Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the criticism by Governor NN Vohra conclusively proved that the PDP-BJP government led by Mehbooba Mufti had failed on “all fronts.”
Abdullah said that the “open criticism of the coalition government by the Governor was proof of its failure on all fronts.”
The National Conference leader was referring to Governor Vohra’s statement during a commemoration function on Monday in honour of late Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
Vohra had said that the “state faces many problems, some of our own doing and some of others’ contributions” adding that the Jammu and Kashmir government must improve its performance.
“We don’t seem to be excessively bothered about the issues faced by the public. J&K is confronting the problems of varied nature, some are our own making, some beyond our control,” he said, adding that these “so-called domestic and the non-domestic factors created an environment which pulls us back.”
“The entire polity, the entire public service of the state and the people must work closely to protect the youth and students,” he said, and regretted that “we have not been able to do so.”
“I regret to say so,” he was quoted by Greater Kashmir.
Abdullah said that the Governor’s statement was an “indictment” against the PDP-BJP collation government, proving its failure on all fronts, reported IANS.
He said the situation in the state had drastically deteriorated since the PDP-BJP government assumed power.


China has reassured its commitment to help the Pakistani people overcome the floods and rebuild their homes at the earliest.
In a regular press conference, China’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin said since the floods hit the country, China has rushed to Pakistan’s aid as its genuine friend and brother in times of need.
The spokesperson said Chinese government has provided over 55 million dollar worth of humanitarian assistance and China’s civil society has also lent a helping hand.
The spokesperson said China and Pakistan have had fruitful economic and financial cooperation.
Source: Radio Pakistan


KARACHI, Sep 09 (APP):The former Presiident Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Election Commission will conduct the general election according to the constitution.
He said, ‘We have complete confidence in the Chief Election Commissioner and all the members.’
The former President said that the election commission was bound to work on new delimitations after the census.
He said that the caretaker government should complete the projects of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as soon as possible and put the country on the path to development.
He further said that the country was currently going through an economic crisis for which we all should worry about the economy first instead of politics.


Jordan- King receives delegation of U.S. evangelical leaders
(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Print media only..
Amman, Nov. 7 (Petra) -- His Majesty King Abdullah II, on Tuesday, received a delegation of U.S. evangelical leaders, led by Joel Rosenberg, currently visiting the Kingdom as part of a regional tour.
The meeting dealt with efforts to move forward the peace process and re-launch negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, based on the two-state solution.
His Majesty referred to the U.S. administration's commitment in this regard.
The meeting also discussed the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States in various fields, and regional and international efforts in the war on terrorism, within a holistic strategy.
Head and members of the delegation lauded Jordan's pivotal role, led by His Majesty the King, in achieving peace and strengthen security and stability in the region and the world as well as spreading the values of tolerance and moderation, and building bridges of dialogue and understanding between different religions' followers.
7/11/2017 - 05:52:58 PM
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“Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon police party near Nowgam Bypass,” the official account of the Kashmir Zone Police tweeted. “Three police personnel injured. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where two among them attained martyrdom.” The police added that the area was cordoned off after the attack.
The attack occurred a day before Independence Day, when multi-layer security arrangements have been put in place in the region to ensure all official events take place smoothly, according to The Kashmir Walla. The administration has also increased frisking operations across the Valley, especially in Srinagar and in spots between Srinagar and Jammu, and Srinagar and Baramulla.


Nairobi — The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has criticized unions that are against the idea of the housing levy proposal.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli in a statement on Monday said that he had engaged President William Ruto and all union leaders on the matter.
“Cotu (K) would like to encourage the trade unionists who skipped labour day celebrations and the meeting with the President to embrace social dialogue and stop politicizing serious matters,” he said.
Atwoli cited Article 43 (b) of the Constitution, which states that every Kenyan has the right to appropriate standards of sanitary conditions as well as accessible and adequate housing.
“The government has made it clear that it has already invested Sh5 billion into the housing fund and those who contribute to the housing fund and later wish to withdraw their contributions will have access to their savings with interest,” he added.
On April 23, President Ruto said the government will strengthen the Housing Fund to help more Kenyans purchase affordable housing units.
The President said Kenyans will now be contributing 3 percent of their income and kick start their journey of owning a house.
“Every employee who contributes 3 percent, the law will compel their employer to also contribute 3 percent to the Housing kitty,” he added.
He said civil servants will also benefit from the program.
He added that the government’s plan of increasing members’ contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has helped the country increase its savings.
He said the move will help the country to manage its foreign debt by borrowing locally.


New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Amid hectic lobbying in the Congress on the issue of the Rajasthan leadership, the party top brass has asked Sachin Pilot to stay put in Jaipur and meet MLAs till a final decision is taken.
Pilot reportedly flew to Jaipur on Friday after being in Bharat Jodo Yatra and is waiting for the decision.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who had met Rahul Gandhi, on Friday said that he has refused to contest the party President's election and wants a non-Gandhi to head the party.
'I will be filing nomination soon and it's the need of the hour that opposition should be strong...' he said. Gehlot, who had sought to carry on as Chief Minister and run for party President, said that the party will decide on his successor as Chief Minister.
However, it is not clear yet whether Gehlot will first step down as Chief Minister and contest, or resign after the election.
Pilot, the former Deputy Chief Minister, is a strong contender for the Chief Ministership while hectic lobbying is going on in the state with C.P. Joshi and B.D. Kalla throwing their hat in the ring too.
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Turkey-USA sign fresh deal on shift to OECD-G20 outline
(MENAFN) On Monday, Nov. 22 America and Turkey declared a shared deal relating to the shift from current Digital Services Tax to a fresh many-sided solution confirmed by the OECD-G20 comprehensive work outline.
The step happens during the historic deal which was agreed upon in October among 137 nations of the OECD-G20 comprehensive work outline, which shows approximately 95 percent of the gross domestic product in the world on a two-pillar collection of adjustments to the global tax outline to be applied in 2023.
The US Treasury Department reported in an announcement, “These reforms will provide for a tax framework that is fairer, more stable, and better equipped to meet the needs of a 21st century global economy.”
It further said, “This compromise represents a pragmatic solution that helps ensure that countries can focus their collective efforts on the successful implementation of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework’s historic agreement on a new multilateral tax regime and allows for the termination of trade measures adopted in response to the Turkish Digital Services Tax.”
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HYDERABAD / KARACHI: Hoping to dispel the impression that the people of Sindh were against the new local government system, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is gearing up for its massive public rally in Hyderabad on October 15.
PPP stalwarts like former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, senators Aitzaz Ahsan and Raza Rabbani and members of the federal and provincial cabinets are expected to address the gathering. Party officials say that the event is being organised to demonstrate that the party’s support among the people of Sindh, especially over its position on the new local government system.
Provincial information minister and outspoken PPP leader Sharjeel Memon, and Sindh Fisheries Minister Zahid Bhurgari told media personnel during their press conferences in Karachi and Hyderabad respectively on Friday that the event will be a “referendum” on the Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance 2012 (SPLGO).
“The PPP is only party which has roots across the country. Our opponents are trying to make an alliance but will fail as the people of Sindh are with us,” claimed Memon.
“The event will show whether the nation supports the pseudo-nationalists or the PPP, which has been leading them through thick and thin over the past four and a half decades,” said Bhurgari.
The information minister also took a shot at PPP’s main rival, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and accused the party of financially supporting nationalist parties that have vociferously come out against the new local government ordinance. “Nawaz Sharif is trying to create an opposition against the PPP in Sindh. He had tried it in the past as well,” alleged Memon.
The PPP leader observed that some people were criticising the SPLGO without understanding it. The government is open to making changes to the system, said the minister, and added that “we are even ready to walk to a nationalist’s house to talk over the issue”.
Meanwhile Bhurgari, who is also the PPP’s Hyderabad president, said that the party has set up its camps across the province to encourage the people to come to Hyderabad and participate in the event.
Attacks and threats to PPP leaders will not lessen their resolve, said information minister Sharjeel Memon, while referring to grenade attacks on the residences of various PPP leaders. He said that PPP’s jiyalas could likewise respond to such incidents, but “we don’t believe in such politics”.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2012.


Shillong June 14: The United Democratic Party will elect its new office bearers of the Central Executive Committee in September this year.
This was decided during a meeting of the CEC on Friday which also reviewed the performance of the party in the Lok Sabha elections to the Shillong Parliamentary constituency.
UDP senior leader, Bindo M. Lanong said that the party would be strengthened in the state and the CEC decided to also hold the general council to elect new office bearers of the CEC in Shillong on September 11.
The UDP will also hold a meeting in Garo Hills next month to discuss issues related to strengthening the party and the upcoming elections to the Garo Hill Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Lanong informed that the UDP also reviewed the performance of the party in the last Lok Sabha elections from Shillong constituency where its candidate, Jemino Mawthoh who was supported by partners of the MDA government, lost to sitting Congress MP, Vincent H. Pala by more than 1.52 lakh votes.
Lanong however said that the party has nothing to blame the coalition partners and accepted the defeat.
“We have not been betrayed and nobody has betrayed us,” he said, while stating that there were many factors that led to the defeat of the candidate.
On the allegations of the Congress that the UDP is the same as the BJP, Lanong said that parties that formed the government in state have to work together with the BJP that formed the NDA government at the Centre.
“Even those states ruled by the Congress, have work together with the Centre. Do you think they will not work/” he asked.
He UDP leader also said that the UDP has not changed its stand on issues that are anti-state and anti-people including the CAB.


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ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said the government would protect the national interests as well as the people’s rights at any cost.
Chairing a briefing held to apprise the parliamentarians of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and coalition parties on the country’s economic condition as well as the government’s policies for economic stability, he said the government was taking solid measures to put the national economy on right track.
The prime minister said the national and public interests were dearer to him than the political ones. The reforms committed by the PTI would be implemented.
He advised the lawmakers to address public issues and strive to provide maximum relief to the people in their respective constituencies particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
Besides the government’s negotiations with the IMF, the prime minister also apprised the lawmakers about the assets declarations bill proposed by the government.
Briefing about the meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told media persons that prior to the annual budget, it was essential to apprise the parliamentarians about the country’s economic condition and the government’s initiatives for common man’s relief.
She said the prime minister directed the parliamentarians to spend maximum time in their respective constituencies and ensure price control at lower market level by acting against the hoarders.
She said the prime minister, who also introduced his economic team to the lawmakers, said, “We have to protect and secure the national interests. (We have to) protect the interest of the people.”
Apprising the parliamentarians about the initiatives and reforms, the prime minister said the government would introduce the long term initiatives.
The participants assured the prime minister of their full support, expressing their commitment to fulfill the foremost responsibility of addressing the difficulties faced by the people.


‘No cabinet meeting goes without mention of overseas Pakistanis’ voting rights’
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the PTI-led government has always talked about the rights of overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes.
Speaking during a post-cabinet press conference in Islamabad, the minister said matters related to electoral reforms, the issue of the electronic voting machine (EVMs), and the voting rights of overseas Pakistanis, among other issues, came under discussion during the cabinet meeting. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“No cabinet meeting goes without the mention of overseas Pakistanis’ right to vote,” Fawad said.
He also talked about the economic affairs of the country and said that Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Tarin is in the United States right now to speak to the IMF, and he will continue to perform his duties in line with the law and the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.
Shedding light on the issue of Afghanistan, the information minister said that the government has decided not to charge any visa fees from Afghan citizens.
“We have also decided to issue business visas to Afghan traders,” he said, adding that the government wants to encourage Afghan citizens to opt for legal means to enter Pakistan.
On the issue of Balochistan, the federal minister said that the government wants peace and stability to prevail in the province.
“The governor of Balochistan has briefed the premier about the ongoing political situation there,” he said.


Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is winning because of the rigged EVMs, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that the saffron swipe in the civic polls is nothing less than miracle which took place because the tampering of electoral machines.
Welcoming the verdict of the voters, she said, "We think that this time anti-incumbency is there, but the people have their own mood."
The poster featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi with other party leaders has been put up outside the BJP headquarter.
Polling for choosing municipal councillors is underway across the national capital with Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia casting their votes.
Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led corporation has failed to live up to its expectation in the last ten years, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Sunday said the national capital should vote for the grand old party for sensible gover


MELAKA, Jan 15 ― The Melaka government’s move to increase the state’s water tariff is regarded as “untimely” by its people with the current rising cost of living.
An engineer, Mohd Fadzli Mohd Fadzal, 34, who resides in Lipat Kajang near here, said the increase in water tariff would further burden the people who were already hard-hit by the increase in living cost.
The move, he said, also reflected the inefficient water management and governance by Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad (SAMB) that the company had to “transfer” the burden of the rising management cost on the people.
“There are still many complaints from the people that have yet to get the SMAB’s response and this affects the people’s confidence that they may not want to pay more (with the increase in water tariff.
“SAMB and the relevant parties should have looked for ways to cushion the rising cost, instead of burdening the people who are already hard-hit by the rising cost of living,” he told Bernama here today.
Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari was recently reported as saying that the state government would increase the water tariff to help support the cost of managing and maintaining water supply.
However, he assured that the increase would not burden the people as incentives would be given to low-income families in the B40 category, as well as those who implement water saving measures.
He also said the matter was being discussed with SMAB and that the amount of increase had not been set.
Mohd Fadzli, who has two children, said the increase in water tariff should be in tandem with the quality of service provided by SMAB.
“If the state government decides to increase the water tariff, then the quarters involved should continue to enhance their services for the people,” he added.
Housewife Nurnadiah Ali, 33, said the increase in water tariff could result in further rise in the price of goods.
“My concern is that some irresponsible quarters might take advantage of the increase. hence, the need for the state government to carry out a comprehensive study to avoid burdening the people ,” she said.
However, Nurnadiah, of Taman Kesang Damai near here, said the announcement by the state government to provide incentives to low-income families in the B40 category brought relief to her.
A civil servant, Nor Ashikin Ahmad, 28, of Asahan here, described as “wrong timing’ the announcement by the state government to increase water tariff, especially with parents just having “suffered’ in meeting their children’s school needs.
“They are just about to feel the relief, also with the drop in fuel price, and suddenly the announcement by the state government to increase water tariff, this will certainly put pressure on the household economy,” she added.
However, she said, there was a positive side to it as it would help to educate the public not to waste water, especially with the incentives to be given to those who implement water saving measures. ― Bernama


Final note on KY-6, the congressional race that’s been talked up as a bellwether. According to kypost.com:
Chandler told supporters, “We have won in a historic night” around the country. Barr said the race was “too close to call” and promised to continue fighting for the seat on Wednesday.
This will go to recounts.


Madison police estimate the amount of people who attended last weekend?s Freakfest to be 15,000 higher than actual ticket sales, according to a release.
Ticket sales were estimated at around 35,000, but the Madison Police Department estimated the true number of people on State Street from the Capitol down to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus was closer to 50,000.
Thousands of people were inside the soon-to-be gated area before the official Freakfest event started, police said.
?At the crowd?s peak, one sergeant commented that officers were feeling their ranks to be very thin compared to the large volume of people in the streets,? the release said.
MPD officials were pleased with the behavior of the vast majority of Freakfest attendees, but the sheer number of people created some concern for police crews.
According to the release, two people were arrested and taken to jail, and 44 others were cited and released.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
India's poll watchdog will share its technical expertise and
experience in holding free and fair elections with over 100
countries through an initiative led by the US to uphold democracy
worldwide, according to an official statement.
Through a cohort on election integrity, the Election Commission
of India will provide training and hold capacity building
programmes for election management bodies across the world, India's
poll overseer said on Tuesday.
This will be part of the Summit for Democracy, a virtual
conference hosted by the US in December 2021 that has now planned
yearlong activities, events and multilateral dialogues, the
commission's statement said.
A four-member US delegation led by Uzra Zeya, undersecretary for
civilian security, democracy and human rights, called on chief
election commissioner Rajiv Kumar and election commissioner Anup
Chandra Pandey at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on Tuesday.
In the first meeting held by Kumar since he took charge on
Sunday, he spoke about recent poll practices such as providing
postal ballot facility to voters over 80 years of age and to
persons with disabilities.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio Department of Health reported Sunday that 24,081 Ohioans have been infected by the novel coronavirus, and 1,341 have died.
This includes 1,190 probable infections and 121 probable deaths.
The state will provide the next set of information in response to COVID-19 on Monday.
More than 4 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, and more than 281,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.
In the U.S., there are more than 1.3 million cases of coronavirus and more than 79,100 COVID-19 deaths.
More coronavirus coverage:


No public recommendations added yet.
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Clarke board wants more road plan data
BERRYVILLE — The Clarke County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to host a May 21 public hearing on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Six-Year Secondary Road Plan.
VDOT pays for the work…
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Samurdhi officers’ trade unions have rejected the contributory pension scheme for public sector employees and has agreed to a non-contributory scheme.
The government has proposed a contributory pension scheme to public sector employees who were not eligible to receive pensions.
The Samurdhi Development Officers Union (SDOU) has told the media that the Samurdhi officers were currently registered as EPF and ETF contributors, but the system would be subjected to a change if the new scheme was implemented.
General Secretary of the Union, Chamara Maddumakaluge has said that they have asked the government for a proper pension scheme after rejecting the proposed scheme.
According to Maddumakaluge, the union had agreed to a non-contributory pension scheme.


Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday met some representatives of farmers over the land ordinance, in an indication that there was rethink in the government on the issue following a proposed protest by social activist Anna Hazare and some opposition parties.
Sources said the farmer representatives told Rajnath Singh that the government had brought the ordinance without proper consultation.
Read our full coverage on Union Budget
They also asked the government to take into account their views before bringing the bill in parliament to replace the ordinance.
The sources said the Bharatiya Janata Party was concerned about Hazare's protest against the ordinance and any perception of the party being viewed as anti-farmer.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is expected to join the protest.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu had said in an interview that there was no question of the government going back on the ordinance concerning the land bill but it was open to meaningful suggestions.


(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received the foreign ministers of several Pacific countries on Thursday, who were visiting the UAE to attend the international meeting for Expo Dubai 2020 participants.
Sheikh Abdullah met with Rimbink Pato, Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea, Baron Waqa, Foreign Minister of Nauru, Taukelina Finikaso, Foreign Minister of Tuvalu, and Milner Tozaka, Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands.
He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Waqa on the exemption of entry visa requirements between their two countries.
A similar agreement was signed by Sheikh Abdullah and Tozaka.
Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the ministers and expressed the UAE's desire to further its ties with the Pacific countries in various fields, especially in the economy, investments and renewable energy.
He added that the UAE's relations with the Pacific countries are witnessing remarkable progress.
The visiting foreign ministers praised the efforts of Sheikh Abdullah to strengthen the ties between the UAE and their respective countries.
They also expressed their desire to strengthen their co-operation with the UAE while praising it for supporting development projects in the Pacific countries, including renewable energy programmes.
Sheikh Abdullah also attended the signing of the Expo Dubai 2020 participation contracts for both Tuvalu and Solomon Islands.
The contracts were signed by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Managing Director of the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee, and Finikaso and Tozaka respectively.
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The Kwara State Government has expressed concern about the way and manner four suspected cult members were transferred from the state police command to Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of an emergency Security Council meeting at the Government House, Ilorin, the Director of Public Persecution (DPP), Mr Jimoh Adebimpe Mumini, said the offences are state-based and triable under the state laws.
The DPP who wondered why four out of the seventeen accused persons were transferred to Abuja observed that there were some notorious cases of cultism that have been successfully prosecuted in the state.
He said he was of the belief that the four suspected cultists being transferred to Abuja, possibly for further interrogation, will be returned to the state where the offence was committed for trial.
According to him, "we had cases of notorious and dangerous killers in the state which have been handled in the state. Our hope is that the Nigeria Police Force will return the four accused persons to the state for trial".
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Leke Ogungbe, said the state’s Security Council hopes that the transfer issue is not politically motivated.
“As a government, we are made to understand that the offences for which the accused persons were arrested are state offence. We’re now surprised that four of the accused were transferred to Abuja. We hope that no political gain is intended".


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
On Saturday, President Joe Biden authorized federal assistance
as Florida prepares for impacts resulting from Tropical Storm Ian,
forecast to strengthen to a hurricane in the coming days, Trend reports citing
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for all of
The Federal Emergency Management Agency along with the
Department of Homeland Security will assist in providing resources
to help areas that could be impacted.
Federal funding is among emergency protective measures under the
Public Assistance program that will be provided.
WESH was told Biden has postponed his trip to Florida as storm
preparations are underway.
He was previously planning to travel to Orlando on Sept. 27 for
a Democratic National Committee rally, according to the White
House. The Democratic National Committee rally was also canceled
due to Tropical Storm Ian.
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Franken highlights rural plans
ST. PAUL - Two E's -- energy and education -- are key to keeping rural Minnesota vibrant, Al Franken said.
The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate said Wednesday that investing in alternative energy projects and addressing challenges facing schools will help keep young people and families from fleeing rural areas.
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(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha: In accordance with the directives of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar National Committee for the Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip Mohamed Al Emadi announced yesterday that the residents of Hamad City in Khan Yunis will be exempted from paying the monthly installments for 2018 in full.
Al Emadi said in a speech during the celebration of the Qatar National Day: "I am Happy to convey good news for the people of Gaza, in light of the difficulties they suffer, Qatar has decided to exempt the residents of Hamad City from the installments of the year 2018."
The National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza organized a central celebration to mark the national day of the state on the land of the residential city of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
The ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of Mohamed Ismail Al Emadi, Chairman of the Central Committee, Khaled Al-Hardan, Ismail Haniyeh, Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Minister Maamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Labor in the National Reconciliation Government and a number of ministers and faction leaders.
Ambassador Mohamed Al Emadi expressed his pride in celebrating the National Day of the State in the Gaza Strip.
In his speech, Al-Emadi stressed that the Qatari leadership is firmly committed to the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, reiterating its support for the Palestinian cause. He said that Qatar confirms its refusal to transfer the US embassy to Jerusalem, and to remain Jerusalem Arab and Islamic and the eternal capital of Palestine.
For his part, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, praised the positions of Qatar and its continued support to the Palestinian people and their cause, stressing pride in Qatar, "decision-maker and position, which protects sovereignty and independence of its decision and the determination of policies in the interest of the supreme state and the nation."
Haniyeh said that "Qatar has a position and a decision that we stand with towards the Palestinian people and it deals wisely with developments and the ability to absorb the enormous changes that are taking place in the region without losing the compass.
He also called for the revival of the Jerusalem support fund, which was previously proposed by Qatar at a previous Arab summit in Doha, to support the people of the holy city.
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The survey revealed that although the government had imposed the social media ban, 58% had accessed social media through the virtual private networks (VPN), he said.
He revealed that 95% of the users had not known about VPN at the time they joined the network, while some had paid around Rs. 100 to mobile shops to download VPN.
Around 9% of those participating in the survey had refused to express their views. However, what is notable is that 95% of those who participated in the survey had used VPN.
Among those who participated in the survey, 43% said the social media blockage was unsuccessful, 29% said their daily activities were affected by this blockage and 37% said they strongly opposed the move to block social media.
Ratnayake also noted that some tuition teachers had also educated students on how to download and use VPN on social media such as WhatsApp.
FB contemplating leaving SL!
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Translators Collective stated that due to the constant blockage of FB and other social media in Sri Lanka, these companies are planning on packing up and leaving Sri Lanka.
They had noted that as the actions by the Sri Lankan government to block social media could be a negative example to other countries and could have a negative effect on their services, measures could be taken in the future to stop providing these services to Sri Lanka.


OUR OPINION: SAFETY
There’s more to traffic safety then just writing tickets to speeders.
The Baxter Police Department proved it’s serious about safe rides by its exemplary efforts in the Toward Zero Deaths Challenge. They were selected by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as the top law enforcement agency in the state for their efforts.
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South Korean prime minister Lee Nak-yon said Sunday the country's per capita income is expected to breach the $30,000 mark next year.
In his New Year's message, Lee said South Korea will likely see its per capita income surpass $30,000 next spring, but that achievement will bring new tasks to the country.
"We need to let everyone feel and experience fairly even regarding the country's per capita income of $30,000," he said.
"We also need to make our economy keep growing."
|Lee Nak-yon (Yonhap)|
Lee said the government will put in their best efforts to improve society to accompany this new level of wealth.
"We will especially protect people's health and safety," he said. "We will execute these tasks faithfully."
Lee said North Korea is expected to keep up its military threats in the new year, but South Korea will work to find the best solutions to its security challenges with the international community.
Lee also asked for people to support the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"We need to make Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games successful, so that we can let the world and Korea experience peace and prosperity," he said. (Yonhap)


Mohalla Tech, ShareChat’s parent company is set to lay off around 20 per cent of its staff which will be around 400 employees. The firm has confirmed the action through a letter which was sent to the employees today.
ShareChat spokesperson has also confirmed the layoff news and stated that the decision was taken to prepare the company for sustaining through these headwinds.
The spokesperson has said that they are compelled to take such painful decisions to reduce the cost. The company has been working on growing market consensus.
There have been a number of layoff stories which has been surfacing this year- starting from Twitter, Meta, Amazon and more. Indeed, a tough time has floated around for Indian startups, as the hiring has been frozen and the layoffs have certainly impacted the tech industry across the world.
Companies like Ola, Dunzo, Byjus, OYO and Blinkit have also announced the layoff in recent months because of the lack of funding.
ShareChat’s parent company has further stated that the laid-off employees will receive their total salary for their notice period along with 2 weeks’ pay as ex gratia for the number of years served in the organisation.
The employees will further get 100 per cent of variable pay till December 2022 and health insurance policy cover will remain in place until June end 2023.
In December last year, ShareChat reportedly laid off around 5 per cent of its employees which was around 2300 employees. Out of the laid-off people, they were majorly people who were working on the fantasy gaming platform, named Jeet11.


ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior minister Rehman Malik, while terming the Taliban as ‘contract killers’, said that the Taliban were involved in terrorist activities but called themselves ‘Muslims’, DawnNews reported on Monday.
Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, the interior minister said that Attack on Bannu jail was a pre-planned conspiracy.
The interior minister said that a new security strategy has been devised after the Bannu jail break incident.
Replying to a question about security situation in Chilas and Gilgit, Malik said that two suspects, who were allegedly involved in the violent activities, have been arrested.
“Curfew in Gilgit will be relaxed in the day-time,” the interior minister added.
Talking about the security arrangement for the upcoming Bangladesh cricket team’s visit to Pakistan, Malik said that tight security will be provided to the visiting team.
“Fans of cricket in the country will not be disappointed,” the interior minister added.
Responding to a question regarding the issue of bin Laden’ family, Malik said that interior ministry has no objections in sending the family members to their respective home countries.


Zambia has recorded 1,308 new cases of Coronavirus out of 12,123 test done in the last 24 hours.
Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said said that the cumulative cases are now at 39,516, and a number of those in health facilities is 389 and 739 have been discharged.
Dr Chanda said 13 deaths have also been recorded in the last 24 hours.
He said government is putting more effort in the fight against Convid-19 and it is everyone’s duty to play an active role to win the fight.
Dr Chanda said the ministry is revising theCovid-19 testing strategy that is the criteria on who qualifies for the test in the nation.


Incapable rulers have handed over Kashmir to India, alleges Fazl
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Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Saturday said that the Indian atrocities are being inflicted on people in Occupied Kashmir, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a rally in Dera Ismail Khan, the JUI-F chief said the United Nations (UN), failed to give Kashmiris right to self-determination as per resolutions.
JUI-F supremo said that the PTI led government handed over occupied Kashmir to India, Pakistani people will not remain silent on atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, Fazl said.
Taking the jibe at the PTI-led government Maulana Fazl said that the government has wrecked the national economy. He added the Pakistani rupees now stood at Rs180 against the US dollar which at one time stood at Rs105.
Mentioning the gathering, Maulana said that if you still vote for PTI and then you are equally responsible floating the country.
Maulana Fazl said that I have heard on television that many journalists admired that they had done propaganda for Imran, but now they are cursing themselves for doing this act.
Lashing out at the PM, Fazl said that we came to the conclusion 12 years ago that how incompetent Imran Khan is.
Fazl termed the government as ‘strange’ and said that the ruling party brings new budget after every four months. He added that the government has handed over the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Fazl inaugurates Hakla Interchange
Maulana Fazlur Rehman Saturday inaugurated China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Hakla Interchange, where the plaque of JUI-F supremo was installed.
Addressing a public meeting at DI Khan, he said that soon after coming to power, will start working on CPEC and revive the economy.
He said that the present government has destroyed the economy, today the poor cannot take flour, ghee and sugar, we have seen the performance of PTI-led government for three years and now they have no right to dominate the country.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman raised the question as to why CPEC was planned and inaugurated in a closed room.
He said that in the previous year there was a budget and now there are four budgets in a year while SBP has been kept with IMF.


(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The cash-starved residuary state of Andhra Pradesh has reiterated its demand for special category status and liberal grants from the centre for the next five years to boost development.Making a presentation before the 14th Finance Commission at the temple town of Tirupati on Friday Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made a strong pitch for central assistance to meet a plethora of challenges including building a new capital city promotion of new industries and implementation of welfare programmes.
Finance Commission Chairman Y V Reddy and other members held a marathon meeting with the state ministers and top officials and promised to recommend to the Centre liberal assistance to Andhra Pradesh to enable it to implement its development agenda.
In his presentation the Chief Minister highlighted the huge revenue gap and the fiscal challenges that the residuary state was facing post-bifurcation and wanted the tax share from the central pool to be increased from 32 per cent to 50 per cent. He also gave an overview of the ambitious projects that his government had embarked on and sought liberal sanction of funds for them.
Naidu also sought special funds for development of backward areas in Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra regions and also waiver of central loans. As many as ten ministers and senior officials attended the interactive meeting the first after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The Commission will also interact with representatives of trade and industry local bodies and political parties in due course. According to officials AP will be looking at around Rs3000 billion to 4000 billion in additional allocation of grants for the State during 2015-2020.
The state would require at least Rs1500 billion to Rs2000 billion to build a new capital. The state government has already demanded that the centre compensate the loss of revenue due to the expected implementation of goods and services Tax (GST) which is to the tune of Rs40 billion. The announcement of the Special Category status for the state will pave the way for providing tax exemptions to attract more industries. — newskhaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes and on Twitter at khaleejtimes Follow khaleejtimes ->
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Deputy Higher Education Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake has lodged a complaint with the CID saying that some Pradeshiya Sabha members had made false claims against him.
Ekanayake told the Colombo Gazette that some members of the Matale Rathota Pradeshiya Sabha had sent a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleging that he was trying to defame the President.
The Pradeshiya Sabha members have claimed that he was also conspiring against the President by teaming up with former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Ekanayake said he has written to the President denying the claims and has also lodged a complaint with the CID.
The Deputy Minister said that the claims had stemmed from a conversation he had with some members of the Matale Rathota Pradeshiya Sabha.
He however denied making any references of the President during the conversation, as claimed by the Pradeshiya Sabha members in their letter to the President.
Ekanayake said he has asked the CID to investigate the claims made by the Pradeshiya Sabha members and to take appropriate action. (Colombo Gazette)
Report by Indika Sri Aravinda


San Francisco, Jan 20 (IANS) Meta-owned photo-sharing platform Instagram has started testing subscriptions, a new feature allowing creators to offer paid followers access to exclusive content.
Currently, only 10 US creators have gained access to the new feature, including basketball player Sedona Prince, model Kelsey Cook, actor-influencer Alan Chikin Chow, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and digital creator Lonnie IIV.
'Subscriptions are for creators,' Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said in a video posted on Twitter.
'Creators do what they do to make a living and it's important that it is predictable.'
Followers will pay a monthly fee to access subscriber-only content from creators they follow. Subscription pricing ranges from $0.99 per month to $99.99 per month.
Instagram users who subscribe to a creator will have access to subscriber-only stories, live streams, and other content.
Meanwhile, Instagram is also reportedly testing Stories redesign with vertical scrolling in its app.
As noted by social media consultant Matt Navarra, some users located in Turkey have received an Instagram update that brings vertical scrolling to Stories.
While Stories from the same user can still be viewed by tapping the left or right side of the screen, jumping to the next user's Stories requires a swipe down.
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(Pakistan Today): President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan met Afghanistan’s Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who called on them separately during his three-day visit to Pakistan. During the meeting, the president said that Pakistan would continue to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in the neighbouring country. While welcoming the visiting dignitary, the president said that Pakistan and Afghanistan shared a similar history, culture and religion, and the two brotherly countries must further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. He said that Pakistan would continue to stand by the Afghan nation in difficult times, and contribute to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. President Alvi underscored the need for peace and stability in Afghanistan, which would benefit not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but the entire region as well. He expressed the hope that the peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban, and the Intra-Afghan Negotiations would help bring stability in Afghanistan.


United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has expressed concern over children’s situation in Afghanistan and said that 3.5 million Afghan children currently need nutritious treatment in the war-ravaged country.
Meanwhile, the program hopefully said that most of the children in Afghanistan have access to nutritious treatment offered by the international aid agencies.
Earlier, UNICEF had said that half of the Afghan children under five will face severe malnutrition in 2022.
Mass poverty in Afghanistan that is triggered by people’s displacement, unemployment, conflicts, and now political transformation have led millions of people to starve.
Children are the most affected among them as they are now suffering from the spread of measles in the country.
The international aid agencies have been calling on the World Community to support the Afghan people at a time when they are experiencing the worst humanitarian situation in decades.


AP to call Centre’s bluff
Intent on taking the war to the logical conclusion, the AP state cabinet, which met here on Friday, decided to fight tooth and nail against the Centre...
Amaravati: Intent on taking the war to the logical conclusion, the AP state cabinet, which met here on Friday, decided to fight tooth and nail against the Centre in the Supreme Court and call its bluff that it had honoured all the commitments made to the state in the AP State Reorganisation Act 2014.
The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, took serious exception to the Centre filing an affidavit with lies and half-truths with the Supreme Court, Information and Public Relations Minister K Srinivasulu said, while briefing media-persons, on the resolutions adopted at the cabinet.
He said that the Central government has so far filed three affidavits in the Apex Court on the petition by Telangana Congress MLC P Sudhakar Reddy, to which Andhra Pradesh government is also a party. “The affidavits reflected the unhelpful attitude of the Centre towards the truncated state of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
He maintained that the Centre has filed affidavit which had false information. “The Centre has the responsibility to enhance the dignity of the Supreme Court by submitting documents which are truthful.


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While appearing on Fox News Sunday, Giuliani argued that the general public has had four months of prominent figures, including the president of the United States, telling them that cops pose a serious threat to public safety.
“We’ve had four months of propaganda, starting with the president, that everybody should hate the police,” he said. “I don’t care how you want to describe it; that’s what those protests are all about.”
“The protest are being embraced, the protests are being encouraged,” he noted. “The protests, even the ones that don’t lead to violence, and a lot of them lead to violence, all of them lead to a conclusion: The police are bad, the police are racist. That is completely wrong. Actually, the people who do the most for the black community in America are the police.”
As often said, fish rot from the head.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency ) Baku, Azerbaijan, July 9
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has arrived in the Republic of Turkey for a working visit to attend the 22nd World Petroleum Congress held in Istanbul.
A guard of honor was lined up for President Ilham Aliyev at the Ataturk International Airport decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The chief of the guard of honor reported to President Ilham Aliyev.
The head of state saluted the guard of honor.
President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Governor of Istanbul Vasip Sahin and other officials of Turkey.
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(MENAFN- IANS) >
Srinagar, Dec 7 (IANS) Night temperatures dropped throughout Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday due to clear night sky as the Drass town was the coldest at minus 18.4.
An official of the Meteorological Department (MeT) said the minimum temperatures dropped in the two union territories of J&K and Ladakh due to clear night sky on Tuesday.
'At minus 18.4 degrees Celsius, Drass town of Ladakh was the coldest while the minimum temperature was minus 12.1 in Leh and minus 9.6 in Kargil.
'Srinagar had minus 1.4, Pahalgam minus 4.8 and Gulmarg minus 7.0 as the minimum temperature.
'Jammu city had 9.0, Katra 7.8, Batote 3.6, Banihal 5.8 and Bhaderwah 0.5 as the night's lowest temperature,' the MeT official said.
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Gov. George Pataki said Wednesday that he and Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be the ultimate decision-makers on what is built on the former World Trade Center site.
"At the end of the day," the governor said during an event at City Hall, "the mayor and the governor are responsible."
A spokesman for the Lower Manhattan Development Corp, the state agency charged with overseeing rebuilding efforts at the site, said that the LMDC is "an entity of the state and the city, and in the end, people want to know who will make the decision."
The governor also said that the development corporation will be expanded to include three new members appointed by Mayor Bloomberg. Seven of the agency's current 11 members were named by Mr. Pataki, and four by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.


Karachi—Sindh Food Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that equitable distribution of gunny bags is being ensured. He was talking to growers from various districts in the province on Sunday.
The Minister said that action is being initiated against the district food inspectors in the area where complaints are being received regarding the availability of gunny bags. He said that he was himself undertaking surprise visit to the centres in all the districts and that complaints regarding gunny bags are being disposed of.
Nasir Shah pointed out that of the target of 1.1 million tons, the Sindh government has procured over 40 percent of the wheat from the growers. He further stated that 85 percent of the growers have been provided gunny bags.
The Minister said that of the six million tons of wheat produced in Sindh, the provincial government is procuring 1.1 million tons. He said that it is being ensured that gunny bags is provided to growers in an equitable manner. Nasir Shah said that in view of complaints from the growers, action has been initiated.—APP


Dubai airport passenger traffic grows by 6.6pct in August
(MENAFN) Dubai Intl Airport, the world's busiest for global traffic, posted its busiest month ever in August for passenger traffic, which was boosted by a seasonal increase in travelers.
In addition, the number of passengers travelling amid the airport grew 6.6 percent to 8.23mn compared to the same month of 2016.
Moreover, the number of passengers per flight grew 7.2 percent to 246, while flight movements fell for the fourth consecutive month.
In more details, the most popular destinations by passenger volume were London, Kuwait, and Mumbai.
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In a unique initiative aimed at giving a ‘healing touch’ to the poor and disadvantaged sections of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today launched the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Beema Yojna (BPSSBY) for providing cashless Health care services to the families below the poverty line (BPL).Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Chief Minister, while addressing the mammoth gathering, said that the scheme would give a big reprieve to the people of this unprivileged sections by providing them the quality health care services, free of cost. He said that under the scheme the beneficiaries would be issued the smart cards which would enable to them to avail the benefit of cashless health care facilities upto Rs 30000 per annum. Mr. Badal said that the leading insurance companies of the country have been roped in by the state government to give this unique benefit to the poor people.Underscoring the need for providing quality Health care services to the people, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was committed for making Punjab a ‘Healthy and disease free’ state. He said that the state government has spent Rs 350 crore for upgrading the Health infra structure in the state adding that the war on cancer has been declared by the Punjab government under which special emphasis was being given on providing quality treatment to the patient inflicted with this fatal disease. Mr. Badal said that apart from it the cancer patients were being given subsidized medicines by the state government.
Likewise the Chief Minister said that a state-of-the art cancer hospital was coming up at Mullanpur near Chandigarh on the lines of the Tata Memorial Cnancer hospital, Mumbai for which the state government has already allotted 50 acres of land. Mr. Badal said that he had personally requested the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to lay down the foundation stone of this project to give relief to the cancer patients of the state. He further said that a 100 bedded Cancer hospital at Bathinda would also become operational early next year to provide quality cancer treatment and diagnostic facilities to the people.Squarely blaming the Union government for the menace of drug addiction in the state, the Chief Minister said that the Central security agencies have completely failed in checking the unabated supply of drugs from across the border. Likewise he said that the Centre government has never paid any heed for banning the open sale of Puppy husk in Rajasthan, due to which it was regularly being supplied in state. Mr. Badal asked the Government of India (GoI) to immediately take steps for checking the supply of drugs in the state.
Holding the Congress party responsible for the partition of the country, the Chief Minister said that the pision of the nation could have been avoided if the Congress had desired so. Mr. Badal said that it was on record that the official machinery under the Congress government has even insulted the Punjabi refugees by terming them ‘criminal minded’ persons. He said that by piding the country, the Congress has given a severe blow to the development of the state adding that the situation has further aggravated as the successive Congress governments at the centre have meted out step motherly treatment to the state. Mr. Badal said that despite of enormous contribution of the state in national freedom struggle and making the country self reliant in food production, Punjab has been deprived of its legitimate share in river waters and even from its capital.
Lashing out at the Congress led UPA government at the centre, the Chief Minister said that every strata of the society was suffering due to wrong and ill conceived policies of the Union government. Mr. Badal said that the anti-farmer’s policies of the Union government have broken the backbone of the state’s peasantry due to which they were reeling under a huge debt of Rs 32000 crore. He said that the authorities in Centre government formulate the schemes while sitting in their posh offices without bothering about the interests of the people.Exhorting the people to rout the Congress out from the Centre, the Chief Minister said that the coming general elections were very decisive for the state and its people as the electorate was once again on the verge of making or marring the prospects of Punjab. He said that it was the high time that Congress led UPA government at the centre must be shown the door else the people of the state would have to suffer again for next five years under the misrule of Congress government. Mr. Badal said that the people must ensure that the NDA government was constituted at centre to usher a new era of unprecedented development in the state.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government would give a complete facelift to the state in the coming years. He announced that Rs 5 crore would be soon issued to every assembly segment of the state so as to further give impetus to the overall development of the state. Likewise Mr. Badal said that thrust was also being laid on providing the basic civic amenities in all the town and cities of the state within two years for which the Punjab government has embarked a major scheme.Earlier in his address, the Deputy Chief Minister said that this scheme would benefit the poor and underprivileged strata of society which could not afford the quality treatment facilities due to their poor economic condition. He said that this scheme reflected the pro-poor vision and the desire of the Chief Minister to serve the weaker sections of society. Taking a dig at Congress led UPA government at centre, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that while the Union government had aggravated the woes of common man by ever increasing inflation, the Chief Minister had extended a helping hand to them by providing them Atta-Dal at much subsidized rates.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Mr. Badal had always worked for the upliftment of the economic weaker sections of society and the Mai Bhago Istri Vidya, Pension, Shagun, Dr Hargobind Khurana Scholarship and others schemes have been launched by the state government to facilitate these sections. He said that likewise Aashiward scheme has been launched by the state government to enable the students of weaker sections to pursue higher education. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that not only this but many more schemes for the public welfare were in pipeline.The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the coming three years would give a further fillip to the ongoing development of the state as many ambitious projects were on cards. He said that Rs 14000 crore was being spent for the four and six laning of the every major road in the state. Likewise Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab would become the Power Surplus state of the country from the next month. He also announced that efforts were afoot to make Fazilka the leading districts of the state.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Lok Sabha MP Mr Sher Singh Ghubaya, MLA Mr. Gurtej Singh, Chairperson Social Welfare Board Mrs. Vijay Laxmi Bhadu, Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vinnie Mahajan, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Punjab Health System Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal and Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg.


(MENAFN- AzerNews) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has sent a letter
of condolence to India, following a railway accident occurred in
the country, Azernews reports.
The letter reads:
Deeply saddened by the news of terrible passenger train accident
in India. We express our deepest condolences to the families who
lost their loved ones in this tragic accident & share the grief of
the people and Government of the Republic of India," the MFA's
The death toll from the collision of three trains in eastern
India has reached 288 people. Rescue work at the accident site
continues. More than 500 rescuers were brought to the scene.
A day of mourning has been declared in connection with the
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Veena Malik sentenced to 26 years in jail
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Tuesday awarded 26-year jail term to owner of the country's major media group for airing "blasphemous contents" during a TV programme.
The court ordered the arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rehman, the owner the Jang group of publications. The group owns "Geo television" and the English daily "The News", Xinhua reported.
The court in Gilgit-Baltistan also announced jail term for known actress Veena Malik, her husband Asad Malik and Shaista Lodhi, who had hosted the controversial programme.
None of the accused were present in the court at the time of the announcement of the verdict.
Judge Raja Shehbaz Khan also imposed a penalty of 1.3 million Pakistani rupees(about $12,500)each on all the convicts, who have the right to appeal against the judgment.
Waqar Ahmad, secretary to the judge, told the media the court ordered the local administration to confiscate properties of the convicts if they did not surrender to the authorities.
All convicts are believed to have gone abroad.
A petition, filed in May this year, had stated that the convicts had "used derogatory language for committing blasphemy by airing objectionable contents.
Officials said all convicts can file appeal against the verdict in the chief court in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is equal to a high court.
Geo television had aired the controversial morning show May 14 that had prompted criticism. The TV had publicly apologised over the programme and also published apology in the group's English and Urdu newspapers.
The programme was aired to celebrate the wedding of famous film and TV drama actress Veena Malik.
The management later said the host had unintentionally committed a mistake in the programme namely "Utho Jago Pakistan", which means wake up Pakistan.
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Paul Bush, a leading Scottish event organiser, has revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic is placing significant challenges on the industry.
Around 130 events, including the Edinburgh Festival, Tattoo and Fringe, have been cancelled.
Bush said that a tourism survey carried out by VisitScotland’s Insights team showed that the impact on the sector has already been significant.
Over 30 per cent of respondents with employees said they had already cut staff and more job losses were likely.
And 69 per cent of respondents also claim to have suffered significant financial impact with losses in excess of £100,000 in some instances.
Bush, Director of Events, said: “The results of the tourism survey and the number of events that have already taken the decision to postpone or cancel shows just how hard this has hit the events and festivals sector in Scotland.
“There is no doubt these are hugely challenging times with uncertainty still on the horizon for many event organisers as they consider the future of their events.
“Our event managers continue to engage on a daily basis with event organisers throughout Scotland and we look forward to helping to plan and support the recovery of the sector when the time is right.”


MQM is striving for the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people
Former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood visited Khursheed Begum Secretariat of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) with a delegation and held meeting with members of the Co-ordination Committee Mr Kunwar Khalid Yunus and Mr Shahid Latif.
Minister for State Dr Nadeem Ehsan and MQM ministers in Kashmir Mr Tahir Khokhar and Mr Saleem Butt were also present on the occasion.
Barrister Mahmood said that the MQM had always lent its support for the rights of the people of Kashmir for which the Kashmiri people were thankful to Mr Altaf Hussain. He said that the MQM workers had served the people of Kashmir after the devastating earthquake of 2005, and their selfless and unforgiveable services are greatly valued by the people of Kashmir.
Barrister Mahmood further said that the MQM members in the legislative assembly are actively working for the development of Kashmir and for the welfare of the Kashmiri people.Barrister Mahmood thanked the Co-ordination Committee on a warm welcome and said that they would never forget the love shown to them.
Earlier, the Co-ordination Committee welcomed the delegation on behalf of Mr Hussain. They said that the people of Kashmir were the heart throb of Pakistan. Mr Hussain wants that the legitimate rights of the people of Kashmir should be given to them. They said that the MQM and Mr Hussain love the humanity without any discrimination. The MQM believes in politics for serving the humanity.


'Motivate workforce to work with commitment', says Chief Secretary Krishna Rao
June 3, 2014 - Hyderabad
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao on Tuesday said that the foremost priority was to motivate the work force to fulfil the commitment of the political executive for the vision of the State.
The new Chief Secretary after assuming the charge said that there were certain concerns among the employees on dislocation and also a strong sentiment and determination among them and people to develop their region. He said that the spirit will be harnessed and channelled for constructive work, he said.
Krishna Rao said that Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the dictum of 'right person for the right post' stressing on delivery and development. He said that with freedom for decision making and accountability, I have confidence that Andhra bureaucracy can deliver', said the new Chief Secretary. He said that it was the responsibility of the Government administration to implement the policies and vision through innovative ways and out-of-the-box thinking.


Rick Ridgeway: How We Got Here
(MENAFN- 3BL) Cascale was founded with the goal of scaling collective action throughout the consumer goods industry, and now we're one step closer to realizing this vision. In our latest blog post, Rick Ridgeway, co-founder of Cascale, reflects on our history, progress, and outlook for the future as we embark on a new phase of positive impact. You can read more about Cascale's journey in our blog post titled, Rick Ridgeway: How We Got Here .
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Kangan: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday claimed that excessive force was deployed to disperse demonstrators who were protesting against civilian killings.
The Chief Minister also assured action against those found guilty.
“The initial reports indicate that excessive force was used and action will be taken against those responsible,” Mufti said.
The Chief Minister met family of youth, Gowhar Ahmad Rather, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kangan, who was killed in police firing on April 2.
Gowhar was injured when police allegedly fired bullets and pellets to disperse demonstrators, who were protesting against the killings of four civilians in security force action on protesters. (ANI)


ISLAMABAD, Aug 2 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA)
Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan Friday said the Opposition should not blame the government for its failure in the Senate, and rather put its own house in order.
Talking to media outside Parliament House, he said that majority of the Senators rejected the no-trust of Opposition to remove Chairman Senate.
He said past corrupt rulers did ruin the economy and put the country in the doldrums during ten-year tenure.
He said that the government was fully aware of the people’s problems and making efforts to bring economic stability.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has the capability to steer the country out of the present economic crisis.


France closes another mosque
(MENAFN) France made an announcement that it will close another mosque, blaming the imam of being radicalized, in line with media reports on Wednesday.
The Interior Ministry began the process of closing the Obernai Mosque in the Bas-Rhin area, as reported by French BFM TV and Le Figaro.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin shared on Twitter that 23 “separatist places of worship” have been closed in the earlier two years.
He went on to say that the closures came following a call by the leader to fight "Islamist separatism."
The ministry blames the imam of the Obernai Mosque of starting radical preaching activities, taking a hostile attitude to French society and making provocative remarks against the values of the republic.
The Paris administration has been condemned by the world, non-governmental organizations and human rights organizations, mainly the UN, as it targets and marginalizes Muslims.
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Senior Presidential Press Secretary, Don Wanyama has said that the anti-corruption walk is an international celebration that was localized.
Wanyama said that the walk against corruption has been happening in Uganda and the only new thing this year is that the president asked to join in the walk.
Wanyama made his remarks while appearing on NBS TV’s Morning Breeze show.
“This is an international celebration that has been localized. The walk against corruption has been happening here and this is not the first time. The only new thing is that the president asked to join the walk this time,” Wanyama said in part.
Wanyama also noted that the president has always been hard against corruption and one of the reasons for his walking this time is to highlight the success stories that have been registered in the struggle against the vice.
“For those that have been following the president keenly, he has made public announcements against corruption. Many laws and institutions against corruption are a brainchild of the president,” he added.
Wanyama encouraged the public to listen ‘keenly’ to what the president says in Kololo because he will highlight the gains and challenges that he has faced so far.
He said that since corruption as a vice is evolving, the president has to keep changing the ways in which he fights it as well.


Hurricane Sandy thief still on loose
CLEAR BROOK — A man who robbed the State Line Exxon at gunpoint Monday during the peak of Hurricane Sandy’s effect on the area is still on the loose.
Surveillance footage of the incident, which…
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LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Khan Buzdar has said that difficulties are temporary which will end soon.
Talking to different delegations in Lahore on Saturday, he said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is making all-out efforts to ensure sustainable economic development in the Country.
The Chief Minister said that welfare oriented steps are aimed at raising people’s living standard.
Usman Buzdar said that they haven’t made tall claims like their predecessors; rather, they undertook tangible initiatives for people’s welfare.
The Punjab Chief Minister said that they would uplift the lives of the underprivileged segments of the society. He also said that now the era of politics of looting has ended.
Sardar Usman Buzdar further said that they left no stone unturned to put the Country on the right track during the last nine months. He said that they are moving forward without wasting any time.


The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed two people have died as a result of Ebola. However, local officials said they did not believe the deaths were related to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that has affected Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea.
DR Congo Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi said two of eight samples taken from the Boende region in the northwest tested positive for Ebola. Local officials said the virus is responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the area, including five health workers, Kabange said.
An outbreak of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis has led to the deaths of more than 70 people in DR Congo, the World Health Organization said Thursday although the organization said at the time it was not related to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Kabange said the incident marks the seventh outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976. The last outbreak was recorded in 2012.
“The experiences gained during the six past Ebola epidemics will be put to use to contain the illness,” he said.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has led to 2,617 infections and 1,427 deaths, the World Health Organization said.


Rotary given upbeat view on local economy for 2013
WINCHESTER — After a busy 2012 for the city and Frederick County, economic development is expected to maintain a healthy pace through the remainder of this year.
Patrick Barker, executive director of…
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19 Lebanese forces injured in clashes with protesters
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- Nineteen Lebanese security forces were injured during confrontations with protesters near the US embassy in Beirut on Sunday, the internal security department said in a statement.
The security forces arrested 10 protesters who were suspected of inciting riots during the demonstration, it said.
It added the security forces were forced to disperse protesters after many of them started burning of tires, attacking public properties, and throwing rockets and molotiv cocktails at the government troops.
The arrestees - four Lebanese and six Palestinians - were questioned by the judicial authorities, said the statement.
Hundreds of people gathered at the road leading to the US embassy in northern Beirut to protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
Many Arab and Muslim cities witnessed similar protests following Trump's decision. (end) wsm.bs
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Dominican Police Secure the Embassy of Haiti
A Dominican Police contingent and U.S. Embassy staff were assigned to guard the Haitian Embassy in Santo Domingo since Monday, a measure aimed to prevent violent protests such as those in Port-au-Prince over the weekend.
Meanwhile Defense minister Ruben said that the military deployed to the border will remain quartered, since the turmoil in Haiti has lasted several days.
Quoted by local media, the official said that more than 1,000 troops have been deployed to secure the border, especially the crossings at Jimani (west) and Pedernales (southwest).
The Dominican Navy also patrols the border to intercept the Haitians who try to enter the country by sea.


The World Bank has warned that economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to slow in 2023, as double-digit food inflation adds pressure on poorer households.
In its latest economic update, the World Bank said that MENA’s GDP growth is expected to slow to 3.0% in 2023, from 5.8% in 2022. This slowdown is due to a number of factors, including the war in Ukraine, which has disrupted global food and energy markets, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued to weigh on economic activity.
The World Bank said that food inflation in MENA is expected to average 29% in 2023, up from 14.8% in 2022. This will put a strain on household budgets, particularly in poorer households, and could lead to social unrest.
The World Bank urged MENA governments to take steps to mitigate the impact of food inflation, including providing subsidies to low-income households, increasing food production, and investing in social safety nets.
The World Bank also said that MENA countries need to diversify their economies away from oil and gas, which are vulnerable to price shocks. The World Bank said that MENA countries need to invest in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Pakistan International School in Doha yesterday marked the Pakistan Defence Day to commemorate the precious sacrifices made by the Pakistanis defending their country.
The celebration marked under the theme 'Stand United to Support Peace, was attended by many Pakistan community members in Doha.
The celebration programme started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and a poem praising the martyrs of the nation. A discussion was held on Pakistan's capability to defence its land, sea and air and the role of civilians in that, as well the role of Pakistan in bringing peace to the region and the world.
Irfan Taj, the military attache at the Pakistani Embassy in Doha, highlighted in his speech the importance of learning lessons from the history to make our lives better. Taj praised the extraordinary courage shown by Pakistani soldiers to the internal and external threats and their success in confronting them.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and law enforcement officials gave an update on public safety measures Wednesday afternoon.
Scott was joined by other city officials including Little Rock Police Assistant Chiefs Wayne Bewley and Heath Helton.
Bewley said that the trend in overall violent crime has dropped 1% from this time last year. Though the overall rate saw a decline, Bewley said that the homicide rate is up 37% from this time last year.
He also highlighted two unsolved homicides that happened over the weekend on South University Avenue and Hanger Hill.
Earlier this week, law enforcement officials received concerns from city leaders saying the department has had a lack of transparency in the recent shootings and homicides.
Bewley addressed the public’s concern saying that the department “needs and can do a better job.”
“We got to do a better job and we’re going to do a better job,” he said. “We have come together and put protocols in place to be more consistent and more timely.”
The police department also announced that a new mobile app will be released that will provide information to the public regarding crime.


FDC politician Dr. Kizza Besigye has criticized President Yoweri Museveni for boosting development projects in the Acholi sub-region that are less beneficial to the community.
He said that for the 30 years that the NRM has been in power, development would have long been achieved if the available resources were being put to good use.
Reacting to President Museveni's speech made during his recent visit in Omoro district, Besigye said it's insignificant for the president to boost the rural electrification program that the locals cannot put to use.
If that money, worth billions of shillings, had been used to purchase tractors to help farmers start large-scale farming, it would have been more impactful, added the opposition politician.
He said the Acholi sub-region is being threatened by the new aggression of Hepatitis B and Nodding disease and other medical conditions that were not heard of before and that the government needs to address them.


ISLAMABAD: Aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said that a clean water project will be brought in the twin cities soon.
Talking to the media, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that there was a shortage of clean water in the twin cities so a clean water project would be introduced in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He said that due to five dams, problems ranging from irrigation to water shortage will be solved while gas projects are also going to be given to seven areas of Rawat police station, he added.
The federal minister said the population was growing but gas resources were dwindling. The international level project is 110 km of Ring Road which is 66 km within the boundaries of Punjab and the rest of Islamabad.
Ghulam Sarwar said that the Ring Road project has been approved and the alignment of Punjab has been finalized while more than Rs 6 billion has reached the Punjab administration. He said that the foundation stone of the Ring Road project would be laid before 30th June 2021 and five dams were being constructed to alleviate the shortage of drinking water.
“Work has started on some dams in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and work on some will be done now. Budgets are being allocated for dams and water shortages will be addressed soon,” he maintained.


THE opening of the new Coconut Whole Nut Processing Centre on Taveuni has paved the way for the development of its women.
Speaking at its opening, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the processing centre would provide training on what could be gained from copra.
Cakaudrove Soqosoqo Vakamarama trustee, Salaseini Fong said they were excited about the opportunities because of the benefits to the women on the island.
Mrs Fong said villagers would attend training and learn to operate the machine before sharing the skills with their colleagues.
"Not only will they learn about the operation of the machines but they will also learn about the various ways to utilise the different parts of the coconut, including its waste products," said Mrs Fong.
"We are also thinking about venturing into virgin coconut oil production for commercial purposes.
"Handicraft can also be made from the various parts of the coconut tree and apprentices at the centre will also learn to exploit the coconut plant and turn it to their advantage."
Mrs Fong said women of the province would grab the opportunity and venture into ways of improving their livelihood through the processing plant.
"Seeing the ideas shared by the staff of the Mua Research Station during the opening of the centre opened doors to us in terms of opportunities out there.
"We are going to take the ideas we have witnessed to women at grassroots level so they can have a chance to improve their lifestyle and that of their families.
"Women's groups will benefit a lot from the centre and we will also urge them to plant coconut trees."


New Delhi: One of the early entrants into the Indian market, General Motors Co. on Thursday said that it will cease its sales operations in India and focus on exports from the world’s fastest growing passenger vehicle market.
“The company will focus its GM India manufacturing operations on producing vehicles for export only…,” GM International said in a statement.
Existing Chevrolet customers will continue to be supported in the market, the company said. Across affected markets, GM is working with employees, their union representatives and local authorities to provide transition support.
The move is aimed at driving stronger financial performance and focus its capital and resources on business opportunities expected to deliver higher returns.
GM also said that it will offload its South Africa manufacturing to Isuzu Motors.
Read more at:


Hyderabad: The TDP MLA, Mr Revanth Reddy, has alleged that the government went back on its proposal of holding the Speaker’s election through secret ballot as it feared that its official nominee would be defeated.
Speaking at the Assembly Media Point, Mr Revant Reddy said that the government had released a bulletin stating that the election would be held through secret ballot and soon changed its stand and held it through open ballot, as it feared defeat. He said the government, which had already lost the support of people was now fearing that even its own MLAs might turn against it. He said that it was moral defeat for the government.
Another TDP MLA, Mr Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, has faulted the stand of the Congress MLAs supporting the YSR Congress. He charged them with indulging in political debauchery. He said they were spending their day with the Chief Minister and nights with Mr Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.


The KNUST SRC electoral commission has finally broke silence on the sunday’s vetting stand off.
The statement signed by the Electoral Chairman, Emmanuel Obeng Awuah has condemned the happenings on the said day.
Per the statement, the commission has said the sudden events that rocked the vetting proceedings were unfortunate and completely unacceptable.
It further indicated that the commission will proceed after the 3-week probe into the matter by the university authorities.
Read more here:


(MENAFN- IANS) Seoul, May 31 (IANS) North Korea said on Wednesday a rocket carrying a military spy satellite it launched earlier in the day crashed into the Yellow Sea due to an engine problem and that the country plans to carry out its second launch in the near future.
After the separation of the first stage, the rocket carrying the spy satellite fell into the sea due to an engine problem, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The North's state-run space development agency will investigate the "grave" defects and plans to conduct the second satellite launch at the nearest possible date, the KCNA said.
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Indore, Jul 17 (PTI) Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said the resumption of a dialogue between India and Pakistan is possible only after the Imran Khan-led government acts tough against perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike and other attacks on the Indian soil.
“All those people are a hurdle in the way of the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan who provided them shelter and finance to those who carried out the terror attack in Mumbai and other places in India,' Singh told PTI when asked about Khan's statement blaming the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh for the suspended talks between the two countries.
Naming Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, who are among the top 31 terrorists wanted by India, he said the Pakistan government was “fully sheltering” the people who are fanning anti-India terrorism.
“If the Imran Khan government continues to provide shelter to these people and doesn't firmly act against them, how can the talk between the two neighbours resume?” the Rajya Sabha MP asked.
The Congress leader also said the sedition law of the colonial era under which Mahatma Gandhi was arrested, was not needed now.
He alleged the government was misusing the sedition law against opponents to quell their voices. 'All political parties should think about the Constitutional validity of the sedition law,” he added.
Questioning the population control bill likely to be brought by the Uttar Pradesh government, Singh said the proposed legislation was only aimed at diverting the people's attention from basic issues like inflation and unemployment.
'If the government provides good healthcare and education to people, population growth would automatically come down,' he said. PTI HWP LAL NSK NSK