Day: September 17, 2024

The Deputy Head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, Captain Oleg Ignasyuk, announced that an MQ-9 drone belonging to the US-led coalition came dangerously close to a Russian Air Force Su-35 aircraft south of Homs Governorate in Syria. Ignasyuk explained that the Su-35 aircraft was on a scheduled flight along the southern border of Syria, and the Russian pilot, who showed high professionalism, quickly took the necessary measures to prevent a collision. He added that during the past 24 hours, 12 violations of the rules of using Syrian airspace by coalition aircraft in Al-Tanf area were recorded. According to Ignasyuk, the international coalition continues to create dangerous preconditions for air accidents with such actions and aggravates the situation in Syrian airspace. Earlier, a coalition F-18 fighter came dangerously close to a Russian Air Force An-30 aircraft in the Syrian province of Homs. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Arab League has stressed its strong commitment to protecting children, especially in light of the challenges and risks faced by millions as a result of crises and conflicts in several countries in the Arab region. Director of the Family and Childhood Department at the Arab League and Minister Plenipotentiary Lubna Azzam made the remarks during the regional meeting held today via videoconference to follow up on the implementation of the Arab Strategy for Child Protection in the Context of Asylum in the Arab Region. Several officials from member states, including those responsible for child protection in United Nations agencies, attended the meeting. Azzam said, "Today's meeting aims to review the progress made at the national level since the adoption of the strategy and its accompanying action plan, gather accurate information on the challenges faced by member states regarding implementation, and discuss current or planned measures and response mechanisms for child protection." Source: Saudi Press Agen cy

Iraqi Air Force aircraft destroyed ISIS hideouts with airstrikes in Kirkuk and Salah Al-din. The Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasool, said in a statement: "Under the direction and supervision of the Minister of Defense, and with accurate information from the General Directorate of Intelligence and Security, the targeting cell, in coordination with the Joint Operations Command, carried out a reconnaissance and surveillance duty via specialized aircraft, through which it was able to detect locations of ISIS gang hideouts." He added: "In light of this information, Air Force aircraft carried out painful strikes on those hideouts within the operations commands (Kirkuk, East Salah Al-din), which led to their destruction." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Dunya Abutaleb, a taekwondo athlete, embarked on her martial arts journey at a young age. Her passion led her to achieve her dream of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she proudly carried Saudi Arabia's flag at the opening ceremony. In an interview with SPA, Abutaleb shared how her journey began at eight years of age, fueled by her father's encouragement and unwavering support. She also acknowledged the Ministry of Sport's role in her success, enabling her to win titles and compete internationally. Abutaleb's impressive achievements include Arab gold medals, being the first Saudi female athlete to win bronze in Asia and at the World Championships, and being named Best Saudi Female Athlete and Best Arab Female Athlete in 2022. She's currently ranked fourth globally in her weight category. Abutaleb expressed gratitude for the support of the Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, and appreciated his congratulations on her Olympic qualification via social media. At the Olympics, sh e reached the taekwondo quarterfinals, narrowly missing a bronze medal. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Federal police forces arrested two accused of promoting narcotics, in their possession of 1225 narcotic pills in Baghdad. The Command stated in a statement: "A force from the Federal Police arrested the accused, red-handed, in the (Shuhada Al-Ubaidi) area in Baghdad, and seized (1225 narcotic pills) in their possession, and they were referred with the seized materials to the competent authorities." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Jeddah Municipality, in cooperation with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), has announced the mandatory registration of trucks on the Madinati platform and the requirement for electronic contract documentation. Trucks that are not registered will not be allowed entry into industrial cities. The municipality pointed out that this measure aims to enhance the urban landscape and reduce visual pollution in collaboration with relevant authorities. This step is part of the municipality's efforts to preserve public facilities, prevent the random dumping of waste, and promote quality of life while improving the urban environment, which will positively impact the city's citizens and visitors. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Council of Ministers decided to grant the winners of the Paris Games residential plots of land in their hometown. The Council of Ministers agreed, in its session held today, Tuesday, for the Civil Aviation Authority to contract with a specialized international company to assess emerging risks at airports. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Lebanese Minister of Health Firas Al-Abyad announced: "The martyrdom of 8 people, including a child, and the injury of about 2,800 others so far due to the explosion of "Pager" devices. The Lebanese Ministry of Health issued an urgent statement regarding the Israeli bombing of hand-held wireless communication devices of "Hezbollah" elements using high-tech technology in more than one area of the country. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement: "Large numbers of people with various injuries are flocking to Lebanese hospitals, and it has been initially found that the injuries are related to the explosion of wireless devices that were in the possession of the injured." Accordingly, the Ministry asked all hospitals in various Lebanese regions, especially in areas adjacent to the places where the injuries occurred, "to be on high alert and raise their level of readiness to meet the urgent need for emergency health services, and to remain i n coordination with the Ministry of Public Health to quickly distribute the injuries and ensure the speed of starting their treatment." The Ministry called on all citizens who own wireless communication devices to stay away from them until it becomes clear the truth of what is happening. The Ministry of Public Health also issued a second statement, which read: "Following the large number of injuries recorded this afternoon, the Ministry of Public Health requests all health workers to urgently head to their workplaces in order to contribute to providing emergency treatment to the large number of injured who are being transferred to hospitals." The Ministry also asked citizens who gather on the roads to make room for ambulances to move quickly and transport the injured. The Ministry issued an appeal to coordinate with the Lebanese Red Cross to donate blood in anticipation of the possible need for blood units for the injured." The Ministry stressed to all hospitals "the necessity of receiving the injured and ensuring their rapid treatment at the expense of the Ministry." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Babylon Health Department announced today, Tuesday, that the acting Director of Health, Dr. Rabie Zaki, submitted his resignation to the Minister of Health and it was accepted. A member of the Babylon Provincial Council, Riyadh Adai, said: "Zaki submitted his resignation for unknown reasons, although he has held the position for four months." He added: "The local government has assigned the administrative assistant, Dr. Haider Al-Birmani, to manage the Health Department, until the alternative director is chosen." Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A source in the Nineveh Police announced the return of 17 displaced Christian families from the Kurdistan Region to the Nineveh Plain after a 10-year displacement due to the forced displacement of Christians by ISIS terrorist gangs. He told the Iraqi National News Agency / NINA / that "the displaced Christian families returned from Dohuk Governorate to their areas of residence in Alqosh district inside the Nineveh Plain after years of displacement." He added that "the displaced Christian families returned to their areas of residence under tight security protection, noting that there are other batches of displaced Christian families who informed the security authorities to return to the Nineveh Plain areas in the coming days." Source: National Iraqi News Agency