(MENAFN- Baystreet.ca) Oil Prices Soar on Supply Concerns
Oil prices rose by more than $1.00 U.S. a barrel on Wednesday as markets focused on supply tightness heading into winter and a“soft landing” for the U.S. economy.
Brent crude futures were up $1.73, or 1.8%, to $95.69 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $2.18, or 2.4%, to $92.58.
Markets continued to worry about U.S. crude stockpiles at the key Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub falling below minimum operating levels.
That dip at Cushing, the delivery point for U.S. crude futures, would compound supply tightness stemming from supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies. This tightness is helping fuel the current crude price gains.
Those concerns come despite industry data on Tuesday showing U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose last week by about 1.6 million barrels, against analysts' expectations of a roughly 300,000-barrel drop.
Meanwhile, a“soft landing” for the U.S. economy is more likely than not, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari said on Tuesday, but there is also a 40% chance that the Fed will need to raise interest rates“meaningfully” to beat inflation.
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(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) For newspapers only...
Amman, Mar. 8 (Petra)-Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, Adviser to His Majesty the King, Chairman of National Policy Council, received on Thursday envoy of the US Secretary of State, retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs, Tim Lenderking, and the accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, held at the Husseiniya Palace and attended by His Majesty's Adviser and Director of the King's Office, the two sides reviewed the strategic relations between Jordan and the United States, in addition to developments on regional and international arenas.
Prince Faisal reviewed Jordan's stances, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in support of efforts to reach political solutions to the Mideast crises and endeavors to achieve security and stability in the region.
8/3/2018 - 01:55:54 PM
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The Commissioner of Police (CP) for Ekiti State, Tunde Mobayo, has hinted that police constables currently being recruited by the Nigeria Police across the country would be deployed in their respective local government areas.
The recruitment process has started for 10,000 new police officers to join the force with recruitment portals open for interested applicants.
The federal government has also approved the sum of about N13 billion for the take-off of its community policing initiative which is expected to bring crime-fighting closer to the local communities.
The project is also expected to bring security closer to the people with the involvement of community leaders and other local groups.
Mr. Mobayo said the decision to post the new officers to their local government areas was informed by the belief that the personnel would have more knowledge about their terrain than people from other states.
According to him, the task of fighting crimes successfully is based on intelligence gathering, saying that it is only personnel who understand the cultural and social behaviour of communities that could succeed in modern-day policing.
The police commissioner, who spoke on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti through the police public relations officer, Sunday Abutu, said the recruitment was in response to an urgent need for more officers in the force.
His statement came as the command conducted the physical and credentials screening for constable/junior cadre recruitment into the force in Ado-Ekiti.
“The Inspector-General of Police deemed it fit to recruit more hands into the Nigeria Police Force due to, firstly the lack of manpower in the force, and also insecurity challenges in our country,” he said.
“So, with the new 10,000 personnel to be employed, we will be able to cover more grounds in the system.
“The essence of it is that they work in their respective states and even their local government area so as to have adequate personnel at the grassroots to fight crime.”
The commissioner said the screening for applicants across the 16 local government areas of the state covered their physical fitness, medical status, credentials, and other qualifications that will make them perform optimally in the force.
He advised applicants at the screening not to pay anyone to influence their employment, saying the department of training and development at the force headquarters had the sole responsibility of selecting the most qualified applicants from results of the screening.
On the security situation in the state, Mr Abutu stressed that the command was poised to rid the state of crime, soliciting more cooperation from residents in terms of timely and accurate information on crime-related issues to the police.
“We don’t have any ugly incidents in the state now due to the experience of the new CP but we want to encourage our people to always give us useful information in their domains as regards crimes, and we will take action immediately, ” he said.
The recruitment is in keeping with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the 2016 National Security Summit, that 10,000 officers be recruited into the Nigeria Police annually.


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Islamabad (Staff Report): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday said that the process of accountability will continue without any1 discrimination.
According to a statement issued by the NAB, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said that the anti-graft body is an impartial institution which will continue the accountability process without fear and discord.
The NAB chairman said that corruption is on the rise and mega corruption cases will remain the focus as it will lead to reducing corruption at the lower tier as well.
“Our attention has shifted towards mega corruption. The action will gradually reduce corruption at the lower levels. An impression is being given that the business community and investors are in fear due to NAB. However, the business community and non-investors should continue positive work without any fear,” he stated.
The NAB chairman further said that the fundamental work of the anti-graft watchdog is against corruption in public funds and government officials.


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On Wednesday, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar said that more than 99 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in India and the government has set a target of vaccinating the entire adult population of the country by the end of the year. While speaking at the FICCI’s Healthcare Excellence Awards ceremony, she informed that, under the Make in India initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is one of the leading countries in the global medical devices market in the world.
She added that the government launched various nationwide programs for prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improvement of maternal and child health.
The minister said that in achieving universal health coverage, the world’s largest public funded health care programme, Ayushman Bharat Mission was launched by the government.
She added that the Digital Health Mission has also been included in the scheme that aims to converge the various components of health care ecosystem for seamless integration and better health outcomes on one platform.
In the past couple of years, the government has also launched numerous financial support schemes for creating the appropriate environment for growth as well as augmenting public-private infrastructure of hospitals and public-funded labs across the country, Pawar informed.
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Willmar, Minn., officials hope expanded central business district brings development benefits
WILLMAR — Downtown promoters and supporters hope recent City Council action to expand the boundaries of the central business district will lead to new commercial and residential development there.
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COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Cohoes city officials are making progress on efforts to move families who have been living near the Norlite facility. Mayor Bill Keeler said two-thirds of Saratoga Sites residents have been relocated.
The remaining residents are expected to be moved in the coming months. Cohoes is planning on buying the property once everyone has been moved.
Environmental advocates have voiced concerns about the possible health effects from dust coming from the Norlite facility. They have been calling for the facility’s closure.
The company argues there are no negative health effects related to its facility and said it’s been working to reduce pollution.


5,900 seek help in financial crisis
Almost 6,000 people affected by the financial meltdown have sought help through a hotline.
The Financial Crisis Emotional Support Hotline, which was launched last October, has so far received 5,900 requests for help, with 56 per cent of people saying they had financial difficulties, labour minister Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said yesterday.
'About 20 per cent said they had economic problems around the end of last year, but now the figure has jumped to more than 50 per cent,' Mr Cheung said. 'The hotline receives about 800 calls for help every month, on average, but it has received about 800 requests for help this month so far. So we expect the number to be even higher this month.'
The Social Welfare Department would continue to provide support and counselling services to help people affected by the economic crisis, Mr Cheung said.
'We will also make arrangements for those who need to apply for other welfare services,' he added.
Speaking on a television programme yesterday, Social Welfare Department director Stephen Fisher said more resources might be needed for food bank services as there had been more demand than expected.
Mr Fisher said the food banks might seek more government help if demand continued to be strong.
Last year, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced the government would spend HK$100 million on food bank services as a relief measure in response to rising inflation. The fund planned to help 50,000 people over three years.
Although the 50,000 quota had not been used up, demand was greater than expected, Mr Fisher said.


Ontario asking for a new long-term health care deal
The Ontario government has asked the federal government to work with the provinces to help make a new long-term deal on health care. The federal government recently committed to a six per cent increase in health transfers however the federal government pays only 23 per cent of Ontario’s health costs.
Ontario is requesting more health care reforms to help meet the needs of Ontario’s aging population and to focus on increasing options for seniors in their homes and communities.
For more information go to www.news.ontario.ca.


Letter to the Editor: Research helps clarify myths regarding school bond issue
There seems to be a lot of information floating around these days on the upcoming West Fargo school referendum. After attending the public information meeting on April 27, I decided to do my own research on a few of the myths surrounding the proposal.
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Most investor relation will make sure that they have the full knowledge and understanding of what is going on in the market like the trends and how the environment is. Moreover, they have the needed tools and team that will correct the data and analyze it so that the business will benefit in the end. Investor relations consultancy will bring a considerable source of resources that will help the industry in making some of the necessary fundamental decisions. It will meet the investor’s needs because they have carried the needed research to profit the company.
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It will help the company in making sure that the brand they have has an excellent image to the public and that they will have a very profound public relation. Investor relation consultancy will help investors in making changes that will optimize the value investors make in the company.


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The wide range of Amul dairy products is available at our store with all its varieties. Shop online from the list of Amul milk, dahi, buttermilk, cheese, bread, butter, ghee, chocolate, pizza, sweets to kool-drinks and much more such products in India.
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The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Masood Khan has said neither India would come to the table for talks on Kashmir nor Pakistan want to indulge in talks with India because of what India has done in Occupied Kashmir
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has said that because of US's protection to India in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the latter is operating with absolute impunity in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK)
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has urged British Parliamentarians and the British civil society to have a dialogue with 10 Downing Street, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dominic Raab and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) over the deteriorating situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has said that we as Muslims have to take the lead and resolve long standing issues plaguing the Muslim Ummah like Palestine and Kashmir through political conflict resolution mechanisms provided to us in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that the worst human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) and the silence of the United Nations over it indicates that the world body has been side-lined in the dispute over Kashmir
Sardar Masood khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has said that the people of Pakistan and Kashmir have reposed their full trust in the Turkish leadership who have recognized the Kashmir matter as not a bilateral one but as an issue between Pakistan, India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir President, Sardar Masood Khan has called upon United Nations and the civilized world to help end to the cruelest, inhumane and degrading treatment of Kashmiris in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir


AFRICAN Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) policy officer Alex Nkosi says the participation of young people in trade unions and politics has been hijacked and relegated to symbolism.
During the sub regional workshop on youth organising and unionisation, Nkosi said there was need to reflect on what happened to the youth to lose their vitality and their participation in matters of trade unions and politics.
He said historically, the African youth had been at the centre of political struggle for independence.
Nkosi said the African youth established trade unions to fight for the rights of workers who were grossly abused by the colonisers.
“The trade union movement was started by young people – Clements Kadalie was 23-years-old when he began to organise workers. Most of our leaders, the founding leaders that led the fight for independence were young people – Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was 39 when he became the prime minister of Tanzania,” he said.
He said even at independence, the composition of cabinet had young people but for some reason their participation had been hijacked and relegated to symbolism.
Nkosi said the youths had not been given anything substantial.
He said the future of the youth was now and that they should not listen to sentiments that they were the future leaders.
“The future is now, not tomorrow,” he said.
Nkosi said people were now living in a fast moving world, which was technology advanced and the youth were the ones who could get on top of things.
He urged the youth to claim their rightful position in society.
Nkosi called on governments to involve youths in governing of the countries, especially women who were the majority.
“We can’t keep having governments that are male dominated and exclude women. They are the majority and we need that woman voice in the governing structures,” said Nkosi.
ITUC Africa regional organising coordinator Joseph Toe said unions give workers real power in their workplace.
Toe said organising a union means that workers were standing together and acting collectively to make changes in their workplace.
He said with the global workforce standing at 2.9 billion, the formal workforce was 1.7 billion while the unionised workforce was 200 million.
Toe said women were 40 per cent of the global paid workforce yet less than 15 per cent of union leaders.
He said 50 per cent of workers were in vulnerable or irregular employment and most of them were women.
Toe said unemployment amongst women was higher than men while there were less than 70 women who were economically active for every 100 men.
He said youth unemployment was around 12 per cent globally, twice the level for older workers and 40 per cent of the global economy was informal.
The Zambia Trade Union Congress (ZCTU) hosted the regional youth academy organising workshop comprising national trade union centres from 14 countries in Southern Africa.


Faisal Wawda said that Imran Khan
He said numerous times that pellet evidence glass should be installed in the meeting.
FW has said that the PM said that he’ll leave when my death is written. Imran Khan has also been hovered to be killed. A conspiracy is being incubated to kill him.
PTI leader has said that the PM is stalwart and won’t trade the country. The PM won’t allow the nation to bow down and won’t give bases at all.
FW further said that those who have been leading the country are the capital of these people. These Obviously who are the capital of these people are working for them. Have come one.


According to details, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz presented the resolution during the joint session.
The resolution said that Kashmir is not an integral part of India while the allegations of neighbor state regarding involvement of Pakistan in Uri attack are condemnable.
It was also mentioned that Pakistan would continue to support Kashmir politically, morally and diplomatically.
Sartaj Aziz also said that international community accepts that Kashmir issue is disputed.
While reading out the resolution, he said that 110 people have been martyred while dozens have sustained wounds in Indian brutality in Kashmir so far.
He also said that Pakistan rejects ridiculous claims of India of surgical strike on Line of Control.
The resolution also expressed concerns over the detention of Hurriyat leaders and human rights activists and urged the Indian government to release them.
It strongly deplored the draconian laws which has created an environment of impunity for Indian occupying forces.
Special coverage on China's Two Party Sessions by The Daily Mail - People's Daily


Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Minister, commenting on the newly announced independent review into the Government’s housing benefit changes, said:
"We have been clear that we are prepared to work with the Government on housing benefit reform where we judge their proposals to be fair and fiscally sensible.
“Labour warned the Conservative-led Government that their plans were a mess and that we had serious concerns about the impact of some of their proposed policies on vulnerable people.
“So we welcome the news that they have heeded our call to look again at these proposals. But they need to go further.
“This week the OECD said the Tory-led Government’s housing benefit reforms will hit economic growth. On the day Britain’s economic recovery came to a halt the Government need to urgently look into their plans to see if they will further damage to our economy.
"I look forward to seeing the detail of this review."


ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Thursday said that Pakistan Cricket team would not visit India without the guarantee of foolproof security by its government.
“Everyone in Pakistan including the government wants Pakistan team to visit India for the T-20 World Cup, but if the Indian government will not give foolproof security assurance, the team will not visit,” he said while addressing a news conference here at the Punjab House.
“How cricket can be played under the shadow of threats,” he questioned. He said the attitude of International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket was positive but they had nothing to do with the security.
Nisar said the complete security report had been received yesterday, and both the government and Pakistan Cricket Board were unanimous that the Dharamshala venue should be changed. He said that first issue was solved by the ICC by changing the venue.
The minister said despite tense environment, the government decided to send Pakistan cricket team to India but since then unabated threats were being hurled and allegations were levelled. He said these threats were Pakistan-specific and therefore, Pakistan’s government would have to take them seriously.
He said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure security and safety of the players. He said it was also essential that players should participate in the World Cup in a threat-free and pressure-free environment, adding “So, they should be provided a level playing field.”
Nisar said that the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata had the capacity of around 100,000 spectators, and what would happen if some of them went violent? APP


As the poor are hard-hit by lockdown, we are trying to fulfill our social responsibility – SSP Ahmedyar
By GR Junejo
Mithi: Realizing the hardships faced by the poor due to lockdown in Tharparkar district since last four days, the police too have come forward like the philanthropists to help such people by providing food to them.
The police personnel, besides performing duties to ensure strict implementation of lockdown, have started distributing food packets among the poor.
On Thursday, a number of police personnel distributed food packets among the people of working class. SSP Tharparkar Abdullah Ahmedyar was also seen active who himself distributed the food.
SSP said that they realize the problem of daily-wagers and other labor class and therefore the police were trying to fulfill its social responsibility.


(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- The Embassy of Oman in Japan tweeted on Tuesday that Omani students studying in the affected areas of the earthquake are fine.
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's second largest city of Osakaon Mondaymorning, killing three persons and injuring more than 300.
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Police search for a man after a "quarrel" at a Moncton home that sent three people to the hospital Wednesday evening.
Codiac RCMP answered the call shortly after 22:00. at home on Whitney Avenue.
"When the police arrived, they found three men near the Whitney Avenue and Argyle Street, who was injured," the police said.
Police say three injured people are being sent to the hospital and are still being treated. Meanwhile, the police announced that the fourth man was seen fleeing the crime scene.
Water Manager Paul Bruens from the Moncton Fire Department said the crews had responded to the area around 10:30.
Bruens said that 11 of the Moncton Firefighters and several other people reacted on the scene.
Bruens said police investigated the incident and did not know the nature of victim injuries.
Nicole LeBlanc, an aviator of Whitney, said she saw a large police presence near her home on Wednesday.
"The neighbors were on their porches trying to see what was going on," she said.
She said the police tape last night blocked the street and the police were on the scene this morning.


According to a new Pew Research Center study, most investigative journalists believe that the government has spied on them. Sixty-four percent of participants said that Uncle Sam had “Probably Collected Data” on their phone calls, emails and other online communications.
The report surveyed 671 members of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. (IRE). The pool of respondents included reporters, producers, editors, data specialists, photojournalists and more.
Of those who said that they believed the government was watching them, reporters who covered national security, foreign affairs or the government were the most convinced. A whopping 71 percent said they believed the feds were collecting data from their communications.
Reporters who feel the government breathing down their necks also claimed that their employers are not doing enough to help them. Among those who work for news organizations, only 21 percent felt that their employer was taking steps to protect them and their sources.
(Image: Pew Research Center)
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SIALKOT, Feb 28 (APP): Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab (SACM) on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the opposition in NA-75 by-election misled the people and made the election controversial.
She stated this while talking to media at Koobay Chak, here on Sunday. Dr Firdous said that the NA-75 by-election was made controversial by PML-N through
SACM said that 11 parties of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), land mafia and
drug dealers were standing against Prime Minister Imran Khan as he was committed
to eliminate corruption from the country adding that PM was fighting against the cancer
of corruption in the country.
“All the corrupt elements will have to face the accountability and the government will
never spare the corrupts in a bid to purge the country from the corruption,” she added.
SACM said that the past rulers looted the nation wealth ruthlessly and had ever done
the politics of their personal gains putting aside the national interests.
She said that the PML-N leadership should find out the black sheep in her own party (PML-N). “A new league is about to start within PML-N,” she added.
SACM said that tourism was being promoted in Pakistan to increase Pakistan’s foreign
exchange and the Punjab government was working to promote tourism, in this regard.
She said that the Punjab government was taking steps to promote cottage industry and
export processing zone.
Dr Firdous said that Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar was going to give development package for each district.
She said that the cabinet had approved Sialkot Ring Road project.
SACM said that Sialkot Development Authority (SDA) was set up for the development
to the city through planning. Plans will be made through public-private partnerships, she added.
She said that Mother and Child Care hospital was going to be built in Sialkot to provide
advance medical facilities.
Replying to a question, SACM said that coronavirus pandemic had badly damaged the
economies of the strongest countries in the world.


Coronavirus, Maltese government announces 1.81 billion aid programme
The Maltese government has announced new measures in a bid to help local businesses and the working community in light of the ongoing crises caused by the coronavirus. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that the costed measures amount to almost 2 billion and described the aid package as “generous but required in the present circumstances”.
Finance Minister Edward Scicluna described the government’s aid as better than the average within the European Union. He also said that the Eurozone will be facing a recession. Malta’s 1.81 billion package is equal to 12.9% of Malta’s 2019 Gross Domestic Product.
During the press conference, it was confirmed that 35 million were allocated for health authorities to fight COVID-19.
Scicluna said that the postponement of income tax, VAT, and National Insurance dues for March and April for employers and the self-employed will cost between 400-700 million while this financial package includes loan guarantees which amount to €900 million. He said that these measures will enable banks to help businesses cope. The Finance Minister also said that there will be a direct injection of €210 million to assist the economy so that jobs will be saved.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said that those enterprises who suffered from at least a 25% reduction in operations will be helped. Employers are also to be given 350 euro for every employee on quarantine leave and there will be special measures to cover leave for families and the wage bill of businesses who have had to close because of the outbreak of coronavirus.
Schembri also announced that Malta won’t be accepting applications “for new third-country nationals” except for those who are highly-skilled while the government agency ‘Jobsplus’ has launched a new service to assist the third-country nationals who lost their job.
He also said that the Government Housing Subsidies will be increased for those families where one dependent had their employment terminated. The government will also increase the unemployment benefit for those losing their full-time job after 9 March.
L’articolo Coronavirus, Maltese government announces 1.81 billion aid programme proviene da Italpress.


Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that economic stability in the country was the requirement of loyalty and friendship with the country.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that loyalty and friendship with Pakistan have demanded that there should be economic stability in the country and if someone was thinking of defaulting on Pakistan it will not happen because they will not allow that.
He said that those who laid mines in the economy were now conspiring to do the same in the political system. He said that with the power of the Constitution the country was freed from the false government and now the people will be freed from the problems of bread and employment.
The Prime Minister asked why when the country starts developing why the rioting army would become active. He said that there was no doubt that economic destruction was done under an agenda and political instability is also a continuation of it.


South Korea's top economic policymaker said Thursday the country will push for large-scale research and development (R&D) projects to foster the next-generation rechargeable battery industry.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the government will soon unveil the detailed plan to nurture the rechargeable battery sector with the goal of the country taking the lead in the segment.
The government plans to help companies secure the stable supply chains of materials for such batteries and to foster more than 1,100 talented workers per year, according to the minister.
Last year, South Korea, China and Japan took up a combined 95 percent share of the global electric vehicle battery market.
South Korea maintained the No. 1 market share in the mini-rechargeable battery market for the 10th straight year in 2020. But global competition to have a bigger slice in the mid-to-large battery market has heated up.
In the second-half economic policy plan, the finance ministry said the country will designate semiconductors, batteries and vaccines as three key sectors dealing with national strategic technologies.
To nurture such sectors, the government will spend more than 2 trillion won ($1.8 billion) supporting their facility investment, as well as providing tax incentives and other support. (Yonhap)


The state Department of Labor is seeing an extremely high volume of unemployment claims for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. State Department of Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman spoke during Governor Kristi Noem’s daily news briefing Tuesday to make a request of those who are contacting the department for assistance.
Hultman said that they have been training additional staff within the department to help with the unemployment claims. She said they have also added staff to the department’s call center to help out.
Hultman said that around 74-percent of the claims that the department has received have been processed and paid, with the remainder of them having some sort of issue.
Hultman said that millions of dollars in state and federal benefits have gone out to those who have filed unemployment claims.
Updated numbers of unemployment claims in the state will be released on Thursday.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Monday signed a
diplomatic note outlining his country's demands for reparations
from Germany for the damage caused during World War Two, reports citing
In a report published on Sept. 1, the government of Poland
estimated the country's human and material war losses at 1.3
trillion euros (1.27 trillion U.S. dollars). However, the German
government has said that the issue was closed as Poland waived its
right to war reparations in 1953.
Rau told reporters that the diplomatic note expresses his belief
that 'both sides should undertake immediate steps towards the
lasting, comprehensive and final legal and material regulation of
the effects of the German aggression and occupation of
One day before his scheduled meeting with his visiting German
counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, here on Tuesday, Rau also said that
Germany's payment of the reparations would 'allow the building of
Polish-German relations upon justice and truth.'
'Initialization of a diplomatic note regarding the settlement of
the aftermath of the attack on Poland and the German occupation in
1939-1945 is another important step towards justice and summary of
our common past,' Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki commented on
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Erdogan dismisses US warnings
(MENAFN) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Friday that Turkey is committed to "root out" terrorists no matter where they are or who they consider partners.
His remarks come after Washington complained to Ankara over an attack in Syria that "clearly jeopardized" US forces working with Kurdish fighters.
“No matter who terrorists collude with, Türkiye will always hold them accountable for every drop of blood they shed,” Erdogan stated in a speech at the Istanbul Shipyard. The Turkish leader joined Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the ceremonial inauguration of the ‘PNS Khaibar’, one of the four corvettes Islamabad has commissioned from Türkiye.
Erdogan also asserted that “no one can lecture Türkiye, which is the only NATO ally that fought Daesh hand to hand and was victorious,” in reference to the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS).
“Recent air strikes in Syria directly threatened the safety of US personnel who are working in Syria with local partners to defeat ISIS and maintain custody of more than ten thousand ISIS detainees,” according to Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder. He highlighted that sustained escalation endangered the “years-long progress” of the US-led coalition.
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New research shows that the level of racism faced by trade unionists in the African continent is high.
The researchers surveyed more than 1,200 trade union workers in five African countries and found that about a quarter of the people surveyed reported experiencing racial discrimination in the workplace.
In Nigeria, the report found that more than a third of African unionists said they were discriminated against in their workplace.
In Tanzania, the figures were even worse.
About a third said they had experienced racial discrimination at work, the study found.
In Mozambique, a third had experienced discrimination in their work place.
The study, conducted by the United Nations Foundation and the International Trade Union Confederation, found that workers faced discrimination at almost every stage of their working lives.
More than two-thirds of the African workers surveyed said that they had been verbally or physically abused in their job.
More African workers said that their workplace had a negative image of them than their peers in other countries.
About a third reported having faced a hostile work environment, and more than two in five workers said they felt unsafe when working with people from their country.
Racism and discrimination have long been problems in the global South, but the latest research shows it is not limited to the continent.
Rafael J. Guevara, a professor of political economy at Georgia State University, and the report’s lead author, said that the findings were important for trade unionist groups.
“The reality of trade unionism is that we are a diverse and highly diverse country,” Guevaara said.
“We have a lot of people who have had their identities altered by discrimination.
This study shows that we still have to address this issue and that we have to continue to engage our members.”
The study also found that African workers were more likely to have experienced workplace racism, particularly in their social and political spaces.
More often than not, the researchers found, African workers reported being discriminated against for their race.
African workers who felt unsafe in their workplaces reported that their employer was more likely than others to act in a discriminatory way.
About one in five of the workers surveyed reported that the racist incidents they faced in their countries were “totally unacceptable.”
The report also found a link between the amount of racism in their society and their job performance.
Workers who reported having experienced more racism in Africa were more than four times more likely, on average, to work fewer hours in the company, and were more often at risk of being laid off or fired.
More than two thirds of African workers had experienced workplace discrimination.
The study found that they were less likely to report a workplace safety violation or to report other workplace harassment.
The report also noted that African union members were more concerned about being treated unfairly in the workforce.


NYPD report raises questions in the BronxPosted: Updated:
A new report by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) shows African-Americans make up more than half the amount of people stopped by police.Four times a year, the NYPD releases a compiled report to the City Council regarding its ?Stop and Frisk? practice. The report indicates information on the people they stop and why. The report reveals that more than 5,000 people were stopped on the city streets last year. It goes on to say that more than 50 percent of those stopped were black. NPYD officials note that 68.5 percent of crimes last year were committed by people described as ?black? by their victims.The report also notes that the average arrests per quarter have doubled and that five times the amount of summonses were given out last year. The police commissioner maintains that officers stop people based on reasonable suspicion, not personal bias.


Sept 02, Colombo: The National Freedom Front (NFF), a coalition party of the Sri Lankan government today has suggested the government to increase the salary of the public sector employees by 40 percent in the 2015 budget.
The party suggests increasing the basic salary by 40 percent while all other allowances given to employees remain unchanged.
Addressing a press conference held in the NFF headquarters in Battaramulla, party politburo member and former minister Piyasiri Wijenayake said that the party would submit this proposal to the President to be considered at the upcoming budget proposals.
He also said that the salary structures proposed by the salary commission appointed in 2006 were not sufficient to match the present day cost of living.
Wijenayake pointed out that during the eight years since the salary commission last increased the basic salary to Rs. 11,730 in 2006, the consumer prices have risen 100 percent.
The NFF member also requested the government to take measures to eliminate salary anomalies in the public sector services.
Speaking against the government's latest policy of hiring people to state-owned institutions such as Ceylon Electricity Board, and Sri Lanka Telecom through manpower agencies, Wijenayake said the government should immediately stop the practice that enriches the manpower agencies.
He pointed out that the employees recruited through the manpower agencies do not receive government benefits and their future is uncertain since the manpower agencies are chosen by a tender process and the agency changes from year to year.
The party also called on the government to make temporary employees who have been employed for over 180 days permanent.


(MENAFN- AzerNews) Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler Turan Bayramov reached the finals
of the U-23 European Championship in Bucharest, Romania, Azernews
According to the information, the 74 kg athlete defeated
Romanian wrestler Cristian Biro in the semi-finals.
Abduljalil Shabanov at 92 kg lost to Andro Margishvili from
Georgia, and Vahid Galayev at 125 kg lost to his compatriot Solomon
Manashvili in the same round. Both wrestlers will compete for the
bronze medal tomorrow.
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The price of gas in Europe climbed above $1,400 per thousand
cubic meters during Wednesday trading, according to ICE data. The
gas price has increased by over 10% in total since the start of
trading day, trend reports with reference to tass .
December futures at the TTF hub in the Netherlands rose to
$1,431 per thousand cubic meters, or to 133.8 euro per MWh (on the
basis of the current euro exchange rate against the dollar, prices
at ICE are in euro per MWh).
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(MENAFN) Dubai International Financial Centre's Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) has been in talks with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) over joining forces in UAE's investment sector.
The talks have come into view when DRA's Chief Executive Mark Beer made a visit to FCSA headquarters along with his senior executive delegation, discussing investors' interests and methods to draw growth projects for UAE's economy.
"We are glad to have had the opportunity to understand FCSA's role in boosting its competitiveness in global reports and indicators," DRA's Chief Executive Mark Beer stated.
He continued "in addition to contributing to UAE's future plans to become a knowledge-based economy, it is very important that investors have access to accurate data and statistics that reflect market conditions."
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India's tourism industry is having a major impact on the environment. From water pollution to littering to plastic waste and more, it is becoming increasingly evident that the industry is taking a toll on the environment. As more and more tourists flock to India, it is becoming necessary to take steps to ensure that the environment is being protected. Various initiatives have been launched to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, including bans on plastic and water conservation efforts. However, more needs to be done to ensure that India's environment is not compromised in the long run. By implementing sustainable tourism practices, India can ensure that its environment remains healthy and its tourism industry continues to thrive.


The Auditor General appeared before the public accounts committee this morning. Afterwards, he was pressed to specify who was aware of the defence department’s estimate that the F-35 would cost $25 billion.
“I can’t speak to individuals who knew it, but it was information that was prepared by National Defence,” Ferguson said Thursday, “and it’s certainly my understanding that that would have been information that, yes, the government would have had.”
Ferguson was clear that by government, he was referring to the executive, namely cabinet and other members of the Conservative government, not the bureaucracy. “That $25 billion number was something I think that at that time was known to government,” he said. “It would have been primarily members of the executive, yes.”


Beehive briefing sets out local government priorities
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has publicly released its Briefing for the Incoming Government, identifying three intertwined areas within the local government portfolio that should be the focus for both LGNZ and the Government over the next three years.
LGNZ President Stuart Crosby said that the briefing highlighted the need for big reforms across the three waters and resource management to be joined up, ideally in a ‘future of local government’ programme.
“As the closest tier of government, councils play a vital role in shaping the places that communities live, and promoting their wellbeing. This is a role that we know communities want to continue to play as the Government undertakes a number of major policy reforms.”
“To ensure that local say is retained, LGNZ has identified three waters, resource management reform and a future of local government programme as the focus areas for the next three years,” he said.
“The future of local government programme is vital. Reforms across the three waters and resource management, to say nothing of the health and disability reforms, are of such magnitude that they will likely change local government as we know it.”
“We need to be proactive and design community representation in the reforms to avoid any unintended consequences, such as stopping people from having a real say is the policies that affect their lives. This widespread reform provides a rare opportunity to not only ensure the status quo of representation is maintained, but to re-imagine the future role of local government in New Zealand.”


Agenda of CM and Jagan is the same
Former minister Dr P Shanker Rao has alleged that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the YSRCP Chief YS Jagana Mohan Reddy were one, and hence the Chief Minister was not countering the criticism of Jagan against the Congress party.
Speaking to the media at CLP office here on Wednesday, Shanker Rao said that the Chief Minister and Jagan’s agenda was the same and hence they were not criticizing each other.
Shanker Rao urged the Party high command to direct the State Party leaders, who were confusing the party vote bank by expressing different views on late Dr YSR, not to speak as they wished. He said that some leaders were demanding the removal of Dr YSR’s portraits from the flexes and it was not proper for them.
He said that the party will be affected with the statements of some leaders that Dr YSR was an anti-dalith. The same Dr YSR had made those dalit leaders as Party Whips, Ministers and MPs, he said and added that there were several dalits in Dr YSR’s family.
He said that he will not respond on Jagan and Dr YSR’s corrupt practices as the issue was in the Court. Shanker Rao questioned the leaders who were speaking about Dr YSR’s corruption as to what they were doing for the last two years and as to why they were speaking about it now.


TOKYO (AP) — Japan's prime minister has hinted that the government will announce it will eventually abandon nuclear energy when it issues its new energy policy this week. News reports say the premier and Cabinet ministers have already agreed to the new policy.
Yoshihiko Noda said Wednesday during a debate among party leadership candidates that he respects that the majority of Japanese support a nuclear-free society. He also said he would take into account his ruling party's recommendation last week to phase out Japan's dependency on nuclear energy by the 2030s. And he said the new policy would be a "major shift" from Japan's decades-long pro-nuclear energy policy.
Japanese media reported Wednesday that Noda and key minsters have agreed that the new energy policy will include eventually abandoning nuclear power.


ISLAMABAD: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Babar Yaqoob on Wednesday said that the ECP had not extended timing of polling, yet those present inside and outside the polling stations had been allowed to cast their votes.
Talking to the media, Babar Yaqoob said, “The polling time has not been extended but those present inside and outside the polling stations will be facilitated to cast their votes.”
He said there were directions of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to allow the voters outside the polling station to exercise their right to vote.
He said necessary directions to that effect were issued to the provincial election commissioners and returning officers.
The Secretary Election commission expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for the elections and congratulated the nation on the successful completion of polls. — APP


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha: Minister of State of Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, who is visiting Cyprus, met yesterday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus HE Constantinos Kombos.
During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two countries. Al Muraikhi also met Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Cyprus HE Cornelius Cornelio.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation between Qatar and Cyprus.
On Thursday Al Muraikhi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic HE Nikos Dendias, during his visit to Greece.
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Carnival will take a hit from the 'stench cruise' ordeal, and the industry will scurry to reassure potential customers. But the impact on the growing sector should be short-lived, experts say.
As the Carnival Triumph inches toward port, attention is turning to what rights its passengers have. But the cruise industry receives less oversight than the airline industry.
Lavish cruise ships continue to be built, despite the fact that US consumer bankruptcies totaled more than 136,000 in May, 9 percent more than a year ago.


Story | Jun 21, 2013 | 1:48 PM
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Story | Mar 21, 2014 | 11:20 AMEarlier this month, the publication Scientific American reported that a series of studies at both Harvard University and the University of Utah showed that people are more likely to make ethical decisions in the morning than they are as the day wears on.


Parents’ meetings in Kaposvár
At the parents’ meeting of Kaposvár’s Group 1, many topics were discussed, we had plenty to talk about. At the parents’ meeting, we first evaluated the camps and the past year, which was the first year in the Csányi Foundation for both children and parents.
All the parents were positive about the past period, they said that the young people had a good time at the Foundation and were happy to take part in the development sessions and the programmes and competitions. During the meeting, we discussed the events of the 2023/24 school year and the projects the children will be involved in in the coming months.
The next event will be the Family Day, the programme of which I informed the parents about and the tasks were distributed among the participants.
At the end of the meeting, we watched together a short film made by the media section of the all-works camp, which was very well received by all.


New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed satisfaction over the comprehensive arrangements made by the state government to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the Chief Minister's meeting with Prime Minister Modi to apprise the latter of arrangements made to control COVID-19, Khattar said, "The Prime Minister has expressed his satisfaction over the comprehensive arrangements made by the Haryana government for the control of Covid-19."
In the meeting, the Chief Minister was asked to maintain the vigil in the future considering the possibility of a third wave of COVID-19, an official statement said
According to the statement, the issue of shortage of Covid-19 vaccine stock and medicines for black fungus in Haryana was also raised. PM Modi was also apprised about the farmers' agitation in Haryana.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana's arrangement to tackle the COVID pandemic and necessary requirements of the state have also been informed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to the Union Health Ministry, Haryana has 21,087 active COVID-19 cases. The total number of recoveries has reached 7,26,081 and fatalities have mounted to 8,221. (ANI)


Gov. is poised to open more businesses, gradually
Santo Domingo.- Economy Minister Juan Ariel Jiménez, on Mon. said the Government is preparing to authorize the opening of other businesses gradually to stimulate the economy, given the measures to halt the pandemic.
In a press release, the official said that that’s what the Ministry of Health is working on, since this will depend on the number of cases of COVID-19 infection.
Jiménez said that although this is being worked on, even the government doesn’t have a date to order the opening of those businesses such as hardware stores, auto parts, and others that remain closed due to the national emergency.


Former CDC Director Robert Redfield:
Yea, I think we have to recognize, I’ve always said that the Covid pandemic was a wake up call. I don’t believe it’s the great pandemic. I believe the great pandemic is still in the future and that’s going to be a bird flu pandemic for man. It’s going to have significant mortality in the 10 to 50% range, it’s going to be trouble.


Vets home residents upset at program changes
Changes to the work therapy program at the Minnesota Veterans Home Hastings have some residents upset about cuts to their hours, but Veterans Administration officials say the changes are meant to allow more residents into the popular program.
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(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. It took Armenia
almost two and a half months to respond to Azerbaijan's proposals
on the draft peace agreement, which has seriously delayed the
process, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.
This stagnation in the peace negotiations does not contribute to
stability and prosperity in the region.
"Azerbaijan is ready for direct bilateral talks with Armenia to
achieve the peace deal as soon as possible. We believe that the two
countries should decide the future of their relations together. The
two countries bear responsibility for the continuation of the peace
process, including the selection of a mutually suitable venue or a
decision to meet at the state border," the ministry noted.
"We urge the Armenian side to avoid further unjustified delays
and hope that it would positively respond to our appeal, allowing
the negotiations to start as soon as possible," the ministry
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Uzbekistan, Pakistan ink tactical partnership accord
(MENAFN)Uzbek president's press service declared on Friday, July 16, that Uzbekistan and Pakistan have inked a tactical partnership accord, promising to increase joint trade volume by five times.
The accord was inked by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who both received a joint business debate on regional connectivity.
After the discussion, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and accords with a total worth of USD500 million were signed to reinforce collaboration in diverse regions, counting transit trade and the simplification of visa procedures for businessmen and travelers.
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New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Slamming the Congress for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ravana, the BJP on Tuesday urged the people of Gujarat to avenge the insult meted out to the 'Son of Gujarat' by voting against the grand-old party in the state Assembly polls.
During an election meeting in the state, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had compared the Prime Minister with Ravana.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said: 'Calling the Prime Minister Ravana is a grave insult. Even before this, Congress leaders have insulted him. When Sonia Gandhi was the Congress chief, she had addressed the Prime Minister as 'maut ka saudagar' (merchant of death). After all, what do these people get by humiliating the Prime Minister?'
'Former Congress leader and former union minister Subodh Kant Sahay had said that 'Modi will die Hitler's death. Nicknames like 'cockroach', 'yamraj', 'monkey' were given to the Prime Minister by Congress leaders,' Patra said.
''Tukde Tukde gang', the people who divide the country, abuse the Prime Minister. I appeal to people of Gujarat to vote against the Congress in the Assembly elections and teach it a lesson,' he said.
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Santo Domingo.– When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, many workers began to be suspended and the Dominican government had to develop social programs to help the most vulnerable families and the working class.
For the employees, the authorities created the Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE), which together with Stay at Home and Pa’Ti programs, totals, to date, the figure of RD $ 144,968 million.
Labor ministry Luis Miguel De Camps explained that among the over 800,000 workers who were suspended due to the pandemic, more than 700,000 have already been reinstated to their jobs thanks to the economic recovery.
In addition, he reported that during the last year more than 80,000 new workers have entered the labor market in formal jobs.
De Camps indicated that the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and prompted the acceleration of some procedures in favor of the country’s working class.
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Former Governor of Rivers state and now Minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike has given millions of naira and landed property to some people of Rivers South East Senatorial district.
Presenting the monetary and land gifts to the beneficiaries during an ocasion held at Koroma in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers state, the Minister who was represented by the Senator representing Rivers south-east senatorial district, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, said that 120 people were selected for the cash donations while 20 others for the land gift in the first phase.
The Minister said that in the coming months more people will benefit in the district.
Our correspondent reports that the beneficiaries which were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, received between N20 million, N10 million, N5 million, N500,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Pundits are of the opinion that the event may have been put together to win the support and solidarity of the people of the Senatorial District to him, as state governor, Siminialayi Fubara hails from Opobo town in the district.
They observed that there has been a fierce struggle going on to take control of the grassroots and build new political structures between the Minister and the governor since after they fell apart.
They revealed that their loyalists have been calling ward meetings where locals are given money to gain their support in preparation of the 2027 general elections.


Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said Tuesday that President Obama faces an “unprecedented level of obstructionism” from Republicans.
“Literally on the day that Obama was inaugurated, Republicans came together and said ‘What are we going to do? ‘ And what they concluded is, ‘We’re going to obstruct, obstruct, obstruct and make it as difficult as he could to do anything,'” Sanders said during a CNN town hall.
“Now we have had to fight through that and I’ve been at the president’s side time and time again,” Sanders said. He pointed to Obama’s fight with Republicans over appointing a new Supreme Court justice and said that it’s,”nothing more than the continuous and unprecedented obstructionism that President Obama has gone through.”


BJP to focus on strengthening party base in TS: Laxman
Hyderabad: The political situation in Telangana and the need for the BJP to come to power in the state to rid it of the corrupt family rule and provide a government that will work for the people was discussed in detail at the recent BJP national executive meeting in New Delhi, the party’s OBC Morcha president Dr K. Laxman said on Friday.
He said an action plan has been formed for Telangana to step up party activities and to strengthen the party from the grass-root level. The coming weeks will see several national leaders coming to the state to take part in various programmes, he said.
He said the national executive meeting also discussed the upcoming Assembly elections in nine states, including Telangana and how a double-engine sarkar — BJP in the state and at the Centre — would help states achieve better governance, progress and development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a target of 405 seats wins in the next general election, he said, adding that Modi also complimented state BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar for his Praja Sangrama Yatra and for galvanizing the party in the state.
Answering a question on whether there would be a change in the state party leadership, Laxman said “the Prime Minister’s praise for Sanjay during the national executive should be an indication of who will lead the BJP in Telangana.”


Our View: Unprepossessingly modest
Paul Ryan, severely stooped from carrying two suitcases — one tagged Sequester, the other labeled Shutdown — stumbled down Budget Boulevard, saw a can in the road, and kicked it.
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No less than six persons have been feared killed in a bloody clash between two rival cult groups in Ikere, Ekiti State.
Ekiti State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident said, six corpses have been recovered and deposited at a morgue after the clash which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
A source in the town told newsmen that sounds of sporadic gunshots were heard while the attack lasted, forcing members of the community to run for safety amid tension.
The police spokesperson explained that the casualties who lost their lives to the incident belong to one of the cult groups which was attacked by the other apparently on issues of rivalry.
Abutu disclosed that the Command has arrested three suspects in connection othe incident. He said police have been deployed to the town to ensure law and order.
The police authorities also appealed to residents of the state to remain calm, adding that the command will sustain efforts to always put criminals under check


Police and law enforcement officials were deployed across the country on Friday to ensure that prayer congregations remain restricted as the government fights to flatten the curve.
Every week, since the government started imposing restrictions on movement, law enforcement officials struggle to ensure that crowds do not gather for prayers on Friday, yet congregations are held across the country.
As of now, Pakistan has recorded 7,289 cases of the novel coronavirus while 137 people have died from the disease. Government officials have warned that the number of reported cases will increase along with the testing capacity. Initially, most cases were imported from other countries but now 58 per cent of the cases are of local transmission.
Header: Muslims maintain safe distance as they attend Friday prayer in a mosque in Karachi. — Reuters


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA))
IRBIL, Sept 14 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Consul General in Irbil, Dr. Omar Al-Kandari, announced on Tuesday the distribution of more than 21 tons of foodstuffs to a number of Iraqi governorates.
In remarks to KUNA, Al-Kandari affirmed that this humanitarian project is provided by the Kuwait Society for Relief and is distributed in coordination with the Barzani Charitable Foundation to the displaced and needy in a number of governorates of Iraq.
This assistance comes under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, he added.
In turn, Barzani Charitable Foundation President, Musa Ahmad, expressed thanks and gratitude to the state of Kuwait for its humanitarian role in supporting the displaced and people in need.
Earlier this week, Kuwait offered more than 10 tons of medical supplies to Kurdistan region, north Iraq, to help the region stem the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. (end)
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(MENAFN- Dubai PR Network)
ERRA Discusses Copyright Challenges and Explores Solutions at 31st Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association organises a panel discussion titled 'Copyright protection and its impact on the creative economy in the Emirates'
Sharjah, May 27, 2022: The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) - a first-of-its-kind association in the region, organized a panel discussion titled 'Copyright protection and its impact on the creative economy in the Emirates' as part of its participation in the ongoing 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
Salha Obeaid, Treasurer, ERRA, introduced the association and its goals and moderated the discussions on how copyright protection can boost the economy with panel members Dr. Abdelrahman Al Muaini, ERRA's General Secretary, and Dr. Afra Atiq, Vice President of ERRA.
During the session, the panelists underlined ERRA's mandate to protect the copyrights of content creators and safeguard the rights of authors and publishers through appropriate laws and legislation. They emphasised emphasized that the association bolsters the position and role of the UAE in stimulating and encouraging creative industries and plays a significant role in the country's sustainable economic development, in addition to protecting the rights of both publishers and authors.
Panel members discussed solutions to overcome challenges and build a stronger foundation for the creative industryof intellectual copyrights and underlined the need for safeguarding these to help boost their output, which will, in turn, stimulate the sector and the economy.
The session also explored ways and mechanisms of raising awareness about the creative economy and highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of those operating in the sector. The panel members agreed that the task of protection falls on institutions, communities, and individuals to make copyright protection part of the culture and norm in societies.
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Some people think financial aid from international organizations is important for developing countries.
Some people think that it is more beneficial to take part in sports which are played in teams
Some people believe that university education should focus on the skills of employment for the future.
Although family has a great influence on children’s lives
Some people think advertising may have positive economic effects.
People should look after their health as a duty to the society where they live rather than their own benefits.


Health sector is our priority, says Omar
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that the health sector has been flagged as one of the most important areas in the state's development policy.india Updated: Sep 29, 2013 17:53 IST
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that the health sector has been flagged as one of the most important areas in the state's development policy.
"Health sector has been flagged as one of the most important sectors in state's development policy. During the past more than four-and-a-half years, tremendous expansion and consolidation has been achieved besides providing specialists and paramedics in the hospitals and health centres," Omar said.
The chief minister inaugurated a 200-bed district hospital in Baramulla district of north Kashmir and said the hospital was another milestone in the endeavour of the government to universalise modern health facilities across the state.
Earlier, the chief minister teed-off Sahara Sher-i-Kashmir golf tournament here.
Omar, while speaking to golfers said that Jammu and Kashmir was emerging as one of the favourite golf resorts in the country.
He said development of golf courses in Jammu and Ladakh, besides upgrading the existing ones in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, would give a fillip to the game in state.
The chief minister said that organising various tournaments would provide an opportunity to the golfers to participate in these tournaments and enjoy the golf in the picturesque state. Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah was also present.
First Published: Sep 29, 2013 17:51 IST


ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a briefing Monday morning updating the public on the state’s progress towards the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the briefing, Governor Cuomo made an announcement stating that the state has launched a new “Mask Up” campaign that partners with fashion designers.
Profits from the campaign, which is through The RealReal, will benefit COVID-19 relief efforts.
Designers such as Michael Kors has joined the campaign in designing masks.
The Governor shared that his daughter, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, will oversee the campaign.


(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Doha, Mar. 15 (Petra)--The 10th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AGRITEQ 2023) kicked off Wednesday, with the participation of 20 Jordanian companies working in the field of production, distribution, marketing and export of agricultural products.
The participating Jordanian companies represent the Kingdom's agricultural sector, foodstuff and cattle production in the field of vegetables, fruits, dates, fertilizers, pesticides, industrial and agricultural equipment, drip irrigation tools, medicinal herbs, spices and foodstuffs, according to a statement issued by Jordan Exports (JE), the organizer of Jordan's pavilion at the fair.
The five-day event is held, with the participation of more than 675 companies specialized in agriculture, food and animal production, representing 55 Arab and foreign countries, the statement said.
Director of the Jordanian pavilion, and the JE, Khaled Soub, said Jordanian companies' participation in the fair aims to explore any 'new and successful' investment opportunities with Qatari firms, promote Jordanian agricultural products and increase their presence in the Qatari market.
In remarks to 'Petra,' Soub said Jordanian agricultural production enjoys 'remarkable' demand in the Qatari and Gulf markets, which provides a 'solid' ground for enhancing efforts to market and develop these products and conclude contracts and partnerships with Qatari investors, businesspeople and companies in this regard.
Soub noted Jordanian companies' managers are 'keen' to 'actively' participate in this exhibition annually, adding that the Kingdom's participation achieves 'remarkable and tangible' success every year.
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(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) WASHINGTON, 14th October, 2021 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias, today reviewed the prospects of strengthening the strategic partnership ties between the two nations.
This came as the two top diplomats met today in Washington D.C., where they deliberated a number of regional and international issues of interest, including the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean and the importance of strengthening peace and stability in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the steady growth in the UAE-Greece relations across various fields thanks to the strategic partnership and friendly ties between the two nations.
He underlined the UAE's determination to advance bilateral cooperation across all fields to the best interest of the two countries' peoples Attending the meeting was the UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba.
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(MENAFN) The euro area manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) was announced at 48.8 last month, showing the slowest pace of decline since August, most recent figures from S&P Global indicated on Wednesday.
The number was 47.8 higher in December last year, but was still under the 50 verge mark for the seventh month in a row.
Additional orders carried on decreasing in January but at the slowest pace since May last year, with mainly strong drops witnessed in Austria and Germany.
Additional shipment business carried on dropping for an 11th consecutive month.
With capacities of incoming additional work dropping faster than output, eurozone production backlogs fell at a robust level throughout January.
Growth estimation in businesses were at their most powerful since February last year, before the breakdown of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Input cost inflation additionally softened in January, falling to a 26-month decline, and was under its historic median.
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Erdogan: US must do more on Afghan immigrants after leaving
(MENAFN)The US must do further about more arrival of immigrants following the expatriate disaster which followed the American troops leaving Afghanistan, as stated by Turkey’s leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He informed CBS News that "right now" the US did not succeed to do its duties on Afghanistan.
During an interview that is going to be announced on Sunday, Erdogan declared "We have more than 300,000 Afghan refugees, and we will no longer be able to afford to welcome any more Afghan refugees in Turkey."
He also delivered questions whether the US has to do more, and he gave an answer that is "Of course, the United States should do a lot, and should invest a lot.”
Moreover, Erdogan continued by saying "Because, the United States has been there for the last 20 years but why is there first? These questions should be answered by the United States."
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The Association of Government Medical Laboratory Technologists says the government ignoring the opinions of medical professionals other than doctors has paved way to many issues.
Speaking to media yesterday, President of the Association Ravi Kumudesh said they will be forced to intensify their strike action if the health ministry continues to take the demands of such medical personnel lightly.
He blamed the Secretary of the Health Ministry for the inconvenience caused to health professionals excluding doctors.
Kumudesh pointed out that the Ministry Secretary did not listen to the opinions of such health professionals and also ignored suggestions presented from frontline and grassroot level workers.
Therefore, he requested the President to intervene and solve the issue.
Kumudesh also claimed that the new Health Minister understands the situation within the Ministry and therefore called on Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to find a solution to these concerns.
Kumudesh requested Minister Rambukwella to mediate and resolve the issues between both parties.
He also requested that the Health Ministry to expedite the process of issuing circulars for decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers.


Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said the law will take its course in corruption carried out by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in his four-year tenure.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, she said the process of investigation has been started as per the law into the corruption done through Farah Gogi and Bushra Bibi. She said since the taxpayers money was plundered, the former Prime Minister will have to respond.
The Information Minister said Imran Khan during his tenure victimized his political opponents through fake cases and allegations but failed to furnish any evidence before the courts.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PTI government is responsible for current price hike, power outages and shortage of gas. She said the government is giving priority to completion of power projects of four thousand megawatts which were delayed by the previous government.
The Information Minister said the present government will steer the country out of all challenges and stabilize the economy.
She said the rupee will also stabilize after agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She said difficult decisions have been taken to take the country in the right direction.


Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said a few key areas will be prioritised in the budget for fiscal 2021.
During the Spotlight on the Budget forum on Monday morning, he said the State will have to make difficult decisions and focus on a few key areas.
“For the next budget, the Minister of Finance will have to tell the country just how much money is available to be appropriated in the national budget. Let’s face reality- how much do we have to allocate on the revenue side.”
He described 2015 as abnormal, adding that the country was spending more than earning but supporting the gap by advance payments, fiscally put, borrowing money to add what was earned.
This budget’s revenue, however, may come from taxes or borrowings.
He then identified a few areas that need the most attention such as the national debt.
“If we do not service our national debt, there are consequences to that, the most obvious is to ask for help and that help comes from a place that brings with it more pain in the shortest possible time,” said Dr. Rowley.
He said national security is also a priority- if we are not safe and secure then our circumstance will not enviable.
Dr. Rowley said the next generation has an opportunity to grow and prosper, so the Government must look after the nation’s children.
He said, “Health is a priority as we must ensure that we stay healthy.”
Dr. Rowley added that the State must ensure that those persons within the national community, who cannot look after themselves, can live with dignity among the population.
“(We) can’t focus on funding those who are on the national nipple. (We’ll focus) on those who are off the dining table by creating opportunities for them to come to mealtime.”
As such, the social support system will remain a priority.
He said the State must also create opportunities for employment, adding that a development program will address medium and temporary employment.
He mentioned investing more in the private sector which will create opportunities in the employment sector.
He said the Government cannot budget for one year but must look ahead to future years.
“Very many years that we have been budgeting with a deficit (and) we want to ensure that decision making is available to overcome all difficulties. Some decisions are required to be made now.”
While he admitted it is a difficult period, he said the state is the major contributor to the national economy, in more ways than one, and in T&T’s case, directly, is the largest investor in national and economic infrastructure.
He said the Government has also, over time, assumed more and more personal responsibility funded from the national treasury but in 2020, a lot of what has been done, cannot be sustained in the way it has been.
“We will have to make difficult decisions,” said Dr. Rowley.
He added that in 2019 and even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government realised that things could not continue as they should which promoted the restructuring of Petrotrin.
But he said it was better off to accept the economy, face it, and make the best decision to ensure that provisions are made for the citizens of T&T.


Dubbaka MLA Raghunandan took serious objection to police sending Sanjay to judicial remand and alleged that police were being biased against BJP leaders and cadre. DC Image
Hyderabad: Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Aravind alleged that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was afraid of BJP and the state was in a stupor while government teachers and employees were suffering due to GO 317.
Addressing the media, he alleged that Rao was using police, who were acting like TRS agents. Criticizing the DGP Mahendar Reddy, Aravind said that Reddy was destroying the entire police system while selling himself to TRS rulers.
Meanwhile, BJP OBC morcha national president K Laxman said foiling a peaceful protest was unheard of and the action of Karimnagar police against Sanjay was undemocratic.
Describing the arrest of Sanjay as undemocratic, legislator Etala Rajendar said that the state government will be buried deep down. He demanded the government to withdraw cases against Sanjay unconditionally.
Finding fault with Karimnagar police commissioner V Satyanarayana, who was acting at the behest of the chief minister, Etela said BJP will not be cowed down by police cases.
Dubbaka MLA Raghunandan took serious objection to police sending Sanjay to judicial remand and alleged that police were being biased against BJP leaders and cadre.
Raghunandan pointed out that no action would be taken in the Old City even when rallies are taken out with thousands of people participating in them.
Party leaders Vijaya Shanti and DK Aruna also spoke against victimisation by the police.


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(MENAFN) According to figures from Refinitiv, as reported by Reuters, worldwide customers imported 409 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in last year, up from 379.6 million tons the year before.
In line with the reports, the record amounts were caused by surging demand, particularly from the European Union, which has emerged as the leading consumer of the ultra-chilled fuel as it scrambles to cut back on supplies of Russian pipeline gas.
As European benchmark prices increased as a result of the decline in Russian pipeline supplies to the majority of European Union clients due to sanctions, the area is anticipated to have acquired about 25 percent of all LNG traded in last year, defeating Asian users in a price war.
The European Union imported 101 million tons of LNG last year, an increase of 58 percent from 2021. The majority of the European LNG imports were helped by Asia's lackluster demand, where China had an exceptional fall in energy consumption as a result of a slowdown in economic development brought on by COVID. The majority of South and Southeast Asia, meantime, was unable to pay the rising spot costs for gas due to the expansion of European Union imports.
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Owing to a misperception among traders about the CNIC condition on sale of Rs50,000, the government announced on Thursday it would soon introduce a fixed tax regime for small traders after which they would not be bound to record CNICs on such sales.
However, the CNIC requirement would be mandatory for B2B transactions and government would not reverse this decision at any cost.
This was announced by Minister for Economic Affairs Muhammad Hammad Azhar while addressing a post-budget conference at Islamabad's Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Azhar said that the contribution of the retail sector in GDP was 20 per cent, but its contribution to tax was just 0.25pc.
He said that 80-90pc retailers were not registered in the tax net and added that the government was determined to bring this sector into the tax system.
The minister said that the government aims to make a 35pc increase in tax revenue during FY 2019-20 and urged the business community to cooperate with the government in this regard.
He said that due to the faulty policies of the previous government, the country experienced deindustrialisation and vowed that the current government would further strengthen the industry.
"For this purpose, duty on import of industrial machinery would be reduced in the next budget," he said.
Azhar said that a 40pc tax revenue was collected at the import stage and the government wanted to rationalise it.
He said the key policy rate was enhanced to control inflation and added that with the reduction in inflation, key interest rate would also be reduced.
Commenting on high power tariffs, he said that 40pc electricity was being produced through imported fuel and that the government was working to generate energy through hydro and other indigenous sources that would bring down the costs to produce energy.
He also drew the audience's attention to the fact that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was being automated and would better facilitate taxpayers and tax collectors.
He recounted that the previous government increased circular debt to Rs453 billion in one year while the current government aims to reduce circular debt to zero per cent in 2 years.
He assured the attendees that he would again visit ICCI along with the FBR chairman to address the tax issues of the business community.
Also speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Ahmed Hassan Moughal said that tax rates were high in Pakistan due to which people were avoiding paying taxes.
He urged the government to reduce tax rates and focus on broadening the tax base which would lead to an improvement in tax revenue.
He proposed reducing sales tax rate to a single digit level so that the cost of doing business can be brought down as well as inflation.
The ICCI president further said that the government should reduce duties on import of industrial machinery to boost industrialisation, employment, exports and tax revenue.


Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Izzi has said that the people are the only source of legitimacy, and only recognise steadfast members of parliament with their homeland, and those who were elected on Saturday.
“Those who are brought on by those who have describe the people as sheep, in order to support the siege of the people and to occupy the land, are seen by the people as mercenaries and will not find any one to recognize them,” Izzi said in a press statement.
He noted that there are two legal cases in which members in the House of Representatives had been stripped of membership, mainly amongst them being those who support the invasion of Yemen.
“What the fools did yesterday is that they implicitly acknowledged Hadi’s illegality, granted us the legitimacy of the Parliament, and automatically dropped their membership,” al-Izzi said.
The Deputy Foreign Minister concluded that the electoral rules are being adhered to the logic of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives.