Latest news with #YoussefIsmail
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
City of Ottawa beaches open for the season. Here's what you need to know
Youssef Ismail, left, and Andre Gallant leap into the water to catch a frisbee tossed by a friend as they cool off at Britannia Beach in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Saturday marks the start of the season at City of Ottawa beaches. Mooney's Bay, Britannia, Westboro and Petrie Island beaches will be open for supervised swimming from noon to 7 p.m. daily until Aug. 24. It comes as the city prepares for its first summer heat wave with temperatures expected to soar to 35 C on Monday and 34 C on Tuesday. Swimmers may notice several changes at the beach this summer. A new flag system is being introduced to 'improve swimming safety and communication,' according to the city's website: Red over yellow: Lifeguards are present; designated swim zone. Green flag: Lifeguards are actively supervising. Red flag: Lifeguards not on duty. Ottawa Public Health will no longer be issuing daily 'no-swim' advisories as in previous years, opting to encourage swimmers to consider the risks before, during and after visiting the beach. Swimming is only recommended with a lifeguard present. Beach signs have been upgraded this year explaining the new flag system and to highlight water safety messaging. The new safety measures are being introduced following a 'lifesaving audit' conducted last year that made several recommendations to prevent drownings or serious injuries in the water. Changes will most be noticed at Britannia after four drownings were reported at the west end beach since 2020. Sloped riverbed areas will be marked with a lane rope and new buoy lines will be set 300 millimetres away from dredged zones. Ottawa Public Health will be conducting weekly e-coli testing at all beaches and will alert residents of the results on its website. As of Saturday, all city beaches meet the provincial standards. NCC beaches Beaches maintained by the National Capital Commission (NCC) opened last week. Lifeguards will be on duty at La Pêche Lake, Meech Lake and Phillippe Lake daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 1. Water will be tested weekly and swimming areas are marked by buoys. Water quality readings for all NCC beaches was 'excellent' or 'good' as of Saturday. Smith Beach at Phillippe Lake will be closed for the season due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
Gulf Today
29-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE embassy in Argentina hosts Iftar initiative
As part of the Iftar Initiative, and in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent, the UAE Embassy in the Argentine Republic organised a project to provide iftar meals and distribute food packages to several provinces in the Argentine Republic and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, which was attended by members of the Arab and Muslim diaspora. This humanitarian initiative was held to strengthen the values of solidarity and fraternity during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Earlier, the UAE Embassy in Japan, with support from the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), organised an Iftar initiative at Fukuoka Mosque, Al Noor Islamic Centre, in Fukuoka Prefecture. As part of the initiative, Emirati dates were distributed to those fasting. The initiative, a collaboration between the embassy and the ERC, will continue throughout Ramadan, welcoming members of the Muslim community, including Japanese Muslims. Last month, the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Republic of Argentina, titled 'Argentina's Day,' to explore investment and trade cooperation between Ras Al Khaimah and Argentina. The visit aimed to foster partnerships across various sectors of mutual interest, with a particular focus on the foodstuffs sector. The meeting, held at the Chamber's headquarters, was attended by Youssef Ismail, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Saud Bin Saqr Foundation for the Development of Youth Enterprises; Dr Ahmed Al Shemeili, Director-General of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce; and Jorge Agustin Arambarri, Ambassador of Argentina to the UAE. The delegation included Argentina's ministers, several heads of Chambers of Commerce, government officials, entrepreneurs from Ras Al Khaimah, and counterparts from Argentine provinces in the food sector, alongside representatives from all Chamber departments. In his opening speech, Ismail highlighted the strong and long-standing UAE-Argentina relations built on fruitful collaboration and joint coordination. He emphasised that Argentina is a key trade and investment partner for the UAE in Latin America. He expressed optimism for intensified efforts in the near future to strengthen bilateral economic and investment ties between Ras Al Khaimah and Argentina, aiming to elevate these relations to new heights that align with shared aspirations and unlock broader potential. WAM
