(MENAFN- The Peninsula) joel johnson |
The retail industry in Qatar is poised to augment steadily benefiting the economy of the country during Q1 of 2023.
A report by BFL group, a global retail store based in the UAE stated that Qatar's retail market looks positive in the first quarter of the year with steady population growth, high net-worth expatriates and individuals, and the successfully concluded FIFA World Cup 2022. The report said that“The government's assistance in easing travel restrictions, bolstering the investment landscape, and streamlining retail infrastructure also contributed to the industry's revival and boosted recovery by promoting tourism.”
Last year the retail industry performed fairly well with the expansion of projects and foreign investments in Qatar.
The country has been achieving this remarkable foot as more expats are welcomed to the region and with significant growth in the vacant lands that were leased.
Qatar opened its door to more state-of-the-art projects including malls, stadiums, and other infrastructures that boosted the country's economy with more retailers.
BFL Group's CEO and Co-founder Toufic Kredieh said:“As part of our expansion plans for 2022, we have successfully opened a number of stores across the GCC, in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Due to the growing retail market and the magnified economy brought on by the mega events that were taking place in the country, Qatar stood out as an ideal location for business growth.”
“Given Qatar's exceptional performance in retail sales, which reached USD 18.5bn in 2022, we are confident that Q1 of 2023 will remain strong and attract more customers. It is also anticipated that more retail businesses will emerge in 2023, owing to the recent exposure the country has received. With our innovative concepts, client-centered services, and products from various brands, we are well-positioned to ensure success in the country,” he added.
The firm opened two stores in Qatar during the enhancements and mega events last year aiming to contribute towards Qatar's community as the net profit for businesses surged with tourists paving their way to the country.
The report added,“As outdoor activities have completely returned to normal in 2022, retail sales are on an upward trajectory, along with higher consumer spending.”
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Saudi King, US Pres. discuss Houthi missile attack on Riyadh
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) RIYADH, Dec 20 (KUNA) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud made a telephone call to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to mull the response to the Houthi missile attack on Riyadh.
During the call, the US president condemned the attempt by the Houthi militia to target the city of Riyadh with a ballistic missile, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
It added that President Trump condemned this criminal attempt, which was a blatant attack on the kingdom's sovereignty and targeted a populated area. He asserted the stand of the US with the kingdom in confronting threats to its national security.
They also discussed the measures to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions, hold the Iranian regime accountable for its aggressive actions and supplying its Houthi militia with missiles to threaten the security and stability of the kingdom and the countries of the region.
The two leaders stressed the need to support all relief and humanitarian operations in order to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people. (end) od.ibi
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(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN — Deputising for HRH Prince Ghazi, Chief Adviser to His Majesty King Abdullah for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy of His Majesty, and member of the Muslim Council of Elders, Senator Mohammad Momani on Monday attended the“Media against Hate” conference.
Momani said during the inauguration ceremony of the event, which is co-organised by the council and Catholic Centre for Studies and Media, that the top challenges facing the nation, religion and human civilisation today is the spread of hate speech, shunning the values of tolerance and peace and refusing difference.
The senator said that the values of tolerance and peace are in complete harmony with the“teachings of our religion and the all divine religions”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
He added that Jordan has always been at the forefront of countries that defend Islam and the human values that Islam has always defended for centuries, referring to the Jordanian and Hashemite role that has always been present in international ideological, cultural and political events.
Momani said that His Majesty was always present to explain the values and teachings of Islam, defend Muslims and their cultural heritage, and in the struggle to counter the spread of Islamophobia, that spread in non-Muslim societies. This targeted Muslim minorities for belonging to a religion that some of its followers distorted through perpetrating massacres and violence acts, he continued.
Jordan has offered several initiatives to spread tolerance and coexistence, such as the Amman Message that was written and approved by the elite of Muslim scholars and was translated into dozens of languages, he noted.
Secretary General of the Council Sultan Al Remeithi expressed his gratitude to King Abdullah and the Jordanian leadership over the years for establishing a unique model of coexistence and tolerance.
Remeithi added that the council's efforts aim at combating the hate speech and discrimination in Arab media, whether on the Internet or beyond, through enhancing moral values and activating media pacts to preserve the dignity of humans.
Father Rifat Badr, head of the Catholic Centre for Research and Media, said that the term“hate speech” is“obnoxious”, noting that the terrorism is not the result of religion even if terrorists adopted religious slogans, but is instead the result of misunderstandings of religious texts and policies of poverty, hunger and injustice.
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A collection of news and information related to Lincoln (movie, 2012) published by this site and its partners.
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Story | Jan 31, 2014 | 4:23 PMAn Allentown native who has become a fast-rising star will be on view during one of the high profile commercials during the Super Bowl Sunday. Dane Dehaan will be seen in the trailer for "The Amazing Spiderman 2" which will...


The government’s education review says the public school system is struggling with a $1.4-billion shortfall.
“Public school attendance rates have been falling for years and are expected to continue to drop, even as the population continues to grow,” said the report released Monday.
“We know this is a national problem, but we are facing a serious one in our own province.”
The government said it has been working to improve the public schools system, including investing in new technology and technology-related initiatives, such as the “digital classrooms.”
It also says the government is working to streamline the process of choosing the schools that receive the most funding.
Education Minister Karen Casey said the government has made investments in some public schools that are being adjusted to make them more efficient.
“The government has also taken measures to make sure the money that’s being spent on new schools in the province of Ontario is being used wisely,” Casey said.
The report says Ontario’s public schools need to do a better job of keeping pace with a changing population.
In the last year, the province has added more than 10,000 new public school seats and enrolled more than 6.3 million students.
It also noted that a recent Ontario government report showed the public sector is underfunded by $4.6-billion.


MP Tissa Attanayake told Lankasara that steps have already been taken to build a broad political movement in the next few weeks under the leadership of Samagi Janabalawegaya against the anti-democratic activities of the government.
He said that a number of forces including political parties, civil society organizations, religious and social organizations as well as major trade unions have already agreed to join the new political movement.
Attanayake said that due to the current actions of the government, there are indications that a number of social, economic, and political issues will arise in the near future. He said the new movement will therefore seek to remove the current government from power.
He pointed out that the country is moving towards a dictatorial regime through the 20th amendment which the government is planning to bring in by repealing the 19th amendment to the constitution which was passed with the consent of all political parties and the people of the country will have to face severe policy consequences in the future as well.
Attanayake further stated that even though a short period of time has elapsed since the formation of the present government, the government is now in a state of internal conflict and steps will be taken in the near future to mobilize the people.


ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has emphasized the need to advance efforts to strengthen research, innovation and emergency management in Africa's public health sector.
The Africa CDC, the African Union's specialized public health agency, said in a statement issued late Monday that the 2nd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2022), which is underway in Kigali, Rwanda from Dec. 13 to 15, envisaged to "significantly advance" developments in Africa's public health arena.
The conference that brings together African leaders, ministers of health as well as leading researchers and scientists "helps to serve as a catalyst for accelerating progress against the continent's most significant health challenges and building more resilient health systems," the Africa CDC said.
The Africa CDC said the conference comes at a critical time when many African countries continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It said the COVID-19 pandemic not only exerted enormous pressure on health systems in Africa, but also sounded the alarm on the need to reform and revitalize the continent's health system.
The Africa CDC further noted that the conference also comes as Africa witnessed emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases posing a grave threat to the health and lives of millions in Africa.
"It is time that countries should collectively invest in stronger health system governance, including multi-sectoral collaboration within countries," the Africa CDC statement quoted Ahmed Ogwell, acting director of the Africa CDC, as saying.
The Africa CDC chief said the AU specialized public health agency has presented its vision of a new public health order, which aims to ensure that effective health systems exist before a crisis and remain resilient during and post-crisis.
"CPHIA 2022 will shine a spotlight on this new approach to public health shaped by local leadership and regional solutions," he said.
Senait Fisseha, CPHIA 2022 co-chair, on her part stressed the critical timing of the conference in terms of bringing Africa's public health sector into the spotlight.
"There has been an incredible amount of interest in CPHIA 2022 from across Africa and around the world. It is clear this conference is needed now more than ever," the statement quoted Fisseha as saying. ■


(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors)Midstates Petroleum (OTCMKTS:MPOY) shares dropped by as much as 16% on Monday after S&P Ratings downgraded the company's credit and issue-level ratings to D from triple C minus on a missed interest payment. The U.S.-based oil and gas exploration and production company announced that it has elected not to make its interest payment on its 10.75% senior notes due 2020. "We believe it is likely the company will file for Chapter 11 to restructure the company. As a result we are lowering our corporate credit ratings and issue-level ratings on Midstates' debt to 'D'" S&P said. Midstates shares ended on Monday down 3.2% at $0.30.
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(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) DUSHANBE (Pajhwok): Tajikistan counter human trafficking commission head Faridum Davronov has said dozens of Tajik girls are smuggled to foreign countries each year for sex.
Davronov told Pajhwok Afghan News told Pajhowk Afghan News in an interview in Dushanbe that most of the Tajik girls were often deceived or tricked into going with human smugglers to Dubai, Turkey and other countries.
'These women are sold as sex slave which is part of human trafficking,' he said, adding they had arrested 32 times individuals who wanted to smuggle girls to foreign countries during the past five months.
He did not reveal the exact number of those arrested, saying they were in dozens and were currently in jail.
Davronov said human smuggling in Afghanistan had lately emerged, calling on both the countries to strengthen security measures on their respective sides of the border.
He said border security was strengthened, human traffickers would be unable to easily perform their jobs.
He said they were ready to share their experience with Afghanistan regarding prevention of human trafficking.
Afghanistan High Council on Human Trafficking member Abdul Wahid Hidayat told Pajhwok Afghan News that Afghanistan and Tajikistan had prepared a joint strategy to control borders.
He said human trafficking had become a headache for the whole of the world and needed a global campaign to be eradicated.
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They’ll need to know these things to keep the dream alive.
When we’re not around anymore, the next generation of automobile lovers are mosting likely to require to suffer till it’s their look to pass it on. Prior to they can do that, however, there are certain points that they’re going to need to recognize.
We asked visitors what points the next generation of auto people are mosting likely to require to understand. These were their responses.


The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) said in a statement on Monday that water samples taken from the sea at Coloane’s Cheoc Van Beach have been found to contain the Vibrio cholerae bacterium which causes cholera.
According to the statement, the DSAMA has received a report from the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) that test results from the water samples proved positive for Vibrio cholerae – which causes the acute diarrhoeal disease.
The statement said that the Marine and Water Bureau has reported the findings to the Disease Prevention and Control Centre of the Health Bureau (SSM) and that it has hoisted the red flag at the beach – which means that residents are advised not to swim there. Notices have also been put up on the beach to remind residents about the bacterial menace, the statement said.
According to the Macau Post Daily, the government will continue to monitor the situation and provide the public with the latest information in a timely manner, the statement said.
The statement also said that “no abnormality has been detected at Hac Sa Beach.”
The Health Bureau (SSM) has previously said that eight cases of cholera were recorded in 1998 and that none of the cases was caused by swimming at local beaches.
The Health Bureau has also said there have been multiple occasions in which water samples taken from the sea at the city’s beaches were found to contain the Vibrio cholerae bacterium over the past two decades, adding that no cholera cases were recorded in Macau after 1998.


Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Congress MLC Dr. Pradnya Rajeev Satav has claimed that she was 'brutally attacked' by an unknown person who made a serious attempt to injure her and posed a threat to her life.
The attack in Kasbe Dhawanda village in Kalamnuri, Hingoli, took place from behind, and said 'an attack on lady MLC is an attack on Democracy'.
'Fight from the front... don't be a coward,' Dr. Satav dared the attacker in a tweet, even as the incident ignited a fresh controversy between the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the state government.
Two days ago, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aditya Thackeray's vehicle had been pelted with stones in Aurangabad where he is on a tour, though the local police denied the incident, and a Ratnagiri crusading journalist was killed for writing articles opposing the upcoming mega-refinery and petrochemicals project there.
Reacting sharply, Congress state President Nana Patole, Nationalist Congress Party's Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s MP Sanjay Raut slammed the state government saying now 'even elected representatives are insecure'.
Patole said the Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis -- who holds the home department -- has lost control of the police department and demanded that the culprits must be caught and booked immediately.
Pawar urged the state government to ensure the safety of peoples' representatives, nab those guilty and find out who is the mastermind behind the attack on Dr. Satav.
Condemning the incident, Raut questioned why the state government had taken away the security cover of many Opposition leaders leaving them vulnerable to such attacks.
Following a complaint lodged by Dr. Satav who was unhurt, the Hingoli Police have detained one person in connection with the attack on her late on Wednesday, and further details are awaited.
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A number of people have expressed their disapproval after footage of another illegal party took place at a private residence in Bugibba.
The video, which was posted on Instagram in the last few hours, shows young people who got together for a party which took place between Sunday and Monday.
This party is in breach of the Covid-19 regulations which does not allow more than two households under the same roof.
The video shows that the party took place somewhere in Bugibba.
In their reaction, many young people said that they cannot believe that there are those still organising these type of parties at home because they think they can do what they like.
They stressed the need for more discipline and more serious action to be taken against those who are breaking the Covid-19 regulations.


Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg made a statement on his official page that beginning 2018, users will receive localized news in their feeds.
What this means is that users will be now getting local news from their city, town or community. Upping their marketing communications game, Facebook will now lay importance on segregating major news from the ‘not-so-important’ ones.
In a post spreading approximately 300 words, Zuckerburg mentioned that they were concerting on showing high quality and trusted news to users; thus making developments to their social media management. Moreover, he also said that they were trying to show users’ news feeds that they trusted the most.
He also laid stress on the fact that people want to see news that affect their community the most. Zuckerburg further added, “Research revealed that showing local news to users can encourage civic engagement.”
Thus if they know what is going on in their locality they can provide their manpower and help make a difference.
Zuckerburg further said, that in his travels through the country last year, he came across people who told him how all of them had so much in common if they could get past the national issues that were divisive.
Facebook’s social media management could reach new levels if these divisive news were toned down. Instead people now want local news that would be concrete so that they all could make progress together.
Presently, this update will only be available in the US and slowly come into effect in other countries.
This update will identify local news when users located in a specific geographical area click on it. Additionally, local news will also show up in user’s feeds if one of their friends clock on it.
Concluding this marketing communications post, the Facebook CEO wrote that local news can help build communities both online and offline.
“It’s crucial to make sure that the durations spent on Facebook is valuable. I’m looking forward to providing more updates shortly”, he further added.


Bernie Sanders Gives a Very Important Speech on Poverty (Video)
The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet 47 million Americans are living in poverty.
Bernie Sanders spoke about the issue at the the Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, W.Va., on May 5.
—Posted by Eric OrtizWait, before you go…
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Eight new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Goa on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 46, according to Directorate of Health Services, Goa.
A total of 1,01,139 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in India. 39,174 persons have recovered or migrated, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.
There are 58,802 active cases of COVID-19 in the country at present. As many as 3,163 people have lost their lives due to the coronavirus in the country.


The Mizoram government has allocated Rs 527.5 million towards expenses of the November 28 state legislative assembly polls, finance department officials said on Friday.
The officials said the finance department has released Rs 325 million to the state election department.
Of the Rs 527.5 million election budget, Rs 377.5 million will be disbursed to eight district election offices, while Rs 40 million will go to the state election directorate.
The officials said Rs 110 million was the total estimate for expenses to be incurred on deployment of 40 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), which was regarded as on the higher side.
The expenditure for the state assembly election is to be borne entirely by the state government, they said, adding Rs 243 million was spent in the 2013 state assembly polls.ALSO READ: Bru refugees likely to vote from Mizoram village: Chief Electoral Officer


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Leaders of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa discussed Tuesday coordinating efforts to face humanitarian challenges weighing down on the region.
Deputy Chief of The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Asia and the pacific and General Secretary of Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society Maha Al-Barjes spoke to KUNA on sideline of society leaders meeting discussing the rapidly changing humanitarian situation, mounting crises, and increase of humanitarian needs.
She indicated that this multiplication of crises in the region underscores necessity of uniting efforts to ratify preventative plans, approve strategies guaranteeing quick response to emergent cases and building international partnerships.
Al-Barjes highlighted some of the challenges facing the region including ramifications of covid-19 pandemic, cholera, dengue fever, climate change, ongoing conflicts, refugees and displaced people, absence of food security and an economic crisis.
Regional chief of society union in Middle East and North Africa, Husam Al-Sharqawi, told KUNA that the meeting, continuing to tomorrow, will handle latest developments in humanitarian situations and the readiness to cope with these catastrophes.
He illustrated that society leaderships are to exchange ideas the meeting aims to review societies' national plans and focus on coordination. (end)
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(MENAFN) A commentator of pro-government Turkish Akit TV claimed that the Netflix's trailer for television series La Casa De Papel contained subliminal messages for president Erdogon's opponents in Turkey.
A trailer for Turkey was prepared for the world famous series La Casa De Papel, men and women in red jumpsuits cross symbolic places in Istanbul with the song 'bella ciao' and head to their meeting point KadÄ±koy," wrote Omer Turan on twitter.
Omer Turan said "You may find normal that those people are meeting in KadÄ±koy, the symbol of opposition against Erdogan but I don't think that it is normal."
"And they say Berlin is our father. This is not even subliminal, it is a clear and an international message," Turan continued.
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GHA event raises dementia awareness
The GHA and ERS organised a dementia awareness event outside St Bernard’s Hospital on Tuesday.
The event was opened by Dr Antonio Marin and the information stall was well attended by the public and GHA members of staff.
Dr Marin said the aim of the event was to mark World Alzheimer's Day and raise awareness in the community.
The event was also supported by GADS.


RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Two women were wounded in a stabbing incident in the Glenwood South area of Raleigh early Saturday, police said.
The incident was reported as a stabbing around 1:30 a.m. in the 400 block of Glenwood Avenue, according to a news release from Raleigh police.
“Upon arrival, officers located two adult females suffering with non-life-threatening injuries,” the news release said.
One of the two women was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The women were ages 23 and 34 and were from Holly Springs and Raleigh, according to police.
An incident report from Raleigh police said the crime took place in the 300 block of Glenwood Avenue.
Anyone with information that might assist the investigation is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP, police said.


The head of the Middle East and Central Asia Department of the International Monetary Fund reports that the Rohani administration has brought greater stability to the Iranian economy, which is expected to grow at a rate of 1.5 percent in the coming year.
In the past two years, Iran’s economy has shrunk by 8 percent and the national currency has lost two-thirds of its value against the dollar.
Bloomberg also reports that, according to the IMF, declining inflation will fuel positive growth in the Iranian economy.
The report indicates that the economic stability is also a result of the Rohani administration’s reduction of fuel subsidies and the easing of sanctions. The report goes on to add, however, that the stability has not yet resulted in job creation, which would produce a positive change in the day-to-day life of Iranians.


I’ve had enough.
I’m tired of other people telling other people what to do, how to do it, when to do it and how long to do it for.
I’ve had enough of people telling me, and others, that I/we need to do something, have to do something.
I’m shouting to the roof tops – we don’t need to do anything! There’s nothing we have to do!
Get over it, people who tell others to do stuff. We don’t need to do anything, let alone follow your demands!
Now, leave us alone!
We don’t need you!


Srinagar: J&K Police have arrested four players and is looking for others for playing Pakistan national anthem ahead of a cricket match in northern Kashmir’s district of Bandipora, reports said on Sunday.
They said that a cricket match was played between two local teams at Arin area of Bandipora. However, before the match started, both the teams lined up and Pakistan national anthem was played. However, it is not first time that such an incident has happened.
A video about the whole episode went viral on social media.
However, police have registered an FIR under section 13 of the unlawful activities and initiated proceedings, they said adding four players have been arrested, so far.
Similar incidents have also been reported in the past also when police arrested players in the Valley.


U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and the Commander United States Africa Command (USAAFRICOM), Gen. David Rodriguez, stated this in a joint online press conference on Thursday.
According to local media reports, Thomas-Greenfield noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was going to be in Washington later this month for meetings with the administration and that “we will have discussions with him on what we can do to continue to assist Nigeria and their effort to fight against Boko Haram.
“Part of that discussion will be how we can provide the equipment and support that Nigerians require. Part of what we will do is to engage with the new government, we will have discussion on what we can do to continue to assist Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.
“Human rights are an important value for the United States and in any place that we are providing lethal weapons.
“We want to know that the militaries that we are providing those weapons do not use that in a way that violates the human rights of ordinary civilians so we will have that discussion moving forward,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. government would discuss these issues with the Nigerian government and that they would also discuss how to better prepare the Nigerian military to support communities.
Thomas-Green also said that the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls was high priority for the U.S. government.
On his part, Rodriguez noted that the U.S. has continued to share intelligence with the Nigerian leadership, about the Chibok girls as well as other people who have been taken by Boko Haram.
“We will continue to do that and pursue the effort of rescuing the girls,’’ he said.
The commander said the U.S. would continue to promote peace and security in Africa as a priority and that was why the command exists.
He said the command supports peace keeping efforts and strengthens the capacity of Africa military through partnership.


PM to attend 100-day performance event of Punjab Govt
LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in Lahore where he will attend a function regarding 100-day performance of the Punjab government.
He will also be briefed about performance of the government.
The Prime Minister will also held meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and members of the Punjab cabinet.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will also interact with the business community.


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — The National Harmony Bill, aimed at fostering national unity among the people is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming session.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the bill would focus on preventive measures which would steer the people away from activities detrimental to national unity and solidarity.
“It is aimed at educating and creating awareness among the people so that they will not do something that touches on sensitive issues and lead to misunderstanding,” he told reporters after launching the state-level Unity Week and Waving the Jalur Gemilang 2015 programme here today.
Elaborating, he said the department was still gathering inputs and views from various parties related to the proposed National Harmony Bill.
“We hope there will be (parties) such as non-governmental organisations and people involved in politics who will come forward and give their views.”
In July 2012, the government had proposed to abolish the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with a new law called the National Harmony Act.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his winding-up speech at the 2014 Umno General Assembly announced the decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948 to maintain national peace and harmony. — Bernama


IPOH, Oct 24 — Ipoh police chief ACP Yahaya Hassan said that a farmer and three activists from the Socialist Party of Malaysia’s (PSM) were detained for obstructing public servants from carrying out their enforcement duties during a protest over farmer’s eviction in Kanthan, Tambun here.
Yahaya said that the four men aged between 30 and 68 were arrested after a group of farmers and political party members obstructed an operation carried out by the Perak Land and Minerals Office (PTG) at the Silver Valley Technology Park project site at around 10.05am today.
"The operation by PTG was also joined by several government agencies and police were mobilised there to maintain peace.
"Police arrested the four individual at around 2.30pm after they obstructed the public officers from carrying out their duties under the Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965,” he said in a statement.
Yahaya said that the four men were arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servant from carrying out their task.
He also said a police report were also lodged over the arrest of the four individuals.
Yahaya also said that police received a report from PTG over a woman who believed to be a member of PSM for obstructing PTG’s vehicle during the operation.
He said the case is also being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
Yahaya said the farmers and political party members were dispersed peacefully from the area at around 2.45pm.
Earlier, PSM secretary-general A. Sivarajan said one its activists were injured while four others including party chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar were arrested while protesting the eviction of farmers.
Sivarajan said Chong Yee Shan suffered a broken tooth and injured her nose after she was allegedly shoved by an official from the PTG.
Based on a video shared in PSM’s WhatsApp group, a commotion broke out when the farmers and activists present at the area attempted to block the PTG personnel and their vehicles.
Sivarajan said that PSM activists Karthiges Manickam, 42; Ho Pon Tien, 53; and Kesavan Parvathy, 30, were also arrested in the incident.
He claimed that the PTG officers were attempting to evict the farmers, who have been occupying the land for decades, despite their pending application for the land and ongoing discussion over the matter.
"Why evict the productive farmers when they have applied for the land and waited patiently to comply with the state government for alternative land offer?
"It was the state government who failed to relocate them (farmers). Where is the state government’s commitment to food security?” he said in a statement.
Sivarajan said that PSM demands for the immediate release of four arrested and urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene as the farmers are from his parliamentary constituency.


US 'absolutely support' Israel on assaults against Gaza: Netanyahu
(MENAFN) US diplomats visiting Israel have granted "absolute support" for the country's handling of the deadly assaults striking Gaza, as stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The statement has been made by the Israeli prime minister after a meeting in Jerusalem with Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner and White House envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt.
During his weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated "I must say that there was absolute support for our positions and our actions to ensure the security of Israel and its citizens in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip."
Netanyahu also confirmed that they explored methods to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza without strengthening Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian movement that runs Gaza.
He added "these matters are clear, first of all how to ensure security and how to prevent a broader flare-up, if it is at all possible."
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(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Canada has signed air transport agreements with Oman Nigeria and Mali. The agreements reached under the country's Blue Sky policy will enable Canadian airlines to encourage long-term sustainable competition and development of international air services.
The code-sharing agreements will make travel easier and more convenient. Code-sharing occurs when an air carrier sells seats on a flight operated by another carrier allowing it to expand its network and product offerings.
Lisa Raitt Canada's minister of transport said 'I am pleased to announce these three new air agreements with Nigeria Mali and Oman as they will offer more options and flexibility to Canadian travellers. These agreements demonstrate Canada's commitment to supporting the Canadian air industry by helping it expand its access to international markets.'
According to reports the new rights under these agreements are effective immediately. Under the policy the government of Canada has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements for more than 85 countries.
Over the past two years alone Canada announced new or expanded agreements with 30 countries. Ed Fast minister of international trade Canada said 'Our government is working to provide Canadian businesses including small-and-medium size enterprises with the tools they need to expand and succeed abroad and that includes expanded air agreements. When our businesses succeeds abroad it creates jobs and prosperity right here at home.'
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The number of coronavirus cases in Kenya increased to 126 after four people tested positive on Saturday.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new patients include three Kenyans and a Pakistani national.
The CS said that people have tested positive in quarantine and this is likely to cause more transmission especially because others went against protocols.
Because of this, the CS said that the government has extended the isolation period by 14 days for those quarantined where Covid-19 cases have been confirmed.
He said the Ministry of Health had operationalised Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital to cater for Covid-19 patients. He said that 20 patients are already isolated at the facility.
The CS urged the youth to help fight the spread of coronavirus.


(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): At least 14,000 domestic and foreign tourists visited verdant landscapes of northeastern Badakhshan province last year, say government officials. The number of tourists is on the increase
Information and Culture Director Naqibullah Saqib told Pajhwok Afghan News around 136 foreign tourists from the US, Italy and Germany visited different areas of Badakhshan in the solar year 1396.
Dr. Shams Ali Shams, director of the Aga Khan Foundation in Badakhshan, said under an agreement with the Ministry of Information, tourist spots in Wakhan, which were neglected during the war, had been rehabilitated.
The Wakhan areas had been rehabilitated to promote tourism in the province, he said, adding guesthouses and modern bathrooms had been established in different parts of the district.
He added: €œThe Aga Khan Foundation has successfully projected the historical importance of Pamir to the world. Jointly with the Ministry of Culture, we are making efforts to promote tourism in the province.€
Siddiqui Lalzad, director of information and culture, told Pajhwok the people of Wakhan and Ishkashim districts had earned about $200,000 last year, a crucial step toward the growth of the region€™s economy.
Faiz Mohammad, a resident of Wakhan, said the number of tourists to Pamir had increased. €œThe services we have provided to them have led to a remarkable income.€
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Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin spoke to community leaders in Louisville yesterday about the city's growing problems with violence and announced a prayer-centric approach he hopes will help mobilize the city, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. The governor urged residents to commit to walking a particular block of the city two . . .
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There are many ways that donations via Giveabl's API or plugins to causes supporting agroecology help. Primarily, they help support farmers who are trying to adopt agroecological practices. This is important because these practices can have a significant positive impact on the environment, and also because they provide an alternative to conventional farming practices that often have negative environmental impacts.
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Democrats don’t plan to depend on Robert Mueller for the last word on interference in the 2016 election. Instead, they will use their new subpoena power to produce a voluminous exposé of their own that could last into next year . . .
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Guernsey builders must warn over parking loss
Guernsey contractors will now have to give residents advance notice when parking is going to be lost for longer than a week because of building work.
There has been criticism about some projects lasting longer than expected, causing inconvenience to neighbours.
The Environment Department said from Monday contractors will have to notify residents in writing in advance if work is going to last more than a week.
They will also have to give details of the work and the reason.
If there is a delay in finishing, another letter will have to follow.
The department hopes this will encourage applicants to plan more carefully and consider the impact on people who have lost their spaces.


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Pakistan Awami Tehreek has described ISPR’s response on the misleading and highly irresponsible statement of Jamat-e-Islami Amir Munawar Hassan as timely and appropriate.
In a statement, PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that the Pakistan army was not only the protector of the country’s territorial boundaries but has also played its role in safeguarding the ideological frontiers of the country. He said that the Pakistan army strengthened the national defence by rendering huge sacrifices for the protection of the motherland. He said that the sacrifices offered by the officers and soldiers of Pakistan’s armed forces were a matter of pride for the nation and the people of Pakistan held their armed forces in the highest esteem.
PAT Secretary General asked the people of Pakistan to beware of those elements who, by falsely castigating the armed forces, wanted to promote a poisonous ideology to serve their vested interests. He said that nefarious designs of those who opposed the establishment of Pakistan were laid bare for all to see.
Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that every citizen of the nation was concerned over the relentless campaign launched by some elements aimed at maligning the armed forces of Pakistan. He said that real face of those who dubbed terrorists as ‘martyrs’ and gave precedence to those who shed blood of innocent people, bombed religious places and markets was unmasked. He said that PAT condemned the misleading propaganda campaign against Pakistan army and considered the ISPR’s demand of an explanation from Jamat-e-Islami as the voice of the entire nation.


PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia has recorded nine new positive Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 158 cases according to Health Ministry (MoH) director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said one of the new cases were related to the religious gathering in Sri Petaling, while the other were related to the first cluster, cases 26 and 33.
Dr Noor Hisham said among the participants on the Sri Petaling gathering who tested positive were from Sabah, Kuantan, Pahang, Kota Baru and Johor Baru.
“They already went back to their respective states, we announced that that one of the religious gathering attendees were tested positive and asked them to contact us so we can pick them up.” he told the reporters in an interview
Dr Noor Hisham also said that six patients were also discharged on Thursday (March 12).


Portsmouth Supporters Trust celebrate the news that the fans will take over the club.
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Holly has the evening forecast for the west of the region.
Holly has the evening forecast for the east of the region.
The mental health trust Southern Health has apologised unreservedly for the catastrophic failings which led to the deaths of two patients.


According to local government officials, the incident took place in Kunduz city around 11:30 am local time.
Proivncial police spokesman, Sarwar Hussaini, said the explosion took place due to a magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a police vehicle.
Hussaini further added that the main target of the explosion was police forces, but the victims were all ordinary civilians.
He said the vehicle was also partially damaged following the blast.
No group including the Taliban militants has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.
Kunduz is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan where anti-government armed militants are active in a number of its districts.


The Berryhill Public Schools announced Wednesday that due to positive COVID-19 cases, Berryhill High School would shift to distance learning through October.
The district originally announced they would quarantine through September 14, but will now continue through the first nine weeks of their school year.
The district said the high school had two positive cases that led to many faculty and students in quarantine, and have had more positive cases since their August 28 test results.
The district said, "as we looked at all feasible scenarios, we believe that returning to in-person learning right now would inevitably necessitate another shut down."
Officials said that extra and co-curricular activities will also be delayed during the quarantine period and said they would begin again on September 12.


The UAE has welcomed the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council.
As per the details, the UAE has also welcomed the formation of a government of political competencies in Yemen. It has hoped that the move will be a step towards a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
A statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It commended the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia in implementing the Riyadh Agreement and its support for all actions that serve the interest of the Yemeni people and contribute to their stability and security.
The Ministry has also talked about the significances of the Yemeni forces’ solidarity and cooperation. It has urged them to prioritize the national interest while addressing specific dangers stemming from the Houthi coup.
Above all, the Ministry also committed to stand by the Yemeni people and to support their aspirations for development, prosperity, peace, and stability.


Canada’s crime rate dropped three per cent in 2012 compared to the previous year continuing a decline that started in 1991, according to government statistics. Police report that the severity of crimes was also down by three per cent in 2012.
There were nearly two million incidents involving criminal activity that year, roughly 36,000 fewer than the previous year.
In spite of the on-going decline in crime and its severity, spending on criminal justice has increased by 23 per cent over the last decade.
Since it was elected the current Canadian government has introduced at least 30 pieces of legislation to crack down on crime.


Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said the New Year 2022 should usher in a new era of peace and reconciliation among political parties’ stakeholders in the state and the country in general.
He said the next few months should also be for internal democracy to flourish where political parties are expected to produce more credible representatives who have the capacity and ability to win elections at various levels and subsequently build on laudable programs and policies initiated by the past leaders
In a New Year Message to the people of the state which was issued by the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, the Governor said from all indications, recent events in Kano is likely to bring a new dawn in the political history of the state.
He said the event, which saw Kano political gladiators emphasizing the need for reconciliation, elicited excitement from the people of Kano State who have been yearning for the much-needed peace to advance the cause for proper development in the political terrain.
The statement noted the spate of insecurity across the country in addition to the ravaging poverty as a result of the economic hardship in the country.
Ganduje, however, expressed hope that despite the challenges, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been making frantic efforts to see the proper implementation of its policies and programmes targeted at lessening the suffering of the people.
The Governor also assured that his administration, which the 2022 budget prioritizes the completion of projects, is determined to make things better for the people through its rural transformation as well as economic empowerment programmes.
While felicitating with the people on the New Year, Ganduje also called for unity and prayers for Nigeria and particularly for religious leaders to preach the message of peace, tolerance and harmonious relationship amidst the challenges.


Rajya Sabha MP and TRS leader D Srinivas has praised the relief and rescue measures undertaken by the GHMC officials in the rain-hit areas of Hyderabad.
Srinivas on Sunday met GHMC Mayor B Rammohan and Commissioner Janardhan Reddy and reviewed the relief operations. Speaking to media persons later, he said that the GHMC had done a commendable job under the supervision of the Mayor and Commissioner. He said that the coordinated efforts of various departments ensured that the timely help was extended to the citizens hit by incessant rains in the capital city.
Srinivas said that though the Chief Minister was in New Delhi, he was appraised about the situation in the city from time to time.(INN)


The Iranian government has announced the reopening of all religious sites after Eid al-Fitr, despite hundreds of new cases of the coronavirus.
According to a Press TV report, a meeting of the Iranian National Task Force on Corona Virus was held in which President Hassan Rouhani also participated.
Addressing the meeting, Hassan Rouhani said, "All religious places in the country will be opened after Ramadan, but there will be some precautionary measures which will be announced in due course."
He praised measures taken to reduce Corona cases across the country.
Hassan Rouhani said that people who are being diagnosed with the virus have to spend less time in hospitals due to better medical arrangements.
He said that this success in the prevention of Corona was due to the cooperation of the people and timely and better measures taken by the administration.
However, he said that the Iranian authorities are showing the dangers of re-emergence of the health virus and the rapid emergence of cases, which requires proper awareness campaigns and precautionary measures.
On the other hand, more than 2,300 new cases of corona have been reported in Iran, bringing the total number of victims in the country to more than 129,000.
According to the statement of the Iranian Minister of Health, 66 deaths were reported in Iran during the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 7,249.
It should be noted that the Iranian government is considering opening sports arenas and universities in areas that have not been infected with the coronavirus after Ramadan.
Shops, bazaars, and shopping centers were allowed to open last week after easing restrictions imposed by Corona in several parts of the country.


Delhi has reached its peak in COVID-19 infections, says health minister Satyendra Jain
Jain said Delhi is expected to record around 20,000 cases on Saturday, less than Friday's figure of 24,383. The government will consider easing restrictions when cases drop to 15,000, he added
New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday said that it seems the national capital has reached its peak in COVID-19 infections and the government will think of easing restrictions when the cases drop to 15,000.
He said Delhi is expected to record around 20,000 cases on Saturday, less than Friday's figure of 24,383.
On Thursday, Delhi recorded 28,867 cases, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
"We can say that Delhi has reached a peak in terms of cases. Cases have started slowing down. Let's see when the decline happens," he told reporters.
He reiterated that the hospitalisation rate has stabilised in Delhi. When asked whether restrictions will be eased in Delhi as cases have come down, he said, "Let's wait. The cases have started declining.
They came down to 24,000 yesterday and will come down to 20000 today. Let them come down to 15,000 or below and then we will see."
'Preparing for third wave': Uddhav Thackeray warns against complacency due to fall in Maharashtra's COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 920 deaths due to COVID-19, taking the toll to 72,662, while 57,640 new cases pushed the overall infection count to 48,80,542
The ministry also said that a rise in the number of daily COVID-19 cases and mortality has been observed in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, indicating the pandemic is moving eastwards
Around 6.5 lakh people, including children and the elderly, have taken bath in the holy river on the occasion of Magh Mela


Jordan- Dams now 36.6% full after latest rain ministry
(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Jan. 27 (Petra)--Rainfall and snow over the past 48 hours channelled 3 million cubic metres of water into the country's 14 dams, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
The country's major dams now hold over 36.6 per cent of their total capacity of 336.1 million cubic metres (mcm) of water.
"Rainfall over the past two days raised the amount of rain since the start of the wet season to over 123.1 million cubic metres," the ministry said, adding that current water storage at the dams is below storage levels recorded during this time last year, when they held 143.2mcm per cent of their total capacity.
27/1/2018 - 12:29:59 PM
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Nsanje District Council says it is ready to implement the Child and Youth Friendly Communities Initiative (CYFCI) in reforming the local governance system.
Speaking during the extraordinary full council meeting last week, chairperson Rose Makiyi said the programme will create opportunities that will accelerate progress for children and youths.
She said the initiative will include issues that relate to children and youths by telling their stories in the development of village action plans.
Said Makiyi: “We have planned to increase the proportion of youths and children with access to spaces where they can amplify their voices, strengthen and enforce legislation and policies related to them.
“The project will also increase awareness on youths, children’s rights and participation among stakeholders.”
Nsanje South West Constituency member of Parliament Eurita Valeta said many youths and children are facing challenges that are preventing them from participating in developmental projects.
“We have youths who are failing to access quality education because of lack of classrooms and learning materials.
“Through this project, many students from poor families will get bursaries to further their studies at secondary and tertiary levels,” he said.
Valeta further asked the council to implement the plans they have put in place. CYFCI is funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund.


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Turkey's drone maker Baykar will complete the construction of its factory in Ukraine within 12 months, and then it will move on to internal machinery, equipment, and organizational structure.
Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar said this on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Ukrinform reports, referring to Reuters.
"Our factory is being built... we need about 12 months to finish construction and then we will move on to internal machinery, equipment, and organizational structure," said Baykar CEO.
He noted that capacity would total around 120 units every year, but said it was still not clear whether production at the Ukrainian factory would focus on the TB2 or TB3 drone model. Read also:
factory in Ukraine to offer 500 jobs – CEO
"The factory in Ukraine is a big one, we are planning to employ around 500 people," he said.
Asked if security issues related to the ongoing conflict would pose a concern for the plant, Bayraktar said that plans were "fully moving ahead" and that "nothing" could halt them.
In addition, he said the Istanbul-based firm's plans to start production in Saudi Arabia in the next two years were on track.
It is also planned to double domestic production of the Akinci in Turkey, which stood at 36 units in 2023, while TB2 output would stay unchanged at 230 units.
As Ukrinform reported, Turkey's defence company Baykar is investing $100 million in three projects in Ukraine, including the construction of a drone manufacturing plant.
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Overseas trade insufficiency of Turkey drops by 40 percent
(MENAFN) Based on official statistics published on Monday, Turkey’s overseas trade insufficiency dropped by 40.1 percent on a yearly basis to about USD1.44 billion during October.
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the nation’s exports and imports witnessed a yearly surge of 20.1 percent and 12.8 percent to hit USD20.79 billion and USD22.23 billion, correspondingly.
Turkey’s exports and imports amounted at USD16.4 billion and USD15.6 billion, in turn, without the energy and gold trade. Moreover, TurkStat stated that overseas trade excess, without energy commodities and non-monetary gold stood at USD3.13 billion during October.
The export-import coverage balance was 93.5 percent in October. In the period from January till October of this current year, Turkey’s exports increased by 33.9 percent on an annual basis to reach USD181.7 billion, whereas imports jumped by 22.5 percent to hit USD215.53 billion.
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Local editors have called on the government to do more to curb the activities of tech giants amid warnings platforms are putting the future of local journalism “at risk”, it has been reported.
Announced as part of the News Media Association’s (NMA) #JournalismMatters week, the NMA reports that a survey of local editors has found that 89% of respondents said the UK Government should act to make the tech giants pay for local journalism on their platforms. Such measures are currently being proposed by the Australian Government with Facebook threatening to prevent the sharing of news content on its platforms if the proposals come to fruition.
Conducted last month, the survey also found that despite increased audiences and engagement during the Coronavirus pandemic, local editors fear that the tech giants still pose a profound threat to the sustainability of local journalism. Eighty-nine per cent of survey respondents agreed that the business practices of Google and Facebook continue to pose an existential threat to local journalism.
Responding to the survey, NMA deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson said: “Local editors have issued a stark warning to Government; act now to curb the tech giants or place the future of local journalism – which has served the public so effectively during the pandemic – at risk.”
Worryingly, the survey also found that the pandemic has had a damaging effect on press freedom and transparency. 49 per cent of local editors said that they had encountered instances of public bodies using coronavirus as an excuse to withhold information which should be in the public domain while 47 per cent said getting information from local public bodies such as local council, police or health authority had become more difficult during the pandemic.
The above comes despite local journalists reportedly acting as the first line of defence against coronavirus misinformation spread by others on social media. Seventy per cent of local editors said they or their journalists had actively corrected or counteracted misinformation about coronavirus spread by others on social media. The Society of Editors has previously highlighted the extensive problem of misinformation on social media platforms and recently called for cross-party support in promoting the work of the mainstream media as a means of countering misinformation.
- As part of the SoE’s support for Journalism Matters Week, we have been speaking to our members in national, regional, local and broadcast journalism about what journalism means to them and why it matters. View our campaign page hereand follow us at EditorsUK to hear across the course of the week what they had to say.


Civilians tortured and kidnapped by Turkish state and mercenaries in Afrin go on hunger strike
Civilians who were tortured and kidnapped by the Turkish state and its mercenaries have gone on hunger strike.
The invading Turkish state and its mercenaries have been abducting civilians and inflicting inhuman torture since the day they occupied Afrin in 2018. It was learned that the prisoners who were tortured and unlawfully detained have gone on hunger strike.
According to information obtained from local sources, it was reported that civilians who were abducted and put in prison have gone on hunger strike to protest torture and the inhumane detention conditions.
The sources noted that the health status of those on hunger strike deteriorated and the Turkish state and its mercenaries did not allow them to receive treatment.


German ambassador to Kenya Margit Hellwig-Boette has urged the government to work to attract more private sector investment in the country to boost the economy.
She said Kenya deserves more attention from investors saying there are still many areas that are yet to be fully exploited.
The envoy said the country needs more reliable investors, who will be Kenya true allies in difficult times such as the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Hellwig-Boette added that the investors need to invest in social corporate responsibilities such as funding education, training and support for the vulnerable in the society besides doing business and creating jobs in the country.
Speaking during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Severin Sea Lodge in Kenya, Hellwig-Boette said the government must create the right environment for investment.
She said such as issues as the independence of the Judiciary, fight against corruption and security among others are key to attracting investors.
"The prospect for Kenya is good. It has a bright future. But the government still has a lot of homework to do. Without security, development can't be achieved," she said.
She added that the tourism sector especially around Lake Turkana is yet to be fully harnessed. The German embassy came up with the Lake Turkana Festival to make Lake Turkana area in Kenya more known to Kenyans.
She said the area has more opportunities than just oil. The envoy said the youth should be encouraged to create employment in the country.


FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Iredell County Health Department reported five deaths attributed to COVID-19 during the past week.
Since the onset of the pandemic, a total of 438 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Iredell have lost their lives. Local health officials do not release personal information about COVID-19 patients, including those who die.
The number of new laboratory-confirmed cases continues to drop. Only 171 new cases were reported in Iredell in the past week, increasing to 47,917 the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began.
Sixteen people who have tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized across the county on Friday, down slightly from 19 a week ago.


The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Frooq Haider Khan has said that the government has started a long term and comprehensive plan to improve the irrigation system at estimated cost of over 2.2 billion rupees. Addressing after the briefing given by Azad Kashmir irrigation department here on Thursday, he said the completion of this project will not only bring a revolutionary change in the agricultural sector but would also help control the unemployment.
Farooq Haider said the government is taking concrete steps to improve the irrigation system in Azad Kashmir to make the state self-sufficient in food.
He urged the people to come forward and utilize their potential and energies for the development of agriculture sector and supplement government efforts to increase the agriculture in the state The AJK Prime Minister was informed that the project includes the construction of water tanks, tube wells and water pumps to boost agriculture production in the state.
Under this five year project 2850 acre of land will be brought under cultivation and training to the farmers will be given to improve their skill. Fruit saplings would also be planted over 1000 acre of land. Speaking on the occasion the AJK Senior Minister Ch.Tariq Farooq said the National Programme for improvement of Water Resources has also been launched in Azad Kashmir in collaboration with the Federal government. He said the project will not only generate employment but would also help improve the living standard of the people.—INP


Saudi - KSrelief Distributes 3,000 Cartons of Dates in Al-Jawf Governorate
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Al-Jawf, November 25, 2021, SPA -- King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) distributed 3,000 cartons of dates in Al-Yatama area in Al-Jawf, as part of a project to distribute 5,000 tons of dates in Yemen.
Al-Jawf Undersecretary, Brigadier General Mohammad bin Hamad Ghalia, praised the KSrelief's efforts in assisting the province residents, extending appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for the assistance provided to his country.
18:20 LOCAL TIME 15:20 GMT
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Following the directives of Director General of Police (DGP), Manoj Yadav, police launched a statewide, large scale traffic awareness and education drive, according to a press release on Friday.
The drive was launched across the state keeping in mind the amended Motor Vehicle Act released by the Centre.
“Senior officers and other personnel apprised the people about the new norms and penalties under the amended Motor Vehicle Act. They also thanked the people for cooperating with the police by adhering to the traffic rules,” a spokesperson of the police said.
During the drive, two-wheeler and car drivers were urged to wear helmets and seat belts by offering flowers to them.
Besides this, the motorists who were following traffic rules were praised by the police personnel.
“The vehicle owners were also educated about the increased penalties and new offenses after the enactment of the new MV Act. In addition, to encourage the general public to follow traffic rules, it is also important that people get to know about the revised fines for various violations,” the spokesperson said.
Date: September 16, 2019


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Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a game changer for the entire region.
During his two days visit of Dera Ismail Khan, he said that CPEC will not only increase the economic activities in the area but will also lead to prosperity of the people of Dera Ismail Khan and its adjoining areas.
Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani further said that provision of basic necessities to the people of far flung areas of the province is the utmost priority of current government.
He said that equal distribution of development funds in the province will be ensured.
Source: Radio Pakistan


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Singh said the BJP welcomes the meeting, which is a golden opportunity for the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir to put forth their views before Prime Minister Narendra Modi…reports Asian Lite News.
Former J&K Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Nirmal Singh said on Wednesday that this is not the right time to raise the issue of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh is among the 14 mainstream leaders who have been invited to an all-party meeting on J&K to be held in the national capital on Thursday. The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The meeting is seen as the first major outreach move by the Centre to end the political impasse in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370 and the splitting of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.
Speaking to IANS, Singh said the BJP welcomes the meeting, which is a golden opportunity for the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir to put forth their views before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This is not the right time to raise the issue of statehood (for J&K),” Singh said, adding that the democratic process must begin in Jammu and Kashmir and the delimitation of constituencies must be completed.
“We want the long-pending issues to be addressed such as representation of PoJK refugees, Kashmiri migrants, West Pakistani refugees, STs and other deprived sections of the society,” Singh said.
“In the past, the National Conference had said that there has been no discussion on the autonomy resolution passed in the J&K Assembly. The Central government is clear that such issues can’t be discussed, the country won’t agree to it,” Singh said.
He also said that talks must held for the participation of the people in the democratic process and for giving due representation to the deprived sections of Jammu and Kashmir for their share in the electoral process.
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$370 million expected to be spent on pet Halloween costumes
As Halloween approaches, many people are buying their costumes.
But this year, Halloween is going to the dogs.
Americans will spend $370 million on costumes for their pets. That’s up 19-percent from last year.
According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, pumpkins will be the most popular pet costumes.
“Devil” will be the second-most popular pet costume. Also among the most popular costumes are dogs dressed up as cats and – cats dressed up as dogs.


Mumbai, Sep 13 (IANS) Actor Vidyut Jammwal recently 'popped the question' to girlfriend Nandita Mahtani and got engaged. However, not many know that he made the proposal in a typical action avatar.
The actor posted a picture with Nandita from the day of the proposal, which happened while he was rappelling down from a 150 metre high wall at a military camp close to Agra.
Vidyut proposed to Nandita on September 1 while rappelling. The two later went to the Taj Mahal to celebrate but made the announcement to the fans much later.
In the picture uploaded on his Instagram account, Vidyut, known for his action scenes, wrote: "Did it the COMMANDO way 01/09/21."
On the work front, Vidyut will star in his maiden production 'IB 71'. The film marks his banner's first collaboration with Reliance Entertainment.
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US considers Pakistan a vital country, says ambassador
WASHINGTON: Pakistani Ambassador in the United States Jalil Abbas Jillani has said that US considers Pakistan a vital country in the region, ARY News reported.
He was speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour by Pak-American Business Association (PABA).
Jillani said that the Trump administration has hinted that it will cooperate with Pakistan.
He also said that the bilateral ties between the two countries are improving.
The envoy said that Pakistan requires America’s cooperation in the war against terrorism.
Chairman PABA Siddique Sheikh said that Ambassador Jillani played a key role in improving the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
“He (Jillani) worked under challenging situations,” Sheikh added.


The controversy over the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe was raised in Parliament today.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake alleged that SAITM was involved in fraud and the failure by the new Government to take action against the institute proves that the new Government is also supporting fraud and corruption.
He said that SAITM continues to deceive the public by offering degrees not recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).
Dissanayake said that the SLMC had informed the Ministry of Health that it does not recognize the degrees offered by SAITM.
The SLMC had also published newspaper advertisements saying it does not recognize degrees offered by SAITM but SAITM had later published advertisements saying its degrees were recognized locally and internationally.
Dissanayake however said that SAITM misled the public by claiming it was affiliated to a recognized medical institute in Russia.
He said that President Maithripala Sirisena, when he was the Health Minister in the former Government, had submitted a report on SAITM which gives in detail some of the discrepancies at SAITM.
The JVP leader called for the report by Sirisena on SAITM to be tabled in Parliament. He also questioned if the Health Ministry had received a report by the SLMC on SAITM.
Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne confirmed that the report had been received and that the recommendations in the report will be implemented. (Colombo Gazette)


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Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry on Tuesday said that people involved in anti-Pakistan campaigns in the US cannot put pressure on Pakistan.
While talking to a local media outlet, the ambassador said that these ‘Free Karachi’ campaigns that can be seen nowadays in the US are not what the US masses’ opinion represents.
Chaudhry said these people do not know what is happening in Karachi, adding that Karachi today is peaceful and business is booming.
Ads with “Free Karachi” and anti-Pakistan messages had recently appeared on cabs and billboards in the US, however, the Pakistan government was assured by the US that these ads did not have their backing.
The ambassador also said that the Taliban and Haqqanis have been told by Pakistan to go back to Afghanistan adding that India could be using the role given to it in Afghanistan, against Pakistan.
He said that the bill being introduced in Senate to stop US aid to Pakistan is nothing serious and that bill like these hardly ever see the light of the day.
He concluded that people in the US who matter, know how significant US’ relationship with Pakistan really is.


(West Fargo, ND) – West Fargo Public Schools is back to looking at options after its recently failed $147 million referendum. On Monday night, Superintendent Beth Slette asked the board to consider approving a community engagement process called ‘Facility Plan 2.0.’
The board unanimously agreed to reconvene it’s long-range facilities task force, beginning in the new year. Slette says the district conducted a survey of stakeholders, which Slette said had a positive response.
“We had almost as many responses as we had voters,” she said.
Slette said the district learned ‘quite a bit of information from that (the survey,’ saying the district learned, among other information, that they ‘could have done a better job communicating.’ She says others stated they had intended on voting, but something had come up.
One of the more interesting statistics Slette said they learned was the high percentage of survey takers that were not in the school district in 2018.
“52 percent of the people who took the survey did not live in the district in 2018,” she said. “So that tells me how many new families we have that we make some assumptions that they know historical reasons for why we’ve done things.”
Slette said that, while the district wants to be good listeners and stewards of taxpayer dollars, that they need to look at the projected trends.
“We need to address the growth,” she said. “It’ll be important for us to help everyone understand what is anticipated and what we need to do more of moving forward to be positioned makes sense.”


(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Mar. 22 (Petra)- Government Coordinator for Human Rights, Basel Tarawneh, said the gov't's efforts are "ongoing and continuous" to follow up on the implementation of Jordan's obligations to the Human Rights Council on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Speaking to Petra Thursday, he announced consultations and meetings with community stakeholders are continuing to produce a Jordanian national report that suits the country's leading role in the field of human rights.
To this end, coordination forums are held between state institutions and all authorities, as national dialogue on all human rights issues is "a remarkable model," he added.
Consultations are a Jordanian commitment to comply with directives of His Majesty the King, who instructed all authorities to give human rights network priority and attention, and the gov't to follow up implementation of a comprehensive national human rights plan within a consultative approach.
As for Jordan's report to UPR, he said an important official meeting will be held next Sunday to study the future bill's form and content and to discuss the official and national replies on enforcing relevant recommendations to produce the report's first draft.
This effort reflects seriousness of the state institutions in promoting, developing and supporting human rights network and following up the country's national, regional and international obligations in a consultative and dialogical manner with all parties, he affirmed.
22/3/2018 - 03:10:50 PM
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Asked whether the government planned to look at lawyers’ fees as part of legal aid reform, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said that the Prime Minister fully supported the Justice Secretary’s substantial reforms of legal aid and that it was right that the government looked at all areas to ensure that each department does more for less.
Asked whether the Prime Minister’s view on helping rebels in Syria had changed, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s position remained that the same: that it was the right thing to do. Asked what the UK is doing in light of evidence of chemical warfare, the PMS said that the UK had shared the information it had with the UN and will continue to support and assist the UN investigation to establish the full facts. Asked whether there would be a push by the UK to allow aid in to Syria, the PMS said that the safety, security and well-being of the Syrian people in responding to their terrible suffering was at the heart of our approach. The PMS said that the UK would continue to work closely with allies to send a clear message to the Assad regime. Asked whether the Prime Minister will insist on a regime change, the PMS said that the PM had been clear that the Assad regime has no future.
Asked what the Prime Minister thought of John Bercow’s comments, the PMS said that the Prime Minister has been clear on his position on immigration.
Asked whether the Prime Minister agrees with the latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) assessment that the economy is “firing on all cylinders”, the PMS said that the Prime Minister believes the economy is healing.


WF Bantam Green team takes first at tournament
On March 12-14, the West Fargo Bantam Green team played in the B2 tournament in Grafton, N.D., and took first place.
The group of potential future Packers won the championship game against the Fargo Angels 6-2. They defeated Minot 7-1 in the first round, and beat the Grand Forks Spartans 2-to advance to the championship game.
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Gorran Movement announced on Wednesday that it wants to dismantle the incumbent Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) and form a national salvation government, Gorran Movement top leader Jalal Jawhar said.
In a press statement, Jawhar said that a national salvation government in needed, as the incumbent one has failed to tackle the current political challenges.
He added that the current government has also failed to elevate the Kurdish citizens' status.
The national salvation government will negotiate with the Baghdad central government to end the disputes between the two sides, come up with solutions to elevate the citizens living status and adjust the civil servants payments, according to Jawhar.
He added that this government will also organize the general elections in Kurdistan region.


Amid the coronaviurs outbreak that has hit millions across the globe, the government has directed all restaurants and cafes to remain closed till March 31 in order to contain the spread of the virus.
As directed by the government, people's go-to place McDonald's has closed down its dine-in across the national capital.
However, it has decided that they will offer take-away and home delivery options to its customers.
A company spokesperson said that they are monitoring the developments and taking appropriate measures for the safety of the customers and employees.
Well, the outbreak is posing threat to several industries especially the restaurant sector as footfall have decreased tremendously. As the footfall decreases, their incomes have also seen steep fall which has led to cutting down of employee salaries and layoffs to reduce the cost.
Local business have also seen a steep fall in their profits as people excercise social distancing and work from home.
Moreover, people in the unorganised sector who depend on the movement of the city have also expressed ordeal after their incomes have reduced to over 50% ever since the deadly virus spread in the country.
So far, over 200 people have tested positive to the virus in India and four people have succumbed to the virus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced setting up of a task force under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman which will take necessary actions "in the near future" after analysing the coronavirus pandemic situation.
According to government sources, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold a meeting with MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel on Friday to assess the situation in order to work out a package.


Hubbalai, May 6 (BPNS)
Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai has said that the government would conduct an inquiry into an audio tape in which the speaker was threatening to kill the members of the family of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. The Congress has alleged that the voice in the tape was of the ‘blue-eyed boy’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manikanth Rathod who has several criminal cases against him.
The Chief Minister while speaking to reporters at Hubbali said that a case would be registered and an investigation conducted on the audio tape that is viral in social media. He also said that the Police would inquire whether the tapes were doctored and conduct a proper investigation into the same.
It is to be noted that Manikanth Rathode is contesting against the son of Mallikarjun Kharge and former minister, Priyank Kharge in Chittarpur constituency in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka.
Bommai told reporters that the BJP national organizing secretary, BL Santosh had never said that the BJP does not require the support of Lingayat community or its leaders to come to power and added that the news report to the contrary were fake.
The Karnataka Chief Minister also said that the film stars and celebrities were free to campaign for any political party or leader and added that just like the stars have the right to campaign for any party, others have the right to criticize the actors also.
He was responding to questions on BJP workers and leaders targeting Kannada Super Star ,Shiv Rajkumar on campaigning for the Congress party.


A four-vehicle crash closed part of the A43 between Kettering and Northampton last night (Sunday).
Police were called to the major road, just south of the Holcot roundabout, after the incident at about 10.20pm last night.
A force spokesman said the crash involved three cars and a motorbike.
They added that no injuries were reported.
One eyewitness, who didn't want to be named, said the road was closed towards Kettering and that several police cars were at the scene.


Savers want their pension invested ethically
Pension savers auto enrolled into a workplace pension expect their money to be invested responsibility, research has found.
Research from the National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) revealed 73 per cent of its savers said it was important their scheme considered the environment, society and corporate behaviour when investing their money.
Almost half – 47 per cent – of Nest savers said responsible investment mattered a lot to then, while 12 per cent said that it was not a key concern.
The research found just 28 per cent of workers trust pension companies with their savings and 63 per cent said they wanted to learn more about how their money was being invested.
Diandra Soobiah, head of responsible investment at Nest, said strong environmental and social credentials could help improve low levels of trust and engagement among pension savers.
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