(MENAFN) Late on Monday night, a shooting incident unfolded at a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio, resulting in four people being injured and transported to a hospital. The incident occurred around 8:35 PM ET in Beavercreek, located in Greene County, Ohio. Authorities reported that a man entered the Walmart and began shooting. The shooter, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was identified by Beavercreek Police.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and other local agencies joined Beavercreek Police in the ongoing investigation. Details about the condition of the individuals transported to the hospital were not immediately available.
Beavercreek Police expressed condolences, stating, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families impacted by this horrific tragedy." Walmart also issued a statement, expressing deep sadness over the incident and mentioning collaboration with investigators.
As the situation remains under investigation, authorities plan to provide updates on Tuesday. The community and the nation await further information about the incident that unfolded at the Walmart store in Beavercreek.
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(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, March 17 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti crude oil price plunged USD 3.79 during Thursday's trading sessions to USD 75.49 per barrel, compared with USD 79.28 pb the day before, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said Friday.
However, Brent futures rose by USD 1.37 to USD 74.70 pb and West Texas Intermediate went up by 74 cents to USD 68.35 pb. (end)
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(MENAFN- Nam News Network)
CAIRO, Feb 24 (NNN-MENA) – Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a deal, yesterday, to build a new city on Egypt's northern coast, with the aim of boosting tourism, investment and foreign currency reserves.
The agreement, signed by Egypt's Housing Minister, Assem El-Gazzar and UAE's Investment Minister, Mohamed Al Suwaidi, at Egypt's New Administrative Capital, will develop Ras Al-Hekma, a 170-square-kilometre area west of Alexandria.
Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, who attended the signing, said, the project would be carried out by Egypt's New Urban Communities Authority and Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company, and would inject 35 billion U.S. dollars of foreign direct investment into the economy in two months.
“This is the largest amount of FDI in the history of the country,” Madbouly said, adding that, the deal was the start of several investment agreements that the government was working on, to increase foreign currency sources.
He also said, the UAE side would invest at least 150 billion dollars throughout the project, which he expected to draw eight million tourists when completed.
The deal comes as Egypt is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a new loan, to support the country's economy.– NNN-MENA
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COSTA MESA — Orange Coast College students talked their way into 27 gold, silver and bronze medals last week at a national speech competition. OCC's Speech, Debate and Theater Team competed in the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament against about 600...


(MENAFN- IANS) Tokyo, Dec 11 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, amid growing political fund scandals, is mulling replacing all Ministers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s faction previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, local media reported.
Kishida has already decided to replace Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno over his alleged failure to report millions of yen received as part of fundraising efforts for the largest LDP faction, said national news agency Kyodo, on Sunday citing sources close to the matter.
The faction, namely Seiwaken, or the Seiwa policy study group previously led by the late former Prime Minister Abe, was suspected of having pooled secret funds amounting to around 100 million yen (about $690,000) over at least the past five years through 2022, earlier local reports showed.
Matsuno served as the Secretary General of the Abe faction between September 2019 and October 2021, Xinhua news agency reported.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura also faces similar allegations.
Along with the Ministers, Kishida is also expected to dismiss all senior vice ministers and parliamentary vice ministers from Abe's faction, Kyodo reported.
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CM Shahbaz Sharif convinces MPAs from South Punjab
LAHORE – Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the MPAs belonging to South Punjab on Tuesday.
He assured the MPAs of redressing their reservations.
Earlier, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said that the progress of South Punjab is laudable.
“The people of the South Punjab are as satisfied with the government as are the people of Central and Upper Punjab,” he said.


WASHINGTON -- Attorney Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. told a Senate committee Tuesday that members of the Department of Justice’s national security division have been recused from participating in new investigations into leaks of classified information to the press, but he insisted that the decision does not signal they were part of the unauthorized disclosure of secret material.
He also said that he and FBI Director Robert Mueller III have already been interviewed by two teams of prosecutors about what they knew about the leaks into secret drone attacks, cyber warfare and other clandestine operations.
Holder said only those members of the Justice Department's national security division who worked on matters that were compromised by the leaks, such as drones and cyber warfare, were recused from participating in the investigation.
“That’s a matter of routine,” he said. “It doesn’t mean these people did anything wrong. It’s just that their section might have had access to the material that was exposed.”
The attorney general also expressed full confidence in the U.S. Attorneys in Washington, D.C., and Maryland handling the leak investigation, and said he was opposed to a special prosecutor being appointed, as some Republicans in Congress favor.


Okon Bassey in Uyo
Akwa Ibom state government says it has renovated more than 200 public schools across the 31 local government areas of the state in the last three years.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategies, Mr. Charles Udoh disclosed this while appearing on news generating platform of the correspondent Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), to explain the activities of the state government.
He said the decision of government to embark on aggressive building of schools across the state was to discourage the proliferation of sub- standard private schools, adding that the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has a target of renovating about 2, 000 public schools before the end of his first team.
Udoh maintained that another 200 public schools were on-going in a phased programme meant to restore the glory days of public schools in the state.
“The renovation of public schools in the state would be done as emphasis is also being paid to the quality of teaching and teachers in the system, ” he said while assuring that the on-going transformation in public schools across the state will visit as many schools as the state’s resources can carry.


Karzai Closes In, but U.N. Orders Recounts
U.N. monitors found “clear and convincing evidence of fraud” in Afghanistan’s recent election and have cast doubt on results from 600 polling places. Hamid Karzai has so far secured more than the 50 percent needed to win, but U.N. officials have ordered recounts and investigations of the suspect precincts.
Hamid Karzai may feel that fraud is “inevitable in a budding democracy,” but the Afghan people who survived 400 Taliban attacks on election day deserve accurate results. — PS
Wait, before you go…
The results push President Karzai past the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off with rival Abdullah Abdullah.
But the figures were thrown into doubt by the UN-backed election complaints commission ordering a number of recounts and audits of votes.
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City police warn area residents of phone scams
WINCHESTER — City law enforcement officials have received numerous reports about phone scams in recent weeks.
The scams, targeting homes with landline telephones, have been reported by a wide…
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Pompeo told Iraqi PM US information affirms Saudi not attacked from Iraq: Baghdad statement
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) BAGHDAD: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that the United States has information confirming Baghdad's denial that Iraqi territory was used to launch an attack on Saudi oil facilities, Iraq said on Monday.
"On his part the U.S. Secretary of State said the information they have confirms the Iraqi government's statement that its territory was not used to carry out this attack," Abdul Mahdi's office said in a readout of a phone call between the two.
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LAWTON,Okla_The Lawton Police Department and the community became a crime-fighting team Tuesday night.
It was all part of the department's "National Night Out" event at Lawton's Shepler Park. The LPD was joined by departments across the country to encourage communities to help prevent crime.
Police Chief James Smith says that's important because crime is not just a police issue, it's a community issue.
"Just to bring the community and the police department together to talk about crime and how we can prevent it," said Chief Smith.
Several vendors were on hand to offer crime tips including neighborhood watch programs which are another important crime fighting tool that really does work. Sullivan Village Neighborhood Watch President, Mary Bailey sees the difference it can make.
"We had a lot of crime when we first started neighborhood watch and now we have months that we have none," said Bailey.
Officers spent the evening speaking with participants, grilling burgers and hot dogs and even gave tours of the police station. Lawton firefighters were also there to offer information on safety issues, all to help keep Lawton safe.


FORDHAM HEIGHTS, the Bronx — Two men are expected to survive after a double shooting in the Bronx, police said.
The incident happened at about 6:18 p.m. on 188th Street in the Fordham Heights section, police said.
One of the victims was shot in the hand, and the other was shot in the arm. Police said the victims were taken to area hospitals and are expected to survive.
No arrests have been made.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).


Indian national football team has been invited to the opening of the football season of the Maldives for the current year.
The invitation was extended by Tourism Minister Ali Waheed, who is also the interim head of Youth and Sports Ministry, during a meeting with the Indian ambassador to the Maldives. During the meeting ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, discussions were also held on ways to strengthen the bilateral ties between Maldives and India.
The meeting came following Minister Waheed’s trip to India, to further promote Maldives as a holiday destination for the Indian market.
The Minister also noted that while the Indian national team has been invited for the opening of Maldives Football League, several other activities will also be there to celebrate the opening. As such, several stars from Bollywood are also expected to make an appearance.


ISLAMABAD (June 5, 2021): To fight global warming and improve the ecosystem, the rich countries should come forward and provide funds to developing countries like Pakistan, said Prime Minister Imran Khan on International Environment Day.
Addressing the main ceremony of the international day here on Saturday, the Prime Minister commended the UN for repeatedly asking the developed world to fulfill its responsibility and support those countries which are working for the protection of environment.
Imran Khan said the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an opportunity for the world to do the course correction and work towards meeting the carbon emission cut targets.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Pakistan’s carbon emission share is miniscule, yet it decided to take initiatives to offset the impact of global warming.
The Prime Minister urged the nation to become part of the mega forestation program to make it a success story which will have positive impact not only on the lives of the people but also the country and its economy. He said greater responsibility rests with the teachers to educate the children about the importance of plantation.
He said local communities will be involved for the protection of forests. He said the back of timber mafia has been broken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the help of forest guards which helped increase the forest cover in the province.


PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has said that the component parties of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have miserably failed in denting the popularity and public confidence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The imported rulers have left no stone unturned to damage the political stature of PTI. However, the results of by-elections held in the country have proved that the masses have completely rejected the conglomerate of corrupt rulers imposed on the country. Citizens of Pakistan have given a clear message that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the sole representative party of Pakistanis.
In a statement issued here from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said that the government, that came into existence in April last year under the regime change conspiracy, has withheld budgeted funds of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to undermine the development process. The incumbent federal government has withheld the share in net hydel profit and National Finance Commission award to create financial constraints for the provincial government and to sabotage the ongoing development process. Similarly, the current and development funds for the newly merged districts and funds announced for rehabilitation of flood affectees are also pending since long.
Criticizing the federal government, he said that due to flawed financial policies, the federal cabinet has brought the country to the verge of default. Record inflation in the country has badly affected the common citizens. The Chief Minister said that the provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has taken measures beyond its capacity for public welfare and development projects have been initiated in every sector as per public requirements. He mentioned that Sehat Card, Education Card, Kissan card and similar other projects have been launched for public welfare.
The Chief Minister stated that the incumbent provincial government is also taking steps for the promotion of Islamic values, including introduction of Quranic teachings in the academic curriculum, solarization of Masajid, provision of honorariums to prayer leaders and increase in salaries of Khateebs etc.
Touching upon the steps taken for cultural preservation, the Chief Minister said that the provincial government has established Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority to preserve the culture and heritage of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to promote it internationally. Mahmood Khan stated that owing to the performance of the provincial government and public trust, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will sweep the polls in the upcoming general elections not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the entire country.


(NEW YORK POST) – It could take at least a year to develop a vaccine to halt the coronavirus pandemic, according to a top expert with the World Health Organization.
“I think we have to be realistic. Vaccines take a lot of time to develop, test, make them safe, prove they’re effective, then you need to produce enough vaccine for everybody,” Mike Ryan, who is executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies program, told BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
As far as the timeline goes, Ryan said that “we are talking at least a year” before a vaccine will be available.
“But that doesn’t mean we are helpless, we can do a lot to stop this disease right now and we can save a lot of lives right now,” Ryan said.
He urged countries to implement strong measures, such as widespread testing — otherwise the contagion will ramp up again once lockdowns are lifted.
“If we don’t put in place the strong measures, the strong public health measures now, when those restrictions and those movement restrictions and lockdowns are lifted, the danger is the disease will jump back up,” Ryan said.
Ryan said that countries such as China, Singapore and South Korea were models of how the government can take such precautions to contain the virus.
“We need to actively search for cases of the virus and we need to test every single suspect case and if any contacts are sick we need to test them as well,” Ryan said. “We don’t need to test everybody, we need to focus on testing those who may have the virus.”
Worldwide, there have been more than 350,000 cases of the virus as the death toll climbs over 15,000, according to figures Monday from John Hopkins University.


There was confusion at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on Wednesday as the party failed to hold its monthly meeting with the governors elected on the platform of the ruling party.
Some party members said the meeting could not hold due to the short notice to the governors, even as two governors were present at the secretariat to attend the meeting. The two governors are those of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Philip Shuaibu.
The two were at the party secretariat before they reportedly learnt that the meeting had been cancelled.
It was gathered that the meeting was shelved after the National Working Committee got hint that some of the governors would not attend because of their grievances against party leaders.
The recent ward congresses held in Kano and Kogi states, which ended in controversy, were said to have made the governors of the state angry because they were not happy with the positions taken by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led leadership.
Other governors, including the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, were also said to be angry with the position of the party on the last congress.
Oyegun had said that the party was looking into complaints arising from the congresses in some states, especially in Rivers and Kaduna states.
Wednesday’s failed meeting was supposed to be the fifth in the series of the monthly meeting of the APC NWC and the governors.
During the first meeting, which held in April, the party stated that the meeting was in preparation for the 2019 general elections.
The party had also used the meeting to address the financing of the party and the proposed non-elective National Convention.
The suspended meeting would have been the first to be attended by the APC principal officers of the National Assembly.
But in his reaction, Abdullahi told our correspondent that the meeting could not hold because of another meeting of the governors with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
He said, “We usually hold the meeting ahead of the National Economic Council meeting; but we have to shift it due to the meeting the governors have scheduled to hold with the Acting President.”


Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has telephoned Security Council member and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor.
In his conversation, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi exchanged views on Kashmir issue.
Foreign Minister said that India has committed serious human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been impoverished since the last twelve days due to curfew and there is a famine of food and medicines in the valley.
He said that India wants to uproot the entire region through non-constitutional measures in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Mobile phone, Internet and communication sources in occupied Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended, He further added.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi also briefed the South Africa minister about the contents of a letter to the Security Council.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation said: “We are monitoring the situation.” She has also expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir and hinted to bring unanimous resolution in the South African Parliament after consulting with other South African parliamentarians.


(MENAFN) The Tesla Cybertruck awaited for a long time may be postponed as a result of worldwide technology supply chain problems, with the company’s CEO Elon Musk ringing a bell over the lacks affecting production were not finished till now.
Musk shared supply chain problems on Twitter following a question for an update on the Cybertruck that was revealed in November 2019 ahead of the global epidemic.
The Tesla CEO added “Oh man, this year has been such a supply chain nightmare & it’s not over!” promising to “provide an updated product roadmap” on Musk’s next incomes call.
He as well agitated Cybertruck, labeling it an intentionally “insane technology bandwagon” and said that the car would “reach far into a post-apocalyptic future & bring that technology to now.”
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"At present, the presidential staff members are now in Cikeas to have a direct briefing on the dynamics of the (cabinet reshuffle) process," Presidential Special Staff for Political Communications Daniel Sparinga said here on Friday afternoon.
He said that the president always involved his special staff members when there were important events. The head of state always provided directive for them.
"Sometimes the special staffs receive directives from the president or the staff members report to the president regarding the relevant matters," Daniel said.
Daniel said that the president and vice president would continue to discuss the cabinet shake-up plan until the end of the week.
Both of them will discuss the names of ministers or other names who had the potentials to be named ministers.
"The main attention of President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono is still being focused on this matter until the weekend," he said.
Daniel Sparinga has previously said that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono began discussing a cabinet shake-up on Thursaday.
"What I know is that the president and vice president have just held a tete-a-tete," Daniel said when he was contacted at the president`s Cikeas residence on Thursday.
Daniel said the discussion on the cabinet shake-up was still restricted to the president and vice president so that it was sterile from politics.
He said that the meeting between president and political party leaders would take place only after the president and vice president completed their meeting.
Daniel said that the president was not willing to cover up the process of the cabinet reshuffle and but to protect it from unnecessary noises.
"The president will in time tell the people about the cabinet reshuffle directly," he said.


Abu Dhabi's Adnic records USD 10.6mn net profit
( MENAFN ) Abu Dhabi National Insurance Co. (Adnic) proclaimed a net profit of USD 10.61mn for the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 670 percent over last year.
Moreover, the firm's net investment income contributed USD 6.12mn towards the bottom-line profit, while the net technical profit reached USD 4.49mn.
Accordingly, the firm started the year with an increase in net underwriting income and whole net profit, driven by corrective measures applied by the firm.
The company's whole investments reached USD 0.72bn on March 31, 2016, compared to USD 0.74bn of last year.
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That will lead them closer to God
That will make them realize they need God
That will make them feel the very presence of God
That will make their hearts worship the Lord
The LJBC Music Ministry Dream
And we pray that God will bless the songs that we sing and the songs that we write, as well as the people who will hear the songs and the people who will sing the songs with us.


By Christopher Bendana
Africa Climate week to focus on energy, infrastructure and food security
An international climate change conference, the 2020 Africa Climate Week (ACW) due here in March will focus on energy access, urban infrastructure, and water and food security.
Conor Barry, the strategy development officer at the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, based in Bonn, Germany said during a press conference at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala that these three thematic areas are important issues on which mitigation and adaptation awareness need to be raised.
Beatrice Anywar, the state minister for Environment said the conference will bring together governments and non- government organizations that will facilities the understanding of climate change policies and negotiations.
Experts say climate change has increased droughts and erratic rainfall causing crop failures on the African continent.
Away from the continent, scientists have also blamed climate change for the raging bushfires in Australia that has caused havoc on the ecosystem.
The ACW will run from the 9-13 March this year and is one of these regional climate week organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Others will meet in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic for Latin American and Caribbean countries and Dubai for North Africa and Middle East countries.


Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe arrived in Zambia on Monday for the start of his two-date state visit.
The Togolese leader’s plane landed in the morning at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the country’s capital, and he was met by his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu.
The two leaders were expected to hold bilateral talks.
Amos Chanda, spokesperson for the Zambian president,said the visit will further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The two leaders, he said, were expected to discuss cooperation in key areas, including the mining sector, adding that the two countries were keen to improve relations in various economic sectors.
He further said peace and security issues were expected to be among the issues the two leaders will discuss while the Zambian leader was also scheduled to undertake a reciprocal visit to Togo in the second half of 2017. Enditem


Adamawa postpones LG poll indefinitely
Local government council polls which was slated for Dec. 4 have been postponed indefinitely by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) due to lack of fund.
This was made known on Monday by the ADSIEC Information Officer, Mr Innocent Daniel when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.
According to Daniel, the commission was awaiting funds from the government to conduct free, fair and transparent election.
“Among the major challenges that led to the postponement of the election was the meagre allocation to the commission in the state 2021 budget.
“The allocation is too meagre for the commission to organise and conduct the election.
“Also, the re-usable election materials such as ballot boxes, duty vests, bags and kits were completely vandalised during the #Endsars protest,” he said.
The information officer said that the commission was also faced with the problem of handling the new polling units that were converted from voting points by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said that the conversion had raised the polling units in the state from 2,609 to 4,104.
“This development will lead to increase in facilities and ad hoc staff and the ongoing registration of new voters will have a resultant increase in ballot paper requirements.
“It is in this regard that the preparations for the local government council election on Dec. 4, is hereby suspended to give government time to source for funds,” Daniel said.


(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette)
Sri Lankan comedian and veteran actor Berty Gunathilake passed away today aged 97.
He was most notable for the role“Baba” in the television comedy sitcom Vinoda Samaya.
Gunathilake joined the Radio Ceylon in 1947. Then he joined the 1948 radio play Vinoda Samaya along with Joseph Seneviratne, Vincent Weerasekera, Harriet Suraweera, Pitipana Silva and Sisira Kumara Manickaarachchi.
The trio – Berty, Annesley and Samuel were included in television's founding program Nandana Vindana. Since 1960 to 1990, they appeared in almost every comedy show in television and radio. Once, Gunathilake pretended a role“Two Tone” as a schoolboy, wearing a pair of shorts, a teat in his mouth, a bottle of water, a pencil and a book in the popular comedy sitcom Vinoda Samaya. The character was highly popularized. He has written most of the episodes of Vinoda Samaya, such as“Apuru Maluwa”,“Santhoshaya”,“Athe Amaruwa”,“Apuru Adaraya”,“Maduru Mediri Resweema”, and Uu mata Gehuwa, Mata uu Gehuwa. (Colombo Gazette)
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Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe has agreed to release academic certificates of South Sudanese students that were withheld by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development over financial arrears, according to South Sudan’s minister of higher education Gabriel Changson Chang.
Speaking to Sudans Post on Sunday in Juba, Changson said he was in Zimbabwe last Friday to discuss the matter with the authorities there and the government of Zimbabwe has handed over the certificates to the ministry of higher education. Said Changson:
I was in Zimbabwe for two days and met the authorities there and discussed with them the issue of the students who have their certificates being withheld by the ministry [of education] there.
Today, I am happy to announce that the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has agreed to release the documents and has already done that when I was there.
Changson also said the two countries are working towards strengthening ties in the education sector adding that the two countries are expected to sign a new cooperation agreement.
Zimbabwe has since 2019 been withholding academic certificates of South Sudanese students who were studying in Zimbabwe universities under government-sponsored scholarships.
It remains unclear how much the South Sudan government owed its Zimbabwean counterparts.


COPENHAGEN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Further 180 cases COVID-19 infection were confirmed Wednesday in Denmark, raising the total number from 262 to 442 in one day, according to the Danish Patient Safety Authority.
Bolette Soborg, chief medical officer at the National Board of Health, expected more reported cases in the coming days.
"There will be a dark figure, but we have good control over it," said Soborg in a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier the day.
Kaare Molbak, a consultant from the National Serum Institute, said despite "incredibly good control" of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country, there was yet "perfect" surveillance.
"There are citizens who walk around the community, who we have missed," said Molbak.
The National Board of Health expanded further the assessment to announce that the its strategy of focus will soon shift from containment -- preventing the virus from coming to Denmark, to a focus on mitigation, that is, concentrating more on limiting the spread at home and giving priority to treatment to those who need it most.
"We are close to entering this new phase. It will happen soon," said Soborg.


Media reports said seven people, including four policemen were others injured in the attack. Some participants of the rally were also among the injured.
Police said that PTI rally was not targted in the attack rather police was the target of attackers.
Police said that attackers hurled hand grenades during the attack.
Talking to media PTI Chief Imran Khan said that he was safe as he had left the venue shortly after the rally concluded.
It is to mention here that Mr Khan, during his speech in the rally , said he would shoot down US drones of he came to power in the country.


President Nasheed has said that the Government would do everything possible to make the hopes of the students of the Maldives a reality. The President made the statement, speaking at the ceremony to award the National Top Achievers in secondary school completion examinations in 2008.
Speaking at last evening’s ceremony, the President said that all the students aspire for higher education. Noting the limitations in the availability of higher education opportunities in the Maldives, the President said that the Government aims facilitate these opportunities for as many students as possible. President Nasheed stressed the need to increase the number of students who attain higher results in secondary school examinations and the availability of higher education facilities in the country.
Further, the President urged all the students to be humble in times of success and to show courage in times of failure.
President Nasheed congratulated all the top achievers in secondary school examinations. The President said that he rejoices the fact that many students achieved pass grades in these examinations and encouraged them to work for more success in the future.
At the last evening’s ceremony, the President presented the awards for six students who achieved the first place in the world, the students who achieved the first place in the national top ten in secondary school completion examinations. The President also presented the award to Ahmadhiyya School, the school with the best result in these examinations. Vice-President Dr Mohamed Waheed also presented awards at the ceremony to top achievers.


Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked people to be prepared for more Janata Curfews in the coming days.
In statement issued from Gorakhpur on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that social distancing was the only way to check the spread of the coronavirus.
He urged the people to fight collectively against the pandemic, but underlined the fact that there was no need to panic.
The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh had reported 27 patients who were COVID-19 positive and 11 of them had completely recovered.
He appreciated the efforts of all those who were involved in checking the spread of the virus and asked the common man to be a part of this massive exercise.
He further assured that there were sufficient resources and people need not resort to panic buying and hoarding.
Yogi Adityanath also warned traders not to take advantage of the situation by selling goods at a premium.


According to details, addressing the Pak-Uzbek Business Forum, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Uzbekistan and Pakistan have historical and cultural ties. Relations trade between the two countries need to be further enhanced. He said that peace in Afghanistan is important for the region. ۔
Trade with neighboring countries will improve people’s quality of life. Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway project will revolutionize the region.


Baghdad: Britain`s support to Iraqi security forces and regional Kurdish forces in their fight against the Islamic State (IS) will be balanced, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said here Monday.
"We have said to the Iraqi government that we ensure that the support we provide would be balanced between the Kurdish security forces and the Iraqi security forces," Xinhua quoted Hammond as saying at a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafariin in Baghdad.
Hammond also said that his country`s support would be effective, but would not replace the role of the Iraqi security forces.
"We always understood that the air campaign alone was not going to be decisive in turning the tide against the IS ... the heavy work on the ground is going to have to be done by Iraqi forces and is going to have to be done by Sunni community in the areas that the IS occupied," Hammond told reporters.
He added that the anti-IS coalition needs to retrain and reorganise Iraq security forces, "providing technical and other support to the government as it delivers its programme for national reconciliation".
The Iraqi government needs to quell the uprising of the Sunni community against the Shiite-led government of former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki, which is threatening to split the country apart, the chief British diplomat said.
Hammond, who arrived in Baghdad earlier Monday, was expected to discuss combating the IS and improving national unity with Prime Minister Hader al-Abadi.


The council found out on Friday that the current operators who have a 17 year lease on the venue intend to cease operations at the end of the year.
Cllr John Jarvis, leader of the Council, said:
“I was shocked by the news. Horseracing is an important part of Herefordshire’s culture and the local economy.
“I will do everything I can to ensure that that the racecourse continues to operate.
“The council is currently in discussion with the leaseholder of the racecourse about how we can secure along term future for the racecourse..
“I have been heartened by the response from race goers and local people who love the racecourse.
“I want to work with those people to see what we can do to keep racing in the County, which is such an important part of Herefordshire life.


No public recommendations added yet.
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LAHORE, Oct 21 (ONLINE): Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the opposition’s conspiracy to make institutions controversial has badly failed.
The Punjab CM said in his statement that it is regrettable that the opposition first tried to do politics on coronavirus and then started giving statements against institutions which is condemnable.
Usman Buzdar said, “The nation has rejected the opposition’s seditious narrative and sane people are standing by the institutions. Those who damaged Pakistan during their tenure now want to halt the national progress through anarchy.
“The opposition leaders are working against the national unity and solidarity for personal interests and should refrain from negative politics.”


Republicans Frustrate Macron's Bid To Establish Coalition
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, June 21 (KUNA) -- The French opposition party, the Republicans Party, on Tuesday foiled a bid by President Emmanuel Macron to establish a coalition with his party and secure absolute majority in the National Assembly.
The Republicans' leader, Christian Jacob, said in statement after an encounter with the president at the Elysee that he would not take an option that would be tantamount to a 'treason for the voters,' affirming that his party would solidly remain in the opposition ranks.
Macron whose party has emerged from the parliamentary elections with a simple majority is seeking alliances to secure absolute majority in the parliament.
It was widely understood that esbablishing an alliance with the Republicans was his most favored option. (end)
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Egyptian President Meets with Arab Information Ministers
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Cairo, Shawwal 18, 1438, Jul 12, 2017, SPA -- Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met here today with Arab Information Ministers, including Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, who were in Cairo for a meeting of the Arab Information Council.
During the meeting, President el-Sisi thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and all Arab countries for their stances in support of Egypt.
President el-Sisi said terrorism has caused great damage to the Arab nation in recent years in terms of loss of lives and economic
devastation. It is necessary to tackle this phenomenon with determination and by applying a comprehensive strategy that takes all factors into consideration.
21:46 LOCAL TIME 18:46 GMT
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Story | Feb 10, 2012 | 4:33 PMTiger Woods starts well in second round of AT&T National Pro-Am. Birdies first hole at Monterey Peninsula but then finds trouble.


Federal government cannot dictate local bodies system: Saeed Ghani
KARACHI (92 News) – Responding to federal minister Asad Umar, Sindh Minister for Education, Labour and Human Resources Saeed Ghani has said that cannot dictate the local bodies system.
The provincial minister mentioned that the Sindh Assembly has made laws according to their circumstances and all parties participated during the legislation.
“PTI has not any right to direct Sindh government that the local body system is not good,” Saeed Ghani maintained.
Meanwhile, the Karachi mayor said that the change in the local municipal system of Sindh is our long-standing demand, adding, “We are with the government for resolving the issues of Karachi.”
Federation decides to move SC against Sindh local body system
The federal government has decided to file a petition against the local government system in Sindh.
In 92 News’ Program ‘Hard Talk’ on Tuesday, Minister for Planning Asad Umar said that he and the prime minister would be the petitioners in the case.
He said that the situation in Karachi will improve by delegating powers and better local government system.
Asad Umar said that the people coming from Sindh’s rural areas had destroyed Karachi. “There will be no balance if the social media is let loose,” he said.


Tasnim – Oman has sent its first cargo of medical equipment and supplies to Iran as the country continues to battle against the COVID-19 crisis, a report said.
The consignment, weighing some 40 tons, is comprised of medical equipment and medicine, Tehran Times reported on Friday.
On Friday, Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman said some 84,000 coronavirus patients in the country had fully recovered from the viral disease.
Kianoosh Jahanpoor also said that the number of people tested positive for the coronavirus across the country had risen to 104,691 following the detection of 1,556 new cases since a day before.
More than four million people have been infected with COVID-19 globally, and the death toll has exceeded 276,000.


County considers urging state to lend support to UWS
Douglas County is considering lending its support to buildings and grounds workers at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
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(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
SHARJAH, 27th August, 2022 (WAM) -- Sharjah Radio will present a special radio programme that highlights the pioneering and inspiring role of Emirati women in the journey of construction, progress and giving in the country in various fields and sectors.
This comes as part of the country's preparations to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, which falls 28th August, and will be organised under the slogan 'Inspiring Reality, Sustainable Future', The programme will be live streamed, and will shed light on the role of Emirati women in the development and construction of the UAE since the establishment of the Union until the present.
A group of women-related events, including leaders from various local, Gulf and Arab institutions will take part in the programme.
The programme will witness the participation of brilliant female personalities in various creative fields, including literature, poetry, arts, culture and sports, will participate in the programme's interventions.
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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today chaired a meeting of the Planning Commission to discuss India's 12th Five-Year Plan and lauded the achievements of his government during the 11th Five-Year Plan period. Singh said that the government is targeting an 8.2 per cent growth in the 12th Plan period, lower than originally projected, but some realistic downgrade is expected given the global economic situation. He added that the economy grew at 7.9 per cent despite the global economic turbulence in 2008 and 2011. The Prime Minister further added that only GDP growth was not important, but it had to be sustainable and inclusive. Reiterating the importance of infrastructure in the economy, he stated that the government is aiming at $1 trillion investment in the core sector.


Shimla, July 24: Days after a minor was raped and murdered in Kotkhai, Himachal BJP president Satpal Singh Satti said the Congress had lost morality to continue in the office. He said people’s anger was proof that they had lost confidence in the government and the police. He alleged that efforts were being made to shield the accused in the case.
“If Virbhadra Singh does not resign by July 26, the BJP will burn his effigies throughout the state at more than 7,500 places and launch protests,” he said. BJP state in-charge Mangal Pandey met party workers of Una district to understand local political issues in the run-up to the elections.“
Soon, the state BJP will undertake mass contact programmes at the grassroots level to inform people about the policies and programmes of the NDA government and the failures of the Congress government in the state,” he said.
He said the party had already started mass campaigns among the Dalit community, who were being informed about the welfare schemes introduced in their favour by the NDA government. He said the party would observe Kargil Vijay Divas on July 26 at various places and pay tribute to the martyrs.
Source Tribune India


Turkish Prime Minister arrives in Riyadh
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Riyadh, Rabi'II 09, 1439,December 27, 2017,SPA --Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Binali Yildirim arrived in Riyadh today .
He was received at King Salman Air Base Airport by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Secretary of Riyadh region Engineer Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Sultan, Saudi ambassador to Turkey Engineer Walid bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, and a number of officials.
13:10 LOCAL TIME 10:10 GMT
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Government to complete its term till 2023: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said that the government will complete its term till 2023, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while talking to the media said that vote of no-confidence motion was successful, as a result of which the new government has been formed which will now complete its term.
He said the Prime Minister would decide how the cabinet could be expanded, adding that the cabinet will look into how inflation has risen and how to curb it.


(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Riyadh Rabi'I 16 1437 December 27 2015 SPA -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States and Arab delegates to the Constitutional Skill-building committee of Arab Organization for Higher Bodies for Financial and Accounting Control meeting started in Riyadh today.
The three-day event hosted by the General Auditing Bureau is chaired by the committee's Deputy Chairman Mohammed Al-Sawabi who also leads the Moroccan delegation to the meeting.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation to the meeting is headed by the Director General of the Auditing Bureau office and General Supervisor for the General Administration for Administrative Development Mohammed bin Mutlaq Al-Nifaiee.
The meeting is set to discuss a number of issues on the agenda including promotion of human resources in the member bodies skill upgrading the outcome of implementing the training and scientific research plan for 2015 as well as 2016 plan and evaluation study for the agencies performance for the period from 2013 to 2016.
13:42 LOCAL TIME 10:42 GMT
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Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that the federal government would co-ordinate with the Sindh over Bundal Island’s issue.
According to the details, the premier in a meeting in Islamabad—directed the Sindh governor Imran Ismail to finalise the matter related to the island after taking Sindh government in confidence.
Highlighting the benefits of the Bundal Island project, the Prime Minister told a delegation of industrialists and traders that it will create investment and job opportunities.
Governor Ismail said the project would attract $50 billion investment which would benefit the country’s economy as well as increasing Sindh’s revenue and will also become a tourist destination.
The Sindh governor further said that the federal government will take all stakeholders on board before initiating this eco-friendly project
According to the Sindh governor, a working group based on the representatives of the provincial and federal governments as well as other departments would be established to finalise the matters.
He said he would meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to speak on the reservations.


THE Gombe State government in collaboration with the Federal Government has inaugurated a N11.49 billion regional water supply project in the state.
Inaugurating the project in Gombe on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources (FMWR), Mr Suleiman Adamu, said the project was aimed at rehabilitating, expanding and upgrading the water project in the state.
Adamu said that the project was in line with the provision of the National Water Supply and Sanitation policy of the Federal Government.
He said that the Federal Government’s intervention was to accelerate access to portable water in the county towards meeting national and internationally set targets.
Adamu said that over the years, the Federal Government had demonstrated its commitment to addressing water supply issues through policy and capital investments.
He said that since the Federal Government declared a state of emergency on water supply, the government had partnered several state governments for implementation of major urban supply projects which he said was yielding expected positive results.
Adamu said the Gombe regional water supply project was being carried out on a 70-30 per cent partnership agreement between the Gombe State government and the Federal Government.
He said the Federal Government through FMWR was funding 30 per cent of the financial cost of the project which was N3.447 billion while Gombe State was funding 70 per cent amounting to N8.43 billion.
According to him, the state government is also bearing the cost of consultancy services which is N419 million.
While speaking, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, said on his assumption of office in 2019, the water treatment plant in Dadin-Kowa was in a state of disrepair and had over N5 billion unpaid obligations to contractors and suppliers.


BREXIT: AVDC leader Neil Blake: 'Britain will recover from Brexit uncertainty'
Conservative Mr Blake, who was undecided on how to vote until quite late in the campaign, said that he felt both sides arguments left the public confused, and that the absence of a direct debate added to this.
He said: “I voted Remain in the end, the main reason for that was the way that the stock market responded favourably when the polls said that Remain was likely to win.
“And this has come to bear with what has happened this morning, and it’s going to take some recovery, but we have made the decision now, and will have to do it.
“I’m in no doubt that the country will adjust to this new situation.”
And speaking about Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to resign, he said: “I think David Cameron had no alternative, I don’t think he ran a good campaign and some of the outlandish statements that he made people saw right through.”


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) joel johnson |
Qatar Aluminium ManuFacturing Company (QAMCO) reported in its General Assembly Meeting that it has recorded a net profit worth QR919m during the fiscal year of 2022. The meeting held yesterday at Sheraton Hotel was attended by the Group Chairman Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi, Vice Chairman Ahmad Saeed Al Amoodi, Board of Directors, officials, and several stakeholders.
The meeting witnessed numerous agendas including presenting the operations and financial performance report of the Board of Directors and approving them, approving the auditor's report on the financial statements for 2022, approving last year's Corporate Governance Report, approving the Board's recommendation for a dividend payment of QR0.09 per share for 2022, and representing 9 percent of the nominal share value.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, QAMCO Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi said:“Given the current short- to medium-term market outlook coupled with funding needs in relation to the JV's debt along with its CAPEX program planned for the upcoming years, QAMCO's Board of Directors recommends to distribute a total annual dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 amounting to QR502m, equivalent to a payout of QR 0.09 per share.”
Abdulla Yaaqob Al Hay, Acting Manager Privatized Companies Affairs Dept., QatarEnergy said,“QAMCO's improved financial results for the financial year 2022 in comparison to last year, was largely attributed to an overall growth in average realised selling prices which increased by 24 percent during the current year versus last year, and contributed QR748m positively towards net earnings of QAMCO for the year ended 31 December 2022 as compared to last year.”
“QAMCO's financial position also remained strong, with cash and bank balances amounting to QR1.2bn. During the year, the Company's JV generated a positive share of operating cash flows of QR 1.3bn,” he added.
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Shanghai Electric, ACWA Power receive USD3.9bn from Dubai
(MENAFN) Dubai's state energy granted USD3.9bn contract to run 700MW solar power plant to Shanghai Electric and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power.
First stage of the project is due to be finished in late 2020, which is a part of Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum huge complex project to generate 1.000MW by 2020 and 5.000MW by 2030.
In addition, the government's goal is to increase the share of clean energy in Dubai's power production to 7 percent by 2020, 25 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2050.
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Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) – The Government has planned to open up the country within two months after vaccinating all the people in the country at least with a single dose, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday.
He told Parliament that more than three million people who are engaged in the tourism sector had faced numerous hardships due to the pandemic situation in the country.
Responding to a question raised by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the issues in the tourism sector, the Minister said the country has to be opened up to find long-term solutions to the issues faced by the people in the sector.
The Minister said countries such as Singapore have vaccinated 80 percent of the population and thus have been able to open up the country and added that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has also stressed the need to open up Sri Lanka within two months after all the people being vaccinated at least with a single dose.
He said tourism was further crippled after the third wave and pointed out that there was no report that tourists who arrived in the country recently under Biobubble had spread COVID-19.
The Minister said the new health guidelines issued by the Director-general of Health Services had allowed tourists who are fully vaccinated to travel in Sri Lanka without being quarantined for 14 days.


Turkey's Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) has opened a representation in Vienna, Austria.
In a statement issued, MUSIAD said that a ceremony took place in Vienna to inaugurate the new office.
The ceremony was attended by MUSIAD President Omer Cihad Vardan and a large number of businesspeople.
MUSIAD believes that the new office would contribute to economic and political relations between Turkey and Austria.
MUSIAD has more than 40 representations overseas.


Three undergraduates of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who were abducted on Tuesday along the Abuja-Kaduna high way have regained their freedom
The three students are final year undergraduates of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The incident took place when gunmen blocked the high way, intercepted vehicles before disappearing with the victims.
The Kaduna state Police Command, however, said that four other persons were still being held by the kidnappers.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Wednesday night, the Kaduna State police command spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, said the three rescued persons who were among the six abducted victims were released by their abductors due to the prompt response and combing of the scene of the incident by policemen and other security agents.
The communique further states that both the rescued persons alongside the abandoned vehicles were recovered and taken to the police station.
It also adds that concerted efforts are being coordinated by the joint teams of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Police Mobile Force and Rapid Response Team to rescue the remaining victims and also apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.


Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry is trying to extend reconciliation offers to the Opposition.
The minister said, “If the Opposition withdraws the no-confidence motion, let’s see what can be given to them in return.”
Fawad said that the Opposition should withdraw the no-trust motion as it had caused bitterness in politics. He feared that the soaring political situation could harm the country.
The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) upcoming public gathering at Islamabad D-Chowk will turn out to be a “mini referendum” over the no-trust motion.
He hoped that over one million people will attend the public meeting on the call of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) BAGHDAD: At least 18 people were killed Tuesday when the Turkmen-majority Tuz Khurmatu district in Iraq's Saladin province north of Baghdad was rocked by a massive car bomb, according to a local security source.
'A booby-trapped vehicle exploded at noon Tuesday near a crowded market in Tuz Khurmatu, killing 18 people and injuring more than 40 more, Police First Lieutenant Numan al-Jubouri told Anadolu Agency.
According to al-Jubouri, the blast also damaged several nearby structures and vehicles parked in the area.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, the Iraqi authorities typically blame such attacks on the IS terrorist group, which has recently suffered a string of defeats -- both in Iraq and in neighboring Syria.
In mid-October, Iraqi forces seized control of Tuz Khurmatu following the withdrawal of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters from the majority-Turkmen district.
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(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
New Delhi- India on Friday described as 'unacceptable' the comments made by OIC-IPHRC (Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission) criticising New Delhi for the court ruling against Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the world seeks 'zero tolerance' against terrorism and urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) not to justify it in any manner.
'India finds unacceptable the comments made by OIC-IPHRC today criticising India for the judgement in the case of Yasin Malik,' Bagchi said.
'Through these comments, OIC-IPHRC has implicitly expressed support for the terrorist activities of Yasin Malik, which were documented and presented in the court,' he said.
Bagchi was responding to media queries regarding the comments made by the OIC-IPHRC on the judgement of an NIA court against Malik.
'The world seeks zero tolerance of terrorism and we urge OIC not to justify it any manner,' the spokesperson said.
A special NIA court this week awarded life sentence to Malik in a militant-funding case.
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Story | Sep 10, 2012 | 1:42 PM
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Story | Apr 28, 2011 | 1:30 AMThirteen new troopers received badges and duty assignments as members of the South Dakota Highway Patrol in graduation ceremonies on Friday in the State Capitol Rotunda.


(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Amman, Sept. 25 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Monday condemned the brutal terrorist attack against the Bahraini Duty Task Force near Saudi-Yemen borders.
The attack targeted sites of the Bahraini Duty Task Force participating in Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope on the southern border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and claimed the life of an officer and a member of the Bahrain force and injured others.
The Ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom's solidarity with Bahrain, and its rejection and condemnation of this cowardly terrorist act, expressing its condolences to the government and people of Bahrain, and to the families of the victims, and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
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Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated the Mendipathar Facilitation Centre at Mendipathar Railway Station in the North Garo Hills district.
Inaugurating the centre, Sangma said that the facilitation centre will keep a record of visitors to the Garo Hills region and will enable the district administration to effectively monitor the flow of visitors from outside the region.
Speaking at length on the importance of rail connectivity, the Chief Minister said that the presence of a railhead at Mendipathar is a boon for the people of the region as this will continue to facilitate the movement of people and goods from the region to the adjoining State of Assam.
The Chief Minister said that train connectivity has proved advantageous to the farming community of the region as it facilitates easy and cheap transportation and allowed them to access better markets.
Sangma also took the opportunity to enlighten people that the largest food park in the State is being set up at the Mendipathar Industrial Area. He said that since Mendipathar already has a rail link, the State Government is setting up the Rs 100 crore food park in Mendipathar.
The Chief Minister also informed that the biggest feed mill of Northeast is also being set up here.
The Chief Minister further added that Mendipathar has become the preferred destination for investment because it has all the necessary infrastructure and the facilities, particularly rail


(MENAFN- Alghad Newspaper)
AMMAN —AlGhad— The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) issued a statement today, Sunday, warning smartphone users not to download or play any suicide games, particularly the 'Blue Whale. Also known as "Blue Whale Challenge", game reportedly consists of a series of tasks assigned to players by administrators over a 50-day period, with the final challenge requiring players to commit suicide.
Many experts believe that it is likely that the phenomenon has led to instances of imitative self-harming, leaving vulnerable children at risk of cyberbullying and online shaming.
Others claim the Game utilises brainwashing techniques and systematic alteration and conditioning methods throughout the games.
Similar games are accessible via a variety of Social Media platforms and are possibly downloadable via Google Play and Apple Store.
The Commission strongly urged citizens not to play any of these games and to pay special attention to what games children and teenagers are playing on their phones.
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(MENAFN- Khaama Press)
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, warned the international community not to“let its guard down,” saying once again that terrorism in Afghanistan poses a threat to global security.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Sharif, in a tweet on Friday stated that“As I stated in my address at UNGA, terrorism continues to threaten not just Afghanistan & Pakistan but also the world.”
Reacting to the deadly explosion at the Kaj education center in Kabul, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.
He described the loss of life that occurred while he was in a learning center as“sheer barbarism” and expressed his profound condolences over it.
The speech of the Prime Minister at the General Assembly sparked widespread controversy and criticism on social media, to which the Chargé d'affaires of the Pakistani embassy in Afghanistan later, in a statement, apologetically stated that expressing concern should not be taken as“enmity”.
Former Afghan foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar also slammed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for speaking to the UN General Assembly about the threat of terrorism coming from Afghanistan but leaving out the terrorist groups that are active in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Arif Alvi, the head of state of Pakistan, emphasized the need to improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
These come at a time when the Taliban accused Pakistan of allowing US drones to attack Afghanistan while Pakistan expressed concern about terrorism in Afghanistan.
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Most Greeks view the decisions taken by the government to address the Covid-19 pandemic positively, according to a poll conducted by Pulse for Skai TV.
Forty-seven percent evaluated the decisions taken as positive and 28 percent probably positive. A majority (75 percent) of those polled said the government had won their confidence while 63 percent said the lifting of the lockdown occurred at the right time.
Moreover, 63 percent said they are very worried about the coronavirus, compared to 78 percent in a similar poll last month.
Asked who they would vote for if polls were held now, 42.5 percent said New Democracy (-2.5 percent compared to April 1), and 22 percent said SYRIZA (no change).


Those at Trafford Council have hailed its new food waste recycling scheme a success.
Councillors claim that they have had a positive response from residents in the area with regards to the new scheme, which was recently introduced in Davyhulme, Stretford, Dunham, Partington, Flixton and Urmston – plus parts of Sale and Timperley.
The scheme sees homeowners given compostable bags that they can put their food waste in, which the council then collects.
As well as the positive response from residents, there has also been a 30 per cent reduction in the amount of grey bin waste collected since the new scheme has been in place.
Talking about the success of the scheme, executive councillor Alan Mitchell told messengernewspapers.co.uk that he was delighted with how local homeowners responded to the measures.
He said: “Trafford residents told us they wanted more opportunities to recycle, including food waste. Their response to our new weekly service which allows them to do that has been fantastic.”
Mr Mitchell added: “I am sure once the new service has been introduced borough-wide, we will continue to see residents diverting even more food waste to their green bins.”
According to trafford.gov.uk, the scheme is expected to save £1 million per year in landfill charges.


Rep. Welch heralds new 'American Rescue Plan,' broadband expansion
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont U.S. Rep. Peter Welch told more than 100 members of the business community Monday that help is on the way to ease the financial pain from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the newly-passed American Rescue Plan.
The nearly $1.9 trillion package will deliver relief to individuals, families and businesses who have struggled in the pandemic, and funnel more than $1.3 billion to Vermont state and local government as well.
Some of the money will help improve infrastructure -- including rural broadband --but Welch said the next big bill focused entirely on American infrastructure will mean even more.
Welch said attitudes in Congress have recently shifted about the urgency of access to high-speed internet service.
After his virtual meeting with members of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, the Vermont Democrat was also briefing municipal leaders Monday evening in Winooski, Newport City and South Burlington.


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56 people die of Covid-19 in SA, as 517 more are infected
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JOHANNESBURG – Fifty-six more people have died from Covid-19 related complications in South Africa, the department of health has said on Friday, while 517 more people have tested positive for the Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.
The latest deaths take South Africa's death toll due to the Covid-19 pandemic to 88,891 since last year, while the latest confirmed infections takes the number of confirmed Covid-19 infections in the country to more than 2.9 million since the detection of the first case in March 2020.
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said the majority of the new infections came from KZN, Free State, the Western Cape and Gauteng.
KZN – 24%
Western Cape; Free State – 17%
Free State – 13%
Eastern Cape – 8%
North West; Mpumalanga – 7%
Limpopo – 1%
Jimoh said 18 million Covid-19 tests had been conducted in the public and private sector since last year, with just more than 30,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.
Jimoh said 32 people were admitted to hospital due to Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of people in hospital due to the virus, to 4,323.
“Today the institute reports 517 new Covid-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2,918,883. This increase represents a 1.7 percent positivity rate,” she said.
“As per the national department of health, a further 56 Covid-19-related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 88,891 to date.”
The NICD said the seven-day moving average for new cases showed that the infections were on the decline.
“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 1.7 percent, which is higher than yesterday (1.6 percent). The seven-day average is 1.7 percent today, which is lower than yesterday (1.8 percent),” Jimoh said.
Meanwhile, more than 206,000 jabs were administered against the virus in the past 24 hours, the Department of Health said, taking total vaccination jabs to over 21 million.
The department of health also said 116,000 people had taken their first jabs in the past 24 hours.


Before kick-off, some booing could be heard from the stands as the England players took the knee, to demonstrate their stance against racism.
“It’s something that we cannot control,” the United man said, when asked about the incident. “For us, we believe it’s the right thing to [take the knee] and we’re going to continue to do it.”
Marcus can now look forward to an exciting summer with Euro 2020 edging ever closer. Expectations are high for a star-packed England squad with some experts having them as favourites to win the tournament.
“I think we have to have that self-belief, that self-confidence,” the captain said. “If we want to win the tournament, we have to improve. So, we’ll keep working.”


Four hundred and two (402) people have been detained over “baseless and provocative” social media posts about the coronavirus pandemic in Turkey.
According to AFP, this development was disclosed by the interior ministry in Turkey on Monday.
The official said some of the posts in question included claims that a lockdown would last longer than all-day weekend curfews announced by the government and accusations that authorities were lying about the number of deaths.
“In the past 42 days, 6,362 social media accounts have been analysed, and 855 suspects have been confirmed while 402 have been caught,” the ministry tweeted.
In a clarification to AFP the ministry revealed that the figure is separate from the detention of 410 people over similar claims at the end of March.
So far, the shutting of schools and restaurants and ordering weekend curfews as long as is necessary, are measures the government has taken to limit the spread of the virus.
On the death, Turkey has confirmed over 2,800 deaths from more than 110,000 cases of coronavirus that have been recorded.


Connecticut Sun star Jonquel Jones has joined in on the effort to bring relief to the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.
Today, Jones launched a GoFundMe page and started a social media campaign designed to help out Bahamians affected by Hurricane Dorian.
“A lot of people have been effected after being ravaged by the hurricane,” she said. “We are just trying to help as much people that we can. We are still deciding which organizations we think is best to donate the money to. But we want to do as much as we can to help Bahamians to get back on their feet.”
Those looking to donate to the cause can visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/xs2z5-helpthebahamas?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet


Traditional leaders have been asked to be on the lookout, because of the current political situation in the country.
Chipangali Member of Parliament, Vincent Mwale, says the political situation in towns can easily spill over to villages, adding that chiefs and other traditional leaders such as indunas have a role to play in ensuring that peace and unity is maintained in their areas.
He explained that some political leaders are deliberately misinterpreting the matter relating to the presidential appeal currently in court and putting people in continuous political mood.
Mr. Mwale, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing, said this when he paid a courtesy call on Chief Chanje of the Chewa people.
He also asked traditional leaders in Chipangali area, to help in dealing with the illegal exportation of agricultural produce.
Mr. Mwale said due to tight security, illegal exporters and importers of goods are now using rural areas where the border is porous.
And Chief Chanje said that villages are generally calm, but that his indunas are always ready to check any eventualities.
He said that it is important for political leaders to respect the law, adding that currently Edgar Lungu is the president and must be respected.
The traditional leader also said that through the traditional system, security will be tightened to prevent illegal exportation of agricultural products, especially burley tobacco, which he said is being taken to Malawi.


(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Riyadh, January 18, 2022, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has made a telephone call to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, it was reported today.
During the telephone conversation, which took place yesterday, they reviewed regional affairs and issues of common interest.
HRH the Crown Prince expressed his condemnation of the blatant terrorist attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates today by the terrorist Houthi militia, resulting in the death of a number of civilians in the UAE, expressing his deepest condolences to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The two leaders affirmed that these terrorist acts which targeted the Kingdom and the UAE will increase the two countries' determination to confront those aggressive terrorist acts carried out by the forces of evil and terrorism that have wreaked havoc on the brotherly Yemen, killing the dear Yemeni people and continuing to spread their terrorist acts with the aim of destabilizing the region's security and stability. They asserted that these miserable and unsuccessful attempts to spread chaos in the region urge the international community to address these flagrant violations of international laws and norms as well as to reject and condemn these terrorist crimes that threaten regional and international peace and security.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi thanked HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his sincere feelings, which affirm the solid ties and close bonds between the two brotherly countries and peoples as well as their determination to confront the forces of evil and aggression.
00:55 LOCAL TIME 21:55 GMT
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Garhwa, Jul 8: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das urged the people to install solar power plants in their homes so that the state can move ahead on the path of green revolution.
Addressing the people after inaugurating the roof top solar plant at Garhwa civil court premises here he said that the state government was committed to provide to the people of the state basic infrastructure alongwith pure air, drinking water and clean environment.
He said that the state government was installing solar power roof tops at all the government buildings as it would also help to reduce pollution. He said that in the days to come his government would give a gift to the farmers of the state in the area of green revolution. He urged the farmers to adopt the system so that their income also increases.
Mr Das said that the solar power roof top installed at the civil court premises by JREDA has been built at Rs 1.32 crore and said that similar types of solar power roof tops have been installed at Khunti and Sahibganj and in the next three months similar plant would be installed at Gumla. He said that it was the result of the initiative of justice D N Patel that a solar power roof top has been installed at the Garhwa civil court.
Mr Das said that the government has started moving ahead in the area of green energy. He said that the state government was working with the aim to provide power in 32,000 villages of the state by 2018 while by 2019 the work of 2/3rd of distribution line would also be completed. He said that the state government would also work to illuminate the residential areas of urban cities like Jmashedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Deoghar before the Durga Puja.
Justie Madan B Lokur of Supreme Court of India said that it was his first visit to the district and said that he was very happy that with the intiative of the state government a solar plant has been installed which was worth lauding. He said that it would be a good intiative to hear the case here. Justice Lokur said that soon a mobile application would also be developed after which the lawyers need not maintain their diaries and they would get all the details on their homes.


"We want to maintain the positive momentum in 2017. Hence, the government needs to work harder to address a wide range of fundamental issues," she said here on Tuesday.
One of the efforts to maintain the economic performance in 2017 is to strengthen the national economic fundamentals by using fiscal instruments and policies, she added.
"If the economy has wider foundations, in terms of economic agents and sectors, we will be able to build an economy which is more resistant (to global effects)," she noted.
The government has been making efforts to improve the performance in the investment sector and government consumption, which did not contribute significantly to the 2016 economic growth, she remarked.
She stated that the investment sector, which only grew 4.48 percent last year, will become one of the target areas of improvement, because the government has issued a series of economic policy packages.
The government will also increase its spending, which contracted 0.15 percent, following its decision to adjust its spending last year, she said.
"The adjustment was needed to ensure fiscal continuity without creating a credibility problem. We are trying to prevent the government factor from becoming a factor which creates uncertainty," she pointed out.(*)


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The United National Party (UNP) has failed to agree on the symbol for the new alliance led by Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Sajith Premadasa’s camp in the UNP today insisted that the issue should be resolved soon while others said that the proposed symbol has become a joke.
UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna told reporters today that the UNP backbenchers have demanded from both sides that the issue be resolved this week.
He said that they also feel it is time Premadasa is appointed as the party leader replacing current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
However UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake said that the symbol issue within the party will be resolved by Monday.
Dissanayake said that the ‘heart symbol’ currently proposed for the new alliance has been made fun of on social media.
Dissanayake said that he will contest the next Parliamentary election only under the elephant symbol.
“The majority of the UNP Working Committee has proposed that the alliance contest under the elephant symbol. If a vote needs to be taken we can do that as well,”Dissanayake pointed out. (Colombo Gazette)


(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Following the success of its 'clean water initiative, the government in Punjab province is set to launch the major Saaf Dehat ('clean villages) Programme next month, and will run it till December in the first phase.
A meeting on solid waste management and water stocktaking presided by Minister Mashhood Ahmad approved the scheme, official sources said yesterday.
In rural Punjab, before scaling the Clean Punjab strategy province-wide, a pilot, in partnership with Unicef, was completed in Bahawalpur, Okara and Kasur districts.
The success in pilot districts like Kasur prompted the chief minister and the Punjab government to launch the 'Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Dehat Programme on a wider scale.
In the stocktaking meeting on clean water, it was discussed that the Punjab launched clean water roadmap in 2015 for improving water quality and ensuring the province's 110mn citizens had access to clean and safe drinking water.
A number of initiatives were taken, including construction of 116 water filtration plants in Bahawalpur by the Saaf Pani Company, which are now serving 350,000 people.
Two phases of community mobilisation campaigns have been carried out which have increased utilisation (from 44% to 75%) of these plants.
The government has also rehabilitated 274 dysfunctional rural water schemes at a cost of Rs730mn which has benefited 1.3mn people in the province.
During the meeting, it was discussed how the clean water roadmap had put in place a monitoring system to collect data on water quality.
Technological interventions such as Geo-tagging and monitoring dashboards have been developed and are being leveraged to ensure that accurate and reliable data is generated for effective monitoring.
The achievements in the Clean Punjab Roadmap were also discussed.
In the urban sector, waste collection is carried out through seven WMCs (waste management companies): in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
Operations of all the seven WMCs are planned to be outsourced to private international contractors to improve operations.
Two WMCs in Lahore and Rawalpindi have already been outsourced to private international contractors from Turkey Al-Bayrak and Ozpak to manage all their operations.
Similarly, outsourcing of the remaining five companies is also under process.
Two of the seven WMCs Lahore and Multan have landfill sites.
For the rest, landfills are under process and their progress was discussed in the stocktake.
The waste management companies without landfill sites have temporary disposal sites.
As for creating economic value from the collected waste, progress on installing a waste-to-energy plant was also discussed, among other alternatives.
The stocktakes are a vital part of the roadmap process, where progress and issues are discussed in a transparent, honest and constructive manner.
Important decisions are then taken with inputs from the government, the development partners DFID (the United Kingdom's Department for International Development) and others besides sector experts and stakeholders.
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The government has been asked to revise pensions paid to retired people to at least 40 per cent of the amount they receive, when reaching the retirement age.
The call to that end was made at the weekend by Secretary of Retirees in the region, John Kanyetto, in a briefing on the problems they face to Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA) director-general Irene Isaka.
He said that pension rates paid to retirees in the country were too low and that the were against international covenants under the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which stipulates that the minimum pension payment should be 40 per cent of the salary of a retiree.
Kanyetto blamed the government over failure to increase pensions. “How come other workers have their salaries increased, while our pensions are not? Just imagine, someone was a regional administrative secretary receiving 50,000/- a month," he said.
He said worse was the fact that some retirees who died even before they started receiving their pensions.
For his part, SSRA DG said she has received many complaints from retirees over delays of pensions from the different social security funds to which they channeled their contributions.
Isaka said that starting this week, a team would consult social security funds to establish the status of affair pertaining to the retirees. She said that the Authority would also evaluate the levels of pensions paid whether they reflected the ranks they held at the time of retiring.
She also said that the team would also study the 1974 and 1978 laws which retirees complained that were being violated.
For her part, SSRA director of communications Sara Msika said that the Authority was planning to conduct special campaign to educate retirees on retirement affairs.


WB projected economic growth rate of 5.7% for India in 2014-15 fiscal
World Bank has projected that the economic growth rate of India for the fiscal year 2014-2015 will be 5.7 percent.
The World Bank on 9 April 2014 projected that the economic growth rate of India for the fiscal year 2014-2015 will be 5.7 percent. In its forecast the World Bank said that the growth would be backed on the more competitive exchange rate and many large investments going forward.
World Bank in its latest edition of South Asia Economic Focus has said that the Indian conditions would be bolstered by the permanently more competitive exchange rate and progress towards clearance of important investment projects; India may see an acceleration of growth (factor costs) in financial year 2013-14 to 4.8 percent further increase to 5.7 percent during fiscal year 2014-15.
Apart from this, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its release has also forecasted that the Indian economy would recover from 4.4 percent growth in 2013 to 5.4 percent in 2014.
World Bank also said that India needs to bring in some necessary reforms to create a better environment and spur growth for private sector. According to him, the private sector strongly feels that India is a difficult place to do business due to many regulations.