Wildfire Rages on Greek Island of Evia for Second Day 

A wildfire burns next to a wind turbine near the village of Petries on the island of Evia, Greece, July 29, 2024. (Reuters)
A wildfire burns next to a wind turbine near the village of Petries on the island of Evia, Greece, July 29, 2024. (Reuters)
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Wildfire Rages on Greek Island of Evia for Second Day 

A wildfire burns next to a wind turbine near the village of Petries on the island of Evia, Greece, July 29, 2024. (Reuters)
A wildfire burns next to a wind turbine near the village of Petries on the island of Evia, Greece, July 29, 2024. (Reuters)

More than 200 firefighters backed up by helicopters and water-carrying planes battled a wildfire on Greece's second-biggest island of Evia for a second day on Tuesday as authorities ordered the evacuation of two villages.

The fire broke out near the village of Petries in the center of the island at about 3 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Monday and strong winds fueled its spread.

While the situation had slightly improved on Tuesday, flare ups remain a risk due to the windy conditions, a fire service spokesperson said.

Thirteen aircraft and six helicopters were at the scene on Tuesday about 60 km (37 miles) northeast of the capital, Athens. A coastguard vessel was on standby overnight for possible evacuations by sea.

"It was - and is - a difficult fire as it started in a difficult spot," Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias, who travelled to Evia late on Monday, was quoted as saying by state broadcaster ERT.

Wildfires in Greece have become more frequent in recent years during increasingly hot, dry summers that scientists link to climate change. Last year, more than 8,000 blazes broke out, fire brigade data shows.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece had been dealing with "a very difficult summer" in terms of climate conditions.

"We still have a very difficult month, August, ahead of us and obviously we all need to be on high alert," he told ministers during a cabinet meeting.

Since May, hundreds of wildfires have burned across the country, which just recorded its hottest June on record and its longest heatwave. Blazes have been turbocharged by strong winds and drought in several parts of the country.

In 2021, a devastating wildfire raged for nearly a week in northern Evia, turning more than 115,000 acres (46,500 hectares) of land into ashes, destroying homes and killing animals.



Saudi Space Agency Unveils Concurrent Design Facility, Adopts Integrated Mission Lifecycle

CDF is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies. (SPA)
CDF is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies. (SPA)
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Saudi Space Agency Unveils Concurrent Design Facility, Adopts Integrated Mission Lifecycle

CDF is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies. (SPA)
CDF is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies. (SPA)

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) inaugurated on Monday its new Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) and announced the adoption of an Integrated Mission Lifecycle (IML) framework.

CDF is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of space missions through the application of concurrent engineering and advanced simulation technologies, sais SSA on its website.

By streamlining the design process, the facility is expected to reduce feasibility study times by up to 75% and system design costs by as much as 50%.

The center will also serve as a hub for collaboration, hosting workshops and knowledge-sharing initiatives among space industry professionals.

SSA has adopted IML as a standardized approach to project and program management. Developed in-house, IML aims to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and foster collaboration within the agency.

This strategic move positions SSA as a leader in complex engineering project management.

The establishment of CDF and the adoption of IML underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to building a robust space sector and developing world-class capabilities.

The launch, attended by SSA CEO Dr. Mohammed Altamimi, Deputy CEO Dr. Valanathan Munsami, and key industry stakeholders, marks a significant step forward for the Kingdom’s space program.