Latest news with #DhiQar
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Jordan Times
Summer comes early for Iraq with 49 degrees Celsius in Basra
BAGHDAD — Summer has come early for Iraq this year with temperatures hitting 49 degrees Celsius (topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southern city of Basra on Thursday, the national weather centre said. "It is the highest temperature recorded in Iraq this year," weather centre spokesperson Amer al-Jabiri told AFP. He said the early heat was in contrast to last year, when the temperature was "relatively good" in May and "it only began to rise in June". In Iraq, summer temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, especially in July and August, and sometimes reach these levels earlier. On Sunday, two cadets died and others were admitted to hospital with heat stroke at a military academy in the southern province of Dhi Qar, authorities said. The defence ministry said nine cadets "showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion due to sun exposure" while waiting to be assigned to battalions. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the deaths of the two cadets. Iraq is one of the five countries most impacted by some effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. It has also seen a prolonged drought and frequent dust storms.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Summer Comes Early for Iraq as Temperatures Soar in South
Summer has come early for Iraq this year, with temperatures soaring to dangerous levels in the southern provinces on Thursday, the national weather center said. Global temperatures are stuck at near-record highs this year, according to the EU's climate monitor, extending an unprecedented heat streak that started in 2023. "It is the highest temperature recorded in Iraq this year," weather centre spokesperson Amer al-Jabiri told AFP. He said the early heat was in contrast to last year, when the temperature was "relatively good" in May and "it only began to rise in June". On Thursday, the temperature climbed to 49 degrees Celsius (over 120 Fahrenheit) in the provinces of Basra and Missan, and it reached 48 degrees in the nearby Dhi Qar province, according to the weather centre. In Iraq, summer temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, especially in July and August, and sometimes reach these levels earlier. On Sunday, two cadets died and others were admitted to hospital with heat stroke at a military academy in Dhi Qar, authorities said. The defense ministry said nine cadets "showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion due to sun exposure" while waiting to be assigned to battalions. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the two deaths. Iraq is one of the five countries most impacted by some effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. It has also seen a prolonged drought and frequent dust storms. While the province of Missan is used to scorching summers, environment activist and daily labourer Mustafa Hashem said "the heat started sooner than expected this year". "One of my colleagues fainted yesterday while we were maintaining cooling equipment on the roof of a building," he added.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Summer comes early for Iraq with 49 degrees Celsius in Basra
BAGHDAD: Summer has come early for Iraq this year with temperatures hitting 49 degrees Celsius (topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southern city of Basra on Thursday, the national weather center said. 'It is the highest temperature recorded in Iraq this year,' weather center spokesperson Amer Al-Jabiri told AFP. He said the early heat was in contrast to last year, when the temperature was 'relatively good' in May and 'it only began to rise in June.' In Iraq, summer temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, especially in July and August, and sometimes reach these levels earlier. On Sunday, two cadets died and others were admitted to hospital with heat stroke at a military academy in the southern province of Dhi Qar, authorities said. The defense ministry said nine cadets 'showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion due to sun exposure' while waiting to be assigned to battalions. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the deaths of the two cadets. Iraq is one of the five countries most impacted by some effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. It has also seen a prolonged drought and frequent dust storms.
Iraqi News
21-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister: Nasiriyah Medical City Project is the First of its Kind in Iraq
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed on Monday that Nasiriyah Medical City Project is the first of its kind in Iraq. He noted that amending previously approved laws is the only way to unify the salary scale. The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting today, Sunday, at the Ur Tourist City building, which included officials from service departments and the governorate's service and engineering effort team, in the presence of the governor of Dhi Qar." The meeting indicated that "the plans and progress of infrastructure and service projects being implemented in the governorate were reviewed, as were the most prominent obstacles facing them, and the solutions to overcome them." The Prime Minister emphasized that "Nasiriyah Medical City project is the first in Iraq in terms of capacity and diversity of hospitals and specialized centers, and it requires the provision of basic services." He explained that "it is necessary to form a team from the governorate's service departments to resolve conflicts regarding the strategic projects launched today." He added that "the government's commitments have increased significantly, especially in infrastructure projects, which generate returns for the benefit of citizens." He noted that "in our government, a budget deficit has actually appeared, as it has achieved accomplishments and there is efficiency in spending, performance, and work, whereas previously the deficit was a planning deficit." Al-Sudani stated that "our government has organized the spending mechanism according to the principle of first priority, then second priority, and we have worked across many sectors and achieved positive results." He noted that "the complement to service work is the provision of job opportunities, and the alternative is an effective private sector. Departments must adopt flexible and expeditious processes with the private sector." "There are 34 laws and Cabinet decisions previously approved, which granted varying allocations that created disparities in salaries. Amending them is the only way to unify the salary scale." Prime Minister said. He noted that "in the 2024 budget, (156) trillion dinars were spent out of the (213) trillion planned, including (90) trillion for salaries, (40) trillion for operational expenditures, and (13) trillion for ministries and governorate projects." Prime Minister stated, "We were able to attract significant foreign investment as a result of financial and banking reforms and the creation of an investment environment," emphasizing "the cleanliness in the governorate, which is a message that service departments are performing their duties properly." He explained that "there are five hospitals in the governorate that have exceeded 90% completion."
Shafaq News
30-01-2025
- Shafaq News
Two drug traffickers arrested in Dhi Qar
Shafaq News/ Dhi Qar security forces arrested two drug traffickers in a security operation north of Al-Nasiriyah, the provincial capital, a security source reported on Thursday. 'The suspects were found in possession of weapons, narcotic pills, and one kilogram of crystal meth,' the source revealed, adding that they have been transferred to a special detention center pending legal action. Since 2003, Iraq has been grappling with a growing drug problem, particularly with substances like crystal meth and Captagon. The country destroyed 5,000 tons of drugs and psychotropic substances, 54 million pills, 31,000 ampoules, and 9,000 bottles in 2022, while in 2023, it disposed of about 2.2 tons of drugs, along with more than 5,000,000 pills. By 2024, Iraq had seized over six tons of narcotics and arrested 14,438 individuals involved in drug-related crimes. The judiciary issued rulings against 8,930 detainees, sentencing 144 international traffickers to death and 454 local dealers to life imprisonment. Security operations also led to the confiscation of 1,423 vehicles, 365 rifles, 765 pistols, and 153 hand grenades. To intensify its fight against drug trafficking, Iraq launched a comprehensive anti-drug strategy in 2025, leveraging modern techniques and international cooperation. The initiative focuses on regional collaboration, intelligence sharing, and the establishment of specialized rehabilitation centers for addicts.
