Category: General

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Tuesday welcomed MP Jamil Abboud, with whom he discussed public affairs, as well as an array of general issues and demands.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Kurdish sources announced that Turkish aircraft targeted sites in the Qandil Mountains in Erbil Governorate, northern Iraq, without specifying the extent of the losses.

Areas in the Kurdistan region, in northern Iraq, are constantly exposed to Turkish air and artillery bombardment. The Turkish authorities say that they are targeting elements and sites of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The security forces seized a drug dealer in his possession (8) kilograms of heroin in Anbar.

The General Directorate of Narcotic Affairs stated in a statement that its detachments carried out, through a force from the Anbar Narcotic Affairs Directorate, a preemptive qualitative operation that resulted in the seizure of a drug dealer in his possession of (8) kilograms of heroin, and he was placed under arrest according to a judicial decision.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Lawyer Ahmed Shaheed Marhoon filed a lawsuit against media figures Nizar Al-Fares and Manal Al-Mu’tasim for mocking and insulting the pilgrims of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Baghdad Operations Commander, Lieutenant General Ahmed Salim announced today, Monday, the reopening of closed roads in the capital, while noting that no security breach had been recorded within the Arbaeen visit plan.

Salim said to the official agency (INA) that “the roads taken by the pilgrims of the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in the capital, Baghdad, have been fully reopened on both sides of Karkh and Rusafa,” noting that “one road is still closed, which is Mahmoudiya road towards Latifiya and to the province of Babylon, and it will be reopened to the public and cars today.

He added, “al-Fadhiliya Bridge linking southern Baghdad and the holy Karbala has been opened,” noting that “the vehicles started moving around Mahmoudiya towards Sayed Abdullah area, and then to al-Fadhiliya Bridge to Jurf al-Nasr towards the holy Karbala and vice versa, as there is a reverse return from Karbala towards Jurf al-Nasr and Fadhiliya Bridge, then to Qamishli intersection on the old Baghdad-Hilla road for the return of visitors to the capital.

He stressed that “the plan of the Arbaeen visit has not yet recorded any security breach, as it is still continuing and being implemented as planned,” pointing out that “there is a reverse return towards Baghdad or those who pass through the capital to other provinces, with the presence of many numbers of foreign visitors who return to Baghdad to visit the holy city of Kadhimiya, and others go to the city of Samarra.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Six pilgrims died in a terrible traffic accident on Al-Sheeb border crossing road in Maysan Governorate.

A security source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA /: “A traffic accident occurred between two vehicles on the road to Al-Sheeb border crossing, as a result of the high speed, which led to the death of 6 pilgrims, 5 of Iranian nationality and one Iraqi.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Ministry of Interior announced the daily position of arrivals from all ports to commemorate the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, on September 3, 2023.

The ministry stated in a statement, that: “Headed by the Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, the Supreme Security Committee to secure the Arbaeen visit continues its work, with the deployment of the security units in charge of this duty in all areas and the roads taken by pilgrims towards Karbala, amidst full alertness of the intelligence, security and service effort.”

It added: “The concerned authorities have initiated procedures to facilitate the process of entering pilgrims from all ports of the country, namely (Al-Munthiriya – Zirbatiya – Al-Sheeb – Al-Shalamcheh – Safwan – Mandali – Kirkuk – Al-Qaim – Baghdad Airport – Najaf Airport – Basra Airport). The number of incoming vehicles has reached (8478), while the number of arrivals reached (132,879) people, and thus the number of arrivals since the beginning of the visit ceremony reached (3,587,959) pilgrims.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Environment Authority today discussed the impacts of climate change on environmental and ecological systems and provided an overview of the United Nations (UN) conventions on climate change.

The discussions took place during the Environment Authority’s first preparatory meeting for Oman’s negotiating team that will participate in the Global Climate Action Summit and the Conference of the Parties to the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28).

The COP-28 conference is scheduled to be held in November 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The preparatory meeting introduced reports from recent meetings attended by some members of the Omani climate affairs team and reviewed the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman in this respect.

The meeting also discussed the negotiating team’s action plan during various stages of its participation in this global summit and the COP Conference.

The preparatory meeting aims at upgrading the technical capabilities of the members of Oman’s negotiating team. It discussed means of optimal preparation for the team to actively participate in multilateral meetings, negotiations and discussions held within the purviews of UN conventions on climate change. It also touched on related topics and issues at the international, regional and national levels.

Source: Oman News Agency

Al-Baha Region boasts a rich heritage of ancient architecture, obvious in the villages scattered throughout the region.

The environment of this region situated in southwestern Saudi Arabia, including the terrain and the climate, as well as social customs and traditions of the ancient Arab culture were taken into account when designing the residential buildings, castles and forts here.

One of the most distinctive features of its ancient architecture is its reliance on nature more than anything else. Houses are built of stones and trees from various parts of the region, with granite, basalt and marble often used for the walls, and indigenous acacia, sidr, tamarisk, and wild olive wood used to make roofs, wooden columns and doors.

The traditional architecture and urban heritage of Al-Baha are the key assets that distinguish this region. It is rich in historical relics, both in the Sarat region and in Tihama, and the Kingdom is interested in boosting tourism to Al-Baha, both in the summer and in the winter.

The buildings in Al-Baha villages are built close together, separated by narrow streets, and usually have a central courtyard that serves various social and living functions. They are also known for being tall and having few windows and doors.

When discussing architectural heritage in Al-Baha Region, three primary elements are often mentioned: forts, mosques and houses. There are over 4,000 forts scattered across various locations in Al-Baha Region, typically sharing similar designs and construction methods. Different techniques are used to arrange the stone mosaic, depending on the sizes and colors of the stones. Wooden columns play a significant role in supporting roofs alongside walls in big spaces, as seen in guest rooms, mosques, as well as some balconies and canopies, all elements that showcase the rich architectural heritage of the region.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Geological Survey celebrated a new achievement, receiving a 4-Star International Best Practice Certification in the 9th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) 2023, held in New Zealand.

The certification is given in recognition of the digital platform for geological risks project “Rawasi”, which was launched in mid-2023.

Saudi Geological Survey Spokesman Tariq Abalkhail said that this new accomplishment will be added to the authority’s record of achievements. It highlights its efforts to develop and digitize scientific and research outcomes, according to international benchmarks, in the interests of the community and researchers.

Abalkhail added that this great accomplishment was made possible by the effort and hard work of the authority staff, and that it is part of a long record of achievements it scored regionally and globally.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Participants in the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization of the Holy Quran, in its 43nd edition, visited yesterday several historical landmarks, mosques and archaeological sites in Madinah as part of the cultural program of the competition supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

The program includes visits to Jabal Uhud, the Martyrs of Uhud Cemetery and Jabal al-Rumah, where participants learned about the sites and their history.

They also visited Masjid Quba, the first mosque in Islam, where they prayed and were briefed on its facilities and the stages of its expansion, Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) and the graves of the prophet (PBUH) and his companions, and performed prayers in al-Rawdah al-Shareef.

They visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization as well.

At the end of their visit to Madinah, the participants thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their great efforts to serve Islam and Muslims, for building and looking after mosques, and for ensuring that those who visit them enjoy all comfort.

The competition for the final qualifications recently concluded at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and the program concludes this week with a ceremony honoring the winners of the competition.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen today met Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Secretary General Aymen bin Tawfiq Almoayyed and Youth Minister Rawan bin Najeeb Tawfiqi.

During the meeting, Almoayyed stressed the importance of harnessing joint efforts and exchanging successful practices and youth delegations.

He outlined the policies of the council, chaired by His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Minister of Youth Affairs also highlighted main initiatives and programmes to support and empower the sector of youth in the Kingdom of Bahrain, shedding light on key youth achievements.

The Israeli minister jcommended efforts to support the sector of youth, stressing the importance of exchanging practives and programmes.

Source: Bahrain News Agency