U.S. Small-Cap Stocks Turn Negative For The Year
The Russell 2000, the benchmark index for small-cap stocks in the U.S., has turned negative for the year, a sign of broad-based weakness within equity markets.
The small-cap index is now down 0.2% on the year. It is also 12.5% below its 52-week high. By comparison, the large-cap-focused S&P 500 index is up 11% this year, and the technology heavy Nasdaq Composite index has gained 26% since January.
Analysts say the decline in small capitalization stocks indicates broad weakness in the market that's being masked by a few large-cap technology stocks such as Nvidia (NVDA) and Meta Platforms (META).
The Russell 2000 is often perceived as a bellwether for the state of the U.S. economy due to its focus on smaller businesses that are dependant on macroeconomic conditions.
Small cap stocks are also more sensitive to higher interest rates and decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve, America's central bank.
Analysts say that declining interest rates in the coming year should help the small-cap sector rebound from its current doldrums.
While they remain up on the year, all three major U.S. indices, the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, ended the recent third quarter in the red as stocks have slumped across the board since the start of August.
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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday congratulated National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for successfully evolving a comprehensive strategy to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
In a congratulatory statement on completion of 500 days of establishment of the NCOC, the minister said that the achievements against coronavirus had been made possible due to the tireless efforts and interest of the NCOC for which its entire team deserved the credit.
He also said that the decisions to deal with the coronavirus outbreak since its inception were taken on the basis of scientific and ground realities.
Following the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the guidelines of the NCOC, he said that the government had adopted a balanced strategy of smart lock-down with its focus on the poor and the working class.
He remarked that if the country had been completely locked down, it could have had dire consequences. Thanks to the efforts of NCOC that today, Pakistan was successfully fighting the fourth wave of the pandemic and its ratio was much lower than other countries, he added.
The whole world, he said, applauded the smart lockdown strategy, as Pakistan also fought the coronavirus and strengthened its economy.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 26. The current
circumstances allow us to count on the possibility of concluding a
peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the foreseeable
future, but the main thing is not the time, but the final solution
of all issues, Spokesperson for Russian President Dmitry Peskov
told journalists, trend reports.
The spokesperson said that representatives of Azerbaijan,
Armenia, and Russia will meet at the end of next week in Moscow to
discuss the issues between the parties.
"There is no such a task as to solve everything at once because
the main thing is still the final result. No one is chasing time
here," Peskov said.
According to the Kremlin representative, it is for these reasons
that hardly anyone can now predict the exact date of the signing of
the peace treaty.
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Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Friday said that the government has sent sugar subsidy case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to bring the case to its logical end.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, Shahzad Akbar that the government will take action as per the law against sugar mills in light of the sugar inquiry commission report.
He said, “The Supreme Court has vacated stay order of Sindh High Court on the issue, the government will proceed into the matter.”The government proceedings include punitive action against the responsible of the sugar crisis, reforming sugar policy and rationalizing sugar price, the special assistant added.
Shahzad Akbar maintained that the concerned departments will carry out their investigations into the matter.
Responding to a question, he said that a 20-kilogram bag of wheat flour is available at Rs860 in Punjab.
Earlier on June 20, Prime Minister Imran Khan had vowed to take the sugar case to its logical conclusion.
Presiding over PTI’s core committee meeting in Islamabad, PM Imran Khan had said that the artificial rise in sugar prices adversely affected the lives of common men. He had said that the PTI-led government will take strict action against those found involved in the sugar crisis.


Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Leadership Visits Victory Park Under Construction (PHOTO/VIDEO)
- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27.
Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and other
high-ranking officers of the Ministry visited the Victory Park,
which is under construction in Baku on September 27, Trend reports via
Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.
The leadership of the Ministry and a group of military personnel
laid flowers on the memorial stone at the park entrance.
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Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the historic development budget announced by his government will usher in new era of development and prosperity in the province.
In a statement, he said three hundred and forty-five billion have been allocated for education sector in the new budget.
The Chief Minister said that provincial government has taken revolutionary steps for the promotion of education in the province.
He said that five hundred thousand female students are being imparted education in the backward areas of Punjab under Zewar-e-Taleem Program.
Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab Education Foundation has provided quality education to two point five million deserving students through its program so far.
Source: Radio Pakistan


Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 9 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national organisational secretary B L Santhosh on Friday chaired a high-powered meeting with leaders of the party's Punjab unit to streamline a roadmap for the upcoming state assembly polls.
The meeting was held at BJP Punjab headquarters in Chandigarh.
B L Santhosh said that the party will contest 117 seats and form the next government in 2022 .
Claiming that the BJP was the biggest organisation and had the vision and commitment to further the interests of its country, Santhosh said, "we will dispense justice to Punjab."
Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma said the party will address the power crisis and provide affordable electricity to the citizens of the state if comes to power.
"Power, health and schools will be our mission. People are facing dire consequences due to the huge economic burden of expensive electricity bills," Sharma stated.
The vice president of the party Sodan Singh said that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had failed miserably in governing and was responsible for the rampant corruption.
The other senior leader Dushyant Guatum in Incharge of Punjab BJP said that the BJP workers have worked to give relief to the people in the corona pandemic and the people of the state are astute to understand that only BJP will and can keep the interests of the people primary. (ANI)


NEW YORK — Datassential, a data insights platform for the food & beverage industry, has handed its US PR business to Diffusion.
Diffusion won the business following a competitive pitch. There was no incumbent agency.
As agency of record, Diffusion is charged with positioning Datassential as a partner providing food and beverage brands with research and insights to drive business decisions. The company currently works with the likes of Starbucks, Wendy's, General Mills, Pepsi, Land O' Lakes, Del Taco and Target.
Diffusion will execute a targeted media relations campaign highlighting Datassential's expertise in trends analysts and their market-specific insights, alongside the platform's latest data findings. In addition to building awareness, the campaign will develop Datassential's overall thought leadership profile through an established speaking program in the US market.
Diffusion has also been named tech company StrongArm's agency of record.
The firm's remit for StrongArm — whose wearable technology is designed to improve workplace safety — will focus on building the company's overall brand awareness and support its launch of new products. Diffusion also will be positioning StrongArm as the leading safety science company protecting America's industrial workforce.
“At StrongArm, we truly care about investing in the safety of today's industrial workers and have made it our mission to develop the very best technology and products that do just that,” said founder and CEO Sean Petterson.“The reality is that more than 38,812 occupational injuries occur every hour worldwide, and with Diffusion's partnership and expertise in the B2B technology sector, we plan to amplify the importance and impact of our work. In doing so, we'll continue our trajectory of rapid growth and brand awareness, to protect and advocate for more of America's workforce.”
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The country's economy will double by the end of 2028 with the development projects and changes brought about by the current government, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said.
Speaking at the official inauguration of southernmost Addu City's land reclamation project on Saturday, President Solih said the country's economy would become a "strong economy" due to the measures and decisions undertaken by his government. He highlighted that achieving such a significant milestone would be a remarkable accomplishment.
The President estimated that the economy would double to MVR 177 billion in the next five years, contrasting with the pre-office GDP of MVR 82 billion.
The President reiterated that Addu City is the most important region in the country's economic landscape. Referring to the dredging of Addu, the President said that the veracity of this statement is evident today.
The President further said the country could be developed and that the island-style lifestyle that the people desire can be achieved only through holistic development across the entire country. He assured the people of his commitment to achieving this goal and noted that his government was already implementing development projects necessary for the next five years.
The President further said that the positive changes that the people of Maldives need will be brought about under his rule.


The Government has offered help "to all businesses who have been affected by floods", the farming minister has told Daybreak.
George Eustice said the Government had delayed "the payment of business rates" and "have asked HMRC to be lenient on businesses".
More top news
Study suggest that the number of takeaway outlets has significantly increased over the last 20 years, particularly in the poorest areas.
A teachers' union has suggested the number of teachers facing abuse on social media has more than doubled in just 12 months.
A survey has found that one in five young professionals in the UK consider themselves to have a drinking problem.


RALEIGH (WTVD) --People in southeast Raleigh got a chance to come together Saturday and help their community in the annual "Community Empowerment" fair in Chavis Park.
Dozens of vendors handed out information about housing, food programs, health and wellness, business development, and transportation.
This year there was also a focus on the upcoming November election and informing voters about their choices.
People were able to register to vote and learn more about the Wake County transit plan that will be on the ballot.
Report a Typo


Even before nominations twelve complaints of pre election violence had been received by the Police Headquarters Election Violence Monitoring centre.
Deputy Inspector General Gamini Navaratne said the complaints related to incidents of intimidation and minor assault and posters.
He said both main parties had lodged complaints especially from Bandarawela and Kalutara areas.
DIG Navaratne said the police have been given special instructions to maintain law and order and to be impartial when dealing with election related violence. He said political parties should instruct their supporters to avoid clashing with their rivals.


"We have voted against the CAA and we have always said that we oppose it. But at the end of the day, we think and feel strongly that it is a law which is bad."
"And in the next five years, we aim to build a hospital here and mini stadium and a conference hall where social functions can take place."
Kejriwal said he himself along with his ministers and government officials will help check mosquito breeding.
"The initiative is aimed at expanding the reach and range of health services in unserved and under served areas such as slums," the magazine said.
I hope that 1,000 mohalla clinics will be built by March 31 next year. These mohalla clinics are aimed at providing quality health services to the people of Delhi.


Speaking to reporters, the senior AIADMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP said, the state government has been initiating steps to procure paddy through the DPCs and the officials are instructed to oversee hassle free procurement process across the state.
Stating that the Bill directing vertical reservation of 7.5 per cent for government school students has been pending with the Governors, Vaithilingam said that the state government is keen on getting the Bill passed.
Meanwhile, answering a query about the AIADMK’s stand on accepting a Cabinet berth at the Centre, the AIADMK deputy coordinator said the party had not yet decided to participate in the Cabinet expansion.
He said that the information has been falsely spread against the party as taking part in the BJP-led Union government. So far, there is no idea of AIADMK joining the Cabinet with the BJP, said Vaithilingam.
Earlier, he flagged off a mobile ration shop in Thanajvur.


Creating a butterfly garden
There are two things necessary in creating a successful butterfly garden. First, the adult butterflies are seeking nectar which they need for food, and second, a host plant, the place where the female will lay her eggs and which will supply food for the caterpillars (butterfly larvae) to eat when they hatch.
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ALMOST half of the people in Slovakia remain sceptical with respect in their assessment of the economic situation in the country over the past 12 months, according to the latest consumer barometer for April released by the Statistics Office on May 26 and by the TASR newswire.
The survey showed that only 13 percent of Slovaks think that the economic situation in their country has improved over the past year, while another 36 percent consider it to be unchanged. As stated earlier, as many as 48 percent of the respondents think that the situation has worsened.
In the meantime, when future prospects were considered, 20 percent of those surveyed said that they think the economic situation in the country will improve over the next year, while another 40 percent think that nothing will change and 35 percent expect a decline.
With respect to future developments in consumer prices, most of the respondents (65 percent) are of the opinion that the prices of goods and services will record further hikes in the next 12 months. Another quarter of those surveyed predict that consumer prices will stay at the current level, while 5 percent hope for a certain reduction in price levels.
In addition, 22 percent of people think that the unemployment rate will go down in the course of the next 12 months. Another 37 percent are more sceptical, predicting that the figure will stay put, and yet another 39 percent stated that increases will follow.
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
27. May 2014 at 14:00


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Story | Apr 28, 2011 | 4:24 PMAsk the players for their favorite night of the year, and a large majority of them will mention the annual Miracle League game. The fourth-annual exhibition featuring children with special needs and developmental disabilities will be held Saturday night at 6:3


Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Thursday adjourned the hearing in the ongoing TSRTC strike case till October 15. The counsels for the TSRTC employee’s unions, State government, and RTC management presented their arguments before the court. They have also filed their counters in the case.
Arguing the case on behalf of the employee’s unions, senior Advocate B. Rachna Reddy told the HC that the management was not fulfilling their demands, despite serving several notices and added that their intention behind launching the strike was not to create troubles for the people. She told the court that the state government was not paying the subsidy, concession and other amounts due to the Corporation. She also told the court that there was no response from the management of the corporation for their pleas to increase their salaries and allowances.
Presenting the arguments on behalf of the management of the corporation and the state government, their Counsel alleged that the union leaders did not give time to them to solve their problems and went on indefinite strike by ignoring their requests. He said that the state government had also constituted a committee under the chairmanship of senior IAS Officer, Sunil Sharma, to look into the demands, on September 29, and added that the employees had gone on strike even before the committee took a decision on their unfulfilled demands.


KOTA BELUD: Parents involvement in the online learning process not only helps teachers to focus on teaching aspects but also motivate students to learn.
Former Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said that parental involvement in the preparation of their children’s studies also indirectly alleviate problems related to students missing out on their studies due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected the entire country.
“And because of that, I do hope that parents give their support and encourage their children to continue learning and to double their efforts so that they don’t miss out on their education,” he said when launching a KEMAS organised parenting workshop for the Usukan constituency which was held online today.
The Usukan assemblyman also said that the pandemic has altered the setting for teaching and learning whereby students have to continue the process at home instead of at school.
He said that the present teaching and learning sessions between teachers and students are no longer held face-to-face, but have evolved into teaching and learning at ones home also known as PDPR.
Salleh stressed that the teachers played a crucial role in making the PDPR a success despite the challenges faced.
“Teachers have to do the best of their abilities to impart knowledge to their students without face-to-face, and it is tough,” he said.


(MENAFN- KNN India)
Made in India Airpods could be reality as Foxconn bags mfg. deal
New Delhi, Mar 16 (KNN) Apple has awarded a contract to Foxconn to produce AirPods and the Taiwanese manufacturer is considering India for the manufacturing of these wireless earphones.
According to Reuters, Foxconn, which is responsible for assembling approximately 70 per cent of all iPhones, will now also become a supplier of AirPods, marking the first time it will produce these products under the deal.
This move highlights Foxconn's efforts to diversify its production away from China. Currently, a variety of Chinese suppliers manufacture AirPods.
The manufacturer is preparing an investment of over USD 200 million to build the new AirPod manufacturing facility in the southern Indian state of Telangana.
However, the value of the
order itself has not been disclosed yet.
The report from Reuters states that as per an anonymous source, Foxconn officials had been deliberating internally for months about whether or not to manufacture AirPods, given the device's relatively lower profit margins.
However, they ultimately decided to proceed with the deal as a means of 'strengthening engagement' with Apple. The source requested anonymity since the matter was not yet public, as per Reuters.
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"We still mourn and grieve for him," Chief Eliot Isaac said.
Isaac said an attack on law enforcement is “an attack on all of us.”
“It's something that we all need to be mindful of,” Isaac said. "These attacks take place across the country, and we need to come together and support the work that's being done. These are people who have committed their lives to helping others."
Open houses will be held at each of Cincinnati’s districts over the next week so the public can see what police officers do on a daily basis.


The Union Home Ministry, railways and banks have got maximum number of corruption complaints against their employees last year, according to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) latest annual report, which was made public on Wednesday.
Of the total of 1,09,214 complaints received against all category of officers/employees, a highest of 37,670 were against the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), 11,003 against railways and 6,330 against banks, it said.
Out of the total complaints against the MHA, 15,267 were disposed and 22,403 were pending including 19,118 for more than three months, the report said.
The CVC has laid down a time-limit of three months for the organisations to examine each complaint and bring it to its logical conclusion.
The railways disposed 10,662 complaints (341 were pending) and banks had disposed 5,887 such plaints (443 were pending disposal 90 for more than three months), according to the report, which was laid during the recently-concluded session of the Parliament.
As many as 1,09,214 complaints were received in 2021 against all categories of officers/employees working with different government organisations, of these 79,305 were disposed and 29,909 were pending (including 22,990 for over three months), it said.
A total of 7,617 complaints were received against local bodies except GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory Delhi), of which 7,026 were disposed, 4,704 complaints were against employees of Delhi government (4,242 were disposed), 4,672 against employees working in coal sector (4,370 were disposed), 4,422 against housing and urban affairs (3,493 disposed) and 4,398 against labour department/sector (4,176 were disposed).
As many as 4,101 complaints were against civil aviation employees (4,022 were disposed), 2,691 against those in petroleum sector (2,375 were disposed), 2,216 against defence employees (2,144 were disposed), 2,019 against employees of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), of which 989 were disposed, 1,672 against human resource development (1,513 were disposed), 1,556 against finance (1,365 disposed), said the report.
As many as 1,327 corruption complaints were against those working under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, of which 612 were disposed, 1,227 against those working in telecommunication sector (1,077 disposed), 1,119 against steel sector employees (1,026 disposed) and 1,041 against employees of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (879 were disposed), it said.


The reports coming out of the Africa is that almost 500 people have lost their lives in Burundi political crisis since President Pierre Nkurunziza announcement of going for the third term in April last year.
Burundi President Mr Pierre Nkurunziza forced his way into the presidency for the third time despite criticism that violated the constitution and a peace deal that ended the civil war in 2005.
More than 450 people have been killed in Burundi in unrest that began a year ago, the police said in a report on the crisis that has raised fears of a return to the ethnically charged violence of civil war.
“The report at the disposal of police shows that 451 people have been killed since the start of the crisis, including 77 police officers and 374 civilians,” the police said.
Pierre Nkurunziza was rebel President that won the 2005 civil war in the peace dry Nation of Burundi
According to reports out of Burundi “59 of its officers had been jailed over the last year for “serious misconduct”. It did not detail their actions but opponents of the government have accused the police of violently suppressing protests and dissent.”
Bujumbura is divided into two ethnic groups, the Hutus which are the majority and the Tutsus which are the minority.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency ) The US Department of Defense will send more than 3,000 additional soldiers to Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Andrews confirmed to Sputnik.
"We will not say where they are going in Afghanistan because we don't want the enemy to know our plans," Andrews clarified confirming that more than 3,000 additional US troops will be deployed to Afghanistan.
Trump has recently announced his new Afghan strategy, saying that the United States was committed to destroying extremist groups.
Unlike his predecessor's plans for US troops withdrawal from the country at a steady pace and handing over the security to the Afghan government, Trump's strategy involves increasing military presence.
The new strategy bases the criteria for withdrawing US troops on fulfilment of certain requirements rather than on a time-line.
The United Stated has been maintaining its military presence in Afghanistan for 16 years now — it is the longest conflict Pentagon has ever been engaged in.
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The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that the 2023 elections will take place, despite recent security concerns across the country.
This assurance was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a presentation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s scorecard series.
He stated that the Government’s position has not changed and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is working with security agencies to ensure the elections are held peacefully.
This reassurance comes after a rise in attacks on INEC offices and other security-related incidents across the country.
The INEC had previously expressed concerns about the security situation and its potential impact on the 2023 elections.


Cognitive impairment, a leading risk factor for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, has been detected in a significant proportion of people who served as first responders during the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, Newsday reports. For years, most public attention has been on the cancers and . . .
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Jordan, Palestine discuss latest developments in region
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
AMMAN, 3rd December, 2017 (WAM) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Saturday received a telephone call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region in the framework of continuous coordination and consultation between the two sides.
According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, King Abdullah briefed President Abbas on the outcome of his recent working visit to Washington D.C.
WAM/Rola Alghoul/Nour Salman
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Addressing the public gatherings during Sangat Darshan program at village Sathiali, Gunnopur and Bhaini Mian Khan here today, the Chief Minister said that the turncoat leaders who had been rejected by the people time and again were joining AAP, which was a clear indication that party was not having any concrete ideology or program for welfare of state and its people. He said that contrary to that the Shiromani Akali Dal has a glorious history of relentlessly struggle for the cause of Punjab and its people.
Quipping at AAP Chief and Delhi Chief Minister, Mr. Badal said that he has ran away from the promises made to people. Citing an example, the Chief Minister reminded the people that his Delhi counterpart had announced to hold Janta Darbar for resolving the issues of public. However, he said that instead of keeping his words the Delhi Chief Minister abandon his well publicized program.
The Chief Minister said that it was on record that Punjab was the only state where government comes at doorstep of people through Sangat Darshan. He said that this pro – people initiative extensively aimed at welfare of people was a flagship program of SAD-BJP alliance government. Mr. Badal said that no other Chief Minister of any other state undertakes such exercise to redress the grievances of people in such an elaborate manner.
Coming down heavily on former President of state Congress Mr. Pratap Singh Bajwa for issuing baseless statements against state government, the Chief Minister said that it would be better that Mr. Bajwa should focus more on his party affairs. He said that rather than wasting his energy on posing question to state government Mr. Bajwa should seek answers from his party Chief Captain Amarinder Singh.
Slamming the state Congress leadership for opposing his Sangat Darshan programs ‘tooth and nail’, the Chief Minister said that the state Congress leaders were envious of the state’s overall development and prosperity of its people. Mr. Badal said that it was on record that besides giving a major fillip to the overall development of the state, the Sangat Darshan programs has also been instrumental in mitigating the woes of common people. He further said that the concept of Sangat Darshan was an integral part of state’s governance as it virtually brought the government at the doorsteps of people thereby bridging the communication gap between the masses and the administration, which normally hindered the process of progress.
The Chief Minister said that besides acting as a catalyst for redressing the grievances of people, the Sangat Darshan programs were also helpful for the state government to adjudge the working of officers of the various departments. He said that nobody including the Congress leaders could deter him for holding Sangat Darshans to ensure the well being of people. “The Sangat Darshan helps us to evaluate the performance of the officers which further facilitates us to provide effective, accountable and transparent governance to the people” he added.
Meanwhile, in a major reprieve for the people of the region, the Chief Minister announced to start a major drive for cleaning of the drains in the chambh area.
Interacting with a delegation of cane growers from the region at village Gunnopur, the Chief Minister assured them that the state government was firmly committed to bail out the farming community from any sort of problem. He said that Rs 540 Crore arrears has been already paid to sugarcane growers by Government besides arranging Rs 200 Crore loan to Private Sugar Mills for sugarcane arrears. Likewise, he said that Punjab Government has also decided to give Rs 295 per quintal for sugar cane against Rs 220 fixed by the Centre.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included former Cabinet Minister and Chairman Punjab State Technical Education and Industrial Training Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Youth Akali leader Mr. Jagroop Singh Sekhwan, his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Trikha.


Jammu:Jammu and Kashmir saw a decrease in crime cases including crime against women in 2015 as compared to the preceding year.
“There is a decreasing trend in crime scenario in the state during 2015 as compared to previous year,” the Crime Gazette 2015 released by Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar read.
It revealed that 25,390 cases were registered under various heads of crime during the 2015 against 26,907 cases during 2014.
It also shows decrease in crime against women as 3,535 cases were registered during the 2015 as against 3,714 during the corresponding year.
The crime gazette is first-hand information about the crime situation of the state and provides a vital database for strategy building and designing crime containment initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, the DGP said that investigation of special crimes is a major responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch and the agency has to improve its working by adopting latest methods of investigation helping speedy disposal of crime cases.
He said the investigating agencies have to strengthen their mechanism and the civil society also has an important role to play in crime detection.
The DGP appreciated the efforts of State Crime Branch, saying that the initiative would help different wings of Jammu and Kashmir Police to assess and evaluate their performance and concentrate on improving their functioning in different fields of policing.
He asked for dedicated efforts by the investigating officers for speedy disposal of the cases, ensuring conviction of accused.
He said that failure of investigation tells upon the performance of an agency which needs to be focused.


Overheated equipment caused blaze
KERNSTOWN — Fire officials have released the cause of Monday night’s fire at Moxon Timbers.
Overheated processing equipment ignited the blaze that destroyed the wholesale lumber and flooring…
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Cuttack, Jan 14:
The Odisha Police has come up with a new official website.
This was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra here recently.
The website— www.odishapolice.gov.in —provides a wide range of information to the people on various rules and regulations, various issues and activities of the state police.
The portal would come in handy for the citizens as well as those visiting Odisha while helping the police come closer to the people through its new information system, sources in the DGP office said.


Police in New York City have freed most of the more than 700 people arrested on Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday during a protest against corporate greed.
Fewer than 20 protesters are still held as they are yet to be identified.
Most of those freed were given citations for disorderly conduct and a criminal court summons.
The Occupy Wall Street group, camped in Manhattan’s financial district for two weeks, says it will continue its demonstrations.
A spokesman for the New York Police Department told the BBC the small group still detained were expected to appear at the Manhattan criminal court on Sunday.


Priests also need counseling, especially during the pandemic, because they also get tired and feel sad, said the bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches in the Philippine capital.
Bishop Roberto Gaa said people, including priests, need to take care of themselves and their health in the midst of the health crisis that everyone is experiencing.
“We should have an expert to initiate awareness that we need to take care of ourselves on various level, including on the level of the ministry,” the prelate said over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.
“The impact of loneliness and tiredness should be discussed in the vicariate level,” he said.
“One can also seek counseling because priests are not supermen who don’t get tired. They are also human. Priests are also human,” added Bishop Gaa.
“It’s good that those needs should be addressed,” he added.
He said being close with the people who are most affected by the pandemic is one factor that impacts on the health of members of the clergy.
Addressing priests, the bishop said it is important that they also know how to take care of themselves.
“There are problems that sometimes are not addressed only by prayers but should be addressed by right solutions,” said the prelate.
The pandemic has taken a heavy toll among priests and nuns around the world, killing hundreds of them in some countries.


Pappu Yadav takes jibes at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
Pappu Yadav, taking jibes at the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said that the people of the state have become fully aware of the Chief Minister’s actions and are no longer in the lurch.
Bagaha: National President of Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) Pappu Yadav has accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Bihar for exploiting Tharu tribes economically, socially and politically.
Mr. Yadav on Sunday launched assembly elections for the party from West Champaran district and strongly condemned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, saying that the people of the state are not fully aware of the Chief Minister’s actions.
He said that the Bihar people have been cheated and no one is going to come in her his again. The development of the tourism city of the political importance Valmiki Nagar has nothing to do with MPs and MLAs.
The JAP supremo said that in case his party participates in government in the government formation in the state, or the party has a stake in power, the Tirhut area will be developed in the West Champaran district adjoining the Terai of Nepal border. He accused the state government of depriving the Tharu tribals of their rights and said their party would give them their basic rights.


Hillary Clinton says the nation needs to work together to repair rifts between police officers and the communities they serve and guard against more discord, which the Associated Press calls a veiled reference to rival Donald Trump. Clinton met privately yesterday at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City with eight law enforcement leaders, joining with chiefs of police in . . .
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Transport Minister: Operations ongoing to privatize four Saudi airports
(MENAFN) Works are underway to present four local airports in the Kingdom to the private industry, the Saudi Press Agency mentioned in a report reciting Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
The minister was giving a speech at the Municipal Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday. The report recited him as stating that there are presently 22 funding prospects up for grabs in the Saudi transport industry, which is experiencing a big growth along with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
The total plan targets to put the Kingdom as a worldwide logistics center linking three continents, and develop all transport facilities in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The plan seeks to draw SR600 billion (USD160 billion). Al-Jasser stated that it is important to capitalize on the investing sources by reinforcing cooperation with the private sector.
He informed the meeting that his ministry is also planning a road code to develop the Kingdom’s road quality index.
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Saturday, December 12, 2015
The Araku and Paderu police have booked cases against YSRCP Paderu MLA Giddi Eswari on Friday for making derogatory comments against Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in a meeting in Chintapalli on Thursday which was addressed by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Paderu ASP A.Babujee said that the cases were filed following complaints received from TDP leaders at Araku and Paderu. They in their complaints alleged that she made derogatory comments on Chandrababu Naidu in a public meeting against bauxite mining issue. He said that the police will take action after examining the footage.
The ASP said that the police have booked cases u/s 506 and 307 of IPC.
Meanwhile Minister for Mines and Geology Peethala Sujatha said the comments made by Jagan against Chandrababu Naidu were highly deplorable, derogatory and damaging. She said that the government was contemplating action against Jagan Mohan Reddy for his comments at Chintapalli public meeting.


CLP Leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka today asked CM KCR as to who are hatching conspiracies on corona virus in the state. He alleged that the state government had completely failed in containing the deadly virus in Telangana.
Speaking to media persons at Assembly media point, he said that the doctors and journalists of the state were dying after becoming the victims of the virus. He said that the CM had also not announced a minimum package to the people of the state by keeping in view of their troubles. Citing that the CM is doing well in his farm house and his camp office, he asked the CM about the status of the poor people of the state. He said that the state government was putting an additional burden on the people of the state by collecting three months power bills at one go. He alleged that CM KCR had gotten used to do whatever he thinks to do so.
Vikramarka said that nobody knows as to the goings-on in the state secretariat while mocking that the people of the state should tell if the state secretariat really exist or not. He said that they had decided to hold Chalo secretariat program on June 11 of this month on behalf of the CLP.


The foreign minister has said the coronavirus pandemic and migration form a “vicious circle”.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said at a United Nations conference in Geneva on Wednesday, argued that the more the virus spreads, the more people will flee their home countries, spreading the virus even further. Apart from its effects on public health, the pandemic also has a serious impact on global trade and the economy, he said. The biggest impact is felt by the least developed countries, since they are the most vulnerable, he added. The pandemic has also intensified the factors that drive mass migration, Minister Szijjártó said, who is the co-chair of the conference. This, he said, could lead to a “vicious circle” of migrants spreading the virus further, which then could force more people to flee their homes.
The minister emphasized the importance of providing help at the point where it is needed instead of causing problems where there are none, arguing that it was “complicated to imagine” that any illegal migrants could present two negative PCR tests. Unless the developed countries offer more effective aid programs for the countries in need, more and more mass migration waves will emerge, most of which will affect Europe, Minister Szijjártó said, adding that the risk of this was growing due to the situation in Afghanistan. As regards Hungary’s support for countries in need, Minister Szijjártó said the government spent more than 400 million dollars on its international development schemes last year. This means that the country has surpassed its target of spending 0.25 percent of its GDP on development aid by 2025. He also noted that Hungary has delivered some 1.6 million doses of Covid vaccines to the least developed countries.


Rainy Water Harvesting Association of Malawi RWHAM) has launched a Road for Water initiative that will see rainy water in the roads being used for agricultural purposes.
Chairperson for the association Macpherson Nthala said the initiative will divert running water from road sites into farmersâ€™ fields to enhance crop production.
Nthala said the initiative will also minimize the impact of run-off water which causes land degradation.
He said the association has engaged the media and governmental extension workers to help spread the message of the initiative to local farmers.
The association also advocates for rainwater harvesting systems that collect water using existing structures such as rooftops, parking lots and flood plains
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(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Seoul April 28 - South Korea and China have been discussing holding a summit as early as late May government sources said Monday amid the rising possibility of North Korea's additional nuclear test.
China's President Xi Jinping had been planning to visit Seoul in mid-2014 for a summit meeting with South Korea's President Park Geun-hye. The ongoing discussion to advance the talks is seen as being aimed at blocking a possible nuclear test by Pyongyang in the near future according to South Korea's (Yonhap) News Agency.
"(South Korea) is having discussions with the Chinese side with an aim to hold the Seoul-Beijing summit meeting within the first half of this year" a source said.
Another source said "I heard that President Xi is likely to visit South Korea in late May." The sources also said that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi may visit South Korea ahead of the Chinese president as part of preparation efforts for the summit meeting. The foreign minister's visit is also being discussed between the countries they said.
South Korea's defense ministry said last week that increased activity was detected in North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site indicating that the country is ready to detonate a nuclear device in the near future.
During the expected summit meeting the leaders of South Korea and China may reassert their intolerance against North Korea's nuclear weapons possession warning Pyongyang against a nuclear test according to the sources.
China a long-time ally and sponsor of North Korea has recently ratcheted up its pressure on Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons while also stepping up the country's implementation of United Nations' punitive sanctions against North Korea's nuclear activities.
Since 2006 the North has conducted three nuclear tests with the outside world suspecting the country is near the completion of its intercontinental ballistic missile development.
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Amaravati, Feb 19 (GCCurrentAffairs) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party National President N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that due to wrong policies and mishandling the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has precipitated.
Addressing the TDP leaders through teleconference here on Tuesday, he said that the Opposition parties would not keep quite if the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi compromises with national interest.
Stating that they would not hesitate to fight together for safeguarding the national interest, the Chief Minister said and referred to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing doubt that a major terror strike will take place before the Lok Sabha election.
He said that he would not forget the Gujarat riots which took place when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of the state.
The TDP would not compromise in patriotism and in protecting integrity of the country, he said.
Mr Naidu opined that unstable state governments in the border areas would be a threat to the security of the country. He slammed that the BJP’s policies led to a crisis in the J&K government earlier.
Referring to quitting of some TDP leaders and joining the YSRCP recently, he said that the leaders who have properties in Hyderabad are quitting the TDP and joining the YSRCP. The TDP would not worry about the leaders who quit the party for their own political mileage, he added.
He asked the TDP cadre to take the newly launched ‘Pasupu Kumkum’ and ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ welfare schemes to the people.


Lahore: Punjab’s Information Minister has demanded to initiate a treason case against the life time president of Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif.
Responding on Nawaz Sharif yesterday’s talk to media in London regarding the Pakistan’s cruise missile, the Minister said that Nawaz Sharif unearthed a national secret in the public.
Fayyaz Chohan said that ex-premier has left all the limits in his hatred against the national institutions.
He said that Nawaz Sharif always became a matter of embarrament for Pakistan on the international level due to his ignorance.
The Minister said that Nawaz Sharif mind has filled with fat after eating public money and delicious foods in London.
He said that Sharif family can’t think beyond their personal lives


#4 Valentre Bridge
The Valentre Bridge that runs across the Lot River in Cahors in southern France was built from 1308 to 1378. That’s 70 years. It’s said that the bridge took so long to finish that the builder got impatient and called upon the Devil to help with the construction. It was agreed that the Devil would do whatever the builder said until the bridge was completed, after which the Devil would take the builder’s soul.


There are mixed messages about the current state of Australia’s property market, Ironfish intend to help to clarify these for people so they can prepare and plan for the future.
Anyone who owns their home, rents or is an active property investor will be impacted by the potential changes coming and what trends will drive the future of property.
Our senior property strategist Alex Tiede will discuss key factors impacting the market now and in the future.
Key points covered that will be:
- How might potential changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax impact property?
- Key trends which are likely to drive future property markets


One in every five middle and high school students has complained of being bullied at school and the number of reports of sexual assault on college campuses has more than tripled over the past decade, says a federal study released today . . .
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8th Dec 2013.
Governor Jackson Mandago has urged the youth to avoid excessive drinking and other activities that puts them in conflict with the law.
Addressing an empowerment meeting in Ngeny Primary,Soy Constituency, the Governor advised the youth to engage in activities that will improve their livelihoods.
He said the county government was committed to develop programmes that will improve on the economy and create employment for the youth.
Mandago particularly urged the youth to shun drinking and other social vices that may distract their focus and engage in economic activities like horticulture.
He further added that the county government had prohibited the issuance of licences to new bars. Mandago said he was ready to sacrifice his future political career in his quest to tackle drinking among the youth.
Mandago was accompanied by Shadrack Sambai (CEC Finance),Philip Melly (CEC Trade),Barnabas Sang (CEC ICT and
E-Government) and Magaret Chepkwony CEC Public Service Management.


BJP senior leader Daggubati Purandeswari said people in Andhra Pradesh wanted some changes in the political system. Addressing a Press Meet, the former Union Minister said people wanted corruption-free government and hailed those leaders who are away from the corruption and joining the BJP. Daggubati Purandeswari has suggested the newly joined party leaders focus on the party policy. BJP leader has come down heavily at the ruling TDP alleging that it has been spreading lies over the Center's help towards the AP state.
Copyright © 2019; www.ap7am.com


RAWALPINDI: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Friday said that the country is passing through a complicated era while he predicted that the politics will boost up after October 22.
Addressing the ceremony of inaugration of a newly constructed block at the Women University in Rawalpindi, the Minister said that the next four months are vital for the politics adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan will be victorious.
Sheikh Rasheed said that the politicians of the country is seeing towards the west and the politics is rising from the east while he said that the people who are talking against the intelligence institution will fall on their faces.
Sheikh Rasheed said to Women University was the mission of his life and added that the new block has been completed with the cost of Rs130 million. He said Rawalpindi is on the top of the list in terms of women’s education.
“No one can beat Rawalpindi,” he added. The minister expressed his joy and happiness as a daughter of a rickshaw driver has topped in the CSS examination.
Commenting on another mega project of Rawalpindi, he said Nalalai Expressway will also be inaugurated in December. I will quit politics after the completion of the Nalalai Expressway project, Sheikh Rasheed announced.
Sheikh Rasheed said the country is heading in the right direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He regretted the language being used by the opposition against the security institutions.
Sheikh Rashid said that the stability of Afghanistan is the stability of Pakistan and we will continue to support Afghanistan without coming under any pressure.


Srinagar, Oct 31: The medical experts Tuesday said that the excessive use of salt can cause stomach cancer, saying that Kashmir and Ladakh province in Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing more such cases as compared to Jammu division.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), noted gastroenterologist, Prof (Dr) Showkat Ali Zargar said that the places where excessive salt is being used are much prone to stomach cancer.
He said that besides slat, bacteria called H Pylori present in any human body can also cause cancer but everybody is not prone to the disease, saying that those who are genetic can get affected.
Dr Showkat said that like other places of the country, H Pylori is also found rampant in Kashmir but the bacteria can’t cause cancer to ever patient but those can get affected easily who are genetic.
He said that the stomach cancer is found in Kashmir and Ladakh province in the state that causes due to the food and other things.
Dr Showkat said that the peptic Ulcer is also found in Kashmir and according to the study, 10 per cent of people are affected due to the H Pylori and excessive use of salt.


Government has said that ZNBC remains a public broadcaster contrary to media reports suggesting it has been sold to a Chinese firm. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kampamba Mulenga, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said that ZNBC has partnered with Start Times to ensure that a special vehicle operates the facilities and raises money to pay the loan obtained for implementing phase 2 and 3 of the digital migration process.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Ms Mulenga said ZNBC has 40 percent shareholding while Start Times has 60 percent shareholding. Ms Mulenga said the joint venture is now operational and it is called Top Star Communications Limited.
The Minister explained that the company will operate the public signal distributor and will ensure that all 1,250,000 decoders are sold to the public.
Meanwhile, Ms Mulenga said that the mandate of the board of ZNBC came to an end on16th December 2016. She said government is in the process of identifying individuals to sit on the new board.
Ms Mulenga said as per procedure the individuals identified will have to be ratified by parliament before she can formerly appoint them.
And Government has urged opposition political party leaders to be realistic and objective in providing checks and balances. Chief Government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga says the opposition should also appreciate development projects by the PF administration.
Ms Mulenga said that the PF is delivering according to its campaign promises and should be given kudos. She was speaking to ZNBC News in an interview at Mass Media complex. Ms. Mulenga said the opposition should be partners with the Government in advancing national development.
The Minister of Information also said that Government was in consultation with various stakeholders on the Access to Information Bill.
Ms Mulenga emphasized that Government will remain committed to media reforms as promised during the 2016 election campaigns.


Violent crime reports around the U.S. increased 3.9 percent last year compared with 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said today in its annual release of national crime data. That included a 10.8 percent rise in murders, bringing the total to 15,696. Reported property crimes were down 2.6 percent.
The data release coincidental with tonight's first presidential debate may give talking . . .
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President Mohamed Nasheed has this afternoon visited Rakeedhoo and met with the people of the island. Speaking with the people, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to bring prosperity and development to the country in a sustainable manner.
The President also spoke on the benefits of a decentralised administration.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by the people of Rakeedhoo, the President said water, sewerage and powerhouse project would begin this year. He further said that that the government would try to find ways to reduce beach erosion, which is major problem faced by the people of Rakeedhoo.
President Nasheed also assured the people that the government was committed to fulfil its electoral pledges and said that the government was now working on this endeavour.
In his speech, the President said that it would not be possible to bring a good governance system by chasing the past.


(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor)
New Delhi: The country's aviation regulator DGCA imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for the incident where an 80-year-old passenger collapsed and later died after walking from aircraft to terminal at the Mumbai airport after not getting a wheelchair incident happened on February 12.
A senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
said a penalty of Rs 30 lakh has been imposed on Air India as it failed to provide any wheelchair to the elderly passenger.
"Further, Air India did not inform about any action taken by the airline against the erring employee(s) and the airline also failed to submit any corrective actions taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future," the official said.
Earlier this month, DGCA issued a show cause notice to the carrier, which submitted its response to the watchdog on February 20.
The airline submitted that the elderly passenger wished to walk along with his wife who was in a wheelchair too, rather than wait for another wheelchair.
"An advisory has also been issued to all airlines to ensure that an adequate number of wheelchairs are available for passengers who require assistance during embarking or disembarking from the aircraft during their journey," the official said.
Air India has earlier issued a statement that the aviation company was in constant touch with the family members of the bereaved, extending necessary assistance, and added that it has a laid down policy to offer wheelchair assistance to all passengers who pre-book the same.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


The findings showed that 40 percent of UK citizens believed that Brexit was the right decision amid the approaching end of the transition period on December 31.
In total, 88 percent of Britons who voted to remain in the EU and 11 percent of those who backed withdrawal at the referendum now believe that Brexit was a wrong decision. At the same time, eight percent of remain voters and 82 percent of Brexit supporters said that abandoning the bloc was the right decision.
Since YouGov has conducted surveys on the matter, the share of respondents among leave voters who think that Brexit was the right decision has dropped from 94 percent. The pollster said that the overall proportion of those who believe that Brexit was the right decision has been gradually falling over the past four years.
The latest poll was conducted from December 15-16.
In June 2016, 51.8 percent of UK citizens voted for terminating the country’s membership in the EU, against 48.1 percent of those who voted for London to stay in the union.


Says SMS services restored, but Jio, Airtel have developed technical snag; will take strict action against rumour monger
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday said that the internet services were restored in 28 health institutions across Kashmir today while as the services in rest of the hospitals will be restored by tomorrow.
According to the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan said that the government has directed all the cellular companies to restore SMS services in Kashmir, but Jio and Airtel cellular companies have developed some technical snag due to which the services have not been restored so far. Khan further added that all the cellular companies have been directed to restore the SMC services from last night (December 31).
He added that the internet services in 28 health institutions were restored today while as the rest of hospitals will avail the services from tomorrow. “Some of the hospitals had not cleared the pending bills, which will be cleared by tomorrow following which the services will be restored,” he added.
Meanwhile, Khan told KNO that strict action will be taken against the people who are spreading rumours in Kashmir from last two days. “The rumours are doing rounds from last two days and we will take strict action against rumour mongers,” he said, appealing people not to pay heed to the rumours.
Pertinently, the rumours claiming that curfew passes have been issued by the government to health employees as the curbs will be imposed in Kashmir, were doing rounds from last two days.


Khammam: Meat traders in the town asked the municipal officials to rebuild a slaughterhouse-meat market that had been dismantled because of a court stay order.
Traders Md Ishaq, Md Miraj, Qadir, Khaja, and Munwar said that the market has supported around 150 families for the past seven decades.
However, without providing any notice, municipal authorities began destroying the stores at around 4.30 a.m. They said that there were sheep, goats, and chickens in the slaughterhouse and that two animals died when the shops were suddenly demolished.
The traders remarked that, in the past, they had requested that the authorities offer them another location to open meat stores or slaughterhouses, but they had been ignored. They claimed that the officials acted illegally since a court had already issued orders to demolish the meat market.


The month of October has not been kind to B.C. when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provincially, the number of active cases as almost doubles from 1,200 to 2,300.
Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health says that if there was to be a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has hit the province.
She said that people within the Cariboo area need to continue to follow the preventive measures that Interior Health recommends so they don’t contribute to the second wave.
“We don’t want people to stop doing the preventive measures that we are recommending,” she said. “We have seen cases in the Cariboo-Chilcotin area. Typically the cases that we’ve seen are linked to travel, and there is some spread, they pass it on to their family members, close household contacts, but we haven’t seen wide community wide-spread.
“The reason why we haven’t seen that is people are following the measures. They’re not doing large gatherings, they are not going to places like weddings, or other events like that,” she continued. “If we begin to do those things, to gather in large groups, we may begin to see more transmission and possibly even outbreaks in those communities and it’s very important that people continue to take the measures that we’ve been recommending over and over.”
Mema added that it’s been so far, so good in the Cariboo region something she hopes can continue.


The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has appealed for humanitarian aid from both national and international organizations to help the millions of people affected by the catastrophic floods in the country.
Speaking to the state news agency SONNA on Tuesday, the president said that the floods have killed 101 people and displaced one million others, as well as destroying 140,000 houses, 4,000 livestock and vital infrastructure, such as bridges in the cities of Bur-Dhuubo and Baar-Dheere.
The president said that the floods were caused by heavy rains that have battered the East African nation, which has been suffering from drought and famine for several years.
He said that the government has formed a special committee to coordinate the relief efforts and is working hard to reach the victims, who need shelter, food and medicine.
He also called on the public to mobilize and take part in the rescue operations, saying that the Somali people are resilient and can overcome this challenge.
He also thanked the countries and organizations that have already responded to the crisis and expressed his hope that more help will arrive soon.


Speaking about the covid situation in the capital on Saturday Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that it seems the national capital has reached its peak in Covid-19 infections and the government will think of easing restrictions when the cases decline to touch 15,000.
He reiterated that the hospitalisation rate has stabilized in Delhi.
He said Delhi is expected to record around 20,000 cases on Saturday, less than Friday’s figure of 24,383.
On Thursday, there were 28,867 cases recorded in Delhi, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We can say that Delhi has reached a peak in terms of cases. Cases have started slowing down. Let’s see when the decline happens,” he told.


(Image source from: siasat.com)
TRS Chief and Telangana Chief Minister KCR is keen on a third national front to compete with BJP and Congress in the upcoming elections in 2024. KCR on Sunday made some sensational statements against the ruling BJP and asked the people to vote for the right one in the next elections. He also revealed that several regional leaders are keen to join hands with him for the third front in the country. As per the update, KCR is keen to arrange a meeting soon in Hyderabad with the Chief Ministers of the states that are ruled by the regional parties. KCR will soon meet Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. KCR also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently over the phone.
MK Stalin confirmed about joining the Chief Ministers meeting soon in Delhi arranged by Mamata Banerjee. She also called KCR over the phone and the meeting will take place soon. KCR said that there are several prominent political leaders who are keen to join the front. Mamata Banerjee also said that Congress has nothing to do with their new alliance and Congress can go on its way. Mamata says that the country's constitution is demolished and we all need to come together to protect it. KCR made some strong comments on BJP and Union Minister Kishan Reddy condemned them. "I strongly condemn the irresponsible statement made by KCR against the Armed Forces of the country" told Kishan Reddy.


Saraikela: JMM’s acting president Hemant Soren said that after the second phase of elections in the state from the double engine government of the state one of the engines has hailed as due to the tremendous support of the people the Mahagathbandhan has marched way ahead.
Addressing an election rally in Ichagarh he said that BJP and the AJSU have looted the state exchequer and schools have been closed and liquor shops have been opened and as part of a conspiracy fire was set inside the new building of the Vidhan Sabha.
He alleged that all the documents of the scams were set on fire in which all the documents got burnt down and claimed that since he was aware of the irregularities committed in the construction of the new Vidhan Sabha, therefore, he had not gone in its inauguration.
He asked the people to think wisely before casting their votes. He said that people will teach a lesson to those who are fighting against the martyr's family. Earlier as part of protest, the workers of the JMM garlanded their leader with the garland of onions.


Women in Konkrompe, a farming community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region, have appealed to the government to provide them with basic amenities to improve their wellbeing.
The women particularly complained about the absence of a community health facility and indicated that the absence of a health facility in the area had left them with limited options in health care, as they were forced to travel to far to the District capital, Sawla to access healthcare.
Addressing the Konkrompe Women Association Congress, an annual meeting organised to address challenges in the community, the President of the Association, Mrs Dari Sarah, appealed to the authorities to help construct a health facility that would facilitate effective healthcare delivery in the community.
“We face a lot of challenges when it comes to issues related to health. Our people in need of urgent health services are compelled to travel to far to the District capital to receive medical attention,” she said.
It is sad that pregnant women in the area have to be carried on motorbikes to seek medical attention at Sawla, Mrs Sarah said, adding that if nothing was done about their plight they would advise themselves in the coming 2024 elections.
She also has appealed to the government for the provision of water, road and electricity to increase economic activities in the community and its surroundings.
She said because of the poor nature of the feeder road linking the community to Sawla, the people who are predominantly farmers have to walk long distance with their farm produce to the market centre.
Mrs Sarah, the President of the association said the aim of the association was to assist in providing development projects to the area.
She said they have been neglected and have suffered for so many years without social amenities like road, water, health facility and electricity and pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to come to their aid.


New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) A Madurai-Delhi IndiGo flight was diverted to the Indore airport following a mid-air medical emergency on Saturday evening.
Officials said that the passenger was brought to a hospital after the flight landed at Indore airport. The doctors at the hospital declared him dead.
As per the information, the passenger -- Atul Gupta, was around 60-year-old. He was on board IndiGo Airlines flight 6E-2088, and was found bleeding from the mouth as his condition deteriorated mid-way through the journey.
Due to the medical emergency, the Madurai-Delhi flight was diverted to Indore and it landed there around 5.30 p.m.
Gupta was sent to a hospital from the airport where he was declared brought dead.
Initial information said that the passenger was suffering from some ailments including blood pressure and diabetes.
Officials said that the flight finally took off for Delhi at around 6.40 p.m. According to sources, Gupta was a resident of Noida.
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Susie has a benefactor
WINCHESTER — A McLean man has saved Susie.
Jack Russell, who was in the area for a golf tournament, read about the plight of the 8-year-old beagle — seized from a local home in May — in Tuesday’s...
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ISLAMABAD Nov 2,2021
Major development was witnessed as decisions taken in the steering committee meeting regarding agreement with the TLP are being implemented.
According to the Punjab Home Department, 860 workers belonging to the banned outfit arrested across Punjab have been released.
The Punjab Home Department said that those against whom there were no cases were released.
The Punjab Home Department also said that it has decided to withdraw the appeal filed by the Punjab government against the release of Saad Rizvi.
On the other hand, the administration of the federal capital Islamabad said that a formal notification would be issued for the release of the arrested workers under the MPO of the banned organization.
The Islamabad administration also said that the banned TLP workers arrested under the MPO would have been released after the issuance of the notification.
Sources said that during the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the members not to discuss the issue of the banned party.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that this is a sensitive issue, a steering committee has been formed and it will look into the matter.
The Prime Minister said that matters were being resolved amicably.
PM Khan calls legal team
Prime Minister Imran Khan has convened a meeting of the legal team on the agreement with the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)
According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan will consult Law Minister Forough Naseem and the legal team on the government’s agreement with the banned TLP.
Alliance with banned outfit means global isolation: Fawad Chaudhry
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that extremist parties are spreading chaos instead of playing a better role in politics.
In a statement released on social media, the federal minister said that alliance with the extremist party means global isolation.
He also said that the participation of extremist parties in politics is limited.
He said there was a time when the Sunni movement was more violent than the banned TLP.


India holds an important place in the global education industry. The country has more than 1.4 million schools with over 227 million students enrolled and more than 36,000 higher education institutes. India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world. However, there is still a lot of potential for further development in the education system.
The education sector in India is poised to witness major growth in the years to come as India will have world's largest tertiary-age population and second largest graduate talent pipeline globally by the end of 2020.
In FY 2015-16, the education market was worth about US$ 100 billion and is expected to reach US$ 116.4 billion in FY 2016-17


Alexandria firefighters to get new equipment
The Alexandria Fire Department is bringing its firefighting equipment up to code.
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KOTA KINABALU (BERNAMA) – A Sabah leader today blamed excessive politicking for the lack of development in Sabah and called on the state leaders and people to focus on developing the state for the people’s prosperity.
Deputy Chief Minister Bung Moktar Radin said 14 elections have been held at the federal level and 11 in Sarawak but 16 in Sabah and added that much time has been wasted on elections at the expense of development.
What Sabah needs most now is political stability that will enable all government development programmes to proceed smoothly and, as such, the people should support the state government formed by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), he said in a statement.
He said the GRS state government, just months into its administration, has implemented various efforts and initiatives to help the people and develop the state.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Works Minister, said the state government has introduced the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2021-2025, a framework of direction and strategy to continue to drive the state’s economy and the socio-economic status of the people.
The plan outlines three key elements, namely agriculture, industry and tourism as the focus of economic growth, human capital and the people’s well-being as well as an infrastructure network and environmental sustainability.
“We faced a very challenging reality and economic situation (when we took over the state government).
“As such, the government went into action immediately to address the slowdown of growth in certain sectors and sub-sectors, and identified new sources to strengthen and increase state revenue,” he said.


(PresidentialInsider.com)- A new poll just revealed that a majority of those who are considered “fully vaccinated,” whether that’s two shots or three, are still wearing their masks most of the time when out of their homes.
The findings come from a Yahoo! News and YouGov survey released last week. It comes as the federal government and the nation’s health officials continue to call on people to get the vaccine and wear their masks when in crowded spaces, and as people are being fired from their jobs for refusing to take the vaccine.
Some 56% of fully vaccinated people say that they wear their masks all the time or most of the time, and unsurprisingly, it also found that Democrats are much more likely to wear their masks when outside their homes. 78% of Democrats said that they wear their masks as soon as they leave their home, compared to 55% of independents, and just 35% of Republicans.
It shows that, no matter what the Democrats say, they truly have made the pandemic political. Otherwise, why would Democrats be several times more likely to wear masks in public despite being fully vaccinated?
The survey also revealed that fully vaccinated Americans are more likely to wear their masks in public than those who are not vaccinated. Some 65% of vaccinated Americans say that they wear a mask when out of their home, while just 43% of unvaccinated Americans said the same thing.
Some 57% of unvaccinated people said that they never wear a mask, or only do so “some of the time.”
It means that people who aren’t taking the vaccine aren’t just concerned about the potential side effects of taking the shot, but are much less likely to be afraid of the COVID-19 virus in the first place.
When will the federal government accept that those who don’t want the vaccine, and don’t want to wear masks, just never will?


OPCW investigation reports on use of chemical gas in Ghouta
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, March 6 (KUNA) -- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Tuesday that it is looking into allegations on the use of toxic chemicals during the ongoing fighting in the enclave of Ghouta in Syria between regime forces and the opposition forces.
"We have a situation centre which is following those allegations of use of chlorine and other toxic chemicals and the fact finding mission is collecting the necessary information from different sources," OPCW Director General Ahmet Uzumcu said in Brussels.
"And when they feel there is a credible allegation then they will lead the investigation and reach out to witnesses and health personnel to try to determine whether those chemicals were used or not," he told an event organised by the Belgian Royal Military Academy tonight.
"It is not always easy as Ghouta is an enclave and it is not possible to easily go there," he added. (end) nk.sd
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We believe the Y has something special — and sense of community — and that everyone deserves the chance to be part of the Y family. That’s why every year, we give more than $202,000 in membership and programs to men, women, children and families who otherwise couldn’t afford to be here.
Since 1875, the Y has been an anchor in this community, helping kids unlock their potential, connecting families, giving people a safe place to learn, and today we continue to make sure that everyone, regardless of background or income has that opportunity. But we can’t do that without help from people like you.
This year’s campaign goal is $130,000 — all of which will be used to help connect seniors, teach teens life skills through mentoring, help families grow stronger and teach individuals to be healthier. Together, we can help Kokomo become stronger.


Business Improvement District plans rejected
Date Added: 01/04/2015
Businesses on the Middlefields Industrial Estate have voted against plans to make the area a Business Improvement District (BID).
Following a ballot yesterday, only 42 per cent of businesses on the Sandy industrial estate, voted in favour of the area becoming a Business Improvement District. They make up 64 per cent of the rateable value there.
In order for the BID to go ahead, 50 per cent of the businesses who took part in the ballot had to vote yes, and those businesses needed to hold more than 50 per cent of the rateable value of all those who had voted.
The BID business plan was put together by a steering group of ten businesses from across the estate, and had it been agreed it would have seen businesses pay a levy on their rates to fund improvements to the estate such as new directional signage and increased security.
Michael Tucker, managing director of Manor Concept Refrigeration and chairman of the steering group, said that he was “disappointed” that the business plan had been rejected. But he added: “Although the result is not what we hoped for, the BID process enabled the steering group to get to know many more of the people and businesses located on the industrial estate.
“It has listened to their concerns and business objectives and hopes to build upon these relationships in the future through developing a business community which can do what they can on a voluntary basis.”
Central Bedfordshire Council worked with the steering group to support the BID development, as well as funding the ballot, and the authority’s Director of Regeneration and Business Jason Longhurst said: “I can understand the disappointment of members of the steering group who consulted extensively with other organisations on the estate about their business plans.
“However, we must respect the outcome of the ballot and hopefully businesses on the estate can build on the work that has been carried out and the relationships that have been fostered to help improve the area in other ways.”
Had the five-year BID business plan been agreed, Middlefields would have been the first Business Improvement District in Central Bedfordshire.


(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
European Union countries agreed on Wednesday to impose new sanctions on Russia after it annexed four regions in Ukraine, according to an EU official, including an expected price cap on Russian oil.
EU member-state diplomats struck the deal in Brussels, said the official representing the Czech Republic, which holds the 27-nation bloc's rotating presidency.
No details of the sanctions were immediately released. They will be published as soon as Thursday.
They are expected to include a price cap on Russian oil, curbs on EU exports of aircraft components to the country and limits on steel imports from it.
The moves build on already-unprecedented European sanctions against Russia as a result of the Ukraine crisis since February.
EU measures to date include restrictions on energy from Russia, bans on financial transactions with Russian entities including the central bank and asset freezes against more than 1,000 people and 100 organizations.
The EU is already planning to ban most Russian oil products, which will force Russia to lower prices to find new customers. OPEC oil-producing countries meet Wednesday to discuss cutting output to boost oil prices, which would help Russia.
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ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has warned the citizens here on Tuesday that the country will run out of gas in a few years. He was speaking to the media in a post-cabinet meeting presser.
Talking about the gas depletion, he said that the country’s natural gas reserves were being exhausted by 9 per cent annually, adding that this had been the case for the last two years.
Fawad said that 78pc of the people had to bear the brunt of the subsidies on gas enjoyed by 22pc of people from the urban areas of the country. According to him, they had to make do with LPG, coal, and other means for cooking and other purposes.
He warned the residents of the urban areas that the trend of getting gas at subsidised rates won’t last long, adding that the gas supply system will have to be restructured to make sure that all citizens got their due share.


Green tea contains antioxidants that can help protect against cancer and heart disease. Drinking green tea can help improve brain function and increase alertness.
Green tea has been shown to improve gastrointestinal health and reduce the risk of digestive disorders.
The catechins in green tea can help boost metabolism and aid in weight loss.
Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and pain in the body.
Drinking green tea can help improve dental health and reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Green tea has been shown to have a calming effect on the body and can help reduce stress and anxiety.


(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC) is setting up a centre to help researchers protect their intellectual property rights, officials on Saturday said.
The facilitation-cum-information centre is being set up in collaboration with the Union government's department of Science and Technology (DST), a senior government official said.
Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology department, said the centre will encourage the researchers to protect their intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Speaking at a startup expo inaugurated by Union minister Jitendra Singh here, the official said the JKST&IC is actively trying to partner with other science and tech councils and the DST for strengthening the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem in the Union Territory.
JKST&IC has started the support for innovation and patent filing scheme wherein it provides financial support to the innovators in the form of seed money that would help them start, he said.
He said many institutions have been taken into a loop for identifying the innovators here in NIT, IIT and other research institutions, so that their ideas could be examined by a scientific advisory committee or technical Committee.
The aim is to link them with the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (Icreate), Ahmadabad, if their ideas are found worthwhile for further incubation and convert their ideas into businesses.
Bhagat said the JKST&IC has been able to provide financial support to the tune of Rs 5.50 crore to 123 short-term and mid-term research and development projects from various universities.
He requested the Union minister to support the council to take up more R&D projects, as many problems are still to be addressed, especially among the rural population.
The commissioner secretary said that the Jammu administration has recently identified a site measuring nearly five hectares in Chowadi-Sunjwan to set up a Sub-Regional Science Centre-cum- Museum in collaboration with the National Council of Science Museums of the Ministry of Culture.
He also urged Singh to help the council set up other parks, such as Robotics Park, Life Science Park, Aquatic Gallery, S&T Park, and Nature Park on lines of those that exist in Science City, Ahmadabad.
He expressed gratitude to the Union minister for helping the administration establish two Industrial Biotechnology Parks (ITBPs), one each in Ghati, Kathua and in Handwara, Kupwara district of Kashmir.
The IBTP in Kathua was inaugurated by Singh in May 2022. The IBTP in Handwara is expected to be inaugurated by February, 2023, he said.
Bhagat said both the IBTP will prove to be a game changer for the people of J&K as the start-ups can partner with these parks for making various aromatic and medicinal plants incubated in these parks,
The JKST&IC is also embarking on a joint venture with the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicines (IIIM), Jammu regarding the K-5000 project where 5,000 kanal (250 hectares) of land is to be cultivated for making demonstration farms of aromatic and medicinal plants.
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Gloria Steinem. Jane Fonda. Arianna Huffington. Stephen Colbert. Here we have feminism’s greatest hits. You’ve been warned.
Posted on Sep 3, 2015
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The South African Ministry of Health has announced the dismantling of the group of scientists who advised the government on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic after several of its members publicly criticized the response to the virus in the hardest-hit country in Africa.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize sent letters to several committee members thanking them for their work. “Your contribution has led to the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and to a reduction in mortality,” reads the letter collected by the News24 portal.
Those who have already received the letter include personalities who have criticized the authorities’ response to the outbreak, despite the fact that the 50 members of the committee formed in April are believed to be affected by the measure. Mkhize has assured that new advisors will take up their posts “soon”.
A ministerial spokesman has downplayed the changes, assuring that it is necessary to “reconfigure” the group to “adapt it to the new pattern of the pandemic”. However, one of the critical scholars, Francois Venter, has denounced that “everything has been done without notice or explanation”.
South Africa managed to contain infections last month, despite having recorded more than 668,000 positive and more than 16,300 deaths since the pandemic began, unprecedented numbers across the continent.


Defense Minister Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has approved a security plan for the constitutional referendum, which is set to take place on 14 and 15 Jan, according to a government source.
The unidentified source said that more than 160,000 soldiers will assist police in securing 30,317 polling stations across Egypt.
Nearly 52 million citizens are eligble to vote for or against the new draft constitution.
The source noted that the military’s central command will monitor the situation on the ground through aircrafts and mobile broadcast units.
The interim government is seeking legitimacy at home and abroad through the upcoming referendum.
Muslim Brotherhood-led groups had voiced intentions to boycott the vote and intensify protests to disrupt the process, which they deem as illegitimate.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm


Iran's average economic growth hits 8.1 percent
(MENAFN) Iran's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance revealed the country to have seen a rise to 8.1 percent in the average of its economic growth in 24 months.
IRNA reported the ministry to have noted in its statement that the figure came in line with the expected growth rate estimated in the Sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2017-22).
"Since taking office [in 2013], the 11th Iranian government identified achieving positive economic growth and curbing inflation as two of its most important economic targets," the ministry stated.
The statement said "before the 11th government assumed office, Iran's economic growth was negative (-7.7 percent in 2012 and -0.3 percent in 2013) and the inflation rate stood at above 30 percent."
It added "in 2016, Iran's economic growth increased to 12.5 percent following a number of moves and measures by President Hassan Rouhani's administration including adoption of policies to enforce financial discipline in domestic market and economy, regaining Iran's share of the global oil market - following the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015 - and improving the country's credit risk."
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By Laleye Dipo
The Niger State government on Wednesday said the Pakistani who died in Zungeru two days ago was not as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pakistani, whose name was not disclosed, was said to have died of cardiac arrest.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ibrahim Makun Sidi, who briefed the press on the issue, the deceased, a truck driver, had never left Nigeria in more than 12 months so could not have contracted the disease.
Also, Sidi said the two people that died recently at the Minna General Hospital were as a result of diseases not related to coronavirus, insisting that the state has not recorded any case of the pandemic.
However, the commissioner disclosed that a coronavirus isolation centre has been established at the Minna General Hospital while isolation wards have also been set up in other health facilities across the state.
He also said that the state has started the production of hand sanitisers as a way of making it accessible to everyone and reduce the cost, pointing out that mass mobilisation of the people has also begun.
Though Sidi said the negative effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy is global, the state will however continue to watch as things unfold before taking any step.