
Iraqi NASA engineer to "bring space closer" at Qatar summit
Shafaq News/ Iraqi aerospace engineer Diana Al-Sindi, a specialist at NASA, is set to participate in the inaugural Bil Arabi summit, organized by Qatar Foundation on April 19-20, 2025, in Doha.
Al-Sindi will speak on the topic "Bringing Space Closer to Our World" in an exploratory session aimed at showcasing scientific innovation and advancements in the Arabic language.
The summit is expected to host over 500 prominent figures from the Arab world and beyond, covering diverse topics such as space exploration, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. It will also feature panel discussions on developing Arabic content and fostering innovation.
Based in the United States, Al-Sindi is recognized as the first Iraqi-origin engineer at NASA, contributing to space exploration through rocket development and satellite engine manufacturing.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraq Business
41 minutes ago
- Iraq Business
Iran Proposes Joint AI Centre with Iraq on Gulf Island
By John Lee. Hussein Afshin, Assistant to the Iranian President for Scientific and Technical Affairs and the Knowledge Economy, has reportedly proposed establishing a joint Iran-Iraq artificial intelligence (AI) centre on one of Iran's islands. Speaking during a meeting in Tehran with Ali Razzouqi, Deputy Head of the Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Afshin is quoted as called for moving beyond memoranda of understanding towards practical planning and implementation, suggesting that the historical ties between Iran and Iraq could support long-term scientific collaboration. According to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Razzouqi welcomed the proposal, referencing previous cooperation between Sharif University and the University of Baghdad. He underlined the importance of AI as a tool to address broader challenges, including water, energy, agriculture, and environmental issues. Topics discussed for future collaboration included military technologies, cloud seeding, and responses to climate change and dust storms. (Source: IRNA)


Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Rare Arabian Hyena spotted in Northern Iraq, raising conservation concerns
Shafaq News/ A rare Arabian hyena, known for its distinctive stripes and smaller size compared to its spotted relatives, has been sighted in the Hamrin mountain range in northern Saladin province, in what experts consider a significant and rare appearance of the endangered species. The striped hyena was captured in a photograph by a resident at night, illuminated by a vehicle's headlights on a mountain road. The image, despite being taken with basic equipment, clearly shows the animal's medium build, elongated head, erect ears, and characteristic striped fur, confirming its identification as the elusive Arabian subspecies, rarely seen outside the Arabian Peninsula. Local hunter Mahmoud al-Bayati from the Amerli district told Shafaq News Agency that the Arabian hyena still roams the Hamrin Mountains. 'We occasionally spot it, especially in spring. It lives among the rocks and comes out at night in search of food. It's a rare creature and poses no threat to people, but fear of it is tied to superstitions,' he noted. Environmental activist Ahmed Khaled warned against continued poaching of the species. 'Hunting this hyena is completely unjustified due to its vital ecological role in cleaning up carrion and preventing disease. Eating its meat is an even more dangerous and irrational practice, both environmentally and health-wise,' he stated. Khaled pointed to a lack of environmental awareness in rural areas, where the animal is often misunderstood or feared, rather than recognized for its ecological value. The Arabian hyena, a subspecies of the striped hyena, inhabits mountainous and desert areas across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. Despite its negative image in folklore, it serves a critical role in maintaining ecological balance as a natural scavenger. Although sightings continue in remote mountainous regions of Iraq, the species is not officially recognized or protected by any government agency. Experts warn that repeated hunting — whether for commercial reasons or due to its association with superstition — poses a growing threat to its survival in Iraq. Environmental specialist Mazen Abdul-Haq told Shafaq News that comprehensive surveys are needed in the Hamrin range, along with public awareness campaigns to shift perceptions and promote conservation. He also called for a strict ban on hunting and support for alternative livelihoods in rural communities. 'The reappearance of the Arabian hyena in Hamrin is not just a passing event,' Abdul-Haq said. 'It's an environmental signal that demands urgent attention from authorities, researchers, and activists. Continued poaching and consumption could lead to the extinction of this rare species from Iraq's ecosystem, without documentation or protection.' Hunter Ahmed al-Jubouri, from the mountainous areas east of Salahuddin, told Shafaq News that sightings of the hyena are not as rare as believed, particularly during drought or food shortages. 'We know this species and see it at night and in caves. Some hunters catch it without specific purpose, and some roast and eat it, believing its meat is beneficial,' he said. While no official estimates exist for the Arabian hyena population in Iraq, experts and activists agree the species is becoming increasingly scarce due to habitat loss and hunting — making each sighting a troubling indicator of its fragile status.


Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
First-ever sighting of African Catfish in Iraq's marshes
Shafaq News/ The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) has been documented for the first time in the Al-Chibayish marshes of Dhi Qar province on Tuesday, marking a new scientific milestone recorded by the Al-Chibayish Environmental Organization. In a press release, the organization explained that this discovery marks the second official record of the species in Iraq, following earlier observations in the Tigris River near Baghdad and Mosul by researchers from the University of Baghdad. However, it constitutes the first documentation of the species within the marshland ecosystem, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research team called for close monitoring of the species and urged assessment of its impact on biodiversity in the marshes. It warned that the fish could expand at the expense of native species, potentially causing imbalances that would be difficult to reverse. The species belongs to the catfish family and is characterized by a long dorsal fin running along the body, a rounded caudal fin, and four pairs of sensory barbels. These features grant it strong sensory abilities and high resilience in muddy and turbid waters, aiding its adaptation and reproduction in new environments. Scientists classify the African catfish as an invasive alien species, raising environmental concerns over its potential effects on local species and the delicate ecological balance of the marshes, one of the region's richest yet most fragile ecosystems.