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LONDON: Israeli forces on Thursday demolished a home in the village of Al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, which is the administrative seat of the Palestinian Authority, according to the Wafa news agency.

Amin Abu Aliya, the head of Al-Mughayyir, reported that Israeli forces stormed and demolished a two-story house under construction in the southern part of the village, citing building without a permit as the reason.

The house belonged to Wajih Musa Abu Aliya.

Al-Mughayyir, a village with about 4,000 residents, in August suffered the destruction of about 3,000 olive trees by the Israeli military under the pretext that the trees posed a “security threat” to an Israeli settlement road that runs through the village’s territory.

The olive tree is a national symbol for Palestinians and provides a vital source of income for 80,000 to 100,000 families who rely on harvesting and selling olives, olive oil, and other products derived from it.

The Israeli settlement of Adei Ad, established in 1998, encroaches on the agricultural groves of Al-Mughayyir as well as land belonging to the Palestinian villages of Jalud and Turmus’ayya.

TOKYO: The University of Tokyo has announced that it has awarded the prestigious Shokomon Award to the government of the Sultanate of Oman in recognition of its contribution to supporting scientific research and academic and cultural exchange in the field of Middle Eastern studies.

The award was received by Oman’s Ambassador to Japan Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Busaidi on behalf of the government of Oman.

The award was based on the role played by the Sultan Qaboos Chair for Middle Eastern Studies, which was inaugurated at the university in 2011.

It is the highest honor bestowed by the University of Tokyo on individuals and institutions who have made significant and influential contributions to enriching the university’s progress and serving its academic goals.

Oman is the first Arab government to receive it.

The University of Tokyo has a significant academic relationship with Oman, primarily through the University of Tokyo Centre for Middle Eastern Studies (UTCMES), which was established with funding from Oman. The relationship includes academic exchange, research, and events such as seminars, lectures, and exhibitions focusing on Oman.

The university also works with institutions like Sultan Qaboos University and has received book donations from Oman.

UTCMES conducts and disseminates research on the Middle East and organizes events like public lectures, symposia, and exhibitions that focus on Oman.