A prominent environmental activist in Iraq has been kidnapped near the capital by an unknown group, his family have said.
Jassim Al Asadi was travelling on the main road linking Baghdad to southern provinces on Wednesday when he was taken captive, his brother Nadhim said in a statement.
"Five kilometres before the capital, two cars stopped him, and armed men in plain clothes handcuffed him and put him on to one of the vehicles, taking him to an unknown location," his brother told AFP on Sunday.
"My cousin was with him," he added. "They left him on the road."
The family has not heard from Mr Al Asadi since and police are investigating, the brother said, adding that the kidnappers had not contacted any relatives.
The motive is still unknown and Iraqi security forces are investigating the case, he said.
Since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Mr Al Asadi has emerged as a leading environmental activist and expert, focusing mainly on Iraq's southern marshlands.
He founded the NGO Nature Iraq in the southern Thi Qar province that has large areas of marshland.
Mr Al Asadi has become one of the few specialists in this field and the main trusted source for researchers and media.
He has been campaigning for more water to be released to the marshland and its inhabitants, launching the National Campaign to Save the Marshes with other activists and marsh residents late last year.
He has blamed the government for not drawing up the plans needed to save the marshes from the effects of climate change.
Some Iraqis have condemned the news, describing the kidnapping as "shocking" and "horrible", and demanding his immediate release.
"Whomever believes that there are moral or political justifications that allow the kidnapping of Jassim Al Asadi will not hesitate to commit what is worse than kidnapping," former water resources minister Hassan Al Janabi wrote on Twitter.
"Save the life of our friend Jassim Al Asadi before it is too late," Mr Al Janabi warned, publishing a photo of Mr Al Asadi during a trip to the marshes in August 2003.
Iraq is the fifth most-vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change, according to the UN Environment Programme.
Over the past three years, the country has experienced record temperatures that exceeded 50°C in many places during summer, insufficient and diminishing rainfall and frequent sand and dust storms.
Coupled with the reduced water flow of its two main rivers after passing through Turkey and Iran, the extreme weather has intensified drought and water scarcity in Iraq.
Desertification affects 39 per cent of the country and 54 per cent of its agricultural land has been degraded, mainly due to soil salinity caused by historically low river levels, less rain and rising sea levels.
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European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
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Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports
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Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
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Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
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Tomorrow 2021
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
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Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
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Ed Husain: The far left is trying to hijack Muslim minds in the West
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China |
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UAE |
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Norway |
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Canada |
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Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
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Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
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Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Lecce v SPAL (6pm)
Bologna v Genoa (9pm)
Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)
Juventus v Brescia (6pm)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)
Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)
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2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
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Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
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