(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Qatar's efforts on food security have granted unprecedented stability to the food and agricultural sector in the country, according to a researcher from Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, (Qeeri), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).
“Local food production has boomed over the past four years, and farming activities have increased across Qatar. Several market and governmental incentives were put in place to facilitate producers and consumers in supporting local products,' Dr Annamaria Mazzoni, a research associate at Qeeri said in an article.
Dr Mazzoni says that Qatar's efforts at food security proved to be resilient during the Covid-19 epidemic. She noted:“Qatar's quest for food security and sustainability has received much attention over the years and all the sectors in the country have shown the ability to prioritise it and align actions for its realisation.”
Writing in HBKU newsletter Wamdha, the researcher said that the Qatar National Food Security Strategies (2018-2023), is currently undergoing updates, focus on enhancing local food production, the diversification of import sources, building up a strategic reserve to balance food stocks, making optimal use of the country's natural and water resources, and the employment of renewable energies in the agricultural sector.
“These efforts have granted unprecedented stability to the food and agricultural sector, which has proven resilient during the Covid-19 epidemic. Thanks to the policy focus, cross-sectoral strategies, and long-term planning, Qatar was indeed able to sustain the sudden disruption of global food supply chains caused by the pandemic and as of 2021, Qatar ranks 24th globally and second at regional level accordingly to the Global Food Security Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit,” she explained.
Dr Mazzoni is optimistic that Qatar shall continue to strive to attain a sustainable food system through several ways.
She suggested:“Climate change is one of the global challenges and the expansion of the use of renewable energies should also apply to the food sector. Similarly, diversification of water sources and groundwater conservation is crucial for sustainable natural resources management. Food waste reduction is a key aspect for further development of the food sector and goes hand in hand with food safety practices.”
“Monitoring plays a critical role in quality assurance and observance of standards for the import, production, processing, preparation, and disposal of food products, since a big part of the food is still imported. Lastly, further research and efforts in improving healthy diets and food habits should be materialised in related policies,” she continued.
Dr Mazzoni also highlighted the need for further research on food security and the efforts by Qeeri in this direction.“Food security and food systems' sustainability are an integral part of the research topics across all centres and programmes at Qeeri. Thanks to its diverse expertise, Qeeri is tackling the environmental, economic, and social challenges of improving local food production and enhancing the food security sector in the country,” she added.
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(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 1th July, 2018 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has received Nikos Christodoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, who is currently on state visit to the UAE, at the ministry's headquarters.
The two parties discussed means of bolstering ties between the two countries across trade, political, economic and investment areas.
The also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues and current developments of mutual concern with focus on Yemen and Libya.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed the UAE's keenness on extending cultural and economic ties with all countries based on the openness policy adopted by its visionary leadership with the ultimate objectives of realising economic and human development and coexistence and peace between peoples across the world.
Christodoulides lauded the UAE's leading position on the regional and international levels and stressed his country's keenness on boosting cooperation with the UAE.
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‘Opponents making false publicity on govt’
Dhanusha, Jan. 6 : Senior leader of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the opposition parties were making negative publicity about the government by fearing its popularity.
He also called on the party cadres to safeguard the government with firm determination, saying that the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, is in worry by seeing the popularity of the incumbent government.
At a cadres’ gathering organised by NCP at Janakpur on Sunday, the former Prime Minister said that the opposition party was blaming the incumbent government of trying to impose totalitarian.
He said, “There might be some weaknesses on the part of the incumbent government. But it has no such bad intentions.” Leader Nepal further said that the party is in preparation to hold its national convention within two years. RSS


BEIJING: China has rejected India’s concern over Pak-China Economic Corridor, on Tuesday, which is of worth of $46 Billion.
Foreign Office of China has rejected India’s reservations on CPEC, and said that India concerns are not right enough and we will carry on trade ties with Pakistan.
Earlier, on Sunday the Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, while talking to media persons said that Indian Prime Minster on his recent visit to china had seriously expressed the reservations to Chinese government.
According to sources, China in a statement has said that the CPEC would bring stability and prosperity in the region, adding that Beijing and Islamabad were committed for the implementation of the economic corridor.
She said that India had also asked China Ambassador, in New Delhi, to address India’s concern over the $46 billion economic corridor.


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[President Bush] added $4 trillion [to the national debt]
by his lonesome, so that we now have over $9 trillion of
debt that we are going to have to pay back— $30,000
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Saudi, Jordanian shareholders unveil Fly Aqaba airline
(MENAFN) On Sunday, Oct. 17 Jordanian PETRA news agency reported, Jordan’s Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority inked an investment deal to make a private Saudi-Jordanian airline with an amount of USD20 million.
The big investment scheme was the outcome of shared collaboration among the Saudi Kingdom and Jordan.
Nayef Bakheet, chairman of the authority’s board of officials, declared: “The new airline will operate flights to the capital, Amman, and to European, Arab and Gulf countries under the name Fly Aqaba.”
Bakheet stated that Fly Aqaba plans on starting two airplanes in the initial stage.
The company’s main center is set to be in the city Aqaba in Jordan.
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HEFLIN — The Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce has set new goals for the new year according to its director, Beverly Ervin. The chamber will continue to support its members, but starting in January will stress development of the local workforce, businesses and tourism.
Ervin said the chamber’s board of directors and the executive board have gone through three strategic planning sessions and have come up with a three-year plan to repurpose the organization.
The board invited “very seasoned veterans” from Alabama Power and the Carroll County, Ga., Chamber of Commerce to help the board with its mission realignment.
Ervin said the various committees will be fleshing out goals and objectives in the next few weeks.
Ervin said when the chamber was reassembled a few years ago, its main focus was to let people know what the chamber stood for and to engage members to be more community-minded.
In the recent past the chamber has focused on community-based events like the Cleburne County fair and the Keep It In Cleburne campaign, which encourages residents to shop within the county to keep money circulating locally.
So now, said Ervin, although the chamber will still make sure that members are active in the community, “we’re shifting a little more on the business development and the workforce development side.”
That will entail the chamber partnering with the city of Heflin and the industrial development board to implement programs which will be announced in the next couple of weeks, according to Ervin.
Ervin said the chamber will also work with teachers to facilitate workforce development.
Ervin said that the chamber will partner with the Heflin Industrial Board in January for a “teachers academy.” For example, she said, all 200 teachers in Cleburne County will visit area businesses and industries to learn about what the businesses need most — skilled workers.
“It’s important for our teachers to know what’s happening in our region so they know how to educate our kids,” Ervin said.
Ervin said the workforce development concept is “cradle to career” development for area students.
Ervin said that there will also be a new membership structure for the upcoming year. In the past different types of membership were based on the number of employees members businesses had.
Now businesses can pick the level of benefits they want based on what management feels is most needed, such as advertising, social media and more involvement in workforce development, according to Ervin.
Ervin said the new year will be “full steam” for the realigned chamber.


(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) New York, Feb 4, 2023, SPA -- US stock market indices recorded a decline on Friday, after the closing of the trading session on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 127.93 points to 0.38%, or 33926.01 points, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed down 43.28 points, to 1.04%, or 4136.48 points.
The Nasdaq Composite Index declined by 193.86 points, to 1.59%, or 12,006.96 points.
01:35 LOCAL TIME 22:35 GMT
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KUALA LUMPUR: A new green investment platform is to be created by the investment fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd to attract more direct investment locally and from abroad, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the initiative is aimed at helping local companies, especially Bumiputera firms, and would result in more high-quality jobs for the people.
Anwar said the matter was discussed at Khazanah’s board meeting a few days ago, which looked into the company’s role in national development efforts.
“We also discussed the importance of implementing a sustainable energy transition plan to ensure economic sustainability,” he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the meeting’s main discussion was on investments by Khazanah to strengthen the domestic economic ecosystem, not only for startup companies but also for those that were already successful and required capital for future growth.
He said with Khazanah’s involvement, the initiative could help develop local talent and increase the country’s capability and competitiveness.
Anwar said Khazanah would continue to work with the government through the “Advancing Malaysia” strategy, to be in line with the country’s economic development goals.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the private sector and the government, at the federal, state or local levels.


Earthquake reported southwest of Almaty
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the MPV scale has been recorded
southwest of Almaty city, Trend reports citing Kazinform .
The epicenter of the quake was located in the territory of
Kyrgyzstan, 125 km southwest of Almaty city.
It hit at a depth of 20 km at 14:46 pm Almaty time.
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By Alfred Adams
THE people of Prestea, the famous mining town in the Western Region have organised a stakeholders meeting to brainstorm on how to court mining companies in their locality to aid them in reshaping their roads.
The meeting, which was called by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Francis Kwasi Blay, was attended by community leaders, including chiefs, imams and the entire community. Speaker after speaker underscored the need for the community to do something and not wait for the central government to reshape their roads.
Though they agreed that it was the duty of government to reshape the roads, they could not sit unconcerned for the roads to further deteriorate before the government comes to their aid.
For that reason, they have resolved to organise communal labour and begin to patch the roads which have developed what they described as ‘manholes’.
Other stakeholders also blamed the mining companies for doing nothing, saying it was part of their social responsibilities to repair the roads which had developed potholes.
The stakeholders, who accused the mining companies of dereliction of duty, proposed that when they (stakeholders) eventually reshape the roads through communal labour, they would stop the mining companies from plying on the road.
The MP, who convened the meeting, told the stakeholders that he had lobbied extensively to get the roads reshaped, and added that he had met the mining companies, and they had agreed to contribute to the reshaping of the roads.
He mentioned Prestea Sankofa Gold and Bogoso Gold Limited as two companies which had agreed to support the reshaping of the roads.
He said the mining companies were ready to reshape the road, but was conscious of the fact that road reshaping was not their responsibility, but that of the Ghana Highways.
The MP, who was commended for his initiative, however, added that his next line of action was to help in revamping the Prestea Mortuary.


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By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Nov 9: Sarawak reported four new positive cases of Covid-19 today.
The information was revealed by State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“Today we have four positive cases and we hope that the cases will continue to be reduced.
“We (SDMC) have a single objective which is to make sure the (Covid-19 infection) curve is being flattened.
“Sarawak among all the states in Malaysia and we can be proud that we can manage to contain the disease,” Uggah who is also Deputy Chief Minister said during the winding up of the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Covid-19 Bill at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) chambers here today.
Meanwhile, SDMC in a press statement today said all the four new cases in Kuching were close contacts of previously reported cases.
The committee said two of the four cases were linked to the Greenhill Cluster while one case was linked to the Wisma Saberkas Cluster.
It added the fourth patient, an Indonesian man had undergone the Covid-19 screening at a government health clinic on November 7 and was tested positive today (November 9).
With the additional four cases reported, the committee said the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases in Sarawak had increased to 991 cases.
Apart from that, SDMC said there were nine patients who recovered and were allowed to be discharged from the hospitals.
The committee added that there were 39 new cases of Person-Under-Investigation (PUI) and 17 PUI cases were awaiting laboratory test results. —DayakDaily


Lebanese Forces chief lashes out at Free Patriotic Movement chief
(MENAFN) Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea lashed out at Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil saying his concept of partnership is that "he works single-handed" while everyone else follows, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Monday.
"The concept of partnership for Foreign Minister and FPM head Jebran Bassil is that he works alone while we are supposed to back him. He accuses us of obstructing the government whenever we make a criticism, and considers it an infringement on the (presidential) term," criticized Geagea.
He said the LF's stances regarding power generating vessels must not perceived as obstruction, "obstruction should only be seen as such when we reject issues we have both agreed on in advance," said Geagea.
The Maarab Agreement with the FPM "is not a political alliance," added Geagea, "we have an agreement with the FPM that each party maintains its own political positioning."
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Four people have been injured in a three-vehicle crash on Route 15 South in Hartford and state police said the road could be closed for several hours.
Police said there was also a small fire and the Hartford Fire Department put it out quickly.
The road is closed between exits 87 and 85.
State police said the four injured people were taken to Hartford Hospital. No information was immediately available on the extent of their injuries.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 22. Today, a
workshop on Energy Efficiency Market Assessment Early Findings for
development the National Renovation Program In Buildings Sector was
held with the participation of the representatives of Government of
Azerbaijan, energy suppliers and utilities, public sector building
owners, international financial institutions and donors, Trend reports.
The workshop was organized under the Energy Efficiency and
Climate Technical Assistance implemented by the World Bank and
financed by European Union (EU) within the Azerbaijan Rapid
Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF) program.
It was noted that buildings in Azerbaijan account for approximately
55% of energy consumption, this is significantly more than compared
to 35% global average. The country has been implementing various
initiatives and programs to enhance energy efficiency in the
buildings sector, however there is a need for programmatic and
extensive approach to reach results on the ground.
Feedback on the key findings of the Draft National Renovation
Program Roadmap for the renovation of private (residential and
commercial) and public buildings in Azerbaijan, preliminary results
of the market assessment of the EE potential in public buildings
and results of the capacity needs assessment for the implementation
of the National Renovation Program were discussed et the event.
AZTAF is technical assistance program for the Republic of
Azerbaijan aiming to provide advisory and analytical support and
capacity building to the Government of Azerbaijan in line with the
Azerbaijan 2030 National Priorities.
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Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has defended their form.
Preziosi shrugged off their poor recent run.
"We have played well in recent games,â he said. âHowever, in the last three games we have failed to pick up a single point.
âThere are grounds to believe that we can take the necessary steps to stay up.â


The employees in Andhra Pradesh who have been facing a lot of issues with the delay in salaries and pensions since the last two years have changed their ways in fighting for their interests with the Andhra Pradesh government.
The employee unions have put up their demands before the state government and the government has also responded in a positive way by inviting the representatives of the employee unions for the meeting to sort out the issues.
Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and Government Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma attended the meeting on the behalf of the state government that saw the members of the AP Employees Unions as the attendees.
AP JAC Chairman Bandi Srinivas Rao and AP JAC Amaravati Chairman Bopparaju Venkatenswarlu attended the meeting. They have listed out the problems faced by the employees as the salaries and pensions are delayed every month. The representatives have urged them to look into the matter at the earliest.
It has been widely reported that the employees' unions demanded the Andhra Pradesh Government that the delay in the salaries and pensions should be addressed saying that since 2019, they have been facing a lot of issues.
On top of this, the employees' unions have also placed the demand of extending the PRC (pay revision commission) scales. Citing the example of fellow Telugu state Telangana, the representatives have reportedly asked why the government is not thinking about the PRC when Telangana increased the same by 30 percent.
Besides fighting for the interests of the employees, the representatives reportedly gave an ultimatum to the Andhra Pradesh government saying that they would agitate for the same if the government fails to address the demands that were placed by them.
During the meeting, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and Sameer Sharma reportedly gave a word to the representatives that their demands would be taken to the Chief Minister very soon and their concerns would be addressed.
Joining the employees' unions, the opposition TDP has also been attacking the government over the delay in implementing the 11th PRC. The employees are hoping that the new PRC will come into effect from Dasara or Diwali.


PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak here on Monday vowed that the anti-encroachment operation in the province would continue without any political discrimination that encroachment is the main cause of floods destruction.
Talking to media, CM Khattak said that that the provincial government had issued notices to the concerned parties adding that the anti-encroachment operation would be completed within the next three days. He said that people had build houses over nullahs which disturb the smooth flow of flood water. He said that the government is preparing a map of nullahs and government lands and warned that those who had build houses over nullahs will not be compensated in case of any loss.
Talking about Chitral flood, CM Khattak said that the provincial government in collaboration with the federal government and Pak-army are working for the rehabilitation of Chitral flood effectees. He said that the provincial government is distributing relief goods in the flood hit areas through army.
About PTI-QWP talks to join the KP coalition government, CM Khattak said that talks between PTI and QWP are underway adding that QWP will soon join KP government.


ALMOST a third of sheriff court cases across Scotland aren’t meeting time targets.
Figures released by the Scottish Conservatives reveal that an increasing number of cases are taking more than six months to conclude – exceeding the national target aimed at ensuring that legal proceedings run smoothly.
The Scottish Conservatives link the dip in performance on recent court closures across the country.
Ten sheriff courts have closed in recent years in a bid from the Scottish Government to cut costs in the justice system.
The Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: “This is another example of the SNP being warned against making a decision for a number of reasons, but blundering on anyway.”
“Now it’s taking longer to get cases through court and many will feel that’s a direct result of the SNP’s closure programme.”
Mr. Ross went on to say: “Now that the SNP has shut these courts right across the country, the least it could do is ensure those remaining have sufficient resources to see cases through to their conclusion in the target time frame.”


ISLAMGARH: PML-N vice-president Mohtarma Maryam Nawaz has said that Azad Kashmir had announced its decision before the election.
Addressing a public meeting in Islamgarh, she said that the voice of Nawaz Sharif is resounding across Kashmir. “Nawaz Sharif had earmarked a road project from Mirpur to Muzaffargarh in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” she maintained.
Maryam Nawaz warned the government against stealing the election. “The PTI’s Minister for Kashmir Affairs cannot enter Kashmir,” she added. She urged the voters not only to vote on July 25 but also to guard the vote.
She further added that that the prices of sugar, flour and ghee are increased daily. “During the PML-N tenure, the country was making progress,” she added.


"I think about the Internet as a machine that could kill futures if we don’t treat it well, and technology as well. But there’s actually something that we can have and that we can use, and it’s the intelligence that we have and the humanity that we have individually to build the future of the future."
Critical Futurist. Founder, Changeist
This talk was part of The Futures of the Future session at the IAM Weekend 16 in Barcelona, on April 7-10, 2016
Watch more talks at internetagemedia.com/talks


Min says Modi govt invested 4 times more than UPA.
Mumbai: Railway minister Piyush Goyal claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has invested approximately Rs 75,000 crore in Mumbai, which has never been done in last 50 years.
Mr Goyal, who was at Chhatrapati Shivaji Ma-haraj Terminus (CSMT) for flagging off the first Rajadhani Express of the Central Railway (CR) between CSMT Mumbai and Hazarat Nizam-uddin on Saturday, said that the state and Union government have given a boost to city infrastructure.
The railway minister said that the investment in the railways has been increased in last five years. He added that Rs 1,171 crores had been invested in the railways during 2009-2014 (UPA-2 regime) in state, while Rs 4,345 crore have been invested in the state in last five years under the leadership of Mr Modi.
Mr Goyal further added that the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3-A worth Rs 54,777 crores, had been approved by the central government and state cabinet. Thus, the on going projects across various parts of the city amounts close to Rs 75,000 crores, he added.
“Under the regime of Mr Modi, with the help of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the development works in the city have been paced up,” Mr Modi added.


Progress report shows SHIP makes a positive difference
Due to the efforts of Minnesota’s Statewide Health Improvement Program, more than 140,000 students in more than 200 schools now have more opportunities to walk to school, and more than 160,000 employees in more than 900 businesses are benefiting from work place wellness programs, the Minnesota Department of Health announced recently.
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Jamaat-e-Islami JI Karachi Chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti has said that the JI candidates are fulfilled every article of the Constitution including Article 62 and 63.
This he said while addressing a meeting of the JI office bearers at Idara-e-Noor Haq here on Tuesday. Mehanti said that the successful scrutiny process of the candidates was an open prove that the JI was an only party which can provide an honest and sincere leadership to the people of the country.
He informed that the JI candidates have filed the nomination papers for contesting general elections on provincial and national assemblies’ seats from the country, but none of its candidates found guilty in fake degree cases or bank defaulters.
“If the transparent elections will hold in the country, then JI to be the only party which will has a mandate of the people”, Mehanti added.
He further said that no one can pointed out the finger on the honesty and sincerity of the JI leaders even its opposition parties have fully aware by this fact that the JI leaders have possess an exemplary character.
Mehanti said that the JI candidates and workers can communicate freely with the people due to their positive characters.


(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette)
The United States (US) today assured its commitment to work with the Government of Sri Lanka.
US Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome, Ambassador Cindy McCain had talks with Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane in Colombo today.
Ambassador Cindy McCain said that at the meeting she reaffirmed the United States' long-standing commitment to the people of Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Cindy McCain is in Sri Lanka from September 25-28 to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S. commitment and lasting partnership with the island nation.
In addition to meeting with senior Government officials and aid organizations in Colombo, Ambassador McCain will join U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung to travel to the Central Province to visit schools, agricultural research facilities, and community organizations and meet with recipients and implementers of relief provided through U.S. government-funded humanitarian assistance programs.
The United States is the single largest country donor to the three United Nations food and agriculture agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Program (WFP).
U.S.-funded UN projects showcase how the U.S. government, the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies, and the government of Sri Lanka collaborate to reduce food insecurity and advance humanitarian relief, livelihood protection, and agriculture-led economic growth, especially at this critical time of increased global hunger. (Colombo Gazette)
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Saudi Arabia condemns terrorist attack on Iraqi Embassy in Kabul
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
JEDDAH, 1st August, 2017 (WAM) -- An official source at the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack on the Iraqi embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, the source reiterated the solidarity of the Kingdom and its stand with the brotherly Republic of Iraq and the sisterly Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in their efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
WAM/Ahlam Al Mazrooi/Chris Moran
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QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said the government has no ability of legislation over the COAS extension issue.
Talking to media in Quetta on Sunday, he said that we have to get rid of mafia ruling the country, adding that the rulers should quit the government and spend their days in Europe.
Fazlur Rehman said that the Azadi March sit-in was a historic event which effected the circumstances, adding that it would be good if our allies take advantage of this.
The JUI-F chief went on to say that the country was moving towards degradation and the crisis had increased, adding that his party continues to stage protest across the country.
He claimed that the Panama Papers was an international pressure which was used against the political leadership.


The Enugu State Government has raised the alarm that hoodlums have been vandalizing vital components that control traffic lights in Enugu metropolis, calling on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement around the equipment’s vicinity to law enforcement agencies.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi, the government explained that the malfunction of the traffic lights in some location was due to vandalism by hoodlums, assuring the public that the unfortunate incident is temporary as arrangements are being made to restore the lights to perfect working condition.
Okechi noted that the ugly activities of the vandals which include carting away of the control system batteries, cables and other sensitive equipment during night hours, had been consistent even when adequate security measures were provided to secure the equipment in different locations.
He stated that the alarm became necessary in view of the need to explain to the public especially road users the cause of the temporary shutdown of the traffic lights in the affected locations.
The commissioner equally explained that the security agencies had arrested some vandals and charged them to court for prosecution, stressing that the law will take its course.
Okechi added that the explanation would also cause the motorists to appreciate the predicament of the government in maintaining the operation of traffic lights in the state, despite the current economic challenges in the country.
He stated that the vandalized equipment had cost the state government a huge amount of money to restore, saying that notwithstanding the untoward experience being encountered in the hands of the hoodlums, the state government remains committed to its vision of seamless operation of traffic lights in the state for the safety and convenience of road users.


It has cost the government more than $3m on police alone in the two mock lockdowns staged this year.
Answering questions on lockdown for security reasons following the announcement of three positive cases, as announced by the Prime Minister in the past, Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau told journalists today that at this stage there will be no lockdown.
He said like the PM (Manasseh Sogavare) has continuously repeated the virus (Covid-19) is well contained and there is low risk for community transmission.
He adds, considering that there will be no lockdown.
However he says in the event that the virus enters the community there will be lockdown.
Mangau says lockdown is also a costly exercise and in terms of RSIPF alone the first lockdown has cost the government more than $2m whilst the second one $1m plus.
He says the money was used by police alone to mobilize and resource its personnel.
Besides the police, there were also other government agencies like health, NDMO, customs, immigration and some others who also took part in the mock lockdown.
Just today the minister of health and medical services Dr Culwick Togamana announced that the first three positive cases are now negative but there is another additional positive case, making the country’s total case to reach four at the moment.


Iraq To Increase Oil Export Capacity
(MENAFN- Iraq Business News)
By John Lee.
Basra Oil Company (BOC) has reportedly said that third offshore pipeline at the Khor Al-Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) (pictured) will be completed by the end of 2023.
Acting Director General, Ahmed Fadel Dehaim, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the new line will increase oil export capacity by 600,000 barrels per day (bpd).
He said another 300,00o bpd of capacity will become available sooner, following the completion of work to restore another pipeline that was damaged two years ago.
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[Ed. – If there is anyone who isn’t convinced that the reaction to the pandemic was overblown to cater to liberal interests, this should erase all doubts.]
A group of health and medical colleagues has penned an open letter to express their concern that protests around the United States could be shut down under the guise of coronavirus health concerns.
The letter — which went on to draw more than 1,200 signatures — focuses on techniques to reduce harm to people protesting racial injustice.
“We created the letter in response to emerging narratives that seemed to malign demonstrations as risky for the public health because of Covid-19,” according to the letter. …
“Instead, we wanted to present a narrative that prioritizes opposition to racism as vital to the public health, including the epidemic response. We believe that the way forward is not to suppress protests in the name of public health but to respond to protesters demands in the name of public health, thereby addressing multiple public health crises.”


During a joint media briefing with Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya, Siliya said Hichilema’s abrogated articles 57 and 60 of the penal code which barred media from publishing information that would incite people to rise against a duly elected government.
Siliya said the UPND leader spread falsehoods that prompted the riots by the ZAFFICO employees.
She said that government was greatly concerned with the agenda by the opposition leader to incite the citizens of the country against the duly elected government.
The Chief Government Spokesperson sounded a warning that following riots over the alleged sale of ZAFFICO on the Copperbelt, government relevant wings will conduct thorough investigations on the people that incited the riots including those that had the opportunity to rebroadcast the inciting sentiments.
Siliya noted that government is not against the opposition but that people should be responsible in the manner they bring about issues to the public.
And Siliya said the agenda by the opposition to talk ill of government’s partners in development such as the Chinese government and its people is uncalled for.
The UPND leader told his Sun FM audience that ZAFFICO had been sold to the Chinese.


AT-KABUL: Nai- Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, a media watchdog, in its report on Monday revealed that media censorship has increased in the country drastically.
The survey covering over 335 news reporters in 25 provinces of the country said the situation for the press has not improved under the National Unity Government.
Seventy-two percent of the respondents in the survey claimed that media censorship in Afghanistan has increased, 14 percent reporters said they are asked for on-and-off censorship, and 13 percent of reporters have said there is no censorship.
Nai said that media censorship is noticeable in Kandahar, Helmand, Khost, Herat, Farah, Ghor, Badghis, Logar, Ghazni, Laghman, Zabul and Samangan provinces. Journalists in Bamyan, Balkh and Baghlan provinces said that media is free in their provinces.
Addressing a press conference, the executive director of Nai, Abdul Mujib Khalwatgar, said that only 53 reporters from Kabul complained about censorship.
He said that majority of reporters from Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Kapisa and Parwan provinces said that there are restrictions over press freedom in their provinces while a small number of news reporters reported intermittent censorship.
Replying to a question, he said that 48 percent of the respondents accused the government of imposing restrictions over media freedom while 46 percent respondents said that censorship is imposed by local powerful individuals.
Forty percent respondents reported self-censorship and another 25 percent of reporters said that the Taliban insurgents compelled them to censor certain reports.
The survey found that military, political and judiciary-related news are the most important issues that are censored by the government.
The assessment also realized that mostly powerful individuals impose restrictions over media to prevent broadcasting of violence against women and violation of laws.
The reporters who prefer self-censorships said that they always could not provide reports about crimes, suicide attacks, military and narcotics trafficking.
The survey also said that the Taliban pressurize media to restrain from broadcasting terrorist casualties and the achievements of Afghan security forces against militants.


PM pushes five economic goals
Thailand aims to transform the country to reach five targets under the 13th national economic and social development plan to be implemented from 2023 to 2027, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday.
Gen Prayut addressed the matter when he was presiding over an online seminar titled "Mission to Transform" held by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
The seminar, attended by state agencies, the political sector, the private sector and civic organisations, was aimed at gauging opinion on the draft plan.
It is the first time that Gen Prayut unveiled details of the plan to members of the public, saying the government will develop the country under the five goals listed.
Gen Prayut said the country firstly needs to restructure the production of its goods in connection with the digital economy. It must attach importance to research and development.
Secondly, the country needs to develop human resources to keep up with rapid digital changes.
"If people have more knowledge on using digital technology, they will be able to have access to new knowledge necessary for their work," he told participants.
Thirdly, the plan has attached importance to giving equal opportunities and fairness to people.
So the government should come up with policies to reduce income disparity such as offering more social welfare to low-income earners, welfare for people with disabilities, children, and the elderly, Gen Prayut said.
Fourthly, he said the country needs to focus more on environmental conservation and ways of handling the effects of global climate change in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Lastly, he said the country needs to prepare itself for any global challenges and issues such as connectivity to neighbouring countries, and the development of economic corridors in each region of the world as development proceeds apace.
NESDC secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said the implementation of the 12th national economic and social development plan between 2017 to 2022 was likely to miss its target as the country still faced problems related to the spread of Covid-19.


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recorded 41,971 fresh cases on Saturday, pushing the Covid-19 caseload to 18,66,827, while the toll mounted to 5,746 with 64 more deaths.
Active cases now stood at 4.17 lakh, the state government said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
said the state was facing more challenges in the second wave.
As many as 27,456 people have been cured, taking the total recoveries to 14,43,633 and presently 4,17,101 people are undergoing treatment in various districts.
In the last 24 hours,1,48,546 samples were tested and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 28.25 per cent.
So far, 1,69,09,361 samples have been tested, Vijayan told reporters here.
reported 5,492 cases, the highest, three districts accounted for over 4000 cases-- Thiruvananthapuram (4,560), Malappuram(4,558) and Thrissur
Of the fresh cases, 387 people had come from outside the state and 38,662 were infected through contact, the government said, adding those who tested positive today included 127 health workers.
At least 10,81,007 people are under quarantine in various districts, including 30,262 in hospitals.
While Ernakulamhas65,856 people undergoing treatment for the virus, Kozhikode
has 52,638 and Thrissur 48,718, a government press release said.


Panthers expect to be contenders
Once the weather starts to cooperate, Marion Goeden expects the Park Rapids fastpitch softball team to produce another successful season.
The Panthers return eight letterwinners from last year’s team that finished third in the Mid-State Conference standings with a 7-5 record and posted their sixth consecutive winning season by going 12-9.
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Is Live through social media a threat to the future of TV News?
This article examines the influence that social media platforms have had on the traditional television news format. It argues that live streaming on social media platforms has become a threat to the future of television news. It notes that more people are getting their news from social media rather than traditional television news outlets, which has caused a decrease in viewership and revenue for traditional television news. Furthermore, the article suggests that social media platforms are more accessible, customizable, and interactive than traditional television news, and that this could further threaten the future of television news. In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of adapting to the changing media landscape in order to maintain the future of television news.Read More


The coronavirus vaccine has been around since more than a year and majority of the nations across the globe have already inoculated majority of their population. However, despite awareness campaigns, it has been noticed that there are still people who continue to stay away from the vaccine and refuse to take it due to a number of reasons. Some site religious reasons while others believe that the vaccines do no good. Looking at the crisis, a large hospital network in North Carolina has said that it will be firing about 200 workers who have not yet taken their COVID-19 vaccine.
The chief of safety of Novant Health, Dr. David H. Priest, during a briefing said that they have identified nearly 175 staffers who have not yet complied with the vaccination deadline. Priest added that by not getting vaccinated they voluntarily resign. He also assured that the departure of the unvaccinated employees will not affect the hospital system which has 35,000 employees and it has also been adding temporary staff members through the pandemic that compensated for the shortage of staff members who fell ill with COVID.
Novant Health has 15 medical centres and a number of other facilities in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. It is a non-profit health care system and has its headquarters in Winston-Salem. Priest added that the move is being taken due to the fact that more number of unvaccinated people are getting hospitalized at its facilities. While informing about the figures, Priest said that 97 percent of the patients with COVID-19 who are in the ICUs, 98 percent of them are on ventilators and are unvaccinated.
He also said that the situation continues as the pandemic of the unvaccinated. The statement from Novant Health has said that the staff members who have requested for an exempt over religious or medical exemptions will have to use additional protective equipment and will also have to submit weekly testing reports.
Photo Credits: Pixabay


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) President of Energoatom Petro Kotin and President of Hyundai E&C Young-Joon Yoon signed an agreement that outlines the possibilities for future cooperation between the companies.
This was reported by Energoatom, Ukrinform saw.
"According to the document, the parties declared their intention to conclude a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in areas of mutual interest. These include, in particular, support for the implementation of new nuclear power plant projects in Ukraine with PWR reactors of large and small capacity, exploring financing opportunities for the deployment of new nuclear facilities, etc." the statement said.
ZNPP been in blackout mode seven times since occupation
In addition, the companies are considering joint research and development in the field of industrial standards and regulatory requirements, exchange of technical knowledge and best practices.
As reported, Energoatom and British Urenco agreed to supply enriched uranium for the needs of Ukrainian NPPs until 2035.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


Jammu: DGP Dilbagh Singh Monday asked policemen to be prepared for the Lok Sabha elections as the responsibilities of all the forces have increased.
To assess police preparedness for the upcoming polls, Singh visited Bandipora and interacted with police personnel and the Central Para Military Forces.
Singh, while interacting with police and other CAPFs personnel deployed in the district, emphasised upon them to remain vigilant for the upcoming general elections.
He said with the announcement of schedule for the elections, responsibilities of all the forces have increased and we have to focus on the security measures, besides maintaining the law and order.
“Policemen should get well prepared for the elections,” he said.
The director general of police said J-K Police, along with other forces, had put in efforts to conduct local bodies and panchayat polls in the state smoothly and now we have to remain vigilant and prepared for the Lok Sabha elections.
Emphasising for better police public relations, the DGP said people’s cooperation is pivotal for the force to achieve more success on anti-militancy front.
He said all the forces have to work together against terrorism so that peace prevails in the state and Bandipora also becomes a terrorist-free district.
The DGP said we have to take stern action against the criminals and bring the crime rate to a lower ebb. He said criminals and violators of law should be fearful of the law, police and all the law abiding citizens must be respected.
Appreciating the contribution of SPOs, the DGP said the department is continuously working on the welfare of its personnel and has taken various welfare measures.
More incentives benefiting police personnel and SPOs would be taken up with the government, he said and assured more welfare measures will be taken in the future.
The DGP said the ‘promotion drive’, which has been started, will continue and in the coming days we will complete the process of promoting more officers and other personnel.
Giving emphasis on training of police personnel, the DGP said thrust is being given on ‘training of trainers’ so that we can build capacity and capability of a maximum number of personnel in minimum time.
The Jammu and Baramulla seats in the state will go for polling in the first phase on April 11.


The National Action Plan (NAP) is being implemented while action is being taken against proclaimed offenders and the criminals included in schedule IV due to which the rate of crime has substantially reduced, said Punjab Minister for Home Colonel (r) Shuja Khanzada while talking to journalists at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday. The Minister said that police and agencies are continuing operation against terrorists and their facilitators by acting on secret information and tip-offs and important successes have been achieved. He said that government, police and law enforcement agencies are taking action against terrorists at a large scale and zero tolerance policy is being followed in this regard.
The provincial minister said that sentences for various crimes have been increased through amendments in laws while some crimes have also been declared un-bailable. He said that police and law enforcement agencies are making all out efforts for the maintenance of law and order in the province which is commendable.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Canada has confirmed 1,411 cases of monkeypox, including 38
hospitalisations, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on
Friday, reports citing .
Of the confirmed cases, 674 are from Ontario, 521 from Quebec,
167 from British Columbia, 41 from Alberta, three from
Saskatchewan, two from the Yukon and one each from Nova Scotia,
Manitoba and New Brunswick, said the health agency.
The rollout of second doses in Canada started this week. The
second dose, only for people who do not have symptoms, can be
administered 28 days after the first.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from person to
person through close contact with an infected person, including
through hugs, kisses, massages or sexual intercourse, according to
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Nana Serwaa Bruwaa II, Queen of Akrokerri in the Adansi North District, has made a passionate appeal to the government to upgrade the health centre in the town to hospital status.
She said the hospital, which was constructed in the 1950s was facing many challenges and it was time the government turned its attention to upgrade facilities to help improve health care delivery in the area.
Nana Serwaa Bruwaa appealed when some citizens from the town who reside in the United States of America donated quantities of personal protective items to the health centre to support the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
The items included Veronica buckets, thermometer guns, liquid soap, tissue papers, hand sanitizers and others.
Nana Serwaa Bruwaa pointed out that the health facility had over the years played a leading role in the health care of the people and bemoaned its present deplorable state in terms of infrastructure, equipment and personnel.
She said it was time the government worked to improve infrastructure as was being done in other communities.
Mr Stephen Amoako-Yiadom, a representative of the group, who presented the items said it was their contribution to the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said health workers played an important role in the fight and there was the need to support them with the needed equipment to motivate them to give out their best.
Mr Amoako-Yiadom urged the staff to adequately protect themselves from catching and spreading the virus.
Mr John Asante, the Deputy Chief Physician Assistant (Medical) who received the items said they had come at an opportune time since the facility was facing a serious challenge in acquiring protective equipment for personnel.
He said authorities had put in place stringent measures to protect both staff and clients who visited the facility from catching the virus.


The criminal trial against the IPOB innovator was also likely to commence on a single day following the court had ruled that witnesses in the problem be protected behind a screen guard.
However, the matter didn’t go on needlessly to say, because of applications filed simply by the defendants about the foundation that the costs against them had been baseless.
As the court premises were filed with security officers from various agencies, dogs were also taken to the court through the trial.
The four canines – two Rottweilers and two German shepherds – had been position on the staircase resulting in the courthouse.
The canines were also situated in a way close the prison van which conveyed the IPOB leader.


(MENAFN - Trend News Agency ) Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 25
By Ali Mustafayev – Trend:
India intends to purchase uranium from Uzbekistan to replenish its strategic reserves. The parties are currently negotiating on this matter.
The first meetings of the delegations took place two months after the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, RIA Novosti reported.
The strategic reserves of uranium are necessary for India to guarantee the uninterrupted operation of nuclear power plants of the state for five years in case of imports shortage.
Today, India purchases uranium mainly from Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada. The country also develops cooperation in this area with Australia.
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AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control announced Monday 214 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the state.
According to the Maine CDC no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported through Sunday and the death toll since the state started keeping in mid-March last remains at 795.
The CDC also reported the total number of people hospitalized with the virus now stands at 1,899. According to the CDC the total number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 is 1,243,815, while 655,870 of the total have received their first dose and 587,945 have received their final dose.
Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah is scheduled to hold a COVID-19 briefing at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday.


New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says officials expect the fuel shortage that has led to long lines and short tempers to continue for days.
He said Sunday that authorities aren’t “100 percent sure” when the shortage will end but that it’s a short-term problem.
He urges people to not use their cars if they don’t have to and not to hoard fuel.
Source: ABC News


President Industrialists Association Khonmoh (IAK), Imran Murtaza on Friday said that their business is bleeding amid the prevalent situation due to the ongoing pandemic, saying that the loans being given to them won’t help in reviving their businesses.
Addressing a presser here at Kashmir Press Club (KPC), Murtaza said that the industrialists have been facing tremendous hardships from last three years due to one reason or the other.
According to a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said that their businesses are bleeding due to the ongoing situation and the “patch works” being done by the government won’t help them at all.
“We are being provided loans to clear our previous loans. But, these loans cannot help in reviving our businesses. There is a need to bail out a package that can help our business to sustain,” he said while appealing the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration to come up with a mechanism, which will help in making Industries a backbone of economy.
“Rs 2800 Cr has already been earmarked and in present times, the government should provide a portion of the amount to the industries so that they can survive,” he said. (KNO)


Choki Wangmo | Dagana
For the past few weeks, counsellors and principals of seven schools in Dagana were involved in suicide prevention and awareness programme in their communities across the dzongkhag.
Initiated by the dzongkhag administration, the programme was introduced in the wake of rising suicide cases in the dzongkhag.
Dzongkhag planning officer, Sonam Jamtsho, who is also the officiating dzongdag, said that counsellors could contribute in advocating on suicide prevention by going beyond the school campus.
“With the report of recent suicide cases, counsellors, district health officer, and the chief dzongkhag education officer were asked to develop a way forward to address the issue,” he said, after which Suicide Prevention Action Plan was developed for each counsellor.
The gewog administrations, Sonam Jamtsho said, were instructed to allocate budget provision for such activities in the future. “It would enable counsellors to work closely with the gewogs in reducing suicide cases in the communities.”
Principal of Drujeygang Central School, Tashi Wangchuk, said that while the focus of the programme was on the students, parents and public also play an important role in suicide prevention, as most of the cases were caused by societal issues.
He said that the communities were forthcoming, which was hopeful.
“Everyone is aware that suicide is harmful but there is a need for awareness for early detection, identification of symptoms, and support system for prevention,” he said.
Earlier this year, one suicide case was reported from the gewog.
A counsellor of Gesarling Central School, Sudar San Sharma, said that the community support and feedback was encouraging.
He said that youth are vulnerable and need strong support system from the communities.
Records with the Dagana police and health officials showed that the most people who took their own lives had a history of alcoholism.
Recently, a man with drinking problem in Gesarling took his own life.
Majority of the suicide cases in the past were reported from Tsangkha gewog.


Road opened after gun fired in Killamarsh
A Killamarsh road which was closed after gun was fired has been opened.
Officers were called to Rotherham Road, Killamarsh, at 6.45pm on Sunday.
A Derbyshire police spokesperson said: “A number of calls were received stating that there had been a discharge of a firearm during a disturbance in the street.
“One man has been arrested in in relation to the incident and enquiries are ongoing.
“Extra police patrols are taking place in the area and will continue over the coming days."
A police cordon was in place on Sunday evening and Monday and the road was closed to traffic as officers gathered evidence.
Police have thanked motorists and residents for their patience.
Investigations are still ongoing.


JACKSON, MI – Unionized employees from Hendrickson Trucking Co. were asked by police to leave the company’s property during a public auction Wednesday morning.
Twenty-five Hendrickson Trucking employees, who are represented by the Teamsters Local 164 union, have been on strike and arrived at the business, 1070 Toro Drive, to watch the auction.
The company, which called Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety, was selling off several of its trucks and trailers but is not going out of business, said the company’s attorney, Thomas Hendrickson.
“We don’t want them to protest the auction,” he said. “We want the auction to go forward to the best of its ability. We don’t want problems.”
William Bernard, business agent for the Teamsters union, said the employees were not causing any problems and thought they had the right to be at the auction.
One person was placed in a patrol car for being uncooperative but was not arrested, police said.
“We didn’t hold up the auction; we were just silent observers,” Bernard said. “We just figured we had the right to come to a public auction peacefully.”
Labor contract negotiations have been at an impasse for months now. The employees have been on strike since June and say they have been without a contract since April.
Hendrickson Trucking is asking the employees to contribute to their health insurance, in addition to other concessions. The company has said the costs to run the business continue to climb every year, and they need employees to make some sacrifices.
The Teamsters union recently filed unfair labor practice charges, against the company with the National Labor Relations Board. Hendrickson Trucking has also filed charges against the union with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the union and employees have acted inappropriately and threateningly toward customers and staff.
Jon Johnston, deputy director for Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety, said Wednesday that the employees have the right to picket but they had to do it on a public right-of-way. They were on private property, he said.
Overall, he said both the company and union members was cooperative. “We don’t anticipate any problems,” Johnston said.


Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat has said the Balakot attack in February was to ensure that terrorists being trained across the border do not survive to carry out action against India.
Coordinated efforts are being made by various government agencies to tackle cross-border terrorism, he said.
“Through the coordinated efforts of various government agencies, now the NIA has stepped in, the Enforcement Directorate has stepped in and all are trying to ensure financing and funds available to terrorists are cut off,” he said, responding to a question on the insurgency in Kashmir at a media interaction.
He also said the situation there has been brought under control.
Rawat said the country has been facing terrorism since Independence and that security forces and all agencies supporting them have met these challenges head-on.
“We have been able to ensure that the insurgency has been brought under control. Of course in the Kashmir Valley, we have been witnessing ups and downs of insurgencies.
“That’s because they got support from our western neighbour. At the same time, many (people) are misguided due to a misinformation campaign spread by terrorists. But we have brought the situation under control,” he said.


NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a press conference as this week’s league meetings wrapped up on Wednesday and officiating topics were part of the conversation.
Goodell was asked about the pass interference replay rule and said that the rule was adopted to correct obvious errors rather than to re-officiate every close call. While there’s been evidence that obvious errors are going uncorrected after review, Goodell said he believes the numbers “reflect” that intent and that the process is “settling out” as the league expected.
Goodell was also asked about Monday night’s Packers-Lions game, which featured multiple questionable calls and a late penalty on the Lions that the league subsequently said was incorrect.
“You never want to see a game where people are talking about officials afterwards,” Goodell said.
Goodell said officiating is always a focus for the league and that the league is doing all it can to improve the work being done by the league’s officials.


Usage of Flipboard has increased drastically over the past year. The company behind the social newsreading app, which is celebrating its second anniversary Tuesday, announced it now has more than 20 million registered users, up from 5 million in December. 161 more words
Tags » International Content
As anywhere in the world, local content beats international content in audience terms where it’s available.
Openness to international content has prompted governments, regulators and African channels to increase their local content to protect their country’s cultural heritage and preserve their identity, but also to increase their audience. 2,277 more words


President Asif Ali Zardari said that the UN inquiry into Benazir Bhutto's assassination has helped the government in its own investigations.
He was talking to the media in Islamabad.
President Zardari said that the investigation into Benazir's murder will be completed soon. He said that all facts related to the assassination will be made public.
The president asserted that the government's biggest achievement is the passing of the 18th Amendment. He said that the Peoples Party had restored the 1973 Constitution and empowered the parliament.
President Zardari also said that Benazir Bhutto also wanted to clean the constitution of dictatorial amendments.


(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Ayya Lmahamad
Azerbaijan has detected 714 new COVID-19 recoveries in the past 24 hours, Operational Headquarters under Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers reported on July 31.
Some 318 patients have been infected and 7 patients have died.
So far, 31,878 COVID-19 cases have been registered in the country, 25,882 patients have recovered, 448 people have died. Currently, 5,548 people are under treatment in special hospitals.
Over the past day, 7,789 tests were conducted in Azerbaijan to reveal coronavirus cases.
In general, 724,953 tests have been conducted in Azerbaijan so far.
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Desperate? Here’s how to avoid foreclosure scams
Though there are many signs that the economy is on the upswing, the effects of the recession linger on.
Many homeowners continue to struggle to stay current on their mortgage payments.
While there are several agencies and organizations willing and able to provide assistance to these homeowners, scammers are also aware of the desperation people are feeling, and – as always – they’re looking to profit from it.
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The conference – which was originally scheduled to take place in 2006 but had to be postponed when the political situation deteriorated – attracted more than 1000 delegates, including representatives from major
multinationals including Coca-Cola, Marriott, Intel and Cisco.
Palestinian businesses presented investment projects worth almost $2bn to business delegates and officials from the US, UK, France, Germany and Russia as well as Gulf and Arab investors.
David Craig, World Bank country director for the West Bank and Gaza, said the private sector is the engine needed to drive sustainable economic growth in the West Bank and Gaza. “World Bank analysis has shown the investment climate in the West Bank and Gaza to be less bureaucratic and more transparent than other countries in the region,” he said.


Chennai, August 3(BPNS)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin will launch an initiative of the state government, taking health care to the doorsteps of people,” Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam”.
Chief Minister will inaugurate the programme at Smanapalli in Krishnagiri district on Thursday, according to the state health Minister, Ma Subramanian while speaking to reporters at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) during the World Breast Feeding week Celebrations.
The minister said that for the first time medical services are reaching the doorsteps of the people through this scheme. Ma Subramanian said,” It is to be noted that for the first time we are not only providing the required medications at the doorsteps of people but also taking medical services to their homes.”
The minister also said that during the launch of the programme, Chief Minister would take a detailed look at the distribution of medications being served at the residences of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetics and those requiring physiotherapy.
A breastfeeding room was opened at the RGGGH as part of the World Breast Feeding week celebrations and the minister said that this was for the first time a breastfeeding room was opened at a general hospital other than a maternity hospital.
The minister also said that breastfeeding rooms will be opened at all government medical college hospitals and district hospitals.
Tamil Nadu health minister also said that breast milk banks are already functioning in 24 places in the state including 17 government medical college hospitals and 7 district hospitals.
Ma Subramanian while speaking to BPNS said, “This year 12 more breastfeeding milk banks will be opened in the state in seven government medical college hospitals and five district hospitals.”
The minister also said that the Union government will contribute in the funding of setting up of breastfeeding milk banks which require 12 lakh rupees per milk bank.


(By David Ingram) Federal officials have warned authorities in New York City, Texas and Virginia about an unspecific threat of attacks by the al-Qaida militant group around Election Day, putting local law enforcement on alert the weekend before Tuesday’s vote, officials said on Friday. A U.S. government source in Washington said some federal agencies sent bulletins to local and state officials flagging the information but that the threat was relatively low-level.
A U.S. official familiar with the threat information said that it was “uncorroborated,” but that federal agencies believed that they needed nonetheless to remain vigilant. The New York City Police Department and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were alerted to the information, the local agencies said. READ MORE


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 21. The
Turkmen-German business forum, under the auspices of the German
Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, was held at the
Humboldt Carré Congress Center in Berlin on November 20 this year,
The event was attended by more than 200 delegates representing
the business circles of the two countries, as well as the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and other state
institutions of the country.
On the sidelines of the business forum, a number of negotiations
were held between representatives of Turkmenistan with the
leadership of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic
Relations, major German companies, leading banks, and financial
During the meetings, priority directions for Turkmenistan's
foreign economic strategy were discussed, in particular the
development of mutually beneficial partnerships with advanced
foreign financial and banking structures.
At the same time, the forum addressed the issues of studying the
world's best practices in the introduction of digital technologies,
electronic banking, and other relevant areas in this area.
Meanwhile, the development of cooperation between businessmen
from Germany and Turkmenistan is an important stage in
strengthening mutual economic ties. Entrepreneurs from both
countries are actively exploring opportunities for mutually
beneficial cooperation focused on the exchange of experience,
technological solutions, and the creation of new business
Stay up to date with more news at Trend News
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(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, said that the development of e-learning environment systems and artificial intelligence (AI), and promoting the digital transformation of the educational environment, has become an integral part of any educational strategic plan in Qatar.
Her Excellency praised the state's keenness in integrating technology into the variteaching and learning processes, to prepare the learners to face all the requirements of modern practical life.
Addressing the 13th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education organized by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and hosted by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in Morocco, Her Excellency explained that the tremendand successive developments of information and communication technology and artificial intelligence have led to economic, educational and cultural changes in all fields, especially after the challenges posed by the (Covid-19) pandemic.
HE the Minister emphasized the importance of the role of countries in ensuring that all efforts are harnessed to translate their commitments into measures towards shaping the future of education, stressing the need to exert all available means to support and advocate the continuation of the global movement to achieve the desired education transformation.
She explained that the State of Qatar was chosen among five countries to lead the education transformation at the invitation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
On the Margins of the conference, Her Excellency met with HE Morocco's Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports Chakib Benmoussa, where they discussed aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the field of education, and ways to support and enhance it.
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Kabul, May 11 (IANS) Afghanistan's central bank announced that it would further inject $12 million into the local market to boost the national currency, afghani.
The Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) said in a statement that it was requesting all eligible banks and monetary service providers, among others, to participate in the auction scheduled for Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
'In auction bids, partial settlement of currencies is not allowed and the winners of the auction must deposit in the Da Afghanistan Bank their money at one time in cash,' the statement said.
The US dollar has depreciated against afghani compared with a couple of weeks ago.
The DAB conducted auctioning of $12 million late in April.
Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August last year, the US has frozen more than $9 billion of assets of the central bank, thus undermining the banking system of the war-torn country.
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Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh said on Monday that the Sindh government has rejected the decision taken by the Council of Common Interest (CCI).
Imtiaz Shaikh said in a statement that the provincial government rejected the CCI decisions.
He said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presented the stance of the Sindh province but the plan for generating low-cost electricity was not approved.
The provincial minister announced that the Sindh province will take up the matter in the joint parliament session.
He alleged that some ministers and officials were giving wrong briefings to the premier that resulted in wrong decisions.
Earlier in the day, Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar said that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has finally approved the long term power generation plan that had been pending since 2005 which shall enable the generation of power proportional to the demand.
The Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) model, which only allows power generation to be added when it’s needed and is cheap, has today been approved by the CCI, said Hammad Azhar.“It was pending since 2005,” the energy minister noted.
CCI that oversees coordination between the federal government & provinces in economic, cultural and administrative fields, has today approved of this plan according to Azhar’s tweets.
He said the issues like excess capacity and expensive, non-transparent power contracts will be avoided in the future as a result of this plan now approved.
Azhar said if this plan had been put in place in the past, the country would have avoided a whopping circular debt among many other problems.


President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday teed off the Annual Military Fundraising Golf Tournament at Lilongwe Golf Club.
The tournament is expected to help raise funds for the welfare of the war veterans who fought in the First and Second World Wars.
Commonwealth Ex-servicemen League of Malawi chairperson Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (retired) said there are nine veterans at the Zomba homes.
He said: “Apart from these nine veterans, there are also other war veterans who have been under the care of their respective families and we are hoping that whatever we are going to raise can also be extended to them.”
Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Nico Holdings plc group managing director Vicenge Kumwenda were among those who participated.


KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is confident that the party will emerge victorious whether the mayoral elections are contested from within the jail or outside of it.
MQM Rabita Committee member Mehfooz Yar Khan said this while addressing a press conference on Tuesday. Other committee members Gulfraz Khattak, Saathi Ishaaq and Arif Khan were also present at the press conference, which was held at the party secretariat Khursheed Begum Memorial.
An operation has been going on against the MQM since 2013 in which scores of party workers have been arrested and shifted to unknown locations, said Mehfooz. He claimed that on Monday evening, the Sohrab Goth Fire Brigade Station was raided by law enforcement agencies and four employees were taken into custody.
This shows that the opponents are fearful of the success of the MQM’s labour division in government institutions, Mehfooz added.
Saathi also reiterated the party’s reservations and claimed that the ongoing operation in the city was solely targeted towards the MQM. He added that the Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies were conducting an unconstitutional operation against the party.
Addressing the conference, Gulfraz said that during the operation, the MQM was being pushed against the wall and around 5,000 of its workers have been arrested till now.
Zehra, who is an MQM worker, said she too was a victim of the actions of the law enforcement agencies. She claimed that her son-in-law was arrested by law enforcement personnel, while on Monday night the law enforcement personnel also picked up her son, who studies in England. Appealing for justice, she said that the whereabouts of both these men are unknown.


Students of Kenya Medical Training College Nyeri campus have fled hostels due to terror threats as police camped at the institution for the second week.
Students who live in the campus located in Kangemi have since Saturday sought refuge in friends’ houses and lodgings outside the campus. For the last two weeks, police have been at the campus following claims the college would be attacked by terrorists.
Police have also been questioning students over the threats. Nyeri County Referral Hospital, which neighbours the college, has also received additional police officers.
The students started leaving the campus on Saturday evening after information was circulated among them that the institution would be attacked. The information, according to reports from police and the administration, came from students in one of the hostels.
“We noticed that the ladies in one of the blocks were moving out. They told us that there had been information that the institution would be attacked,” said a student who declined to be named.
The institution’s principal Zipporah Njeru said the students reported the matter and police were alerted. “As soon as we got the information we alerted the police and officers were deployed to secure the school,” she said.
Student leader Edison Mwendwa said there is tension. “We are still very worried. Most students are still living with their friends and lodgings outside campus. We do not feel safe yet but we have raised it with the administration,” Mr Mwendwa said.
Nyeri Central police boss Muinde Kioko said they are monitoring the situation, assuring that there is no cause for alarm as the “threat has been neutralised”.
“The institution is safe and we assure students we will keep them safe. The threats have been addressed and we are still investigating the source. Police have already been deployed and we will continue monitoring the institution and the areas around it,” he said.
The Saturday incident was the second one in less than three weeks following a similar threat. The earlier threat is said to have been relayed to the students by a boda boda rider who claimed the school would be attacked.


A Professor of Political Science, Femi Otubanjo has said that the state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan was long overdue and the right step in dealing with the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria.
While speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily, Mr Otubanjo said the north eastern part of the country especially Borno and Yobe states were beginning to regress into anarchy and something had to be done about it.
He said that initially amnesty would have been the solution to the insurgence and ensuring that they are accommodated within the system “it appears that talking bout amnesty spur them into greater and bloodier violence”.
He said government has tried in responding because of the people suffering in the affected states.
He said, “it seems that the insurgence where beginning to think that the government was weak and so they decided to up their antics and the government also had to respond.”


(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) Egypt's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem participated in the Act to Zero conference on net zero carbon emissions, organized by the American University in Cairo, in cooperation with the Green Building Council in Egypt and the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).
Fouad confirmed that“net zero carbon emissions” is an important and vital issue related to efforts to confront the effects of climate change, and that the state is concerned with it at the strategic level, which requires the need to search for the most appropriate and best ways to reach it.
The minister pointed out that the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund after a long wait is one of the important gains of the COP27, in addition to the continued momentum around preserving the Earth's temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius. She noted that the outcomes of the COP27 included integrating the business sector and development institutions in climate action and changing the world development banks' view of the importance of supporting different countries, and the need to provide financial support to countries to enhance their coping capabilities.
She further added that achieving a balance between mitigation and adaptation is one of the most important points that must be taken into account on our way towards the upcoming COP28, at a time when it is imperative for us to look at the most important and fastest ways to reduce greenhouse emissions in various sectors, including the construction field and the green buildings. We also need to take immediate steps to adapt to the effects of climate change.
The minister also explained the importance of the topics discussed in the conference related to waste management, zero carbon emissions, water waste and sustainable societies, pointing to the steps the state is taking regarding them.
In his speech, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sweilem; shed light on the challenges facing the water sector, which are associated with the effects of climate change, explaining that the water needs in Egypt are estimated at twice the available water resources, where part of the large difference between resources and needs is bridged through water reuse or the import of agricultural crops.
He added that the Egyptian state has developed a number of strategies to deal with the impact of climate change at the national level, as the water resources management strategy has given great priority to measures to adapt to climate changes while looking at the dimension of climate change mitigation by working to reduce operational emissions of the elements of the water system.
Sweilem noted that his ministry seeks its projects to be in line with climate change adaptation and mitigation measures as a contribution to achieving the goal of net zero emissions.
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Inflation in Spain records highest ever since April 1985
(MENAFN) Initial data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) presented that Spain has registered its biggest inflation since April 1985, increasing to 10.2 percent in June from 8.7 percent in the prior month.
The analysis was bigger than the 9.0 percent estimate by forecasters polled by news agencies.
The INE data presented that core inflation, which strips out volatile food as well as energy costs, soared to 5.5 percent annually from 4.9 percent a month earlier, the peak since August 29 years ago.
As stated by Economy Minister Nadia Calvino to parliament last week “The news of the last few weeks is not positive ... Russia’s gas and oil export cuts are accelerating rising energy prices.”
The INE signaled that the high increase of inflation in Spain was majorly because of skyrocketing food and fuel costs.
the INE stated that Also influencing the rise in national consumer prices are the prices of hotels, cafes as well as restaurants, which have all surged since last year.
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Saanich police are warning the public about a bear that has been spotted in Saanich around the Jasmine Avenue area.
The Saanich Police Department said Saturday in a news release that the public should avoid the bear that has been seen over the last few days.
Police are reminding the public that loose garbage, compost and uncollected produce from fruit trees can attract wildlife from their natural habitat to more urban settings.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has been informed about the bear sightings.
Anyone who sees the bear is asked to contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321.


Speaker’s Media Unit today refuted media reports that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane has been sent on quarantine by the health authorities.
Issuing a statement, the media unit said the Speaker will attend to duties from tomorrow as usual.
“An officer, who was assigned on a temporary duty from the Police Head Quarters after Speaker’s security vehicle had developed a sudden technical fault, had contracted COVID-19. However, the first PCR test conducted by the health authorities on the police officers who had close contacts with the said officer, were confirmed negative.
They have been sent on 14-day self-quarantine process at the instructions of health authorities. Therefore, a separate police team has been assigned for the Speaker’s security,” the statement said. (AS)