Day: May 20, 2024

Nineveh Governor Abdul Qader Al-Dakhil confirmed that the situation in the Mosul Dam is safe and there are no risks threatening its work at the present time. Al-Dakhil said after a meeting with the National Center for Crises and Disasters in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that, 'The Mosul Dam is in its best condition thanks to the efforts of the Iraqi technical personnel who are continuing the grouting work on the dam continuously.' For his part, the head of the National Center for Crises and Disasters, Lieutenant General Jaafar Al-Battat, reassured the Iraqis during his visit to the Mosul Dam, indicating that 'talk about the existence of dangers threatening the dam are mere rumors that have no truth.' For his part, Director General of Dams in Iraq, Ali Radi, revealed at the conference 'the presence of storage voids in the Mosul Dam and the rest of the dams in Iraq, indicating that it is working with high efficiency and better than in previous years. Source: National Iraqi News Agen cy

Athens, The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concluded a visit to Athens, Greece, from May 7 to 10. The visit focused on exchanging expertise, exploring international best practices in community sports, and learning about popular sports facilities and effective techniques for promoting sports participation. The federation delegation, led by Prince Khalid bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Executive Director Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, met with the Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Jiannis Frutis, and the Secretary General for Sports Affairs, George Mavrotas. Discussions covered governance, the role of sports in promoting mental health and quality of life, and the unveiling of the "Kouros" platform, a unique digital tool that tracks sports participation and performance data. This platform aids in data-driven decision-making and talent development across 63 federations. The Greek team also reviewed financial incentives for sports clubs and innovative co mmunity sports programs. The delegation also met with the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and his team to discuss the importance of community sports policies and initiatives. The Greek side highlighted efforts to reduce car usage and encourage cycling and other means of transportation. Plans for international events, including the "Tour of Hellas," were discussed to activate cycling trails and promote cultural exchanges among community members. On the last day of the visit, the SFA delegation toured the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Peace and Friendship Stadium, and the Athens Olympic Museum to explore and transfer international best practices to the Kingdom. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent announced that the bodies of all those on board of the President Ibrahim Raisi's helicopter were found, indicating that these bodies are currently being transported to the city of Tabriz in the northeast of the country. Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Bali, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, during the 10th World Water Forum, stated that the world faces significant challenges endangering water sustainability, particularly the excessive use of water due to economic growth and climate change, which contribute to the threat to water resources. He emphasized the need for international cooperation to ensure the safety of water resources. This speech was delivered as he chaired the Saudi delegation's participation in the forum on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in Indonesia from May 18 to 25. Minister Al-Fadley highlighted in his high-level meeting speech that the Kingdom has prioritized water issues on the international agenda. As a G20 member, the Kingdom continuously supports water issues. For instance, the Kingdom has launched the G20 Water Platform to promote international cooperation and encourage the exchange of expert ise in the water sector. Additionally, the Kingdom initiated the Global Water Organization, which aims to unite international efforts to address challenges threatening water security. He also noted that the Kingdom is dedicated to participating in meetings and activities related to water issues and hosting forums on water security and sustainability. He mentioned that the Kingdom plans to host the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) next December, and the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027, under the theme "Working for a Better Tomorrow," in alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for addressing water issues. Source: Saudi Press Agency

A security source announced that a person was killed in the city of Al-Amara, Maysan Center, after being shot by unknown gunmen. The source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA): 'The police arrived at the scene of the accident and opened an investigation.' On a related level, security forces in Maysan arrested a suspect who committed premeditated murder in the governorate. The Maysan Police Command said in a statement: 'A joint security force was able to bring down the accused wanted before the judiciary in accordance with Article (406) of the Penal Code, indicating that legal measures were being taken against him and referring him to the judiciary.' Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Riyadh: The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, is set to host the first event for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, on June 22. The main fight will be between Australian Robert Whittaker and Russian Khamzat Chimaev. Tickets for the event are available to the public through the webook platform at the following link: https://webook.com/ar/events/ufc-fight-night-tickets. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7-0) is returning to the octagon to continue his winning streak in the highly anticipated matchup at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh against Khamzat Chimaev. Whittaker, a professional mixed martial artist since 2009, has left a significant mark on the sport, becoming the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 213. He most recently defeated Brazil's Paulo Costa at UFC 298. Chimaev (13-0-0) is looking to maintain his undefeated record and continue his rise in the middleweight rankings as a rising star. He has achieved six wins by knockout, five by submission, and eight wins in the first round. As part of the UFC's inaugural event in the Kingdom, fans will witness an exhilarating showdown in the octagon as Russia's Sergei Pavlovich (18-2) faces compatriot Alexander Volkov (37-10) in a clash of heavyweight titans. Source: Saudi Press Agency