Jordan to unveil over 100 testing sites in heightened COVID-19 efforts
The sites will be scattered across the country, but will be focused on densely-populated areas
The country is in a 48-hour blanket lockdown over the weekend
Updated 09 October 2020
Arab News
DUBAI: Jordan’s Ministry of Health is designating over 100 fixed COVID-19 testing sites across the country, with a particular focus in high-risk densely-populated areas, state news agency Petra has reported.
The screening sites will be closely monitored, Health Ministry Assistant General for Primary Healthcare Ghazi Sharkas said, to ensure they follow clear guidelines in the collection, transportation, and testing of samples.
He added the ministry has already started to expand its workforce to double up efforts in dealing with the pandemic across the country, which has seen a spike in infections in the past weeks.
The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies meanwhile have started deployment in time for the country’s 48-hour blanket lockdown over the weekend.
The move also comes in light of the new wave of infections recorded across different governorates in Jordan.
During the lockdown, no one will be allowed to move out, including those who wield previously-issued permits. Only a specific set of frontline workers will be able to go outside.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘King Leopold’s Ghostwriter’
Updated 4 min 31 sec ago
Arab News
Author: Andrew Fitzmaurice
Eminent jurist, Oxford professor, advocate to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Travers Twiss (1809–1897) was a model establishment figure in Victorian Britain, and a close collaborator of Prince Metternich, the architect of the Concert of Europe.
Yet Twiss’s life was defined by two events that threatened to undermine the order that he had so stoutly defended: a notorious social scandal and the creation of the Congo Free State.
In “King Leopold’s Ghostwriter,” Andrew Fitzmaurice tells the incredible story of a man who, driven by personal events that transformed him from a reactionary to a reformer, rewrote and liberalized international law—yet did so in service of the most brutal regime of the colonial era.
In an elaborate deception, Twiss and Pharaïlde van Lynseele, a Belgian prostitute, sought to reinvent her as a woman of suitably noble birth to be his wife. Their subterfuge collapsed when another former client publicly denounced van Lynseele.
Morocco commutes sentence of detained former minister
Mohammed Ziane was convicted on ‘embezzlement and squandering of public funds’
His sentence has been commuted from five to three years
Updated 9 min 34 sec ago
AFP
RABAT: A Moroccan court has commuted the prison sentence of opposition figure and former Minister Mohammed Ziane from five to three years, his lawyer said on Thursday.
The former human rights minister had been detained since 2022 and served a three-year term in a different case.
Ziane, 82, the former president of the Rabat Bar Association, was convicted on “embezzlement and squandering of public funds,” said his son and lawyer, Ali Reda Ziane.
The charges relate to funds the Moroccan Liberal Party, or PML — of which Ziane was founder and chief — received during a 2015 electoral campaign.
He was sentenced to five years in prison in July last year.
Even with the court reducing his sentence late Wednesday, “it remains heavy,” said his lawyer.
“He deserves to be acquitted because there was no embezzlement.”
The lawyer said whether the sentences in the two cases would be served concurrently or consecutively remained unclear.
Proceedings in the initial case followed an Interior Ministry complaint on seven counts, among them contempt of public officials and the judiciary, defamation, adultery, and sexual harassment.
But Ziane has alleged that he was detained “because of (his political) opinion.”
The opposition figure had become known in recent years for statements criticizing the authorities in Morocco, particularly the intelligence services.
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is driving Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurship growth, with startup founders using the technology to address local challenges, boost efficiency, and advance Vision 2030’s economic goals. Benefiting from supportive government policies and emerging talent, these startups are positioning the Kingdom as a rising global tech hub.
One such firm is AIYAH, which is using AI to bridge the gap between startups, talent, investors and academia. The company’s mission aligns with Vision 2030’s goals, supporting Saudization and offering a gateway to authentic Saudi experience.
“Accelerating the achievement of the goals of Vision 2030 has to be number one,” AIYAH co-founder and CEO Sahiqa Bennett told Arab News.
“That’s basically why AIYAH was built, to accelerate the process. Those goals are linked with innovation, getting innovative startups in or solutions that they are looking for and talent.”
Founded in 2024 by Bennett and Naila Kiani, AIYAH serves as an AI-powered talent solution and a gateway to the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
AIYAH founders Sahiqa Bennett and Naila Kiani. (Supplied)
Before launching the platform, Bennett spent more than two years researching the virtual world and ways to connect it with the physical arena for human interaction.
Bennett explains that her decision to co-found AIYAH stemmed from frequent questions she received about her fascination with Saudi Arabia and its booming tech scene.
“Why are you looking to be in Saudi Arabia? Why come to Saudi Arabia so much, and what’s happening in the Middle East that’s not happening here?” she said. “People almost didn’t believe some of the things I was telling them.”
Through her research, Bennett was struck by how many people did not fully understand Vision 2030, despite being familiar with its broader concepts. Many were unsure of how to tap into the opportunities emerging within the Kingdom.
She notes that her research process included “talking to people in the Kingdom and out of the Kingdom, asking if they know enough about Saudi and Vision 2030.”
Several other factors influenced Bennett’s decision to co-found AIYAH, with one of the most pressing being the challenge of finding and placing the right talent.
She encountered many stories of recruiters attempting to fill thousands of positions — sometimes as many as 10,000 — but struggling to identify suitable candidates.
At the same time, she frequently heard from job seekers trying to enter the Saudi market through traditional platforms such as LinkedIn, only to receive no responses or interview opportunities.
“I thought I need to build the gateway that literally opens the door and welcomes you in, gives you a chance to see what’s happening, and accelerates how you get involved and how you become visible, and have a chance at least,” she said.
This disconnect between recruiters and job seekers revealed a broader inefficiency in the hiring process. Bennett emphasizes how difficult it is for applicants to stand out when they are competing with hundreds — or even thousands — of others for the same opportunity.
Saudi Arabia had an overall unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in the third quarter of 2024, down 0.5 percentage points from the same period in 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics.
This improvement came alongside a rise in overall labor force participation — including Saudis and non-Saudis — which reached 66.6 percent, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 0.2 percentage points and a 0.4-point gain from the previous quarter.
On the employer side, Bennett notes that recruiters were overwhelmed. Many simply could not manage the volume of applicants, making it difficult to identify the right candidates amid overflowing inboxes and unfiltered submissions.
“There are so many parts to the recruitment process that are just so disheartening,” she said.
“We’re trying to put dignity back into the process,” she added. “It’s actually disheartening applying for jobs and not hearing back and getting the feeling that you’re not good enough.
“I’m trying to flip that around and say let the opportunities come to you, whether you are a startup founder, whether you’re an investor, or whether you’re talent. Let the pitch happen, and then you pick from the pool.”
AIYAH leverages AI to streamline connections between investors, employers and job seekers. Rather than requiring users to apply for hundreds of positions — often alongside thousands of competitors — the platform offers an AI-powered interview feature.
This tool allows individuals to present themselves through video, giving employers and investors a more personal and direct introduction. This innovation, Bennett explains, was inspired by a gap in existing platforms.
“I’m going to combine the best pieces of certain platforms,” she said. “I feel like there’s nothing that brings everyone together as a community — but with intention, community with intention.”
Expanding on what sets AIYAH apart from traditional job platforms such as LinkedIn, Bennett points to its proactive approach.
“How we are different is we are guaranteeing that everyone can do an interview. Come to the platform, register, and do an interview,” she said. “You don’t even have to wait for a job, introduce yourself and be proactive so that you get seen.
“And I think this is the biggest difference.”
Bennet acknowledges LinkedIn’s strengths, particularly in building human connections, but says its functionality in the hiring space leaves much to be desired.
“I think there are some great things about LinkedIn, but when it comes to recruitment and hiring, I call it a black hole — I call it where things get lost,” she said.
Bennet argues that while LinkedIn has not evolved significantly in two decades, the world — and its hiring needs — have.
“And that is the difference,” she said. “I feel that their models have not changed — LinkedIn is a 20-year-old business and they don’t need to disrupt or change because they are making money.
“However, the world has changed … and people’s needs have changed.”
She added: “I think the traditional model has been broken for a very long time. I think the human part of things has to really remain.”
Bennett says LinkedIn still serves a purpose when it comes to networking and social connectivity. But, according to her, in the realm of recruitment both job seekers and hiring professionals are growing increasingly frustrated with its limitations.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Saudi Arabia's employment rate dropped slightly to 64 percent in Q4 2024, down from 64.1 percent in Q3 2024.
• From 2017 to 2024, the average employment rate in Saudi Arabia was 56.7 percent, peaking at 64.7 percent in Q4 2023.
• The unemployment rate among Saudis rose to 7.8 percent in Q3 2024, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous quarter.
(Sources:Trading Economics & GASTAT)
That commitment to accessibility is rooted in more than two years of research into evolving market needs. Since its recent launch, AIYAH has focused on bridging gaps between startups, talent and opportunity through a phased rollout strategy.
In its first phase, the platform allows startups to join and job seekers to pitch themselves and apply for roles. The next phase will expand to include investors and employers, alongside partnerships with global hubs and both local and international universities.
“We are doing it in phases, we are inviting companies that are aligned with Vision 2030, namely deep tech and startups from around the world,” Bennet said. “The conversations that we are having now involve more than 5,000 startups from around the world entering the Kingdom.”
“On the side, this is really big,” she added. “We are looking at Saudization, graduate programs, and high-level bespoke requirements as well for certain projects.”
The company’s mission is grounded in five core pillars: advancing the goals of Vision 2030, supporting Saudization, fostering a stronger startup ecosystem, facilitating licensing and investment opportunities, and offering a realistic lens to view Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation.
It also seeks to challenge global misconceptions about the Kingdom while empowering employers to adopt AI in meaningful ways.
Through its AI-powered hiring model, AIYAH aims to accelerate human capital development and expand both investment and recruitment potential within the country.
Bennett also stresses the importance of ensuring that no demographic is left behind as AI reshapes industries. During the interview, she made clear that inclusivity is a key priority for the company.
Looking ahead, AIYAH plans to deliver AI literacy and digital skills to older or less tech-savvy people, ensuring the platform remains accessible and supportive of a truly inclusive future of work.
Senegalese lawmakers weigh corruption cases against former ministers
Updated 16 min 59 sec ago
AFP
DAKAR: Senegalese lawmakers on Thursday began debating whether to allow several former ministers to face charges before a special court over accusations they embezzled funds meant for the country’s fight against COVID-19.
Senegal’s National Assembly is controlled mainly by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s party, elected in March last year on a promise to change how the West African country is run compared to his predecessors.
Faye has made the fight against corruption a policy priority and has launched investigations into the administration of Macky Sall, president from 2012 for 12 years.
But the opposition has slammed the moves as a “witch hunt.”
Last Friday, lawmakers lifted parliamentary immunity from prosecution for two opposition MPs caught up in the allegations while serving in Sall’s administration.
Proceedings of this type are rare in Senegal, and lawmakers must authorize cases against former ministers in the exercise of their duties.
Moustapha Diop was the industrial development minister while Salimata Diop was the women’s affairs minister under Sall when the fund to fight the spread of Covid-19 was established in 2020-21.
Both have rejected accusations that they misappropriated any of the money, totaling one trillion CFA francs ($1.7 billion).
The funds were intended to reinforce the health care system, support households and the private sector, and protect jobs during the pandemic.
However, a December 2022 Court of Auditors report revealed irregularities, such as 2.7 billion CFA francs in over-invoicing of rice purchased for disadvantaged households and some 42 million CFA francs for sanitiser.
Three other former ministers accused are Amadou Mansour Faye, the former president’s brother-in-law, Aissatou Sophie Gladima, and Ismaila Madior Fall.
Several prominent figures, including artists, broadcasters, fashion designers, and senior officials, have been questioned during an investigation.
Parliament lifted immunity for Moustapha Diop and Salimata Diop last Friday as they were elected lawmakers in November after Sall left office.
A three-fifths majority of the 165 lawmakers is required to adopt each draft resolution, with voting by secret ballot.
The High Court’s investigative committee could then question the accused, who will decide whether or not to commit them for trial.
The court’s final decision is not subject to appeal.
A US-backed group seeks to take over Gaza aid distribution in a plan similar to Israel’s
The UN and aid groups have rejected Israel’s moves to control aid distribution
A US official confirmed the authenticity of the proposal and said the former director of the WFP, David Beasley, is the lead choice to run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Updated 6 min 41 sec ago
AP
TEL AVIV: A group of American security contractors, ex-military officers and humanitarian aid officials is proposing to take over the distribution of food and other supplies in Gaza based on plans similar to ones designed by Israel.
The Associated Press obtained a proposal from the newly created group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, to implement a new aid distribution system supplanting the current one run by the UN and other international aid agencies. The UN and aid groups have rejected Israel’s moves to control aid distribution.
It was not immediately clear if the proposal from the new group, which is registered in Geneva, would ease those concerns.
Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and all other supplies from entering Gaza for 10 weeks, worsening a humanitarian crisis for 2.3 million Palestinians. It has said it won’t allow aid back in until a system is in place that gives it control over distribution.
The 14-page proposal circulated this week among aid groups and UN officials lays out plans similar to ones Israel has been discussing privately for weeks with international aid groups. The proposal reveals for the first time plans to create the foundation and names the people leading it.
NEW | The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — For Aid and Occupation
A newly formed and U.S.-backed private foundation forms the backbone of Israel’s new plan to control all humanitarian aid entering Gaza—68 days into a total siege that has driven the territory into… pic.twitter.com/aX3YaFmwwO
A UN official said last week that Israel’s plans would “weaponize aid” by placing restrictions on who is eligible to receive it.
Aid workers have also criticized the plans, which would centralize distribution at four hubs under the protection of private security contractors. They say the plans could not possibly meet the needs of Gaza’s large and desperate population, and that they would forcibly displace large numbers of Palestinians by driving them to move nearer to the aid.
Under the new group’s proposal, Palestinians would receive pre-packaged rations, potable water, hygiene kits, blankets, and other supplies at the distribution hubs. The group said it wants to partner with the UN and international aid groups in handing out their supplies.
A US official confirmed the authenticity of the proposal and said the former director of the UN World Food Program, David Beasley, is the lead choice to run GHF. The proposal could still be revised and Beasley’s role is not confirmed, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to detail plans that have not been made public.
Beasley, a former governor of South Carolina, didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The UN and aid workers deny there is significant diversion, saying the UN strictly monitors distribution.
When contacted Thursday for comment about GHF’s proposal, Israeli officials did not immediately respond.
The Trump administration supports the new group’s proposal, said a person involved in it. The person said GHF would work “within the confines” set by Israel on aid but would be “independent and committed to humanitarian principles” — a nod to UN concerns. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a plan not yet made public.
“This is a new approach with one focus: Get help to people. Right now,” said US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
Ahead of his first trip to the Middle East this week, US President Donald Trump said “a lot of talk” was going on about Gaza and that his administration will soon have more to say about a new proposal. This may include a new push for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the release of hostages and an influx of aid to Palestinians.
Who’s involved?
GHF’s proposal names a 10-member leadership team that includes former senior American military officers, business executives and officials from aid groups. At least two of them have ties to private security companies.
Beasley is listed among them, but the proposal says his role is still “to be finalized.” Beasley is also a senior adviser to Fogbow, a private US firm that participated in the short-lived project delivering aid to Gaza by sea via a US military-built pier.
The AP contacted people listed in the proposal to confirm their participation. Only one responded, saying he was “not on the board.” The person involved in planning said the list was still in flux.
The State Department says it’s “steps away” from announcing a charitable foundation to deliver aid in Gaza. The spokesperson admitted it’s “in the news, it’s out a bit,” but declined to confirm if she was referring to the Swiss-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
How would it work?
According to the proposal, GHF would initially set up four distribution sites, each serving 300,000 people. That would cover about half of Gaza’s population. The system would be scaled up to meet the needs of 2 million people. But the proposal does not give a timeframe. Aid workers warn that food is rapidly running out in Gaza under Israel’s blockade.
The GHF proposal said subcontractors will use armored vehicles to transport supplies from the Gaza border to distribution sites, where they will also provide security. It said the aim is to deter criminal gangs or militants from redirecting aid.
It did not specify who would provide security but said it could include personnel who previously worked in the Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli-held zone cutting off northern Gaza. A private security company, Safe Reach Solutions, has operated in the corridor.
GHF said people will get assistance based on need with no eligibility requirements. This appears to differ from proposals floated by Israel. Aid workers say Israel has said it intends to vet aid recipients and screen them using facial recognition.
What do aid groups say?
Throughout Israel’s campaign in Gaza, the UN and other humanitarian groups have been carrying out a massive aid program. They have trucked in supplies and distributed them across the territory, going as close as possible to where Palestinians were located.
What has chiefly hampered the system, aid workers have said, are Israeli military operations and restrictions on movement, as well as the low amount of aid allowed to enter even before the blockade. Convoys have also been attacked by criminal groups stealing aid, and hungry Palestinians have sometimes taken supplies from trucks.
Aid workers contacted by the AP cast doubt whether GHF would meet humanitarian requirements for neutrality and independence.
Shaina Low, communications adviser for Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the main organizations in Gaza, said aid groups are concerned the plan will be used “to advance military and political goals.”
By forcing the population to relocate around aid hubs, the system would “depopulate entire parts of Gaza” and could be used to potentially expel the population, she said.
“They are framing (the plan) to fix the problem that doesn’t really exist,” she said, referring to Israel’s contention that it must prevent Hamas from taking aid.
The use of private security companies has also alarmed humanitarian workers. While it’s common for private security firms to operate in conflict zones, they have to respect humanitarian law and at a minimum be fully vetted and monitored, said Jamie Williamson, executive director for the International Code of Conduct Association.
Tamara Alrifai, communications director for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which has led the aid effort it Gaza, said the plan was logistically unworkable.
She said the foundation does not appear able to match the current infrastructure needed to distribute food and address other humanitarian needs.
Alrifai called it “a very dangerous precedent” for countries to use “full siege as a tactic of war” to force the abandonment of “existing aid structures and the entire international system that exists and is recognized and start creating a new system.”