By SILUMESI MALUMO
THE 2021 national budget presented by Minister of Finance Bwalya Ng’andu yesterday has been received with mixed feelings by various stakeholders.
The UPND said the budget was clearly a campaign tool ahead of the 2021 general elections.
Party spokesperson, Charles Kakoma, said Dr Ng’andu has simply allocated funds to the Patriotic Front (PF) campaigns.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Kakoma said the health sector was supposed to be given more funds to fight the pandemic but the budget had remained static.
“Under normal circumstances people expected the minister to realign the budget towards the fight against Covid -19,” he said.
But former Minister of Finance, Katele Kalumba, said the budget would address the challenges of revamping the economy.
Dr Kalumba, who expected the minister to increase the budget due to unforeseen circumstances under Covid -19, said the budget addressed issues which Zambians expected.
He said “The minister of Finance is trying to remove us from the hurricane which we are facing during this period.
“I can describe it as a budget constructed in the eye of a storm. It is the best we can do under these circumstances we are in.
The storm we are facing is not just under the Covid-19 but the recession started earlier and the minister has tried his best to move the country out from these challenges,” Dr Kalumba said.
And former deputy minister of Finance, Danny Pule, said the measures which Government had put in place would surely revamp the declining economy.
Dr Pule said, “With measures which have been put in place it will be surely possible for the economy to revamp.
Dr Pule said it was good that the minister had taken various interventions in ensuring that the economy came back to its feet.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya said the biggest challenge was Covid -19 that was the reason Dr Ng’andu had drafted necessary measures to improve the economy.
Mr Kafwaya said the Finance Minister had given hope that the economy would rebound.
Government Deputy Chief Whip Tutwa Ngulube said the message from Dr Ng’andu was clear as he had allocated funds to various sectors which would help to improve the economy.
By SILUMESI MALUMO


China has reported 11 new coronavirus cases, including five asymptomatic patients, taking the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country to 83,036, according to the health authority.
The National Health Commission (NHC) on Saturday said that no deaths related to the disease were reported.
Six new confirmed cases and five asymptomatic cases were reported, it said.
The NHC said that 236 asymptomatic cases, including 154 in Wuhan, were under medical observation.
Asymptomatic cases, also known as silent spreaders, are the patients who have tested COVID-19 positive but develop no symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat. However, they pose a risk of spreading the contagion to others.
As of Saturday, the overall confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland reached 83,036, including 70 who are being treated.
As many as 78,332 people have been discharged after recovery.
Altogether 4,634 people died of the disease in the country, the NHC added.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 30 . The activity of
Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) is
aimed at expanding the export potential of the country, Deputy
Chairman of the Board of SMBDA Samir Humbatov said on November 30
during 'Trade and Export' forum in Baku, trend reports.
According to Humbatov, the agency, along with other structures,
is implementing large-scale projects in this direction.
'Under the brand of Made in Azerbaijan, we promote the products
of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs on international markets. Over the
past period, we have demonstrated the products of over 100
entrepreneurs at 40 exhibitions,' he noted.
The deputy board chairman stressed that Azerbaijan's exports
have grown by 47 percent since the beginning of the year.
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Medical education activist Dr. Govinda KC stages a protest against House dissolution. (File photo/social media)
KATHMANDU: Medical education activist Dr. Govinda KC has said the people will take to the streets against the Supreme Court (SC) if it uploads the dissolution of the Parliament by Prime Minister KP Oli.
Addressing a civil movement organized at Maitighar on Saturday, KC said that everyone’s hopes are now dependent on the apex court and if the court upholds the dissolution, the people will take to the streets.
Dr. KC also said that the decision of Prime Minister to dissolve the Parliament was unconstitutional arguing that we had voted for a stable government.
He added that he wouldn’t remark much as the case is currently sub-judice at the apex court.


More than 75 percent of business leaders who attended the Johnson County Development Corp. annual meeting March 19 said they expect their companies to expand this year. Another 19 percent said they expect business to remain steady.
Also, 40 percent of the respondents to a poll at the meeting said they are likely to hire more employees this year, while 50 percent said their company workforce likely will stay at the same count.
Other poll results included:
- 67 percent said their businesses saw steady revenue growth in 2013, while 16.7 percent said revenue stayed the same.
- 73 percent said a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage for workers would not impact hiring or wages at their company, while 27 percent said an increase would have a negative impact.
- 56 percent said the Affordable Care Act federal health insurance reform law is having a negative impact on their company’s expenses, while 41 percent said the new law is having no impact on their expenses.
The real-time Internet poll was taken during a presentation about local and national economic indicators during the meeting at Dye’s Walk Country Club in Greenwood.


The Pew Research Poll shows 47 percent said they would vote for the GOP candidate in their district compared to 43 percent who said they'd cast a ballot for the Democratic candidate. For Republicans, those numbers represent a 3 percentage point improvement from two months ago when Democrats had a 46 percent to 44 percent edge.
Obama doing Dems no favors
The poll also shows President Barack Obama is seen by most voters as a liability to Democrats.
Sixteen percent of voters said they considered their midterm ballot a vote for the president, while 26 percent said it would be a vote against him. That's a change from 2010, when 24 percent said their congressional vote was in support of the president compared to 20 percent who said the vote was against Obama.
Sixty-five percent of voters said they want the next president to pursue different policies than the Obama administration.
The Pew poll was conducted April 23-27 with 1,501 adults.


(MENAFN) On his second day of talks in the country, Boris Johnson is set to meet with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani.
The UK foreign secretary is to keep on persisting for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to be granted freedom after her detainment since April 2016 in Tehran.
Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is likely to appear before court on new charges, as reported by James Robbins, BBC diplomatic correspondent.
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Egypt owns USD7.4bn eight petroleum projects
(MENAFN) Egyptian petroleum sector carries out eight largest petrochemicals projects with investments value USD7.4bn and whole capacities estimated at 4.5m tons per year.
Accordingly, those projects involve the petrochemicals complex of Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives firm (Ethydco) whose investments reached USD1.9bn.
Additionally, the cost of producing petrochemicals is estimated at almost USD2.4bn, while this cost was estimated at almost USD450mn before 2000.
The eight projects are located in four governorates; Port Said, Suez, Damietta and Alexandria, while the sector adopted a plan via establishing the Egyptian Petrochem Holding Co.
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Imran prostrates before graves to become PM: Kh Saad Rafique
LAHORE (92 News) – PML-N candidate from NA-131 Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that they have been divided by bifurcating the constituencies.
Addressing a public meeting on Thursday, he said that a special constituency has been created for the ‘favourite’.
“I have been inviting Imran Khan to contest against me since long. Now the people of NA-131 will teach him about the elections,” he said.
Kh Saad said that Imran moves court when they construct the Motorway. “He mounted the mountains when dengue attacked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.
He said that Imran Khan launched the campaign for a Jew mayor in London. “He prostrates before the graves to become the prime minister, which is forbidden in Islam.”
The former minister said that the PML-N eliminated terrorism and formed 20 medical colleges and universities.
He asked the people to put the stamp on the ‘Lion’ on July 25 to teach Imran Khan a lesson.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 18. The foreign
ministries of Turkmenistan and Bahrain held political consultations
in order to increase comprehensive cooperation, Trend reports citing the
Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs Berdyniyaz Myatiev, the Bahraini delegation was
headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International
Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin
Abdulla Al Khalifa.
During the consultations, the diplomats stated that the two
states successfully cooperate within the framework of reputable
international organizations, primarily the UN.
Stressing the importance of the work of the joint
intergovernmental Turkmen-Bahraini commission on economic, trade,
scientific and technical cooperation, the diplomats considered the
possibilities of expanding cooperation between the business circles
of the two countries, including attracting investments, holding
business forums, and developing partnerships in the oil and gas
The sides expressed confidence that the meetings held on a
regular basis will contribute to the further development of
mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas between Turkmenistan
and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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Blog | Feb 27, 2010 | 4:26 AMThe Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee decided this week to drop its bid to host the 2014 Super Bowl, leaving the New York-area, South Florida and Tampa in the running. Arizona???s decision to bow out has speculation rising that the...


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) AMMAN, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- Jordan and Germany signed a soft loan agreement worth 22.4 euros (USD 23.87 million), as support of Jordan's Ministry of Education in receiving Syrian students.
According to a statement published by Jordan's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Friday, the soft loan will support salaries of teachers in public schools, for the academic year 2023-2024.
The agreement was signed by Jordanian planning minister Zeina Toukan and German Reconstruction Bank and German Development Bank (KfW) Director Mark Schwiete.
The agreement is part of the education ministry's plan to provide the children of Syrian refugees with proper education, without affecting the quality of education for Jordanian students, said Toukan in a press statement.
Jordan hosts about 1.3 million Syrian refugees, half of them are registered under the UN. (end)
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- Interior minister says government has also initiated an audit inquiry against five exchange companies
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that 88 people have been arrested over hoarding US dollars, Aaj News reported.
Addressing a media briefing in Islamabad on Monday, Rashid said that a campaign has been started against the hoarding of dollars, a move that comes as Pakistan looks to arrest the rupee decline that has fallen over 11% since May this year.
Rashid said that the government has also initiated an audit inquiry against five exchange companies, adding that a desk will be established in this context on the orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Regarding the issuance of fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates, Rashid said that the FIA has been ordered to take strict action against the people involved in it.


President Muhammadu Buhari has described Boko Haram as a fraudulent plot to destabilize the country.
Buhari said this while hosting members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The President told the delegation that the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, promising that more attention will be given to the economy before the May 29 handover date
Buhari said the security had improved over the years, particularly in the Northeast where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure.
The President said during his visit to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, the people confirmed the situation got better since 2015.
“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria.
“You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually.”
Buhari told the Bishops that the government will continue to rebuild infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks.


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Personnel issues to be tackled in series of meetings
The Crosslake City Council made several personnel decisions Monday, Feb. 11, including the decision to have three public meetings to decide on the city’s direction.
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In a joint statement, Naeem-ud-Din Chaudhry Advocate, and Asif Sulehria Advocate, lawyer-leaders of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, have said that the Model Town tragedy is a blot on the face of the Punjab police. They demanded that the IG Punjab should remove the accused police officers and hold them to account for their crime of killing innocent people. They said that the IG cannot overcome crimes in the province as long as these officers are there in their positions.
The lawyer-leaders said that the police officers sprayed bullets on the innocent workers including two women on the orders of Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah in the hope of getting promotions. They said that the police force was more of a private guard than a state institution on the fateful day of June 17, 2014, and violated all civilized norms, values of humanity, and the demands of professional conduct. They said that the bullets are purchased with the taxpayers' money were fired at the people on that day.
The PAT lawyer-leaders said that unless the accused police officers are absolved of their role in the Model Town tragedy and declared innocent by the court of law, they should be separated from the government positions. They said those police officers and jawans who lay down their lives for the protection of the life, honor, and property of the people are assets of the department and pride of the nation. He said that those who choose to become instruments of their political masters and bring harm to the people are their enemies. They said that people with such background and professional misconduct should be behind bars.


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The Province is spending another $5 million dollars to expand existing mental health programs and services.
That funding will also help launch new services to support British Columbians.
Enhanced virtual services will help all people with mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The province said there will be a focus on adults, youth and front-line health care workers.
There will be better access for Indigenous communities and people in rural and remote parts of the province.
The virtual model will offer more options for people who are currently unable to access in-person supports.


The Health Ministry has requested an additional 1,899 contract medical officers to be appointed to the public healthcare system to face the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
The Health Minister said the latest developments in Kedah, Sabah and Selangor showed that additional medical officers were required.
“The ministry submitted a request to the Public Services Commission and the Finance Ministry to appoint a total of 1,899 medical officers on contract for the purpose of supporting the healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic period," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 12).
Dr Adham also said that the ministry had earlier beefed up efforts to manage the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases.
He said the ministry had taken several measures, such as mobilising medical personnel from certain states and health facilities to states and facilities low in resources.
He also said that the additional support staff the ministry had requested included research officers, nurses and laboratory technicians.
He said the request was submitted on Oct 9, in line with government approval under the Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package for the Health Ministry to increase the number of medical officers on a contract basis.
He also said that in addition to health facilities such as hospitals and clinics, additional medical officers will also be sent to quarantine centres across the country.
“They will also be deployed at the country's entry points such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport to ensure access can be managed more smoothly and efficiently," he said.
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) -- The Minnesota Department of Health reported on Thursday that 19 more people have died from COVID-19 in the state.
This comes a day after state health officials reported 29 COVID-19 deaths, the highest daily increase in deaths the Department has reported since June.
Eleven of the 19 people who died were reportedly residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities.
A total of 2,199 people have died from COVID-19 in Minnesota to date, MDH said. Health officials said 1,546 of those who died were residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities.
MDH also reported in Thursday's update that 1,169 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, through a combination of antigen and PCR tests.
Twenty-nine of the cases were reported in Olmsted County, health officials said. Find a list of how many cases have been reported in each county here.
A total of 117,106 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, including 12,024 health care workers, MDH reported. The Department said 241 of these cases were positive antigen tests, rather than PCR tests, so they are considered "probable cases."
MDH said 104,547 of those who tested positive for COVID-19 no longer need to be isolated.
Health officials also reported more than 20,500 COVID-19 tests in Thursday's update.
About 2,386,848 PCR tests and 16,963 antigen tests have been completed in the state to date, the Department said. Health officials said about 1,623,276 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Minnesota, noting that some people get tested more than once.
MDH also said a total of 8,652 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state to date. This includes 2,362 patients who have been hospitalized in the ICU.
Health experts have stated that most cases of COVID-19 do not require hospitalization.


(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette)
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today assured support, as a responsible opposition, for every positive step the Government takes.
TNA MP M.A Sumanthiran told Parliament that that the TNA will also oppose and call-out the Government if the Government takes the wrong path.
He said that most in the opposition are not in a position to place their full weight behind the new Government.
Sumanthiran said that this is mainly because the Government still has individuals who are corrupt.
The TNA MP said that unless a fundamental change is made, nothing will change.
He said that the racist elements in the Government must be totally eradicated.
Sumanthiran also said that the current Parliament has lost its mandate and so a fresh mandate is needed. (Colombo Gazette)
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At least one person was injured after a blast hit the customs intelligence office located at Quetta’s Airport Road, the police said on Sunday.
The police said that they have summoned the bomb disposal squad to determine the intensity of the blast.
A security guard said that three unidentified armed men had entered the office and held the staff hostage. He added that the men had tied the hands of the staff and issued “grave threats to them”.
The guard said that the explosion took place as soon as the unidentified men left the office.


Actor Riteish Deshmukh urged people to follow Covid protocols strictly to help curb the spread of the pandemic.
Riteish Deshmukh said that he has spoken to Akshay Kumar, who recently tested positive for Covid.
The actor said that people need to be alert, follow the lockdown & always wear masks to ensure that the pandemic does not spread further.
Mumbai has also seen considerable rise in cases in the last few weeks.
Several celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal have also tested positive recently.
Watch the full video for all the details.


Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that there was a national government in Pakistan and the incompetent were out of the government.
Addressing a conference organized in memory of Shaikh-ul-Quran Wal Hadith Maulana Qazi Abdul Salam in Lower Dir, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the country’s economy was getting hit at this time and it was being said that one party could not fix that.
The JUI chief said that the government in the federation was a national government and the same party was outside the national government which was responsible for the destruction of the economy. He said that the incompetent were out. He said that if they were eligible then they would have felt the need that they should also be there.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that political stability was not allowed in Pakistan and economic instability was created during the incoming government as a result of the 2018 elections. He said that the country was financially bankrupt under Imran’s government
He further said that they supported the country’s economic sinking boat and within six months brought Pakistan to the white list. He said that for the first time they convinced the government that the decision of the Federal Sharia Court will be implemented after which the government banks decided to withdraw the decision against the Sharia court.


An Indian government official has said that Father Tom Uzhunnalil had been warned not to visit Yemen, where he was kidnapped last March.
The Indian missionary priest “went to Yemen ignoring the government’s
instructions,” said M. J. Akbar, the minister of state for foreign
Akbar said that the Indian government is seeking his release,
but has been unable to ascertain where he is and who is holding him in
A video in which Father Uzhunnalil pleads for help was released late
The priest, who said that his health was deteriorating,
criticized the government of India for failing to secure his release.


Aide to US State Secretary Derek Cholet has said that US does not want Pakistan to choose between it and China, adding however that the nations in good relations with China were not going to end well.
In an interview to a local media organization, Derek Cholet said that the US wants a fair competition with China and that it was not afraid of the competition.
Cholet also said in an interview that Washington wanted a strong relationship with Islamabad although it had honest differences with India and Pakistan. Cholet, refusing the allegation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding the involvement of US in toppling his government, said that they were not true and were baseless.
He said that Biden administration had already announced assistance of $30 million for flood devastation and was willing to do more. He added that the recent floods have been worse than 2010 floods that was due to climate cataclysm. He also told that the US would work with the United Nations (UN) in raising $160 million for flood affectees.
Pakistan being one of the largest Muslim countries is critically important to US. US and Pakistan have been in strong and robust business relationship and US was interested in growing it further, he added.
Cholet further said that US has a relationship with every country and its perspective for working with Pakistan was to work through the differences. He further said that both US and Pakistan were going to stick to principles.
He said that the US was committed to find ways to work with China on shared interests but China pulled out.


Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has flagged lower wage growth as the jobless rate soars during the coronavirus recession.
Treasury’s economic update predicts the unemployment rate will peak at 9.25 per cent, sending a further 240,000 Australians into the dole queue.
Senator Cormann said there was a high level of uncertainty in the global and domestic outlook.
“Clearly when the unemployment rate goes up, wages growth will be less,” he told the ABC on Friday.
“There is likely to be lower wages growth at a time of comparatively higher unemployment but there’s also going to be a lower rise in cost pressures.”
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus said sluggish wage increases were already an issue before the pandemic.
She believes the government and the public should open their wallets to stimulate the economy during the downturn.
“Everyone that does have a job and does have a secure job, they’ve got an obligation to spend their money because that’s going to support jobs,” Ms McManus told the ABC.
Unions are also calling for paid pandemic leave to allow workers to isolate without financial penalty.
“That is one way of controlling the virus because people know that they can safely isolate and they’re going to be supported, they won’t lose their pay,” Ms McManus said.
The budget update also revealed the country has plunged more than $850 billion into debt and will be $184.5 billion in deficit by the end of this financial year.
Leading credit agencies Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s don’t expect the economic beating to jeopardise Australia’s AAA rating.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will outline the size of the economic task ahead in a speech to the National Press Club on Friday.
Mr Frydenberg argues the government will need to enable growth to help the country emerge from the fiscal ruins.
“This time, while we will continue to provide fiscal support through the crisis, sustainable growth will only come from creating the most dynamic and flexible economy we possibly can,” he is expected to say.
Labor accused the government of failing the 240,000 people who will find themselves out of work in the coming months.
“A crisis of this magnitude requires the government to step in to support people and to support their jobs,” shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said.


Suit charging bullying dismissed
WINCHESTER — A lawsuit alleging that the city school system failed to protect two disabled Handley High School students from bullying and intimidation has been dismissed.
Judge B. Waugh Crigler…
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Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia asked the government to give the opposition the opportunity to send an observer during high-level government briefings on the coronavirus outbreak in Parliament today.
But this request was turned down by Health Minister Chris Fearne, who said that inviting an opposition member to Cabinet meetings was not an option
Nevertheless, Fearne emphasised that he was already contacting the opposition’s health spokesman – MP Stephen Spiteri – daily, to explain local and international developments.
He added that he was happy to continue doing so, and to receive any suggestions that the opposition would wish to make.
Delia had asked whether the government would be making a ministerial statement, since today’s sitting was the first to take place after Malta recorded its first Covid-19 cases.
Fearne said that he would not at this stage, though he emphasised that he was regularly keeping the public informed through media appearances.


Independent MP Zali Steggall has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to “step up” as she is set to introduce a climate change bill to adopt a position of net zero emissions by 2050.
“At the moment we have the handbrake firmly on and the people that will pay the price for that will be the Australians,” Ms Steggall said.
“We will be the pariah of the international community.”
The bill was initially slated for earlier this year but was put on hold due to COVID19.
It will also establish a Climate Change Commission.
“With that Climate Change Commission we can have independent reporting, clear reporting, so the Australian public can have confidence that the government is addressing the risk at hand,” she said.
Ms Steggall is supported by other crossbenchers and the Greens.


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(MENAFN) The United Kingdom is going to see " astronomical " levels of inflation next year, and households would struggle in the face of the persistent cost-of-living problem, according to a research published in The Guardian on Wednesday.
According to a prediction from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, rising gas and food costs would cause inflation to reach 11 percent by the end of the year (NIESR). According to the official statistics for June, inflation was at 9.4 percent, the highest level since February 1982.
According to Stephen Millard, deputy director of NIESR, there is going to be "no respite" from the "astronomical inflation" affecting British people and corporations, and the Bank of England would need to raise interest rates "up at the 3 percent mark " to reduce it.
According to Millard, the nation is also going to experience a protracted recession and its GDP would decrease for three consecutive quarters.
Currently, the Bank of England base rate is 1.25 percent. In an effort to keep inflation under control, it was raised from 1 percent in June. On Thursday, the regulator is predicted to boost interest rates by an additional 50 basis points, which may make it the biggest single rise since 1995.
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Leader: Islamic Revolution altered culture of infatuation with the West
(MENAFN) President of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei welcomed the associates of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking around gathering joined by leader Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Khamenei took a strike at those who are devoted to Western culture.
The Islamic Revolution believed the culture of "infatuation with the West" and even the use of foreign words to be additional false cultural statement ruling the society, and the Islamic Revolution altered this false declaration and turned it into a culture of "objection to the West", the president commented.
In the gathering, the President highlighted the necessity for the “revolutionary reconstruction of the country’s cultural structure,” as reported by state news IRNA.
“The Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution should provide scientific solutions for the spread of correct and forward-moving statements by observing and knowing the weaknesses and false statements of culture in different fields,” Ayatollah Khamenei recommended.
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Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Alyn Smith has called on the European Union (EU) to offer a “lifeboat” to the UK from the “wreckage” of Brexit, which he said has caused economic and social damage to the country. Smith, who is also the president of the European Free Alliance (EFA), a political group that represents regionalist and nationalist parties in Europe, made the remarks in an opinion piece published by The National, a Scottish pro-independence newspaper.
Brexit has been a “nightmare” for the UK
Smith argued that Brexit has been a “nightmare” for the UK, especially for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum. He said that Brexit has resulted in trade barriers, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, higher prices, lower standards, and loss of rights and opportunities for the UK citizens. He also accused the UK government of being “dishonest” and “incompetent” in handling the Brexit negotiations and the post-Brexit situation.
Smith said that the UK’s decision to leave the EU was based on “lies” and “false promises” by the Leave campaign, which he said exploited the “fear and anger” of the people who felt left behind by the globalisation and the austerity policies. He said that the Leave campaign also ignored the “diverse and complex” realities of the UK, which is composed of four nations with different histories, cultures, and aspirations.
Smith said that Brexit has exposed the “deep flaws” and “democratic deficit” of the UK’s constitutional system, which he said does not respect the will and the interests of the devolved nations, especially Scotland and Northern Ireland. He said that the UK government has imposed a “hard Brexit” on Scotland against its wishes, and has undermined the devolution settlement and the Good Friday Agreement, which are the foundations of peace and stability in the UK.
EU is the “best hope” for the UK’s future
Smith said that the EU is the “best hope” for the UK’s future, as it represents a “community of values” and a “force for good” in the world. He said that the EU is based on the principles of democracy, human rights, rule of law, solidarity, cooperation, and diversity, which are the “antidote” to the “nationalism, populism, and isolationism” that drove Brexit. He said that the EU also offers a “model of integration” and a “platform of influence” that can help the UK address the common challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, such as climate change, digital transformation, migration, security, and development.
Smith said that the EU should not abandon the UK, but rather offer a “lifeboat” to the UK from the “wreckage” of Brexit. He said that the EU should maintain a “close and constructive” relationship with the UK, and support the efforts of the pro-EU and pro-independence movements in Scotland and Northern Ireland to rejoin the EU. He said that the EU should also welcome the “European citizens” in the UK who want to retain their EU rights and benefits, and provide them with “practical and moral” support.
Smith said that the EU should also be “open and flexible” to the possibility of a “reformed and renewed” UK that may want to rejoin the EU in the future. He said that the EU should not close the door to the UK, but rather keep the “light on” for the UK, and encourage the UK to reconsider its decision and to “come back home” to the EU.
Scotland and Northern Ireland deserve a “choice” on their future
Smith said that Scotland and Northern Ireland deserve a “choice” on their future, as they have been “dragged out” of the EU against their will by the UK government. He said that Scotland and Northern Ireland have the “right” to decide whether they want to remain in the UK or to become independent and rejoin the EU. He said that the UK government should respect the democratic mandate of the Scottish and Northern Irish people, and allow them to hold referendums on their constitutional status.
Smith said that he supports the independence of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as he believes that they would be better off as “sovereign and equal” members of the EU, rather than as “subordinate and ignored” parts of the UK. He said that he hopes that Scotland and Northern Ireland will soon join the EU as “new states”, and contribute to the “European project” of peace, prosperity, and progress. He said that he also hopes that the UK will eventually realise its “mistake” and rejoin the EU as a “friend and partner”.
Smith said that he is confident that the EU will welcome Scotland and Northern Ireland with “open arms” and “warm hearts”, as they share the same “vision and values” as the EU. He said that he is also confident that the EU will be “ready and willing” to help the UK to “heal and rebuild” after Brexit, and to restore the “fraternal and fruitful” ties between the UK and the EU.


Karachi: Provincial Minister for Information and Transport, having also heading the relief activities in Sindh Sharjeel Inam Memon has apprised that as many as 1, 95,000 people are existing the relief camps.
In his statement today, the head of relief work in the province said that the relief activities for flood affected people are continued in the province.
Sharjeel Memon informed that more 24,600 families were distributed the ration bags. Besides, he further apprised that 440 tents and 3000 mosquito nets were also provided to the flood affected persons.
He said that flood affected people staying in the relief camps are being provided food, drink and health facilities


The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that 85 per cent of the Value Added Tax to be raised in the 2020 budget will go back to the states and local governments areas to take care of salaries and infrastructure investment.
According to him, the remaining 15 per cent will go to the Federal Government for the development of infrastructure.
The minister, who disclosed this in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja on Thursday, described the 2020 appropriation bill as pro-people and pro-state.
He stated that the bill would drive development of the states and enhance the well-being of citizens, as he charged the general public to look more at the content of the bill rather than the numbers.
Fashola therefore stressed that the bill would grow the economy, raise money and not hurt people through unfavorable tax regimes. Copyright PUNCH.


BOGOR February 9 2015— The Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) in West Java predicts thousands hectare of agricultural land in the province will be eroded due to the plan to establish 25000 units of low cost house which will be built by the housing developer this year.
The development of 25 000 units of house is a form of contribution of West Java in supporting the government program to provide a million houses to reduce the backlog which reaches 13.5 million units.
“The developer of low cost house will use the agricultural land because it’s the only land which is easy to be worked by them” Chairman of HKTI in West Java Entang Sastraatmadja told Indonesia Business Daily Saturday (2/8/2015).
He asks the provincial government of West Java and the developer to revise the plan which will use the agricultural land as location for the house development.
He insists that the developer and the Provincial Government of West Java actually have to support the food self sufficiency program initiated by the current government by extend the agricultural land in some areas in West Java.
“It will be impossible to reach the food self-sufficiency target if the agricultural land is used up for the settlement area. This is something that has to be considered by the entire parties” he said.
According to him the district/city government is also expected to revise the licensing for horizontal housing due to the continuous land conversion.
Entang explained that within the last few years the farmers in West Java were still facing various obstacles in developing the agricultural product due to the land conversion.
He cited the land conversion occurred in District of Bogor last year which reduce almost 2500 hectares of land which caused the lack of land and bad quality of agricultural product. Read more...
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(MENAFN) After the recent double suicide attack that killed 11 people on Monday, the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Baghdad, Iraq.
The extremist group says two suicide bombers on Monday targeted Shi'ites in Baghdad's southeastern suburb of Nahrawan, they said in an online statement issued on Tuesday.
IS has carried out insurgent-style attacks in Iraq as the extremists have slowly lost territory across the country over the past three years.
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Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that people aged 60 and older will receive a third Covid-19 vaccine dose to boost their immunity.
The health ministry said it had started giving booster shots to high-risk people, including those who have had organ transplants and kidney failure.
Saudi Arabia has administered more than 41 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to date.
“We are currently preparing to include older adults in the booster dose plan, which will be provided after they complete eight months from their second dose of the vaccine,” said health ministry spokesman Dr Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly.
The health ministry urged everyone to take the vaccine, saying “it will help us through the coming phase in confronting the pandemic which is, hopefully, the final stage with the virus”.
Daily Covid-19 cases in Saudi Arabia have dropped to below 50 in the past two days, the ministry reported.
On Sunday, 44 new cases and five new Covid-19 related deaths were reported.
The total number of coronavirus infections in the country has reached 546,926, with 535,950 recoveries to date.
More than 231.57 million people have been reported to be infected by coronavirus globally and 4,949,727 have died, state media reported on Sunday.


President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the naira won’t be devalued.
He was quoted as saying that Nigeria could not afford to devalue its currency because the country imports everything, including toothpicks.
He said, “Developed countries are competing among themselves and when they devalue they compete better and manufacture and export more.
“But we are not competing and exporting but importing everything including toothpicks. So, why should we devalue our currency?
The President also stressed that the focus of his administration would be to ensure that the nation is food sufficient and would encourage local production and efficiency before exportation of goods.
“We want to be more productive and self-sufficient in food and other basic things such as clothing.
“For our government, we like to encourage local production and efficiency.” he said


Council OKs rezone for housing project
WINCHESTER — The city has a place for Cedar Creek Place.
That was the message City Council members sent Tuesday night, voting 9-0 to approve a 7.7-acre rezoning to allow the up to 132-unit…
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Kapata warns squatters on public property
By KETRA KALUNGA
ALL infrastructure built on public property will be demolished without compensation, Minister of Lands and Natural resources, Jean Kapata has warned.
Ms Kapata said the government would not tolerate any illegality such as encroachments on public property which have become rampant.
She warned in an interview that those who have built on public property such as schools amd health facilities were doing it at their own peril.
“Let me warn tham that they are encroaching on public property and are doing it at their own peril, we are going to make sure that those infrastructures built on public schools and clinics are demolished without compensation,” she said.
And Ms Kapata has urged all government institutions to apply for land title as the government is in the process of carrying out the land titling exercise.
She said the government institutions should take advantage of the land titling programme to protect their land from encroachment.
The minister explained that encroachment on public property would be a thing of the past once all public institutions are put on title.
“We are on record as a ministry of having told government institutions that all infrastructure such as ministries of Health, Education should apply for land title to protect their land from encroachments,” Ms Kapata said.


Doda: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party Friday said the performance of the NC-Congress coalition in Jammu and Kashmir during the last five years has been the worst for any dispensation.
“While on day-to-day governance, there has been a complete failure, even in natural disasters the government has failed to respond,” PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said at party workers’ meetings in the district.
Mehbooba said the response to earthquakes in the Chinab Valley has not only resulted in huge loss to the people, but left deep scars in their psyche because the government failed even to reach them.
She said the Chief Minister, who could not find time to visit the area even once, is now asking the people to vote for the ruling alliance.
“It is natural that his participation in the campaigning is proving a huge liability for the UPA,” she said.
The PDP leader said NC’s “mis-governance and corruption” will lead to the defeat of NC and Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha elections in the state.


Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry Undersecretary arrives in Pakistan
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Islamabad, Jumada II 20, 1439, March 08, 2018, SPA -- Undersecretary of Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Ghannam Al-Ghannam arrived today in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to head the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation to the 24th International Conference of Ahl al-Hadeeth Society in the city of Lahore scheduled for today and tomorrow under the title "The role of Pakistan in Defining the Status of the Two Holy Mosques and Defending Them".
Sheikh Al-Ghannam said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the conference is an embodiment of the sincere feelings of Pakistanis towards the Two Holy Mosques.
14:56 LOCAL TIME 11:56 GMT
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(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, by February 24, the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Meloni said this at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday as part of her visit to Germany, Ukrinform reports, citing ansa .
'I will be in Kyiv before (the first anniversary of the start of the war on) February 24),' Meloni said.
She said there was 'strong synergy between Italy and Germany' on Ukraine, saying the two nations had worked to support 'Kyiv's self-defense' and would 'continue to do so as long as necessary.'
Meloni also said that Italy was working with France to help Ukraine with missile defense.
'We have reached our sixth package of aid,' she added.
Meloni earlier said she planned to visit Ukraine in early 2023.
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(MENAFN) The Moody's ratings agency has approved the island's Caa3 credit rating, raising its outlook for Cyprus to positive, according to Arab News
The strong raising of the outlook resulted from a higher-than-expected economic performance in 2013
Moody's said that the country's middle-range junk bond status was being confirmed because of "the persistent risks that remain to Cyprus's public finances and their sustainability over the medium term as a result of significant uncertainties to the prospects for the macroeconomy and banking sector.
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Work begins on new elementary school
A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of the new elementary school on County Road 46 Friday afternoon.
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(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
KONYA, Türkiye, August 13. Azerbaijan won 10
medals on the fourth day of the V Islamic Solidarity Games,
Thus, the total number of medals won by the Azerbaijani national
team at the Games so far reached 35 (nine gold, 12 silver and 14
Azerbaijan ranks fifth among the 56 participating countries.
Türkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan are in the
top five. Totally, 39 of the 56 participating countries won medals
The V Islamic Solidarity Games are taking place in Konya,
Türkiye, from August 9 through August 18.
In total, athletes from 56 countries of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation are participating in the games. The
competitions are held at 14 venues in Konya. According to the
results of the competitions, 355 medals will be awarded to
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Two patients who tested positive for coronavirus in Kwara State have recovered and have been discharged, an official said.
The two were discharged on Thursday after testing negative for the pandemic twice.
This was first disclosed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on new media, Fafoluyi Olayinka, on Thursday morning.
He also noted that the state has procured more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers to aid the fight against the spread of coronavirus in the state.
“The welfare of health workers who are in the frontline of the fight against the spread of the deadly virus is of importance to the state government, more reason why the government had to fast track the procurement of more protective gears to guarantee the safety of health workers.” Mr Olayinka wrote on Twitter.
This is coming days after some health workers in the state protested the poor welfare condition of their colleagues who are the frontline of treating the pandemic.
As at the time of filing this, the state has two active cases of COVID-19 following the recovery of its first two cases.
So far, Nigeria has recorded 407 cases of the disease in 19 states and the FCT. While 128 patients have been discharged in total, 12 deaths have been recorded.


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Story | Dec 4, 2013 | 4:10 PMThe World Affairs Council of CT will hold a program on global energy security and the environment on Dec. 3 in Hartford at 6:30 p.m. The program will feature CT DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and WNPR's John Dankosky.


LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Seven more Los Angeles Police Department employees and three more Los Angeles Fire Department employees tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The news comes the day after LAPD announced three additional employees had tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 15 confirmed cases within the department.
“The Department has strict protocols for any employee who experiences symptoms of the virus,” LAPD said in a previous release. “They are instructed to go home and their workspaces are sanitized.”
In total, LAPD now has 22 employees who have tested positive for the virus and LAFD has five employees diagnosed with the illness.
Nearly 80 LAFD personnel have been tested for coronavirus in the past week, according to LAFD spokesman Nicholas Prange.
A release from the city said all of the individuals were quarantined at home and recovering.


BY JEFFREY ELAPA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has called on the Hela leaders to put away their difference for the benefit of the people.
He said Hela was an important province and the Government treats Hela just like Bougainville and called on the leaders led by Anderson Agiru and Francis Potape to resolve their political differences because they have a responsibility to the people.
He said whatever difference now facing the province has to be resolved and he wanted the courts to be the last resort although the court had to do its part to put to rest the tussle.
Mr O’Neill said Hela and Southern Highlands supported the economy of the country for the last 25 years but there was nothing to show for on the ground in the provinces.
“There is not even on single sealed road in the province.”
He said the two provinces will further support the economy of the country through the PNGLNG project and therefore the state has to honor its commitments for them.
He said as per the UBSA Kokopo agreement, the 200km road from Mendi to Komo and on to Koroba will be funded through the infrastructure development grants.
He said the people are sacrificing the infrastructure development grants to rebuild the roads after being neglected for a long time.
He said the province expects huge changes and the leaders’ issues must be resolved quickly.


Addressing Wednesday’s daily press conference about Macau’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Lei Tak Fai, who heads the Public Relations Division of the Public Security Police (PSP), said that two more people – a local resident and a non-resident worker from Nepal – have been found to have breached home quarantine rules, and the two case have been transferred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP) for further investigation.
The Public Security Police said on Tuesday that three people – two local residents and a non-resident worker from Indonesia – had been found to have breached quarantine rules. The two local residents who were undergoing home quarantine had been found to have left their respective homes by police officers during a spot check, while the Indonesian non-resident worker who was under medical observation at a designated hotel had been found by the police to have left the guestroom to get food and daily necessities. The police said on Tuesday that the three cases had been transferred to the Public Prosecution Office for further investigation.
During Wednesday’s press conference at the Health Bureau (SSM) adjacent to the public Conde de S. Januário Hospital Centre, Lei said that the two new cases were detected on Tuesday by police officers during a spot check. According to Lei, the police found that the local resident, whose gender was not revealed, was not staying in an address that he or she had told the authorities. Lei said that the police found that the address that the male Nepalese non-resident worker had told the authorities was not a genuine one, after which police officers managed to contact the man, who admitted that he failed to undergo his quarantine in line with the official guidelines and admitted that he had been out and about.
So far, the police have caught 5 quarantine skippers
The government has pointed out that those in quarantine found to have breached their official quarantine rules will be held criminally responsible. Those in home quarantine found to have breached the official quarantine requirements will be moved to mandatory quarantine at a designated place arranged by the authorities.
SSM Control of Communicable Diseases and Surveillance of Diseases Department Coordinator Leong Iek Hou said on Wednesday that her bureau has ordered the five people to stay under medical surveillance at designated places. Leong said that four of them have been moved to mandatory quarantine at designated hotels, while one of them, whom she did not identify, has already left Macau and gone to Zhuhai.
The local government has pointed out that quarantine skippers face a prison term of up to six months.
Leong said that the Zhuhai authorities have informed the local authorities that the person has gone into quarantine at a designated place there.


Many in Demand Jobs in the Coming Days
The advanced level of technology has enabled people to ensure that they have conducted the activities that they have in an effective manner. It is the best way for us to gain access to modern appliances that are well enhanced to offer their services in the best way. Having a website is among the most effective way for firms to serve the clients that they have in the best way. The ability for firms to be able to get to their clients from all parts of the world is what has enabled them to ensure that they have a website. People will be in a position to ensure that they have achieved a better way of living through their ability to access products that are of the best quality.
The technological changes that we are able to experience is something that has enabled people to ensure that they have gained many benefits. It is from the websites that we have that we are assured of achieving these gains. There are various jobs that will be in great demand in the coming days. There are various websites that people need for the to see to it that they have ensured that they are aware of these opportunities by going through these websites. Engineering is among these jobs that will be greatly needed in the near future.
Being an engineer implies that we have some qualifications, things that we all need to ensure that we have achieved. The advanced level of technology has enabled people to ensure that they have some engineering skills that will enable them to develop more complex appliances, something that we have to check it out! It is something that we all need to see to it that we are able to enhance our creativity in all the activities that we are able to conduct, meaning that we are able to conduct them in an effective manner.
People will also be in a position to see to it that they have had enhanced job security that they all need to see to it that they have the issues that they face in a more effective manner. Ensure that you view here to get the need for you to have some skills in all the activities that we are engaged in. It is also when we have these skills that we will be in a position to ensure that we have attained other enhanced gains. This is what we all need to be aware of for us to see to it that we have accessed all the skills that we need to ensure that we have enhanced a comfortable way of living. This is all we need for us to ensure that we have enjoyed the best job security.


Ponda: Sports Minister Govind Gaude on Tuesday said that the players participating in the national and international tournaments will be given job in the government service under the reservation quota.
Gaude said that all the departments will be asked to employ the sportsmen under the reserved quota to encourage more youths to take sports as their career.
The minister was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the coaches from Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and Physical Training teachers from various high schools and higher secondary schools.
“I have told the teachers and coaches to assure the sportsmen, on behalf of the state government, that those who play for national and international tournaments will be given a job in the government set up,” Gaude said.
The minister said that he has also asked the High School teachers to spot talent in the students who are in pre-primary school and tutor them. “Sports is an inborn talent and it is the duty of the teacher to nurture it,” he said.
Gaude said that the teachers have also been asked to visit the homes of the sportsmen students and convince their parents against the negative image which is usually portrayed about Sports as a career.
He said that his department is working towards drafting a Vision Document for Sports in Goa which will include the formation of Sports Science University. Gaude said that Prime Minister’s initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India are encouraging the younger generation.
Gaude said that the state government has been working towards setting up a Sports Academy in the state from next month onwards.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 30. Azerbaijan Caspian
Shipping Company (ASCO) delivered cargo to the Baku Hovsan
International Sea Trade Port via the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (TITR) for the first time, the ASCO told Trend .
The cargo has been brought to the port by the 'Maestro Niyazi'
vessel, which is part of the shipping company's fleet.
'The cargo ship arriving from the Kazakh Aktau port transshipped
140 20-foot containers to the Port of Hovsan. The container ship is
currently being unloaded at the port,' said the statement.
- Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company
- Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
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(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar University Young Scientists Centre (QU-YSC) has launched the 20th cycle of the 'I am a researcher' programme. Qatari students from grades 10, 11, and 12 from Jassim Bin Hamad Secondary School for Boys, Qatar School of Banking and Business Administration for Boys, Zubaydah Secondary School for Girls, and Al-Arqam Academy for Girls are participating. The programme aims to encourage high school students to innovate, undertake creative initiatives, and applied research aligning with Qatar's National Vision 2030. This cycle includes six scientific research from various fields, including chemistry and materials sciences, earth and environmental sciences, biomedicine, engineering, and other scientific fields.
QU-YSC director Prof Noora Jabor al-Thani thanked the efforts of the centre's partners: Unesco Doha Office and Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science.
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Prime Minister PM Imran Khan on Wednesday said that a committee will be formed immediately to make progress on giving provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region.
According to the details, Imran Khan attended the oath-taking ceremony of cabinet members. GB governor administered oaths to the newly-elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA).
During his address to the cabinet, he said that the PTI government is well aware of the problems being faced by the people of the GB. He added that all the issues will be addressed to provide maximum relief to the people.
Imran Khan said that the government has also planned to bring health insurance in Gilgit Baltistan that will facilitate the poor and low-income people.
PM also added that the government will Ehsaas programme and boost tourism in the region for the welfare of the people
The Prime Minister also said that people have the right and authority to take decisions for their future. He said that no one could accurately measure the suitability of projects for a specific region while sitting in Islamabad and the region’s representatives will recommend fruitful projects as per their requirements.
While criticizing the opposition leaders, including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairperson Asif Zardari, the Premier said that the corrupt mafia does not care about the country but is just busy in political underscoring, to save their looted wealth.
“We have seen how Allah’s wrath has destroyed them. They are facing humiliation everywhere in their lives.”
Imran Khan also commented on the interview of former finance minister Ishaq Dar. Imran Khan said that Ishaq Dar was roasted as his lies was being unveiled one by one by BBC Anchor.


Lahore—Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters of mutual interest and various projects in energy sector here Sunday.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said that sincere efforts were made for overcoming energy crisis during two and a half years and work was being carried out on energy projects throughout the country including Punjab. He said that under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), 36 billion dollars were being spent on the projects of energy sector and work was continuing on various projects in Punjab round the clock.
The Chief Minister said that Chinese President had visited Pakistan in April last year and agreements on projects were signed under CPEC and work was started on these projects in September and now these projects were forwarding to completion. The Chief Minister said that under CPEC, coal, solar, wind and hydel power projects were being set up all over the country whereas projects in communication, transport and infrastructure were also being executed.
He said that speedy implementation of projects after signing of agreements under the CPEC was unprecedented. He said that 2.8 billion dollars investment was being made on 1320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal whereas 1320 megawatt coal power plant project was being set up with same cost at Port Qasim.
Shehbaz Sharif said that China had also invested in 900 megawatt solar power project in Bahawalpur. He said that 3600 megawatt gas-based projects were also being forwarded speedily in Punjab.
He said that problem of shortage of electricity would be resolved with the investment of 36 billion dollars in energy projects by China under the CPEC. He said that previous rulers had committed loot and plunder in development projects and a number of corruption scams also came fore.


After failed US effort to kidnap oil shipment, Iranian vessel will return
(MENAFN) According to the Iranian Embassy in Greece, an Iranian oil ship is about to return home after an American effort to seize its cargo in compliance with Washington's sanctions against the Islamic Republic was unsuccessful.
“The operation involving transfer of Iran’s stolen oil [back] to the Lana vessel is underway in Greece’s waters, and the vessel will soon head [back] to the country (Iran) with its complete cargo of oil,” the diplomatic mission stated through Twitter on Friday.
In April, the vessel was seized by Greek officials, who then turned over its oil cargo to an American tanker.
The action was taken as a way for Athens to uphold the sanctions that Washington reinstated against Tehran in 2018 after pulling out of a historic agreement between the Islamic Republic and other international parties.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to the development by summoning the Greek chargé d'affaires in Tehran in May and conveying to the diplomat the Islamic Republic's "strong dissatisfaction" about the situation.
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More than 7,000 Shetlanders have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 jab.
NHS Shetland health board chairman Gary Robinson said he was “delighted” to make the announcement at today’s board meeting.
As of yesterday (Monday) morning, 7,041 people had received their first vaccination – equivalent to 37.6 per cent of the adult population.
“Whilst we know there remains no room for complacency and continue to follow all the public health guidance it’s encouraging that some of the most vulnerable members of the community and frontline health and care staff, will have a level of protection from risk of serious illness or death,” he said.
He said the number of people receiving their first dose was expected to slow slightly in the coming weeks, as the move to the second doses begins.
“But we really are in a good position to feel optimistic for the months ahead,” he said.


No public recommendations added yet.
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EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan meets Qatar''s Ambassador
(MENAFN - The Peninsula)
Brussels: European Union Special Envoy for Afghanistan H E Thomas Nickolson met yesterday with Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and head of Qatar’s missions to the European Union and the NATO H E Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi.
During the meeting, they reviewed the efforts of the State of Qatar and its serious mediation to achieve peace in Afghanistan.
The meeting affirmed that Qatar’s sincere endeavors to support the peace process in Afghanistan are a reflection of its firm foreign policy, which attaches importance to the peaceful settlement of disputes, mediation and international cooperation.
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The report compiled by an expert committee appointed by the Government to review the agreement was presented to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Cabinet co-spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said that the Government will be transparent in its decision with regards to the agreement.
He said that the the preliminary report by the expert committee had proposed that the agreement not be signed in its current form.
Gunawardena said that with the final report now received the Government will decide the next step based on the recommendations in the report.
The expert committee was headed by Professor Lalithasiri Gunarunwan. (Colombo Gazette)


BBC runs £36m over budget in spending on its websites
The BBC has spent almost £36 million more than planned running its family of websites in the past year, it was disclosed yesterday.
The site had a budget of £74.2 million but spent £110 million at a time when commercial rivals are already complaining about the impact that the public broadcaster is having on their businesses.
The budget overspill, uncovered by the BBC Trust, the corporation’s regulator, was described by that body as “a serious breach” that stems from “a lack of financial accountability” in the way that BBC websites are run.
Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said that the review showed that “significant changes were needed to the way bbc.co.uk is run” and said that he expected the corporation to cut back its


(MENAFN- PR Newswire)
DALLAS, Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII ) today announced that CEO Alok Maskara is scheduled to present at the Jefferies Industrials Conference in New York on Tuesday, August 9. Joe Reitmeier, CFO, and Gary Bedard, President and COO of the Refrigeration business segment, also will be attending the conference. Presentation materials and a live webcast beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time that day can be accessed on the company's website at .
About Lennox International
Lennox International Inc. is a global leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Lennox International stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol LII. Additional information on Lennox International is available at or by contacting Steve Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 972-497-6670.
SOURCE Lennox International Inc.
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(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 22
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Azerbaijan and Iran exchanged views on the implementation of joint military projects, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Iran told Trend .
Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Alizada met with Iranian Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani.
During the meeting, the sides stressed that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran pay special attention to bilateral relations and and hailed the close ties between the two countries.
They also stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in all areas as friendly and close neighbors, and touched upon military and military-technical cooperation.
The sides also exchanged views on the prospects of strengthening effective cooperation, including the organization of mutual visits, expansion of information exchange and implementation of joint projects.
Follow the author on Twitter: @BaghishovElnur
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Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said the majority of arrests at the Camp for Climate Action were for obstruction and public order offences.
But he said that there were also a number of people at the camp in fields close to Kingsnorth power station near Hoo, Kent, who were arrested for more serious offences such as assaulting police officers and possessing bladed instruments.
He said that while the majority of protesters were peaceful and law abiding, a number of people were "intent on causing trouble."
He said: "While there were those involved in the protest who were sensible and responsible, there were also those clearly intent on breaking into the power station to shut it down."
Four people were arrested after they managed to get inside the power station during a mass day of action on Saturday, and a further 19 climbed over the perimeter fence but a spokesman for E.ON, which owns the plant, said the protesters had not affected its power output.
Mr Beautridge denied claims from protesters of heavy-handedness among some of the 1,400 police officers from 26 forces who were deployed to the camp over the past week.
"Our policy was that policing was proportionate to this threat" he said. "The decision to deploy specialist units including dogs and horses is always considered carefully. Because of the level of resistance, officers were authorised to carry batons during two days of the protest.
"There are strict legal standards for their use and we gave clear warnings when any specialist team was deployed, which is our policy. Those intent on breaking the law had the choice and opportunity to stop."
But a spokesman for the Climate Camp said that there had been "widespread condemnation" of tactics used by police during the event. Kevin Smith said: "Our legal team are going to be exhausting every possible channel for holding the police accountable for the draconian use of stop and search measures, for the things they confiscated, and for their violent incursions on to the camp."


China’s Economy Hums Along
As the U.S. struggles to recover its footing due to the economic crisis, China is expecting yet another stellar year as it reports that the country’s economy is on track to reach its target of 8 percent GDP growth this year. — JCL
Wait, before you go…
China has said it is on track to hit its growth target of 8% this year, after the economy grew 8.9% from a year ago in the third quarter.
The figure is up from the 7.9% rate seen in the previous quarter and is the country’s fastest GDP growth since the third quarter of last year.
Separate reports show that industrial production and retail sales also accelerated in September.
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(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 25
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will discuss the situation in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region within the 28th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during a weekly briefing, Trend reports.
Lavrov plans to take part in the 28th Ministerial Council of the OSCE in Stockholm on December 2-3.
The results and prospects of the OSCE's activity in the military-political, economic-ecological and humanitarian dimensions of security, as well as the issues of assistance in resolving conflicts in the OSCE area, as well as in the Karabakh region, will be discussed.
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President William Ruto has said the government will strengthen the Housing Fund to allow more Kenyans to own homes.
The President said the government wants low-income earners to take up the units offered by the affordable housing programme.
He revealed that Kenyans will contribute three percent of their income to kick-start their journey of owning a house.
“Every employee who contributes three percent, their employer will also contribute three percent to the Housing kitty,” he explained.
He spoke during church serving and the official opening of Friends Church (Quakers) Donholm, Nairobi.
The President said the government will lead by example and ensure civil servants benefit from the programme.
He assured Nairobi residents that the government will increase the number of affordable housing units to ensure they live in decent homes.
President Ruto said the government’s plan of increasing members’ contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has helped the country increase its savings.
The move, he added, will help the country to manage its foreign debt by borrowing locally.
“In just two months we have doubled the amount of money that we are saving as a country,” he said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged Kenyans to be patient as the government works on restoring the economy.
“It takes time, consistency, commitment, and sacrifices so that we can get there,” he added.
Others present were Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Mr. Mudavadi’s spouse, Tessie, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Affirmative Action and Gender Aisha Jumwa, and a host MPs and MCAs.


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Poland’s President Andrzej Duda introduced a law Monday that would retire the most senior judges on the supreme court and allow parliament to select which officials should appoint new judges, a proposal that comes as the European Union considers disciplining Poland for politicizing its court system, reports the Wall Street Journal. The law mandates early retirement for . . .
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The Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to support the state chapter of the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, stated this at a meeting in his office when the representatives of the association paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Ilorin the state capital.
Hon. Lade further explained that collaboration with the members of the association and the state government has become necessary to attain food security.
Lade stressed that the collaboration will not only improve and increase food production especially rice but will also bring about employment opportunities, reduce importation, and increase revenue generation for the state.
Earlier, the Board of Trustee Chairman, Dr. Engr. Olaitan Balogun said that the visit was to seek the state government’s support to help their members grow rice in the state.
Dr. Balogun stated Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture are critical for the growth of farm produce especially rice as water is essential for its growth.
Also speaking during the meeting, Elder James G. Kolo, stated that the purpose of the visit was to seek synergy with the state government to help empower their members to increase rice production in the state.
Elder Kolo appealed to the state government to help empower their members financially to increase food production especially rice to reduce dependence on foreign importation to also help increase revenue generation.


Govt ensuring speedy completion of projects: Shahbaz
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the PML-N Government is ensuring speedy completion of public welfare projects in the Punjab.
He was chairing a high-level meeting in Lahore today.
The meeting reviewed pace of work on various ongoing development projects.He said that Government is keen to provide selfless service to the masses. He said work is in progress on mega projects costing billions of rupees.
The Chief Minister said that under these projects more than three hundred water filtration plants are being installed in the province to provide clean drinking water to the masses. He said that work on these projects is expected to be completed by 2017.


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MIAMI—After the Miami Heat opened the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dominant 107-86 win over Brooklyn, there was little talk in the Nets locker room about the fact they were coming off a grueling 7-game series, while the Heat were rested...


France’s health minister has said that local authorities will be able to enforce the wearing of face masks in outdoor areas to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Writing on Twitter, Olivier Veran said that the decision could be made “depending on the situation of the epidemic in each region”.
Face masks are already compulsory in all public inside spaces, including public transport and shops.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in June that the country had achieved a “first victory” over the coronavirus, although outbreaks remain on a local level.
Yesterday there were 1,377 new confirmed cases, the second day in a row where cases have neared 1,400.
The moving 7-day average for cases has also risen above the 1,000 threshold for the first time since the first half of May, when France eased its lockdown.
France, one of Europe’s hardest-hit countries, has seen more than 200,000 infections and over 30,000 deaths since the pandemic began.
UK ministers are watching the situation in France closely, and are reportedly considering imposing quarantine measures on travellers from its neighbour, as it has with Spain and Luxembourg.
The restrictions on travellers from Spain came in over the weekend, while last night Luxembourg was also removed from the “travel corridors” list.
Ministers have said that they will not hesitate to take further steps to limit the spread of the virus, with Matt Hancock last night warning that people should effect further steps to be taken.
The imposed on local lockdowns in the Greater Manchester area, which were announced last night to widespread confusion, are one such step.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
A jury in New York City found on Tuesday former President Donald
Trump's namesake real estate company guilty of criminal tax fraud,
citing xinhua .
The jury found the two entities of the Trump Organization guilty
as charged on all counts, including scheme to defraud, conspiracy,
criminal tax fraud, and falsifying business records.
Trump was not a defendant in the case that related to a scheme
by his company to avoid taxes on compensation in the form of perks
to its executives.
The Trump Organization faces fines of up to 1.6 million U.S.
dollars at sentencing.
Trump, who launched a third bid for the White House last month,
has criticized the case as politically motivated.
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PUTRAJAYA: With a network of 7.1 million members nationwide, cooperatives can play an important role in helping to reduce the cost of living faced by people nationwide.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the strong base of members that has enabled the cooperatives industry to generate RM41.47 billion to date could also help the sector to dominate the wholesale and retail market, especially in the value chain supply system.
He said as of Dec last year, 2,581 cooperatives in the wholesale and retail sector, which generated more than RM820 million in revenue, were registered with the Malaysia Cooperatives Commission.
"This shows that there is potential for the cooperatives sector to boost the wholesale and retail market," he said in his speech at the launch of the cooperatives mart (Coopmart) and the Koperasi Pudina Putrajaya Bhd coop community mart here today.
Also present was Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.
The cooperatives sector, said Ismail Sabri, provides an opportunity for the people to generate additional income by enrolling as a member and hold shares as part of their membership.
He added that the government has introduced several programmes and initiatives to develop and help the cooperatives sector.
Among them include the RM10 million allocation to continue the Cooperative Movement Economic Transformation Programme (TRANSFER) under the 2022 Budget to restore cooperative activities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government, he said, has also set aside RM400,000 in cooperatives grant assistance and a RM1.2 million allocation through the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry's Covid-19 Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Pemulih Plan for Federasi Koperasi Pemborongan dan Peruncitan Bhd to accelerate growth in the sector.
"Recognising the major role that cooperatives can play for the people, the government aims to set up more than 500 Coopmart outlets nationwide, which will be operated through various types of cooperatives.
"This is to ensure that the people, especially folks residing in rural areas and locations where the majority are among B40 households, can benefit by becoming members of cooperatives," he said.


Bihar became the most popular Indian state in the last two decades, according to an analysis of census data.
In the first five years of the BJP-led government, the state has gained over 3.6 million residents, a rise of more than 13 million people, the latest data from the Indian Census Office shows.
According to the census, there were a total of 9.3 million inhabitants of the state in 1950, when it was named the Bharat state, which means ‘the people’.
The BJP government took power in the state’s northernmost district in 1991, and took power again in the rest of the north-east region in 1993.
Its success was partly attributed to the presence of a number of powerful and well-known politicians, including former chief minister Nitish Kumar.
A report published by the Economic Survey of India said that Bihar has seen a rapid economic growth over the past five years.
In 2011-12, Bihar had an annual GDP growth rate of 9 per cent.
The government attributed the economic growth to the growth of the labour force, especially in manufacturing, and the development of new technologies and services.
The BJP won the last election in 2019, and its government is expected to stay in power until 2022.
In contrast to the Indian government, which has taken a tough stance towards terrorism, India’s defence budget is one of the highest in the world.


By Michael Boriero
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The federal government presented its first budget in more than two years last week, putting an emphasis on economic recovery, job creation, clean energy and reducing childcare costs.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister and Compton-Stanstead MP, Marie-Claude Bibeau, told The Record that the government is investing a lot of money into the agriculture sector, helping farmers make a smooth transition into more sustainable agriculture.
“I want to acknowledge that farmers are always trying to do better because the land is the most precious thing they have, but with climate change, and they are the first to witness the impact of climate change, we have to do more,” said Bibeau.
Canada has already invested $185 million in the Agriculture Climate Solutions Program and $165 million in the Agriculture Clean Technology Program. But the government added a new investment of $200 million over two years to help launch on-farm climate action.