Mr. Gamal Abdul Wahab Al-Magtaree was kidnapped Friday evening, June 24, in the center of Sanaa while returning home in his car. He has still not been released despite all the efforts of his family. In this respect, the Al-Makatera Society has written an appeal to Mr. Huseen Arab, the Minister of the Interior, urging him to put an end to such violations of the law, and to bring Mr. Gamal safely back to his family. 

The coordination council of the opposition parties expressed its strong protests over the outrageous violations of the law by the Ministry of the Media. The Supreme Coordination Council for the Opposition Parties accused the ministry of serving only the interests of the ruling party and their presidential candidate, and totally ignoring the opposition party's candidate, Ali Saleh Obad, and others who apply for the presidential candidacy. 

Strengthening the fight against tuberculosis nation-wide, the Government of Japan has decided to continue its cooperation with the Government of Yemen in providing assistance to the National Tuberculosis Control Program. The Record of Discussion, which stipulates the resumption of the Project-type Technical Cooperation (Phase III), will last for five years from August 6, 1999. The paper was signed by Mr. Hisham Sharaf and Mr. Mohammed Gharama Al-Raey, on the Yemeni side, and Dr. Toru Mori and officials from the Japanese embassy signed for Japan. 

Under the auspices of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Iryani, and in collaboration with the UNDP, the Ministry of Planning and Development began the Yemeni human development report. The event will be kicked off on Thursday, July 20. This event is important because it is the first time that such report has been issued about Yemen. 

Abdullah Sa'ad, editor-in-chief of Alwahda newspaper, is still in a coma, but has been removed from the intensive care unit in a hospital in Amman, Jordan. His case is improving, but he has not become conscious yet. 

Over the outrageous violations of human rights made by Nagee Al-Sofee, the Governor of Sanaa, Mohammed Al-Barwee, Chairman of the Security force in Sanaa, and the Chairman of Security in the first district, Mr. Salem Omar Al-Shaiba, Chairman of the Prosecution Court of Sanaa made an appeal to the Prosecutor to discharge the violators and summon them to trial. That was noted in a report he made to high official sources and media as well. There are more than 60 people in prisons most of them are arrested without any legal charges in the governorate and in the security governorate in Sanaa. For example, Saleh Mohammed Mosed Al-Ansee who has gone on a hunger strike for five months. Shackles which are illegal are put on the legs of others. 

Following the kidnapping of 12 persons from Haraz by Johom tribesmen, Harazi men put up a road block between Sanaa to Hodeidah, and kidnapped 5 persons from Johom. A series of kidnappings have been going on between the two tribes, mainly because the Johomi tribesmen believe that a youth from Haraz kidnapped a girl from Johom. The Governor of Sanaa, tried to intervene but his efforts were to no avail. 

A significant number of reporters and journalists have filed a case against Al-Meethak Newspaper, mouthpiece of the People's General Congress (PGC) for the article published by Mr. Abas Ghaleb, the Editor-in-Chief, in which he threw accusations, charges and insults against reporters, journalists and correspondents, and accuses them of conspiracy against the national interests of the country. 
At another level, the targeted journalists went personally to the Printing and Press Prosecution along with their lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Naji Allaw, and requested the presence of Mr. Ghalib to the prosecution. He is expected to attend today to the prosecution and defend against the case filed against him. After the first phase, investigation the case will go to the court. 

On Monday, July 5th, the preparatory Committee for the Yemeni Advertisement Society (Under Foundation) held a meeting in Taiz City. The attendants from the different advertisement agencies hailed the importance of establishing the society to promote advertisement services through exchange of the members' expertise, ideas, and studies. The attendants especially expressed their gratitude to Mr. Abdulrahman Bisher for the role he played in the establishment of the Society. The meeting concluded with a number of resolutions, including the approval of the membership in the Society of the participating attendants as founding members, and keeping the door open for more members to join the society. 

The Grand Opening of Baskin Robbins, the world's most famous ice cream brand, was held in the Sana'a Trade Center last Friday July 16th. Opened by US Ambassador Ms. Barbara Bodine, it was by far the largest opening event held in Yemen, attracting a crowd of over 14,000. Full details and photos will appear in next week's Yemen Times.