Day: August 23, 2024

Two persons have been reported dead and 16 injured in 13 road accidents within the last 24 hours, the Traffic Management Center said on Friday. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

The second annual Agricultural Products Festival in Tayma Governorate saw large number of farmers and producers showcasing their fruits and vegetables and processed products at the event, organized by Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture branch in the Tabuk region. In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency from the festival, where 30 exhibitors from the local community are showcasing their products, farmer Saud Al-Eid spoke about his experience in producing jams and dried figs from his farm, which includes dozens of fig trees. He said that his goal was to test a new agricultural product, adding that preliminary research on Tayma's agricultural environment revealed the suitability of the northern governorate for growing a variety of fruits, particularly figs. Al-Eid expressed hopes for the produce to reach every home in the future due to its scientifically proven health and nutritional benefits. He also highlighted the support from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in the Tabuk reg ion. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today, Friday, the downing of 7 Ukrainian drones in the airspace of the border provinces of Belgorod and Kursk amid escalating battles on several fronts between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The Ministry stated in a statement that during the past night, Kiev attempted to carry out an attack using drones on targets in Russian territory, but the air defense systems on duty shot down 4 Ukrainian drones over the territory of Belgorod province and 3 drones over Kursk. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The mobile medical clinics of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Al-Gharza area of Haradh District in Hajjah Governorate provided their treatment services to 1,609 Yemenis during the month of July. The emergency clinic treated 876 patients, the epidemic disease control clinic received 374 individuals, and the internal medicine clinic saw 342 people. Nine beneficiaries were received at the reproductive health clinic, while eight people visited the awareness and education clinic. In the area of accompanying services, 889 people visited the nursing services clinic, 30 beneficiaries visited the surgery and dressing clinic, and eight waste-disposal activities were implemented. The clinics also provided 1,601 individuals with medications. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Ministry of Interior announced, today, Friday, the arrest of a number of suspects and violators in Wasit Governorate. The Ministry said in a statement: "The Wasit Police Command carried out a comprehensive security exercise in all areas of the governorate, in which all directorates of field police departments participated, in cooperation with all intelligence and support agencies in the governorate." It added: "(45) suspects wanted under various legal articles were arrested, while the Wasit Traffic Directorate detachments were able to impose (345) traffic fines for vehicles violating regulations and laws." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The National Center for Meteorology yesterday hosted an introductory workshop for Saudi universities on the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which will be held in Riyadh next December. Participants were Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Deputy Minister Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, National Center for Meteorology Chief Executive and chairman of the conference's scientific committee Dr. Ayman Ghulam, and representatives of Saudi universities and the conference organizing committees. The workshop reviewed the major activities and events that will take place during the conference, the benefits national universities will gain from them, and the contributions that universities can work on through the conference. It also reviewed the most important segments of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The workshop addressed the conference objectives at the national and global levels, highlighting that universi ties can benefit from the conference by holding introductory events and activities and organizing visits for students. Source: Saudi Press Agency

NATO raised the security level at its air base in the western German town of Geilenkirchen to the second highest level, Charlie, following intelligence reports of a potential threat. A Spokesman for the air base said late Thursday that all employees whose services were not needed were sent home as a precaution. He continued: "The decision was based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat." In NATO terminology, Charlie security level means that there is an incident or evidence indicating a high probability of a terrorist act against the alliance. The Spokesman stated that there is no cause for concern and that it is a purely precautionary measure to ensure the continuity of critical operations." The police confirmed the presence of its forces, but did not provide any other details, including the number of personnel. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Saudi Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini received today at the embassy a delegation of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association participating in the 43rd World Scout Conference, being held in Cairo August 17-23. During the reception, Ambassador Al-Husseini welcomed the members of the Saudi Scouts, noting the contributions of the association in supporting scouting efforts in its various fields during international forums. The delegation reviewed through workshops the participation of the Saudi Scouts Association in the conference and its experiences in many fields. The reception was attended by the Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Egypt, Abdulrahman bin Salem Al-Dahas. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Security forces arrested 5 people accused of trying to terrorize visitors by spreading a rumor about the presence of an explosive belt in Karbala. The Spokesman for the Supreme Security Committee for Securing the Arbaeen Pilgrimage, Brigadier General Muqdad Miri, said in a statement: "The law enforcement units of the Federal Police, through their close follow-up of the sector tasked with securing its protection inside the holy city of Karbala, arrested five people who tried to spread a frightening rumor to visitors about the presence of (an explosive belt), near the Tuwairij Bridge, the entrance to Al-Jumhuriya Street in the holy city of Karbala." He added: "The five accused were handed over to the competent authority." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, Mu'ayyad Al-Lami, directed the support of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate branch in Najaf to serve visitors coming to Karbala to commemorate the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). The head of the Syndicate branch, Ayad Al-Jubouri, indicated that "the head of the Journalists Syndicate directed the provision of all means of logistical support to serve visitors. Source: National Iraqi News Agency