(MENAFN- IANS) Mumbai, Dec 8 (IANS) Actor Angad Bedi, who makes his Telugu debut with 'Hi Nanna', will be seen playing the love interest of actress Mrunal Thakur and his role bears a striking resemblance to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's role in the iconic film 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
'Hi Nanna', which is set to release in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, explores the nuances of love, sacrifice, and the greater good.
The subtle nod to the iconic character of Aman in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' adds a nostalgic touch to 'Hi Nanna', resonating with audiences across generations who hold a special place for the classic romance of the late 1990s.
Talking about the same, Angad said:“People will find a lot of similarity between the character I play of Arvind in 'Hi Nanna' and Aman which was played by Salman Bhai in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hain'. Though I don't think one can draw comparisons to the great Salman bhai. But yeah that character does have similarities.”
He further mentioned:“When I even read the script it reminded me of Aman from 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hain'. 'Hi Nanna' is a modern love story, but because 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hain' is such an important film and changed the romance genre forever. Hence, 'Hi Nanna' in many ways will remind people of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hain', especially my character Arvind. But yeah those are some big shoes to fill and I have earnestly given my best to the character of Arvind in the most honest way possible.”
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
Published: Fri 12 Aug 2022, 1:54 PM
Last updated: Fri 12 Aug 2022, 1:59 PM
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Friday reported 823 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 819 recoveries and no deaths.
Total active cases stand at 18,906.
The new cases were detected through 234,950 additional tests.
The total number of cases in UAE as on August 12 are 1,003,129, while total recoveries stand at 981,884. The death toll now stands at 2,339.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer recommend quarantines or test-to-stay programs at schools or daycare centres for people exposed to Covid-19, the agency said on Thursday, in updated guidelines.
The agency also said it was no longer recommending that unvaccinated people quarantine after exposure , as around 95 per cent of the US population has either been vaccinated, contracted Covid-19 already, or both.
'This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where Covid-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives ,' a CDC scientist said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a study shows how SARS-CoV-2 infects brain cells called astrocytes, causing structural changes in the brain. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause brain alterations and cognitive dysfunction particularly in long Covid-19 syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms are elusive.
Daniel Martins-de-Souza and his colleagues used MRI scans to compare brain structure in 81 study participants recovering from a mild Covid-19 infection, and 81 healthy individuals.
The authors found that the former group exhibited reduced cortical thickness , which was correlated with cognitive impairments, as well as symptoms such as anxiety and depression .
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Question: What do you think elected officials who oppose the health care law should do now that the law has started to take effect? Should they do what they can to make the law work as well as possible; or do what they can to make the law fail?
Source: Pew Research Center
Date: Mar. 20, 2014
Universe: Country: United States


(MENAFN- ians) dhaka, aug 22 (ians) bangladesh fast bowler ebadot hossain has been ruled out of the upcoming asia cup with a knee injury, the country's cricket board said on tuesday.
the 29-year-old right-arm quick, who was a part of the initial squad, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (acl) injury during last month's odi series against afghanistan and has not made the expected recovery after rehab to be considered for the asia cup.
"ebadot had undergone six weeks of rehab following the injury. we have had multiple mris done during this time and the reports suggest that his acl is still a concern and requires further management. therefore, he misses out on the asia cup," bcb chief sports physician dr debashis chowdhury said.
"considering the importance of the bangladesh team's next major event, which is the icc world cup in october, the bcb is committed to exploring every safe medical option available for getting ebadot back to full fitness and playing as early as possible, including consultation and treatment overseas," he said.
the national selection panel of bcb has named uncapped pacer tanzim hasan sakib as ebadot's replacement in the asia cup squad.
the 20-year-old has taken 57 wickets from 37 list-a matches. in the recently concluded acc emerging men's asia cup, sakib took nine wickets from three games. his inclusion means that there are now five players selected in the squad who were members of the 2020 icc u19 world cup winning team, the others being tawhid hridoy, shoriful islam, shamim hossain, and tanzid hasan tamim:
bangladesh asia cup squad: shakib al hasan (captain), litton das, najmul hossain shanto, tawhid hridoy, mushfiqur rahim, afif hossain dhrubo, mehidy hasan miraz, taskin ahmed, hasan mahmud, mustafizur rahman, shoriful islam, nasum ahmed, shak mahedi hasan, naim sheikh, shamim hossain, tanzid hasan tamim, tanzim hasan sakib
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


No public recommendations added yet.
Grealth Agritech Pvt Ltd
Grealth Agritech Pvt. Ltd. provide healthy and fresh local farm produce to everyone at reasonable price. Contact Grealth Agritech Pvt. Ltd. to shop fresh fruits and vegetables in Udaipur. We even facilitate you with free home delivery service on all our organic farm produces, in Udaipur or nearby areas.
Organic Fruits and Vegetable, Fresh Farm Produce Vegetables
Vote For Grealth Agritech Pvt Ltd
The voting system is a way for customers of Grealth Agritech Pvt Ltd to change its popularity at Start Local. You may vote for or against Grealth Agritech Pvt Ltd and your vote will affect its score on Start Local.
If you vote positively for the business you may also choose to leave a public recommendation to tell other people about your great experience with the business.
Note: A negative vote will count against this business's score but will not be displayed publicly. Read here for more info on voting.
Have you already registered with us?
We just need to know if you've already registered with Start Local? If so you should have already selected a password and validated your email address. If not, don't worry it's easy and will take less than 40 seconds.


No public recommendations added yet.
Seo Marketing Service
Seo Marketing Service Company provides cost effective SEO services in India. We have more than 5 years experienced team in Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Optimization, Pay Per Click, Link Building and Content writing. We are also offering affordable Web Development Services, Website Design Service and Website Redesign Service along with SEO Service.
how to find Seo Marketing ServiceClick To View Location
Vote For Seo Marketing Service
The voting system is a way for customers of Seo Marketing Service to change its popularity at Start Local. You may vote for or against Seo Marketing Service and your vote will affect its score on Start Local.
If you vote positively for the business you may also choose to leave a public recommendation to tell other people about your great experience with the business.
Note: A negative vote will count against this business's score but will not be displayed publicly. Read here for more info on voting.
Have you already registered with us?
We just need to know if you've already registered with Start Local? If so you should have already selected a password and validated your email address. If not, don't worry it's easy and will take less than 40 seconds.


(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Abu Dhabi, Feb. 7 (Petra)-His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Shiekh Mohammed Ben Zayed Al-Nahyan on the longstanding bilateral ties and the region's latest developments.
During the meeting, attended by Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the King stressed the depth of the historic brotherly relations between the two countries and noted to the advanced level they have reached in the various fields, and highlighted keenness to foster joint action and cooperation to serve the two people's interests.
The two sides also affirmed the continuity of consultations and coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual interest, which contribute to the achievement of the Arab nation's interests and to serve fair pan-Arab causes.
The King expressed his appreciation to the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifeh Ben Zayed for its sustained support to the Kingdom to carry out development projects and its aid in the military field.
Discussions touched on developments related to the Palestinian cause and the issue of Jerusalem.
In this context, the King stressed the need to end the stalemate in the peace process and to re-launch serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis based on the two-state solution, relevant int'l resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On a related agenda, the King and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince affirmed the need to preserve the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, which is deemed a key to the peace in the region.
As for regional crises, the two sides stressed the need to drum up Arab efforts exerted to find political solutions that restore security and stability to the region's people.
They also reviewed regional and global efforts for war on terrorism within a holistic strategy, because this phenomenon is a threat to security and stability of the region and the world.
In turn, Sheikh Mohammed Ben Zayed said the UAE seeks persistently to enhance brotherly ties with Jordan to serve the two countries' interests and to foster pan-Arab action, especially in light of the challenges countering the region's countries.
Sheikh Mohammed also affirmed the key role of His Majesty to achieve pan-Arab action and in any other effective endeavor to support the joint Arab security that needs to be bolstered.
Sheikh Mohammed said Jordan is a substantial partner to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in countering threats that jeopardize security, stability and peaceful co-existence in the entire region.
Jordan is also a key and crucial role in the region's issues, especially in regard to the peace process, the Palestinian cause and the war on terrorism, Sheikh Mohammed affirmed.
Minister of foreign affairs, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, director of the King's office, and a number of high-ranking officials from both sides attended the meeting.
7/2/2018 - 05:18:05 PM
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- AsiaNet News) On Tuesday night, the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024 took place in Mumbai.
Many A-list celebrities attended the awards which are termed as one of the most prestigious award ceremonies.
Sanya Malhotra looked lovely in a white and golden net saree that came with a transparent pallu and rose motifs all over it. She opted for golden earrings to finish her look.
Aditya Roy Kapur looked dapper in a white shirt which he topped with a blue suit and a grey and white tie.
Kareena Kapoor Khan looked stunning in a beige and gold sharara ensemble with beautiful mirror work all over it. She paired it with a muted gold-colored transparent dupatta, which she beautifully wrapped over her arms.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji reunited on the red carpet and the two looked glamorous as they twinned in black, hugged one another, and posed for photographs.
Rupali Ganguli displayed class and elegance as she wore a blue and pink saree. She kept her hair neatly tied in a bun.
looked stunning in a black georgette saree paired with a black-hued, sequined half-sleeve blouse.
Nayanthara chose a yellow-colored silk saree which she paired with a matching-colored sleeveless blouse. She styled her hair in an elegant bun and finished with smokey eye makeup.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN) In a candid admission, Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, revealed that the West significantly overestimated Ukraine's chances of making battlefield progress against Russia in 2023. Speaking to the Financial Times, Bauer acknowledged the Western powers' "overly optimistic" outlook, particularly in light of Kiev's unsuccessful counteroffensive and the recent loss of the strategically important city of Avdeevka.
The interview, published on Monday, sheds light on the misplaced optimism surrounding Kiev's ambitious plans to breach Russian defenses and reach the Crimean Peninsula. Admiral Bauer, who led the Dutch armed forces from 2017 to 2021, disclosed that the prevailing belief was that providing Ukraine with ammunition and training would ensure their victory.
Despite the setbacks, Bauer cautioned against being "overly pessimistic in 2024" and emphasized that Ukraine remains a sovereign nation. His remarks followed the Munich Security Conference last week, which centered largely around Ukraine's military challenges. The Financial Times reported a notable shift in sentiment from the previous year, noting that the optimism of 2023 had transformed into "unremitting gloom." This shift was exacerbated by the realization that Ukraine urgently requires significant ammunition shipments, a demand that the West is struggling to meet.
Reports from the Munich Security Conference highlighted a sense of urgency among officials, who argued that Ukraine could lose the conflict unless the United States approves an additional USD60 billion in aid. However, progress on this measure has been stymied in Congress for months, with Republicans demanding stricter security measures on the southern United States border as a condition for approval.
As the dynamics of the conflict continue to evolve, Bauer's admission underscores the challenges faced by the West in accurately assessing and supporting Ukraine's military endeavors. The situation prompts a reassessment of strategies and a recognition of the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor)
Dhaka : When the private airline industry of the country was out of existence, a young entrepreneur, without any experience in the airline trade, firmly stepped into the industry in 2014 with a new airline.
Currently, the airline operates 80 flights daily in each of the eight airports of the country and 24 flights daily in 11 international destinations.
During the recent Covid-19 pandemic crisis, when most of the airlines of the world shut down, one Bangladeshi airline continued its operations even in a limited scale. Apart from their regular passenger service, the airline operated passenger and cargo charter flights too, to rescue stranded Bangladeshis while saving the nation plenty of foreign currency.
It has 16 aircraft in its fleet including six Boeing 737-800s, seven ATRs and three Dash-8 Q400s with an average age of 10 years.
Soon, the airline will be adding ultramodern widebody aircraft in its fleet to operate flights to new destinations of Europe, America, Middle East and Far East.
For this purpose, the airline is now in the global distribution system of both Travelport and Sabre.
The airline mentioned above is none other than the largest private carrier of the country US-Bangla Airlines and the founder of this airline is none other than, Md Abdullah Al Mamun.
To recognise his decade long contribution in the aviation industry of the country, the jury board of TripLover Monitor Airline of the Year 2022 honoured Md Abdullah Al Mamun with 'Airline Entrepreneur of the Year 2022' award.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Brazil's top five banks saw a 3.1% increase in profits, reaching R$ 28.4 billion (approximately $5.8 billion) in the third quarter compared to last year.
This rise is highlighted in data from Broadcast. Leading this growth are Itaú Unibanco, Banco do Brasil, and Caixa Econômica Federal, primarily through credit revenues.
The banks displayed varied credit growth. Caixa's portfolio grew by 11.7%, driven by agribusiness and housing credits.
Banco do Brasil experienced a 10% increase, largely in agribusiness loans.
In contrast, private banks like Santander and Itaú reported growths of 7.9% and 5.7%, respectively. Bradesco saw a marginal decrease of 0.1% over 12 months.
Looking ahead, public banks expect stronger credit operation advancements in 2024, buoyed by cuts in the Selic rate.
BB's Vice President Geovanne Tobias foresees potential high single or low double-digit growth.
Caixa's growth, as noted by Marcos Brasiliano, is partly due to other banks' reduced focus on mortgage lending.
In the private sector, banks are readying to increase riskier credit lines as default rates decline.
Bradesco anticipates gradually expanding credit origination, normalizing by the end of the year.
Santander's President, Mario Leão, predicts a more favorable 2024, aiming for a balance between loans and service revenues.
Itaú focuses on deepening client relationships, especially in the middle and high-income segments.
Their strategy involves increasing loyalty among customers who currently use a limited range of banking products.
All three private banks plan to revise their approach to the low-income sector, aiming for more cost-effective structures.
Conversely, Caixa intends to maintain its focus on this demographic, potentially integrating them into capital markets.
This evolving financial landscape showcases Brazil's banking sector's diverse strategies and outlooks as they navigate changing economic conditions, each aiming for growth and resilience in the coming year.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


( MENAFN - Mid-East.Info )
Dubai, UAE: Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), congratulates students from The Philippine School Dubai who took home first place in DCT's first-ever High School Challenge.
The High School Challenge, a trivia-style competition inspired by the long-standing 'University Challenge' in the UK, took place virtually, with the finale taking place between The Philippine School and Sheffield Private School, focusing on the theme, 'How well do you know Dubai?' In line with the theme, students were presented with ticket prizes to Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark and Ski Dubai.
DCT educates the next generation of tourism and hospitality leaders and entrepreneurs in one of the most visited cities in the world and offers full time courses in tourism, retail, business, events, hospitality and culinary arts.
About Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) :
DCT runs the first-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary educational platform in the region. The College provides foundation, certificate and diploma courses in tourism, hospitality, retail, events and culinary arts through the TVET accreditation framework. DCT aims to be recognised as the premier vocational institution in the region with its courses bridging the gap between in-house training and a full bachelor's degree, ensuring a steady stream of highly trained tourism professionals for the city. The college is also responsible for delivering fundamental programmes specifically designed for those working within the tourism industry, such as 'Dubai Way' (for tourist-facing staff in Dubai) and 'Dubai Expert' (an interactive online training tool for international travel agents).
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN) Shares of U.S.-headquartered Netflix rose nearly 8% on the New York Stock Exchange after its balance sheet showed a drop in subscribers that exceeded expectations.
Tuesday’s report showed that the platform had fallen by almost 970,000 subscribers in the second quarter of this year, but the outlook was for almost 2 million.
The company’s net profit rose 8.6% to $7.9 billion in the April-June period from the same period of 2021, while its net revenue rose 6.5% to $1.4 billion over the same period.
Shares of the platform, which were near $175 over the past week, ended Tuesday at $189 and remained to climb near $217.5 throughout after-hours trading. .
The cost of shares of the platform, which last year reached the rate of UDS680, a year ago was almost 530 USD.
After its initial 3-month results showed a decrease of 200,000 users, its stock fell from $350 to less than $200 in mid-April.
Legal disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licensing, completeness, legality or reliability of any information in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, please contact the provider above.


By Ayya Lmahamad
Azerbaijani and Ukrainian business officials have discussed the current and future prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.
As part of his visit to Ukraine, the chairman of Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency Board, Orkhan Mammadov, held various meetings with Ukrainian officials.
During the meeting with Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Gennadiy Ghyzhykov, the parties discussed the expanding cooperation between SMBs of the two countries and the organization of joint events for the development of trade relations.
The favorable investment climate in the country and Agency's support for local and foreign investors were discussed during the meeting with Ukraine's Investment Attraction Office Director-General Sergiy Tsivkach. The parties also discussed the services the Agency can provide to Ukrainian investors and exchanged views on cooperation.
Moreover, during the meeting with Ukraine's Office of Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Acting Director Andrii Remizov, the sides discussed possible opportunities for cooperation in the SMBs sector, implementation of joint projects, and exchange of experience.
Mammadov briefed on the development of SMBs in Azerbaijan and state support rendered to them. He emphasized that the study of foreign experience in the sphere of rendering services to SMBs is the focus of the Agency's attention.
The parties also discussed the activities of the two agencies and the support and services provided to entrepreneurs.
Moreover, Mammadov held a meeting with Ukraine's Economy Deputy Minister Alexander Griban. During the meeting, they discussed joint cooperation, support, and services provided to SMBs to expand ties between the entrepreneurs of the two countries.
Azerbaijan and Ukraine are cooperating in different spheres of the economy. Ukraine was Azerbaijan's second-largest trade partner among the CIS countries with a trade turnover amounting to $771.5 million in 2020. In addition, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $866.4 million in January-November 2021, with exports accounting for $446.9 million and imports for $419.4 million.
Additionally, Ukraine was among the countries to voice support to Azerbaijan over its just position and its territorial integrity during the 44-day Second Karabakh War with Armenia in 2020. Ukrainian companies expressed their interest in reconstructing Azerbaijan's liberated territories.
Ayya Lmahamad is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AyyaLmahamad
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, May 26 (KUNA) -- Belgian NGO worker Olivier Vandecasteele has been freed by Iran and is returning home to Belgium after 455 days in an Iranian prison, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed in a video message on Friday.
Vandecasteele was flown to Oman on Thursday evening, where he was met by the Belgian military and diplomats, before setting off for Belgium.
"As I speak, Belgiumآ's Olivier Vandecasteele is on his way to Belgium. If all goes to plan, heآ'll be with us this evening. Free at last," De Croo said.
On his part, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's foreign minister, announced on Twitter that Belgian authorities released jailed Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi in exchange for the release of the Belgian NGO worker
Assadi, an Iranian diplomat, was imprisoned in Belgium after being convicted for his role in a foiled terror attack in Paris, Belgian media reported.
"I thank the Sultanate of Oman for its positive efforts in this direction," said the Iranian foreign minister.
On its part, Oman posted an official response on Twitter: "Oman's efforts led to an agreement between the two sides for an exchange. Those who were released were taken from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat today in preparation for their return to their home countries.
The Sultanate of Oman appreciates the positive atmosphere that prevailed at the talks between the Iranian and Belgian sides in Muscat and the will of both sides to resolve this humanitarian issue." (end)
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


Neuchâtel, in western Switzerland, is the 16th-biggest of the 26 cantons, by population. Keystone / Alessandro Della Bella
Neuchâtel has become the first of the country's 26 cantons to pass a law banning the controversial therapies. A similar motion at the national level is pending in parliament. This content was published on May 2, 2023 May 2, 2023 Keystone-SDA/dos
The law passed on Tuesday by Neuchâtel's parliament will make it illegal to propose treatment to change sexual orientation in the canton. Inciting others to change their gender identity will also become a criminal offence, punishable by a fine.
“This is a really strong signal. These practices, which we hope are very infrequent, are extremely damaging for those concerned. They have devastating effects because they are based on the mistaken idea that homosexuality or transgender identities are sicknesses that need to be cured,” said Florence Nater, a cantonal government minister.
+ gay conversion therapies take a toll in switzerland
Authorities in Neuchâtel say it is difficult to gauge the exact extent of the problem in the canton, since no statistics are available.
At the Swiss level, some 14,000 people are estimated to have undergone some form of conversion therapy.Such procedures are banned in various countries, including Germany and France. In Switzerland, several cantons have passed motions, but not yet laws, in favour of such a ban – as has one of the two houses of parliament at the national level.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said that the country will continue to implement the terms of the fourth package of EU sanctions against Russia and stop the transit of other goods to Kaliningrad Oblast from July 10, when the restrictions are set to come into effect.
That's according to Ukrinform citing Delfi .
'Yes, the way we are currently complying with the sanctions that came into effect on June 17,' Šimonytė said, answering the question of whether other sanctions will be implemented.
According to the Lithuanian PM, Lithuanian Railways clients have already been warned.
'Carriers were informed that from July 10, certain guidelines regarding sanctions will come into force, so that they do not load cargo after that date,' she said. Read also:
Kremlin's threats toward Lithuania“challenge” for EU, NATO - Yermak
It is noted that since June 17, EU sanctions on the transportation of steel and ferrous metals through the territory of Lithuania to Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast have been in effect.
From July 10, restrictions on the transit of cement, alcohol, and luxury goods will be imposed, and the ban on coal and other solid fossil fuels will be enacted on August 10.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Russian Foreign Ministry has recently summoned Lithuanian Charge d'Affaires Virginia Umbrasene, to express protest against the decision of the Lithuanian authorities to ban the transit of a vast range of goods to Kaliningrad Oblast. The Russian ministry urged to immediately repeal the transit ban. At the same time, it was reported that Russia reserves the right to act to 'protect its national interests.'
Later, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry handed Russian temporary Charge d'Affaires in Vilnius Sergey Ryabokon a note explaining the restrictive measures imposed by the EU on some categories of goods in transit to Kaliningrad. During the meeting, the information spread by the Russian side that Lithuania has banned the transit of passengers and goods that are not subject to the EU sanctions was refuted.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Morocco World News) On Monday, June 13, a group of young men attacked a man in a gaming room in Marrakech, insulting and beating him.
His mistake? He was smoking a cigarette during fasting hours. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking or smoking during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan, which began on June 7 this year in Morocco. The victim of the assault was unable to get away from his attackers until other customers intervened. The victim suffered serious facial injuries. On social media, many users spoke out in support of the attackers, while others expressed shock and denounced the lack of police intervention. Article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code states that Muslims who break the fast in public face a sentence of up to six months in prison. The article reads, ''A person commonly known to be Muslim who violates the fast in a public place during Ramadan, without having one of the justifications allowed by Islam, shall be punished by one to six months in prison and a fine of MAD 200 to 500.''
Edited by Kelsey Fish
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Asdaf News)
Riyadh – Asdaf News:
During the last couple of months, Saudi Arabia has outstandingly augmented its history in the most popular game worldwide by the unforgettable defeat of Argentina at FIFA World Cup2022 in Doha. Additionally, The Portugese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo's deal to play for Al Nasr.
Here, comes the voting at the 33rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Bahrain, as Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the Asian Cup in 2027, on Wednesday.
The Kingdom submitted its candidacy to host the competition after the Saudi delegation presented its hosting strategy and unveiled plans to construct new stadiums and repair current ones.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, the sports minister of Saudi Arabia, and Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, were present at the meeting.
“We welcome all of Asia in Saudi Arabia in 2027,” Prince Abdulaziz said after the announcement was made.“We are making big strides in hosting the biggest global sporting events,” he told the attendees, adding that the Kingdom is ready for this event.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) were chosen by the AFC Executive Committee in October 2022 as the two finalists to host the Asian Cup in 2027 after considering their bids.
Saudi Arabia was the only bidder, as the AIFF informed the AFC of its decision to withdraw the application from the host selection process in December, the AFC website stated.
Under the theme“Forward for Asia,” the Kingdom presented their official Bid Book to the AFC in 2020. The Saudi bid also comes at a time when the Kingdom has highlighted the sports sector in general and the football scene in particular.
With its performance that helped them defeat Argentina during the World Cup in Qatar, the Saudi national team had a significant impact as well.
After serving as the first Middle Eastern host of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar is anticipated to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.
2 days ago 927 1 minute read
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Baystreet.ca) Oil Vaults as Putin Mobilizes More Troops
Oil jumped more than 2% on Wednesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization, escalating the war in Ukraine and raising concerns of tighter oil and gas supply.
Brent crude futures rose $2.17, or 2.4%, to $92.79 U.S. a barrel after falling $1.38 the previous day. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $86.05 a barrel, up $2.10, or 2.5%.
Putin said he had signed a decree on partial mobilization beginning on Wednesday, saying he was defending Russian territories and charging that the West wanted to destroy the country.
Experts say the escalation will lead to increased uncertainty over Russian energy supplies.
Oil soared and touched a multi-year high in March after the Ukraine war broke out.
European Union sanctions banning seaborne imports of Russian crude will come into force on Dec. 5.
The OPEC+ producer grouping - the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and associates including Russia - is now falling a record 3.58 million barrels per day short of its production targets, or about 3.5% of global demand. The shortfall highlights the underlying tightness of supply in the market.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude and fuel stocks rose by about 1 million barrels for the week ended Sept. 16, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.
U.S. crude oil inventories were estimated to have risen last week by around 2.2 million barrels in the week to Sept. 16, according to an extended Reuters poll.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


The two-day forum, kicked off on Wednesday, is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre.
It comes as a response to His Majesty King Abdullah’s 2022 Economic Modernisation Vision, which aims to make the Kingdom’s economy an enabling, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient one, and to bring empowering opportunities to people, entrepreneurs and enterprises alike.
JOIN Fincubator is the first fintech innovation incubator of its kind in Jordan. It provides participants of its programmes with a range of services; from access to digital financial infrastructure so they can actively test, validate, and develop their fintech innovations, to access to expertise, advisory services, and mentorship, to access to partnerships, finance, and markets.
Sharkas stated that in launching JOIN Fincubator, innovators will be able to pursue their fintech concepts in a single hub that offers mentorship, expert services, real environment testing, and regulatory consultancy and certification.
The Central Bank of Jordan will have a direct presence and involvement in JOIN Fincubator through its regulatory sandbox (Jo Reg Box), facilitating an unmatched opportunity for immediate interaction between the innovators and the regulator.
The forum aims to address how technology can help in solving pressing challenges faced by most nations in today’s age, including alarming unemployment rates, healthcare and rebuilding digital economies, and the role of fintech in creating transparency and bridging the gap between societies.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 576 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
It said that the total number of infections in the country is now 89,163.
The agency sadly said that the total death cases recorded in the country is 1,302.
It, however, stated that 74,789 patients had been discharged from the various isolation centres in the country, having tested negative to the virus.
The NCDC said that the new infections were from 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It said that Lagos state recorded the highest figure with 277 new cases, followed by the FCT and Oyo with 90 and 51 new cases respectively.


(MENAFN) The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun and three of his wholly-owned companies, including Tron Foundation Limited, BitTorrent Foundation Ltd., and Rainberry Inc., formerly BitTorrent. The charges include fraud and securities law violations pertaining to the unregistered offer and sale of crypto asset securities, TRONIX (TRX), and BitTorrent (BTT).
The SEC's complaint also alleges that Sun and his companies manipulated the secondary market for TRX through wash trading, which involves simultaneous or near-simultaneous purchase and sale of a security to make it appear actively traded without an actual change in beneficial ownership. Additionally, the complaint claims that Sun orchestrated a scheme to pay celebrities to tout TRX and BTT without disclosing their compensation.
The SEC has also charged eight celebrities for illegally promoting TRX and BTT without disclosing their compensation. The complaint alleged that Sun and his companies offered and sold TRX and BTT as investments through multiple unregistered “bounty programs.”
These programs directed interested parties to promote the tokens on social media by joining and recruiting others to Tron-affiliated Telegram and Discord channels, and creating BitTorrent accounts in exchange for TRX and BTT distributions.
The SEC's action against Sun and his companies is part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and protect investors from fraud and other violations of securities laws. The lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the crypto space, particularly with regard to celebrity endorsements and unregistered securities offerings.
As of 5 p.m. EDT, the price of TRX had fallen over 11% in response to the SEC's announcement. The lawsuit is likely to have significant implications for the future of the crypto industry, as regulators seek to establish clearer guidelines and standards for companies and individuals operating in this rapidly-evolving space.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


No public recommendations added yet.
TM Solutions Private Limited
Get your timely and quality solutions on online income tax return filing and other accounting services from Tax Mantra. The experienced Chartered Accountants and qualified professionals can guide to file ITR online, provide comprehensive tax planning and offer other consultancy services.
how to find TM Solutions Private LimitedClick To View Location
Vote For TM Solutions Private Limited
The voting system is a way for customers of TM Solutions Private Limited to change its popularity at Start Local. You may vote for or against TM Solutions Private Limited and your vote will affect its score on Start Local.
If you vote positively for the business you may also choose to leave a public recommendation to tell other people about your great experience with the business.
Note: A negative vote will count against this business's score but will not be displayed publicly. Read here for more info on voting.
Have you already registered with us?
We just need to know if you've already registered with Start Local? If so you should have already selected a password and validated your email address. If not, don't worry it's easy and will take less than 40 seconds.


(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) A Delhi court on Monday sought the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) response to an application made by Dinesh Arora, an accused-turned-approver in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
Arora's application sought the withdrawal of the Look Out Circular (LOC) against him and questioned why it is still in effect despite his pardon. He mentioned in it that hr plans to travel to The Netherlands on June 15.
During the hearing, Special Judge M. K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court reprimanded the CBI and questioned the provision under which the LOC can be continued.
The judge then asked the CBI counsel to withdraw the LOC, warning that if the court issues an order, it would be strict in nature.
Counsel argued that the LOC was continued to ensure Arora's presence in the country.
The court then asked the investigating officer and the advocate to provide the guidelines governing the issuance and withdrawal of LOCs.
The court had previously granted the CBI's request to make Arora an approver in the case and had pardoned him on November 16 last year.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is alleged to be closely associated with Arora, is currently in judicial custody in connection with the excise policy cases registered by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Earlier in the day, the high court dismissed Sisodia's interim bail plea.
The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for June 8.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


No public recommendations added yet.
Simply the best of internet Shared web hosting. More and more people are choosing Hostripples for their website hosting. Hostripples provides reliable, affordable Shared web hosting with unlimited space and bandwidth, high speed network and hosting with all the features you need. We've been supporting our customers 24x7, whether they're newbies or webmasters.
Unlimited cheap web hosting India only at Rs.35/-
how to find HostripplesClick To View Location
Vote For Hostripples
The voting system is a way for customers of Hostripples to change its popularity at Start Local. You may vote for or against Hostripples and your vote will affect its score on Start Local.
If you vote positively for the business you may also choose to leave a public recommendation to tell other people about your great experience with the business.
Note: A negative vote will count against this business's score but will not be displayed publicly. Read here for more info on voting.
Have you already registered with us?
We just need to know if you've already registered with Start Local? If so you should have already selected a password and validated your email address. If not, don't worry it's easy and will take less than 40 seconds.


(MENAFN) A new study by AidData, a research lab at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, has found that China provided $240 billion in rescue lending to 22 developing countries as part of the Belt and Road Initiative between 2000 and 2021. The report highlighted that the scale of China's global bailout lending program is growing rapidly, with more than $185 billion extended in the past five years alone (2016-2021).
The study also revealed that China has extended $170 billion through its swap line network, a vital tool of the country's overseas crisis management, to countries in financial or macroeconomic distress. The report noted that this amount involves a large number of rollovers, as short-term People's Bank of China swap loans are often extended again and again, resulting in a de facto maturity of more than three years, on average.
In addition to the swap line network, the rest of the $240 billion was provided through types of rescue lending such as bridge loans or balance of payments support by Chinese state-owned banks and enterprises, such as the China Development Bank. The top three debtors identified in the paper were Argentina, Pakistan, and Egypt.
The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, is a massive infrastructure project aimed at connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of land and sea routes. The initiative has been criticized by some for burdening participating countries with excessive debt, while others have praised it as a means of promoting economic growth and development.
China's rescue lending program is seen as a way of supporting participating countries during times of economic crisis, and the study suggests that the scale of this program is continuing to grow. The report's findings highlight the important role that China is playing in the global economy, particularly in developing countries where access to financing can be limited. However, concerns remain about the long-term implications of China's lending practices and the potential for excessive debt burdens to impact the economic stability of participating countries.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN - Morocco World News) Abu Dhabi based energy company Masdar has announced plans to invest in renewable energy projects in Morocco.
In a recent interview with Gulf News CEO Dr. Ahmad Belhoul revealed his company's intentions to look into investment opportunities in Morocco Egypt and Jordan among others. He stated that a projected increase in demand for renewable energies was the key to this decision. 'Demand for energy is expected to double in the region by 2030. The majority of it will come from renewable energy. It makes sense for us to double our portfolio in the next ten years. We will be a big player in the market' stated Behoul. Masdar a subsidiary of the Mubadala Group prides themselves on providing clean energy alternatives in the United Arab Emirates and worldwide. Currently they have committed $1.7 billion towards these projects and created 1 giga watt of energy as a result. Given Morocco's recent record with renewable energy many would feel that Masdar is a good fit for the country. The opening of solar energy plant Noor I last week was the biggest sign of the country's commitment to renenwable energy. Noor I's goal is to provide 52% of the country's renewable energy 2030. Belhoul however doesn't see his company's ambitions as being limited to just solar energy. 'The Middle East is blessed with lot of sunshine and as such there has been lot of focus on solar power. However there are also countries that have considerable wind power resources' he said in an interview with Gulf News. 'The price of wind technology has gone down by 30% in the last five years. Thus governments are becoming more serious about wind energy' he added. The opening of Masdar-funded Tafila Wind Farm in Jordan of last month shows that this is the case. By 2020 it is estimated that Tafila will provide the country with enough energy to power 83000 homes while also dramatically reducing carbon emissions. Edited by Michael Joseph
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Yesterday, the Moroccan House of Representatives unanimously approved draft law 88-13, which establishes a more liberal Code of Press and Publication.
The law, which the Committee on Education, Culture, and Communication approved on June 6, is the collaborative product of more than 15 years of discussion between the government and the press sector. It seeks to modernize the current press code in accordance with the reforms of the 2011 constitution. The bill''s 123 articles include provisions that forbid imprisonment and fines for ''peaceful expression,'' recognize the freedom of electronic media, establish the rights of journalists and the state''s commitment to protect journalists from attacks, increase the independence of the press, strengthen the guarantees of fair trial for journalists, and make comprehensive reforms to libel laws. Althoughthe law removes the possibility of imprisonment and fines for journalists who question Morocco''s actions in the Western Sahara or insult the royal family, it allows the government to censor publications that do so. Freedom House gave Morocco a 66/100 rating in its Freedom of the Press 2015report. The organization reported:''The Moroccan government''s promised campaign to expand press freedom languished in 2014, as draft legislation fell short of recommendations from media freedom groups and failed to progress through the legislature. Unofficial but clear restrictions remained in place, discouraging coverage of politically and socially sensitive subjects, while restrictive laws continued to be used to clamp down on journalists and news sources.'' In a press releaseon Tuesday, the Ministry of Communications praised Law 88-13 as ''a progressive and essential step in the path of reforms that our country is undertaking to establish a democratic path and establish a country of rules and laws.'' The government hopes that this law will help the country to ''meet its international obligations, respond to the expectations of professionals, accommodate technological and digital developments, and promote the principles of freedom, fairness, independence, pluralism, protection, and responsibility.'' The House will send the bill to the House of Councilors, which is expected to approve the law in the coming days.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


Propane crisis becomes hot topic
Businesses and farmers are in the same situation, as are businesses that sell the fuel.
Are you a newspaper subscriber but you don't have a Digital Access account yet? https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=40&event=subscriber/lookup.
You will need your subscription account number and phone number. Not sure if you have an account? Email us at email@example.com and we can help you.


No public recommendations added yet.
VPN Infotech leads web design and web development in Surat, india. We provide best web services to the valuable client. Our services are e-commerce services, domain registration, web hosting service provider, internet marketing and mobile application development on ios, android, windows. We support latest technology for web development like php web development, word press customization, joomla customization, magento customization, codeigniter and openCart customization.
Vote For VPN Infotech
The voting system is a way for customers of VPN Infotech to change its popularity at Start Local. You may vote for or against VPN Infotech and your vote will affect its score on Start Local.
If you vote positively for the business you may also choose to leave a public recommendation to tell other people about your great experience with the business.
Note: A negative vote will count against this business's score but will not be displayed publicly. Read here for more info on voting.
Have you already registered with us?
We just need to know if you've already registered with Start Local? If so you should have already selected a password and validated your email address. If not, don't worry it's easy and will take less than 40 seconds.


German Vice Chancellor blames reporters of performing Moscow`s bidding following investigation question
(MENAFN) German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, also serving as the country's minister for economic affairs and climate action, found himself embroiled in controversy during a press conference when journalist Florian Warweg questioned him about allegations related to the use of Germany's domestic security service. The inquiry touched on claims that Habeck had enlisted the BfV to investigate ministerial officials expressing dissenting opinions from the government's political course.
During the press conference, Warweg referred to a case from August 2022, where two high-ranking officials within the Economy Ministry were suspected of spying for Russia based on their internal documents that exhibited "understanding for the Russian point of view." The investigation, reportedly prompted by Habeck's confidants, ultimately found no solid evidence of espionage but highlighted the officials' "emotional closeness to Russia."
When questioned about the use of the BfV to address dissenting opinions among civil servants, Habeck did not directly respond but instead questioned Warweg's credentials, asking if he was from Russia Today (RT). This move by the Vice Chancellor sparked further scrutiny into the allegations and raised concerns about the potential use of security services to suppress dissent within the government.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding national security and upholding democratic principles, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of political leaders. As accusations swirl around Habeck's handling of dissenting voices, the clash with the journalist underscores the challenges faced by the media in seeking accountability from those in positions of power.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


The support can also be brought about with the help of technology – and business. This can also help a lot with the maintenance of the solid business plan. The service can be made with the help of the project consultants that can help you design the best app which can maintain the commercial success. This is always the ones which can go with the support of the End-to-end type of mobile app solutions. This can also go with the development of the planning, design, as well as development. This can also help to support all kind of ideas with the idea of publishing on mobile Store. This can also work better with the support of the UI/UX design this taking into consideration best practices.Best app development company is really helping a lot to get better plans.Elegant media melbourne is a leading firm.
Realistic touch with the best designed apps
This can also go well with the Native as well crosses-platform for development. It can also work with the Post-project support that can also go well with the maximum maintenance. It can work with the best development team. The support can also work a lot with the best Dedicated project manager. Such an idea can also go on a daily basis. It can work with the four years of experience which can also help a lot with the app development. It can also go with the addition of the Design. Such an idea can help a lot to collaborate with the best-known designers. The support can also work well with the app interface representing the brand. This can also go well with the integration of the existing IT systems. Such an idea can also help a lot to test the app. This can be brought about with the support of the team. Such an idea can help a lot to optimize the app, being plenty of adjustments, as well as implement updates. This can give the apps which are designed as well as developed over the years. This can also work with the Back-end that can be the best team ensuring seamless exchange.
This can also work with the main data. Such an idea can also work with Planning. It can help a lot in Communicating directly about data exchange.


(MENAFNEditorial) ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 5, 2017/APO/ --
The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission in collaboration with the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) of Somalia has concluded a three-day BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training workshop on Electoral Systems.
The BRIDGE workshop took place from 3-5 July 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya. It consisted of twenty participants comprising senior NIEC officials as well as policy makers involved in the constitution-making process as well as the drafting of the electoral law.
The key objective of the workshop was to expose NIEC and key election stakeholders to various electoral systems in Africa and beyond in order to facilitate informed decision-making on the choice of the most suitable electoral system for Somalia based on lessons and experiences from other contexts. Somali policy makers are currently engaged in a consultative process of drafting a permanent Constitution which will form the basis for the conduct of future general elections based on universal suffrage scheduled to take place in 2020.
The choice of an electoral system is one of the most important institutional decisions of a democracy. The workshop which is part of the ongoing efforts by the African Union Commission to contribute to democracy and good governance in Somalia covered topics electoral systems such as proportional representation, plurality/majority, mixed systems and their distinctive variations. Other cross-cutting issues tackled during the training entailed inclusion of various under-represented groups such as women and other societal groups. The implications of each electoral system on the immediate and long term aspects of political development of a country were also discussed during the workshop.
The BRIDGE capacity building initiative is part of the broader programme of the DPA on technical assistance to Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of the African Union Member States.
Distributed by APO on behalf of African Union Commission (AUC).
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Bangladesh embassy in Doha yesterday observed the 47th anniversary of the country's Independence and National Day with due solemnity.
The programme started with participation in the simultaneous worldwide rendering of Bangladesh's national anthem at 5am on the embassy premises. This was followed by the hoisting of the national flag by the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr Dipu Moni, and Bangladesh ambassador Ashud Ahmed in the presence of embassy officials and a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates.
After the flag hoisting, a special prayer was offered for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and martyrs of the Liberation War as well as for the continued peace and prosperity of the country.
A discussion meeting on the significance of the Day was organised at the embassy after the flag hoisting and munajat. At the beginning, all attendees observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War. Messages from Bangladesh's president, prime minister, foreign minister and minister of state for foreign affairs were read out.
In his speech, ambassador Ahmed recalled Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's unique role in the process of Bangladesh's liberation. Addressing the expatriate community, he said Bangladesh is now graduating from LDC (least developed country) status to a developing nation.
He reminded them that traditionally Bangladesh has sent unskilled workers and the need for these workers in Qatar is likely to reduce after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 'We all have to look for sectors where skilled workers can find jobs. Meanwhile, we are also taking initiatives to explore other sectors such as trade, investment and business. The embassy is also working to enhance Bangladesh-Qatar bilateral relations through high-level visits from both sides, he noted.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh MHM School & College, Doha, under the supervision of the mission, organised a programme on the school premises yesterday morning to celebrate the Independence and National Day. The ambassador hoisted the national flag and inaugurated the event.
He encouraged the students to devote themselves to pursuing their studies to become worthy citizens by taking forward the country and materialise the dream of Bangabandhu.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN) According to Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the UN, Kiev's "reckless" actions are bringing a catastrophic nuclear event closer to the world.
Since Russian forces have been in charge of the Zaporozhye power plant in southern Ukraine since February, Kiev's forces have repeatedly shelled the facility.
“We have repeatedly warned our Western colleagues that, should they fail to talk sense into the Kiev regime, it would take the most heinous and reckless steps, which would have consequences far beyond Ukraine,” Nebenzia cautioned at a meeting focused on the matter.
He stated, "That is exactly what is happening," and added that Kiev's Western "sponsors" would be held accountable for any potential nuclear disaster.
Nebenzia cautioned that if the Ukrainian forces keep attacking the power plant, a catastrophe could occur "at any moment." The Russian ambassador to the UN claims that a disaster at the largest power plant in Europe, Zaporozhye, could result in radioactive contamination of large areas of land, affecting at least eight regions of Ukraine, including Kiev, major cities like Kharkov or Odessa, and some of the Russian and Belarusian territories that border Ukraine. He warned that Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria, as well as the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, are likely to suffer as well.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Jordan Times) HIROSHIMA - Britain unveiled new sanctions against Russia's minerals sector Friday, targeting imports of aluminium, diamonds, copper and nickel in a bid to choke Moscow's ability to fund the war in Ukraine.
Ahead of a G-7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, London said it would introduce "a ban on Russian diamonds" and target more entities involved in "[Vladimir] Putin's military industrial complex".
Russia's diamond trade is estimated to be worth $4-5 billion a year, netting the Kremlin much-needed tax revenues.
The summit in Hiroshima is expected to bring a series of new sanctions on Russia, including US measures that will put 70 more Russian and foreign entities on a trade blacklist.
"There will be upwards of 300 new sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft," a senior US administration official said.
The G-7 as a whole is expected to work to tighten existing sanctions, close loopholes, squeeze Moscow's access to the international financial system and commit to keeping Russian assets frozen until the end of the war in Ukraine.
On Thursday, a European Union official said one potential target for discussion was Russia's multibillion-dollar diamond industry.
"We believe we need to limit exports from Russian trade in this sector," the official said.
EU member Belgium is among the largest wholesale buyers of Russian diamonds, along with India and the United Arab Emirates.
The United States is a major end-market for the finished product.
"As today's sanctions announcements demonstrate, the G-7 remains unified in the face of the threat from Russia and steadfast in our support for Ukraine," said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


- Live Mint) "In a bid to boost the tourism sector further, Vietnam is now considering visa-free entry for Indians and Chinese a conference chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday, he also suggested waivers for visitors from wealthy countries such as Australia, Canada, the U.S., and the remaining 20 members of the 27-member E.U, VnExpress reported last week things to know about new visa rules:
As of now, nationals from Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Finland can travel to Vietnam without a visa.
And to other countries, it is offering e-visas with a 90-day validity and multiple entry allowances for individuals from all countries this visa-free entry policy is implemented, Vietnam will join Sri Lanka and Thailand as one of the few countries offering such convenience to Indian travelersSri LankaSri Lanka's Cabinet has approved the issuance of free visas to individuals from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand as a pilot project until March 31, 2024.“Cabinet approves issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March,” posted Sabry on X earlier, last month, Thailand also announced that the government will allow visa-free entry for tourists from India and Taiwan for a period of six months from November 10 this year to May 10, 2024.\"We will provide visa-free entry to India and Taiwan because a lot of their people like to travel to Thailand,\" Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavision was quoted as saying by news agency AFP countries are India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia. The move is aimed at attracting more tourists to the island nation. \"We are expecting to increase tourist arrivals to five million over the coming years,\" the Sri Lankan tourist ministry was quoted as saying by local media outlets.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The Kyiv City Council awarded former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the title of the honorary citizen of Kyiv.
'The Kyiv City Council approved a decision to award Boris Johnson, a great friend of Ukraine, the title of honorary citizen of Kyiv. Boris visited the Ukrainian capital several times – both in peacetime and in the most dramatic time of our struggle against the Russian aggressor. Johnson has done and, I am sure, will continue to do everything possible so that Great Britain and world leaders provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine. We thank you for your support! We are waiting for you in Kyiv again to present this honorable award!' Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko posted on telegram .
As reported, the Academic Council of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv awarded former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Cicero & Bernay Public Relations) Dubai, UAE, 5July 2022: Arabian Automobiles, the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, has announced an exclusive Eidsale campaign to mark the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The limited-period campaign offers customers a chance to drive home one of the UAE’s most loved cars, the Nissan Patrol, atlower prices like never before.
In partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the campaign kicked off on the 1st ofJuly and will run until the 15th of July. The AAC Nissan Eid sale campaign will offer an unmatched opportunity for customers looking to buy a Nissan Patrol this season, in alignment with Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) sale.
Under the campaign, attractive deals are being offered on the Nissan Patrol Safari, the Patrol Super Safari, the PatrolV8, and the Patrol Nismo.Customers looking to drive home the Patrol Safari to fuel their adventurous spirit can do so for just AED 159,000 as part of the Eid sale.
If you are looking to buy the powerful Patrol Titanium, you’re also in luck. The performance-oriented SUV is being offered for only AED 292,000. This is one of the most-loved SUVs for those who love to travel and take the path of performance, comfort and luxury.
Additionally, as part of the campaign, the Patrol Nismo can be taken home for even less. The latest offering by the brand, with race-inspired design and unique performance, is available across AAC showrooms for just AED 382,000. And that’s not all: all the aforementioned models come with a five-year warranty.
Customers can visit their nearest Nissan showroom in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. They can also dial 800-NISSAN (800-647726) to speak to a sales representative today.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The number of those killed following Russia's shelling of Kherson city has risen to four.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said this in a post on Telegram , Ukrinform reports.
"Rescuers are extinguishing a vehicle fire following artillery strikes in Kherson that took place around noon. Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the driver and the passenger. In total, the Russian shelling claimed the lives of four local residents. Another person was injured," he said.
The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office informed that a man died of his injuries in hospital.
The Kherson Regional Military Administration added that he was a 60-year-old local resident.
Earlier, Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson RMA, said in a Facebook post that three civilians were killed.
"The three dead are men of 45 and 50 years old who were in the vehicle and a woman who was on the street at the time of the enemy attack!" Mrochko wrote.
Ukraine presses charges in absentia against Russian general in lead of Kherson
The video shows the consequences of the Russian army shelling the center of Kherson.
Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson RMA, wrote on his Telegram channel that a 66-year-old woman sustained fatal injuries in enemy artillery strike. He also confirmed that she was outside at the time of the shelling.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, two people were killed in Kherson - a vehicle came under fire. Another civilian was wounded in the shelling.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN) The National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Tuesday that Fanatics will replace Adidas as the official uniform supplier for the league starting with the 2024-2025 season. The 10-year deal marks a significant milestone for Fanatics, as its branding will appear on official player uniforms in professional sports for the first time. The terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Fanatics has a long-standing relationship with the NHL, running the league's e-commerce site with over 90 million customers worldwide. Since 2018, the company has also produced the league's performance and training apparel, as well as all headwear for players and coaches. In addition, Fanatics has relationships with over 80 current and former hockey stars through its memorabilia and collectibles division.
“This is a seminal moment in the history of Fanatics, and a testament to the hands-on, collaborative relationship with the NHL that we’ve built over the years,” said Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin in a statement.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “Fanatics is a sports industry market leader, and with its proven track-record in e-commerce and retail operations...our players and fans should look forward to what Fanatics will bring to the best uniforms in all of sports.”
In July, the league notified apparel companies that jersey rights were back in play after Adidas announced it would not be seeking a renewal at the end of its seven-year contract. Adidas took over the rights from Reebok beginning with the 2017-2018 season, with that deal estimated to be worth $70 million annually, according to ESPN.
The deal with Fanatics represents a significant shift in the NHL's uniform supplier, and with the company's proven track record in e-commerce and retail operations, it presents an excellent opportunity for the league to expand its reach and bring its fans closer to the game they love. This partnership marks a new chapter in the NHL's history, and it will be exciting to see what Fanatics brings to the table in terms of innovation and creativity in uniform design.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN - Gulf Times) The Advisory Council, chaired by HE the Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, held an extensive discussion on the phenomenon of rising shop rents in Qatar.
Several members requested a general discussion on the issue. After an extensive discussion, the council decided to refer the matter to the Services and Public Utilities Committee for a report.
The session began with the speaker briefing the council on the outcome of the 108th general assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its related meetings, which took place in Geneva from March 24 to 28, and in which he participated as the head of a delegation of the council.
Al-Mahmoud also briefed the council on the series of intensive meetings that he and the accompanying delegation held with a number of heads of parliaments in friendly countries, heads of delegations and parliamentary groups.
During the meetings, he said, he explained the developments related to the Gulf crisis and the position of Qatar on it.
He expressed his satisfaction at the understanding with Qatar's position during these meetings and the desire to reach a quick solution to the Gulf crisis through dialogue, without preconditions and with respect for the sovereignty of states and adherence to laws and international charters.
The speaker also pointed out that the active participation of women in the Qatari delegation has been appreciated by the general assembly of IPU.
The Advisory Council commended the results of the work of the IPU general assembly, in which the Advisory Council delegation had a role, especially the draft resolution submitted by the Arab and Islamic groups concerning the occupied city of Jerusalem, which the general assembly adopted by a large majority.
The draft resolution stipulates the protection of the legal and historic status of Jerusalem and considering the decision of the US administration as null and void under international law.
The Advisory Council expressed its satisfaction with the selection of Qatar as a member of the IPU's Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.
The council considered that this choice comes in recognition of the status of Qatar and its role and commitment to international human rights treaties.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Newsroom Panama) Opaque lawmakers
106Views 0Comments Posted 17/10/2021 Share
José Ramón Icaza, president of Panama's Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture( Cciap) has labeled the electoral reforms passed by the National Assembly as "democratic stagnation amid opacity and convenience."
In the Chamber's Sunday newsletter The union criticizes the approval while the citizenry had their backs turned, in the middle of the night, and recalls that it is a project that in importance surpasses any other since it is about the rules for choosing just over 4,000 candidates to more than 800 popularly elected positions in 2024.
The CCIAP says that it was expected to constitute another step in the evolution of Panamanian democracy towards a more participatory and inclusive system, but, on the other hand, " the management and orientation of the discussions prevent us from having any hope in this regard."
“ Today, just as it did when the Electoral Tribunal [TE] withdrew from the discussion due to the arbitrariness of some deputies, the CCIAP raises its voice to denounce the opacity in the management and the intentions of the deputies, but also the passivity of who are called to be the custodians of the main democratic instrument. In the second debate of bill 544, the TE magistrates had the duty to defend transcendental issues, such as the allocation of seats in the multi-member circuits, which openly disputes with the system of direct elections established by the 'Political Constitution'. As it was expected, they would defend their proposal to review the electoral jurisdiction, it passed as found in the current 'Electoral Code' ”, the union maintains.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


More than 40 camels have been disqualified from a Saudi Arabian beauty competition after organizers banned Botox injections and other cosmetic changes.
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival began earlier this month in the desert, northeast of Riyadh. It welcomes the world's most beautiful camel to compete for £50 million in prize money.
The winner is determined by the shape of the camels' heads, necks, humps, clothing, and postures. Botox treatments, facelifts, and other artificial enhancements to make the camels more appealing are beyond the pale.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated on Wednesday that judges at the month-long festival are tightening their grip on artificially modified camels. They are employing“specialized and advanced” technology to identify tampering.
Authorities revealed this year that dozens of camel breeders had stretched their lips and noses. They used hormones to strengthen muscles, injected Botox into their heads and lips to make them bigger. Then, they inflated body parts with rubber bands and used fillers to relax their features.
dozen-animals-over-botox-injections/camel_festival.jpg' alt='camels botox'/>
“The club is keen to halt all acts of tampering and deception in the beautification of camels,” the SPA report said. Adding that organizers would“impose strict penalties on manipulators”.
The camel beauty contest is the centerpiece of the huge carnival. It also includes camel races, sales, and other events that attract thousands of dromedaries.
Even as the oil-rich country plows ahead with modernizing mega-projects, the event aims to retain the camel's position in the kingdom's Bedouin history and legacy.
Camel breeding is a multibillion-dollar business, and one can likewise find analogous events throughout the region.
camels Saudi Camel beauty pageant
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- IANS) Kolkata, June 4 (IANS) A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal over the Odisha train tragedy after Trinamool Congress's National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee sought resignation of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Reacting to Abhishek Banerjee's demand, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari questioned why Mamata Banerjee, as the then Railways Minister, did not resign taking the moral responsibility of the derailment Jnaneswari Express in May 2010 at Jhargram in West Bengal in which around 150 people were killed. "Before doing politics over such a tragedy, Mamata Banerjee must do some self- introspection," Adhikari said.
Responding to Adhikari, State Trinamool Congress spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that during the time of Jnaneswari Express derailment Adhikari was with Trinamool Congress only. "His observations are usually meaningless," Ghosh said.
While demanding immediate resignation of the Railways Minister, Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday had also launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Prime Minister often speaks of 'Digital India' but the anti-collision system was neglected. Had this system been in place such a mishap could have been avoided. A separate commission should be set to investigate the matter," he said.
He also questioned why the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not take the responsibility of this accident "when he is always eager to take credit for introducing Vande Bharat Express".
BJP's National Vice President and Lok Sabha MP Dilp Ghosh said that the Prime Minister himself rushing to the accident site "proves how sincere he is about his job".
"There had been several occasions of train accidents before. But I do not recall any other Prime Minister rushing to the spot of an accident, which Narendra Modi had done. A large number of passengers who were travelling by the train were migrant workers. It is a matter of shame that under Mamata Banerjee's rule, the condition of the employment generation is so pathetic that thousands have to travel elsewhere for their livelihood," Ghosh said.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


Japan Fades, Investors Weigh Inflation Concerns
Shares in Asia-Pacific struggled for direction on Friday, following sharp declines on Wall Street as investors weighed the possibility of aggressive monetary policy tightening leading to a recession.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 stumbled 468.2 points, or 1.8%, to 25,963, as shares of conglomerate SoftBank Group plunged 4.2%
The Bank of Japan on Friday said it would maintain its ultra-easy monetary policy.
Following that decision, the Japanese yen weakened more than 1.5% to 134.30 per dollar, though it was still stronger as compared with levels above 135 seen against the greenback earlier this week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index regained 229.57 points, or 1.1%, to 21,075. Shares of life insurer AIA climbed more than 2%.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6979, off an earlier high of $0.7053.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 jumped 58.98 points, or 1.4%, to 4,309.04
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked higher 0.66 points to 3,098.09.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index collapsed 197.35 points, or 1.3%, to 15,641.26.
In Korea, the Kospi gave back 10.48 points, or 0.4%, to 2,440.93.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 swooned 57.39 points, or 0.5%, to 10,589.19.
In Australia, dropped 116.3 points, or 1.8%, to 6,474.80.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- Jordan Times)
AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Saturday conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, expressing King Abdullah's keenness to enhance the“historical and brotherly” relations between the countries and reiterating the Kingdom's full support for the Lebanese people.
The Lebanese president, during a reception for Safadi and Arab foreign ministers ahead of the launch of a Lebanon-hosted consultative meeting, voiced his pride in the Jordanian-Lebanese relations, conveying his greetings to His Majesty, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Safadi said that Jordan supports Lebanon's efforts to overcome the hard conditions and restore its crucial role, stressing that protecting Lebanon's stability is fundamental to regional security and stability.
Holding the consultative meeting in Beirut signals“a clear message of support for Lebanon”, Safadi said.
Safadi and Arab foreign ministers who took part in the meeting also met Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri, with talks focusing on expanding cooperation between Arab countries and Lebanon, enhancing joint action in addition to discussing the latest regional and international developments.
Speaking during the consultative meeting, Safadi emphasised the importance of systematic Arab institutional action in approaching common challenges, highlighting the need to activate the collective Arab role to resolve regional crises. He stressed that Arab countries must assume a key role in addressing their issues.
During the meeting, several regional and international issues were discussed, notably the Palestinian cause, efforts to resolve the Syrian and Yemeni crises, the situation in Libya, supporting Iraq and its stability, supporting Lebanon and preserving its stability, as well as the Ukrainian crisis and its impacts on food and energy security, besides issues related to combatting terrorism.
Preparations for the upcoming Arab summit in Algeria, development opportunities, the institutionalisation of Arab cooperation in the sectors of food and pharmaceutical security, environment protection and the development of scientific institutions and other vital sectors were also discussed during the meeting.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Safadi held discussions with a number of his counterparts over means of bolstering bilateral relations and enhancing joint Arab action, as well as the latest regional and international developments and efforts to resolve regional crises.
Safadi's meetings included Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jarandi and Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak.
Safadi also met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Lebanon presides over the 157th session of the Council of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level. The previous consultative meeting of foreign ministers was held last January in Kuwait, president of the previous ministerial-level session.
No decisions are made by the biannual consultative meetings.
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Es'hailSat is exhibiting its services at the annual IBC exhibition in Amsterdam, the leading platform for the broadcast, content delivery, digital media and satellite sectors across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Es'hailSat will showcase its Playout and Media services together with satellites Es'hail-1, Es'hail-2 and the state-of-the-art 50,000 sqm teleport in Doha. Es'hail-1 and Es'hail-2 are currently transmitting high quality, premium DTH television content from the 25.5°/26° East hotspot.
Es'hail-2, a high-performance satellite with sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities located at 26° East hotspot position for TV broadcasting, significantly adds to the company's ability to provide high quality, premium DTH television content across the Middle East and North Africa.
Es'hailSat's 50,000 sqm teleport provide customers with secure and independent satellite transmission. The facility supports satellite TT&C and capacity management together with a wide range of services including uplink, downlink, multiplexing, encoding, playout, VSAT and other value-added services. The high-tech teleport will also provide back-up studios for TV channels and serve as a disaster recovery facility for customers.
President and CEO of Es'hailSat, Ali Al Kuwari, said:“We have been expanding upon our gamut of services since the launch of Es'hail-1 & Es'hail-2 to grow beyond our local market. With the newly launched Playout and Media services together with our 50,000sqm Teleport, a global event such as IBC givesthe right platform to engage with customers and partners and showcase our capabilities and achievements. We are pleased to be exhibiting once again at IBC and announcing the launch of our Playout services as we see this exhibition an integral part of our business development efforts to attract international customers who seek optimal coverage while valuing broadcasting independence and quality of service.”
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.