Day: September 5, 2024

Madinah's central date market is bustling with activity as the date harvest season reaches its peak. The market, which aims to promote self-sufficiency and maximize economic benefits for local farmers, is witnessing a surge in visitors and shoppers attracted by the abundant supply of dates and related products. The market features dates sourced from various governorates in the region and hosts auctions and events as part of this year's Madinah Dates Season. These initiatives highlight the significance of the date palm sector and its associated industries. Ajwa and Safawi dates, renowned for their exceptional quality and taste, consistently top the auction sales at Madinah's central date market, outselling over 28 other varieties. Ajwa dates, revered in Islamic tradition, hold a special significance due to their association with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is believed that the Prophet consumed Ajwa dates regularly, particularly in the morning, and recommended them for their health benefi ts. These dates are considered a symbol of blessings and are often used in religious rituals and as offerings during prayers. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Iraqi Embassy in the United Kingdom retrieved a rare artifact. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: "With exceptional efforts by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the United Kingdom, which extended for many years, and in completion of the pages of the work of "recovery diplomacy", and in a qualitative recovery process, the embassy, represented by Ambassador Muhammad Jaafar al-Sadr, received a rare artifact representing an Assyrian tablet, which forms the upper part of a (winged genie) that decorated the northwestern palace at the archaeological site of Nimrud, and weighs about (333 kilograms), with dimensions (1.16 meters wide and 1.13 meters long), and dates back to between (883 and 859 BC). According to the statement, an official reception ceremony for the artifact was held in the British capital (London), yesterday, Wednesday, attended by representatives of the British Antiquities Police, the British Museum, the British Iraqi Institute, the Nahrain Network, and the lawyer who foll owed up on the process of returning the tablet." From For his part, Ambassador Al-Sadr pointed out in his speech, according to the statement, the historical importance of this rare piece, which increased after the terrorist ISIS gangs destroyed the Nimrud Palace in Nineveh Governorate, stressing that the return of the tablet to its mother country (the cradle of civilizations in the Tigris and Euphrates Valley) represents a great historical and civilizational value, and would not have happened without the close relationship between the Iraqi Embassy in the United Kingdom and the Antiquities Police in the British Ministry of Interior, appreciating the great cooperation shown by police officers, officials at the British Museum, and the lawyer, calling on all those who have Iraqi antiquities to return them to their mother country, Iraq. The ceremony was attended by a number of embassy diplomats and employees. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Ministry of Culture and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) unveiled a series of joint executive and planning projects yesterday. These initiatives will be implemented along four main tracks, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing the quality of life and developing human capabilities, as stated in a press release from the GEA. This announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding yesterday by Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Faiz and GEA CEO Eng. Faisal Bafarat. Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud and GEA Chairman Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh supported the signing. According to the release, the first track involves enhancing cooperation between the Film Commission and Sela Company, a strategic partner of Riyadh Season. This collaboration aims to support producers at Al-Hosn Studios, a new season zone, by facilitating licensing procedures, providing access to the commission's Film Production Support Program, and establishing an office for the commission within the studio premises. The second centers on the Ministry of Culture's support of the Riyadh Season, mainly through sponsorship of the major fashion event "1000 Seasons and a Season." This event, scheduled for November at THE VENUE, a new zone of the season, will feature a collaboration with renowned designer Elie Saab. Additionally, the ministry will sponsor the Christian Dior Museum, which will make its debut in Riyadh's historic Al-Murabba district. The museum will showcase a diverse collection of classic and contemporary fashion across 14 sections, along with a Christian Dior gift shop and Dior café. The third aims to foster collaboration between the ministry and the GEA to develop the Saudi oud manufacturing industry, in line with Riyadh Season's initiative to produce Saudi-made oud instruments. This reflects the joint commitment of both entities to promote musical arts and traditional crafts in the Kingdom. The fourth concentrates on fortifying the strategic partnership between the Music Commission and Merwas Studio, positioning the studio as a global music production hub, nurturing local musical talent, and attracting international artists. In a notable announcement, GEA Chairman Alalshikh revealed that the minister of culture would sponsor the Golden Pen Award, an honor intended to transform influential literary works into cinematic productions. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Intelligence Agency's detachments specialized in combating human trafficking thwarted the sale of a (11) year old girl by her father in exchange for a sum of money in Baghdad Governorate / Rusafa side. A statement by the Agency stated that this was done after the Agency's detachments received information about the intention of an accused to sell his daughter. Immediately, a working team was formed, intelligence efforts were mobilized, and her father was arrested in flagrante delicto. He was referred to the competent judicial authorities to receive his just punishment. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Kurdish sources announced the killing of three people in a drone attack in one of the villages of Zalan district in Jawarteh district in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A number of Palestinians were martyred and wounded, at dawn today, Thursday, as a result of raids carried out by Zionist warplanes, in addition to artillery shelling that targeted the center and south of the Gaza Strip, on the 335th day of the ongoing Zionist aggression on the Strip. The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that 4 Palestinians were martyred and others were wounded, including children and women, in a Zionist shelling that targeted the tents of displaced people in Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Another Palestinian was martyred and more than 10 people were wounded in a Zionist shelling that targeted a tent of displaced people in Mawasi Khan Yunis. The occupation forces opened fire, amid artillery shelling towards the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, and the northern area of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, coinciding with the occupation warplanes shelling an empty land southwest of the camp. The occupation forces also fired the ir shells at the town of Abasan east of Khan Yunis city south of the Gaza Strip, and at citizens' homes northwest of Rafah city south of the Gaza Strip. In addition, the occupation army blew up residential buildings in the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City. The occupation forces continue their aggression by land, sea and air on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, which resulted in the martyrdom of 40,819 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, and the injury of 94,291 others, and thousands of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and rescue crews cannot reach them. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Baghdad Operations Command units conducted the "annual shooting" exercises for medium and light weapons, which included organizing awareness lectures for fighters. The command stated in a statement: "Within the plans drawn up by the Baghdad Operations Command to raise the combat skills and military capabilities of various types for fighters and protect them from negative phenomena that harm the reputation of the military institution, the infantry divisions (6th, 17th) carried out the "annual shooting" exercises with live ammunition for medium and light weapons for officers and affiliated personal, which included organizing awareness lectures entitled "Annual shooting and its importance in the armed forces", to enhance the confidence of fighters in the weapons used and to raise their combat capability." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Ministry of Interior announced today, Thursday, the dismantling of a terrorist network and the arrest of all its members in the Kurdistan Region. A statement by the Ministry of Interior stated that "in a qualitative operation characterized by accuracy and speed, and based on accurate intelligence information, the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency, in cooperation with the security services in the Kurdistan Region, was able to dismantle a terrorist network and arrest all its members." It explained that "the Intelligence Agency detachments (the Falcons Intelligence Cell and the Kirkuk Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate) were able to dismantle a terrorist network and arrest its members, numbering three accused, within the areas of the Kurdistan Region. Upon investigation, they confessed to carrying out several terrorist operations within the governorates of (Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, and Diyala)." It added, "These efforts made by the heroes of the Ministry of Interior confirm that it is the impregnable shield of the country and that it is up to the responsibility placed on its shoulders to preserve the security of the homeland and the citizen. It will also remain the watchful and sacrificial eyes in order to enhance security and safety and pursue those outside the law." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Five Palestinian youths were martyred and a sixth was seriously injured in an Israeli shelling of a vehicle in the city of Tubas in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian News Agency reported at dawn today: "Ambulance crews recovered five martyrs from the bombed vehicle, while resuscitation operations are being carried out for a sixth injured person." This shelling coincides with the continued storming of the Far'a camp south of Tubas by the Zionist entity forces. Earlier at dawn today, sources in the Red Crescent reported that the occupation forces injured a young man with more than one bullet inside the Far'a camp south of Tubas. Source: National Iraqi News Agency