Iraq's water reserves fall by nearly half
A boy untangles a net as he stands fishing in an almost dried-up stream in Mishkhab, in Najaf province, Iraq, where years of drought have depleted the fauna and flora. All photos: AFP
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Al Etihad
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New rare wild orchid seen in UK for first time in 100 years
3 June 2025 14:40 London (AFP)A new lady's-slipper orchid, once believed to be extinct in the UK, has been spotted in the wild for the first time in 100 years following a decades-long conservation drive, experts said by Victorian collectors, gripped by the orchid craze of the time, was thought to have made the yellow cup-shaped and purple-petalled plant extinct by the early a single plant was discovered in a remote location in the Yorkshire Dales in northern England in 1930. Its location was kept secret and volunteers have since provided round-the-clock monitoring to prevent it from being summer, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust -- supported by various conservation groups -- discovered the first new lady's-slipper orchid to appear in the wild since then, it said on is the culmination of a decades-long bid to bring back the flower, and has sparked hopes that it could one day be restored across its former range in northern Wildlife Trust secured a grant from Natural England's species recovery programme two years ago to protect the habitat, rearing many new orchids and reintroducing plants into suitable new plant was spotted at one of the reintroduction sites, meaning planted-out orchids had produced seeds that had germinated into new Leadley, managing the project on behalf of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, called it a "truly thrilling moment"."To see a healthy population of lady's-slipper orchids back in their native area that are now reproducing themselves gives us real hope for the future," he orchids were propagated by London's Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, after a call for help was issued in the 1990s. That led to a small number of privately-owned, wild-sourced orchids being offered as part of a breeding programme."Trying to save the lady's slipper orchid in England has been one of RBG Kew's flagship conservation projects for many years," said RBG Kew's senior research leader Mike Fay. "It is a long-lived species, with seedlings taking many years to grow to the stage where they can flower and produce the seeds that will give rise to the next generation," he added.
The National
a day ago
- The National
TÜV Rheinland announces key regulatory update under Iraq's ICIGI programme
TÜV Rheinland, a global leader in quality, safety and certification services, announces a critical regulatory update mandated by Iraq's Central Organisation for Standardisation and Quality Control (COSQC). Effective June 17, 2025, an updated list of product standards will be applicable under the ICIGI Programme (Pre-Import Inspection, Testing and Certification Programme for Goods Entering Iraq). These revisions impact key sectors, including construction materials, food products, cosmetics and steel manufacturing, ensuring alignment with evolving Iraqi and international standards. The revised standards include, but are not limited to: Construction and Industrial Materials: IQS 1980:2024 (Heat-insulating clay bricks), IQS 5264-1:2024 (steel bars for concrete reinforcement – smooth bars), ENG 92:2024 (Steel bars for concrete reinforcement) Food and Consumer Goods: IQS 2245:2024 (sugar), IQS 15:2024 (olive oil and olive pomace oil) Dental and Speciality Products: IQS 2300:2024 (gypsum products for dental medicine) This update ensures alignment with evolving compliance requirements for goods entering the Republic of Iraq. Importers and manufacturers must adhere to the revised standards to obtain a Certificate of Conformity, mandatory for customs clearance. The updated list underscores COSQC's commitment to enhancing product safety and regulatory efficiency. In line with this regulatory development, TÜV Rheinland reaffirms its authorisation by COSQC (under Iraq's Ministry of Planning) to issue Certificates of Conformity for regulated goods, effective March 1, 2025. The scope includes inspection, testing and certification across sectors such as food, construction, engineering, chemicals and textiles to ensure compliance with Iraqi and international standards. Fares Naouri, senior vice president, said: 'Iraq's growing demand for compliant infrastructure and products requires rigorous oversight. Our COC services, backed by advanced laboratories, expert teams, and streamlined processes, help prevent substandard goods from entering the market while accelerating customs clearance.' Issa Alaydie, general manager for government inspections and international trade, said: 'This accreditation reflects COSQC's vision that all regulated products entering the Iraqi market comply with the applicable Iraqi standards. Through document verification, testing and shipment validation, we ensure a transparent and efficient pathway for imports.' From TÜV Rheinland's scope, the key programme details encompass the following critical components. A full list of updated products is available here. link.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Best photos of June 2: From a tomato fight in Colombia to fog over Sydney
Dead fish float to the surface of Ibn Najm marsh, about 25km north-east of Najaf in central Iraq. Authorities say the area relies on drainage water, which has turned saline. AFP
