongoing.

The indictment named Harel as the trafficking network's mastermind, while Turkish doctor Yusuf Ercin Sonmez -- labelled by Kosovo media as the "Turkish Frankenstein" and still on the run -- was suspected of performing the transplants.

A suggestion that schools send students on exchange between Germany's former East and West to heal persistent divides sparked debate on Monday, almost 30 years after the country's reunification.

"We don't just need pupil projects exchanging with Poland or France, but between Leipzig and Stuttgart" in the lagging east and prosperous southwest, Left party politician Helmut Holter told the Funke newspaper group.

"East and West talk far too little about the way things were and the way they are now," he added, referring to the nation's decades of division between the Soviet-dominated German Democratic Republic and the westward-looking Federal Republic of Germany.

Holter, from the small former eastern state of Thuringia, made the remarks as he takes over chairmanship of a committee of culture ministers from all modern Germany's 16 states.

"East German experiences have to be brought into the West and vice versa" as part of a programme to defend democracy, he said.

Talk of the country's internal divisions has grown recently as far-right populists Alternative for Germany mine deep seams of resentment in the economically weaker East, helping fracture a once stable political landscape.

But not everyone agrees Holter's proposal would help bring the nation together.

"Rather than East-West exchanges, we need a frank view of German history and an active culture of remembrance for the victims of war, injustice and tyranny in the last century in our country," culture minister in populous North Rhine-Westphalia state Yvonne Gebauer told news agency DPA.

"Almost 30 years after reunification, dialogue has become a matter of course, at school and at work, in private life and at the most official events," the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper commented.

"Conversely, school exchanges are weak where they remain urgently needed, between European nations... the culture ministers would do well to support international exchanges more," it added