Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has defended giving payments to Chinese Independent power producers (IPPs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy framework.
While replying to Questions after launching the Pakistan Economic Survey 2021-22 along with Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Energy, Khurram Dastgir, Minister of State for Finance, Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha, he said that government will make payment to Chinese IPPs under CPEC energy framework.
Earlier, It was reported that International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan’s government to renegotiate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy deals before making payments of around Rs300 billion to the Chinese power plants, putting Islamabad in a tight spot.
He said that the government is giving only a 17 percent rate of return to IPPs dispelling the notion of a 34 percent return.
No one was ready to invest one dollar in Pakistan when China established energy-related projects under the CPEC framework adding that we thank Beijing that they invested in crucial times.
The Finance Minister also said that the staff-level agreement with the IMF is likely to be revived after the budget.
IMF program will likely to revive after the budget as the government shared everything with the Fund to ensure transparency and bridge the trust deficit, he added.
He also said that the economic growth of Pakistan has been forecasted at 5.97 percent as opposed to the target of 4.8 percent in 2021-22.
When there is a growth in the economy than the balance of payment crisis also emerged, he said, adding that the imports have been increased by 48 percent whereas an increase of Rs28 percent witnessed in Export due to which there is a trade deficit of $45 billion in this year.
The Finance minister also said that the foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan would improve by $2.4 billion to over $12 billion by early next week. “The reserves would increase after China rolls over $2.4 billion,” Miftah added.
He also said that the Brent oil prices in the international market recorded $123 due to which not only did the government enhance the petroleum prices by Rs. 60 but the price of every item has been increased.
While blaming the former PM for giving subsidies, the Finance Minister said that we have made tough decisions due to which the PML-N government saved Pakistan from the default.
Miftah Ismail said that the economy is on the road to stability. but we would have to ensure sustainable growth as inclusive growth help in improving the economic situation.
Regarding giving tax exemptions to the affluent class, the Finance Minister said that every government announces the tax exemptions to rich people as they established the industries which are important for the country.
Miftah said there would have been no gas crisis in the country had the PTI government signed long-term agreements for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) like the PML-N.
About the foreign direct investments, he said the investments dropped to $1.25 billion in the outgoing financial year against last year’s $2 billion.
The finance minister said that the tax-to-GDP ratio will remain at 11.1 percent which should be around 15 percent.
He further said that Pakistan will need to allocate Rs. 3,900 billion for debt-servicing in the upcoming financial year.
The Finance minister said that our government is also importing wheat from Russia as the cabinet allowed to import 3 million metric tons of wheat.
Federal Minister for Planning, development and Special Initiative Minister Ahsan Iqbal attributed the growth witnessed in the outgoing financial year to rebasing of the economy by the PTI government last year.
He added that the former government slashed the Public Sector Development Budget (PDSP) to Rs. 500 billion from Rs. 1000 billion was announced by the PMLN government in 2018.
He said the private sector investment in Pakistan depended on the money invested by the government in the public sector development projects and regretfully, the PTI government did not release any penny in the last quarter for development projects.
Iqbal criticized the former government for damaging the CPEC projects adding that the PML-N government had established nine Special Economic Zones but the PTI government failed to start work on five zones in the last three and half years.
He added that the PML-N has also expedited the work started by the PTI on dam projects. He added that industrial development, transport and communication were being focused on in the upcoming year.
Power Minister Khurram Dastgir said the PTI government failed to add electricity to the national grid during its rule.
“Had the PTI government set up the required 8,000MW projects, there would be no power outages today,” he added.
According to Dastgir, K-Electric’s 1250MW project using coal produced in Thar was also delayed. The minister added that the government would install power plants that would use indigenous energy for production to ease the balance of payment crisis.
Replying to the answers, Miftah said the economic growth through upgrading the Agri sector would be sustainable and that the government would also increase the salaries of the state employees to offset the impact of inflation.
He claimed that the government would not make any “unnecessary expenditures” and that it was available to be held accountable for budget expenditure.
“We will definitely announce an increase in salaries of the employees amid a record increase in inflation,” he said, adding that the petrol quota of government high-ups had been slashed as well to cut down on expenses.
Wait till America exposes their deals and commissions in dollars and Euros.


The police today warned it will take legal action against school boys and their supporters who violate the law during the ongoing school big-match season.
A statement by the police media unit said that most boys tend to travel in open vehicles on the road waving their flags and at times harassing the public.
Police spokesman SSP Budhika Siriwardena said that there have already been reports of young school boys breaking the law while celebrating on the streets in support of their schools.
He said that most students, old boys and supporters travel in open vehicles in a manner which puts their lives at risk.
Some vehicles violate road rules or create a traffic congestion, the police spokesman said.
The police alerted schools authorities, parents and guardians to advice their children on the need to obey road rules and respect others on the street when celebrating the big-match season. (Colombo Gazette)


(MENAFN) According to state news agency KUNA statement on Wednesday, Kuwait has confirmed its first case of the newly-discovered Covid-19 strain, Omicron.
Based on what KUNA reported, quoting a health ministry spokesperson, the strain was discovered in a European passenger who landed in Kuwait from an African nation where the strain had been discovered.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad stated while talking to KUNA that the passenger had got the two jabs of the coronavirus vaccinations before and now he is going through institutional isolation, to comply with the health protocol.
He also mentioned that the ministry has taken essential safety measurements since various countries declared detecting the new strain.
Based on Al-Sanad, the pandemic condition in Kuwait is steady at the moment, but, locals and residents have been recommended to take the booster jab to help the ministry control the spread.
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Under the directions of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the Tamil Nadu health department has taken stringent measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
On Wednesday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had written a letter to the state’s Health Secretary, J. Radhakrishnan directing him to take stringent measures against the spread of disease and called the Tamil Nadu government to ramp up testing.
Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Gagan Singh Bedi has also directed officials to increase the testing to 25,000 per day and isolate those who have been infected.
Chennai and adjoining districts are expected to have a surge in cases, according to the GCC and the health department.
Bedi on Thursday held a meeting with the City police commissioner, Shankar Jaiswal in the presence of Radhakrishnan, and assessed the situation in Chennai.
The Health Secretary told the media that the GCC has already set up 10,000 oxygen beds anticipating a surge in Covid-19 cases and carried out contact tracing of upto 4,300 people.
The GCC, revenue, and police departments have jointly constituted zonal enforcement teams to prevent the spread of Covid 19 and to penalise those who are not following protocols, including failure to wear masks, social distancing, and using sanitizer.
The zonal enforcement team will work in two shifts on Friday expecting a confluence of people during the New Year festivities, even though Chennai has forbidden public celebrations.
A team will work from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and inspect hotels, restaurants, and other public places regarding compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour.
The GCC will also strictly monitor marriage halls and fine those who cater to more people than the stipulated number of guests announced by the Corporation.
The GCC Commissioner said that 5 lakh people in Chennai are yet to take the first dose of the vaccine and 8 lakh people have to take the second dose even after the lapse of their stipulated time for vaccination.
He said that taking vaccines will reduce the effect of the disease and called upon people to inoculate themselves during the mega vaccine camp to be held on Sunday.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 26. Türkiye positively
assesses Armenia's recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a
speech in Antalya, trend reports.
"Azerbaijan has proposed a comprehensive peace treaty. If
Armenia responds positively to this, then a peace treaty can be
signed between the two countries," Cavusoglu said.
He added that Türkiye will also take positive steps in this
The Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that 86,600 sq.
km of the territory of Azerbaijan, recognized by Armenia, includes
Following over a month of military action to liberate its
territories from Armenian occupation from late Sept. to early Nov.
2020, Azerbaijan has pushed Armenia to sign the surrender document.
A joint statement on the matter was made by the Azerbaijani
president, Armenia's PM, and the president of Russia.
A complete ceasefire and a cessation of all hostilities in the
zone of the Karabakh conflict were introduced on Nov. 10, 2020.
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(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha: The Qatari flag was raised on Thursday at the 19th Asian Games village in China's Hangzhou. The tournament is due to kick off Saturday.
Second Vice President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, HE QOC's Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, and chef de mission Rashid Adiba were in attendance, along with several QOC officials and representatives and sports federations.
During the flag-raising ceremony, the State of Qatar's national anthem was played. Adiba exchanged shields with the organizing committee representative and festive shows and carnival activities were performed. Read Also
Qatar to send 180 athletes for Hangzhou Asian Games
Following the ceremony, the QOC Secretary-General met several Qatari athletes at the sports village and urged them to leave no stone unturned to showcase an honorable image of Qatari sports in the major Asian forum.
Qatari athletes who are competing in 27 sports seek to secure a medal tally that reflects the great development in Qatari sports thanks to the great interest and support it receives from the wise leadership.
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Galmudug regional state in Somalia on Thursday has announced that it has suspended cooperation with Somalia’s Federal Gov .
The regional state has accused of the federal gov of meddling its internal affairs.
It has also alleged that the SFG officials have embarked on well coordinated efforts to destroy the regional state authority.
In a press statement released by Galmudug authority has further stated that its authority has done all they could to strengthen ties with the SFG but the Federal Gov officials have put into operation infertile ideas which is intended to hijack the authority that the federal constituation granted to regional states.
The press release issued from Dhusamareb, the administrative seat of Galmudug further said that the SFG will be held liable to political instability and security that transpire within the state.
Puntland state of Somalia has recently broke off ties with the SFG and Galmudug has followed suit due to strained relations between the regional states and the SFG.
The incumbent Somalia president, Farmajo is now facing a lot of pressure from regional state leaders where ties have turned sour.


The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed two million with more than 120,000 lives lost to the virus.
As of Wednesday morning there have been at least 2,004,670 cases of the disease, according to official sources.
However, the true figure is expected to be much higher experts say as many people will not have been tested as they may have suffered mild symptoms.
A total of 128,000 deaths have been recorded across the world, with more than 12,000 of those in the UK as of today.
The latest global figures come less than two weeks since it reached a million confirmed cases on April 2.
In the last week we have seen countries start to lift their lockdown restrictions as in some places cases and deaths begin to drop.
Wuhan, which started as the centre of the crisis, was able to end its three-month lockdown.
Residents were able to leave the city, which has a population of around 11 million, for the first time in 76 days.
However, the UK is looking likely to extend their measures for at least another three weeks while France has said that it doesn't plan on making any changes for another month.


E-reader workshops offered by library
winchester — Handley Regional Library is offering three workshops to help with the process of choosing and using an e-Reader.
Workshops will also walk e-Reader users through browsing,...
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For the last three weeks the protests in New York City are still going on,the New York Police Department and the protesters are still on the street night after night, the president or the elected are not doing anything to make the situation better according to the protesters.
Tonight,journalists from local news are informing that lutter are infiltrating the peaceful protesters and vandalizing businesses, stealing and destroying private properties.
Police officers are scared for their lives according to the witnesses,they are using tear gases to disperse the protesters and some of the protesters are turning violent and throwing rocs, garbage canes and even frozen water bottles to the police officers.
My neighbor who was at the scene confirmed that a lot of people were injured on both sides and hundreds of protesters were taken into custody by the police.
The Brooklyn news 12 also confirmed that some fanatic groups are mixing with the protesters to fulfill their own agenda, they also predicted that there are more violent days to come and the situation can escalate even more.


Algeria's trade deficit jumps to 35.5 percent
(MENAFN) Algeria's trade deficit reached USD9.8bn in the Jan-May period of this year, a 35.5 percent increase from the same period of last year.
Moreover, oil and gas exports, which accounted for 93 percent of Algeria's whole exports, declined 37 percent to USD9.13bn in the cited period.
Meanwhile, the value of total exports during the period dropped 36.2 percent year-on-year to USD9.82bn.
On addition, world oil prices declined by more than half since June 2014 as oil output grew whereas growth in demand slowed.
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(MENAFN - Trend News Agency ) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19
Following the expanded meeting on July 18, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Council Charles Michel have held a joint press conference .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Council Charles Michel first made press statements. Then the presidents answered questions from the media.
Following the press conference, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presented a book "Karabakh before and after occupation" to President of the European Council Charles Michel.
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About one out of eight mid-aged people in South Korea has borrowed money due to economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a survey showed Sunday.
According to the survey of 3,923 people by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, 12.5 percent of people in their 40s and 11.5 percent of those in their 50s said that they have taken out loans or borrowed from their acquaintances at least once due to economic challenges during the pandemic.
The figure was much higher than 3.5 percent and 7.7 percent who said so among those aged 20 or younger and those in their 30s, respectively. It was also higher than the corresponding ratio of 8.5 percent for all the people surveyed.
Of those polled, 8.4 percent said that they have closed savings accounts or canceled insurance policy contracts to tide over pandemic-caused economic challenges.
For those in their 40s and 50s, the portions stood at 10.5 percent and 11.8 percent, the survey showed.
The survey also showed that 31.4 percent said they have experienced income reductions due to the pandemic. The ratio for the self-employed stood at 76.6 percent and that for temporary and contract workers was 49 percent.
Since the country's first coronavirus outbreak in early 2020, the government has enforced a set of social distancing rules to stem the spread, including business hour curfews and restrictions on people's movement and public gatherings.
Those rules have hurt small self-employed merchants and workers who have lost jobs due to the pandemic, which has led to a decline in their income. Almost all of the restrictions were lifted recently as part of efforts to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
The government has provided various subsidies and grants to help pandemic-afflicted people, especially for small self-employed merchants. (Yonhap)


ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Wednesday said that every institution, including the media, must play its role to bring positive change in the society.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with launch of National Academy of Higher Education in Islamabad, President Alvi said that promotion of education was vital to achieve the vision of Naya Pakistan.
He emphasized the need for quality education by the way of capacity building of teachers and bringing improvement in the educational institutions.
The president said that human resource development was important for poverty alleviation and development of the country.
Earlier on February 21, President Dr. Arif Alvi had said that the government was fully committed to alleviate poverty from the country.
Addressing a ceremony at National Library in the federal capital, Dr. Arif Alvi had said that provision of quality education and healthcare could help eradicate the menace of poverty.
Giving example of China, he had said that Beijing used education and provision of health care to uplift its society. He had said that disparity between the poor and the rich caused resentment among the masses.


The JVP has called on the public to unite to overthrow the present government that has severely inconvenienced the public.
Speaking during a protest in Maharagama yesterday, JVP Chief Secretary Tilvin Silva said the public is severely inconvenienced and unable to obtain meals as the prices of all goods have increased sharply.
He noted people are unable to keep gas cylinders at home due to fears of explosions while gas prices were also increased.
Silva said the government further burdened the public by increasing fuel prices.
He urged the government to reveal the reason for the price hike adding that oil prices have dropped in the world market.
He claimed transport costs increase when fuel prices are increased, and as a result prices of goods increase further.
He added the people will be further burdened.
Tilvin Silva urged the public to take to the streets and call on the government to reduce priced of goods and fuel, and to resign if it is unable to do so.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency ) The Defense Department press office told reporters on Thursday that all 3,000 additional US troops that are part of President Donald Trump's new surge strategy have made it to Afghanistan, Sputnik reported.
The new wave of US troop deployments to Afghanistan had been delayed in October because heavy lift aircraft were diverted to support hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
"All uplift troops have arrived in Afghanistan," the press office said.
The Defense Department would not provide any specific information regarding troop movements or location.
On August 21, Trump announced a new strategy for Afghanistan, in which he vowed to continue US support for the Afghan authorities in their fight against Islamic extremists and to expand authorities for US troops to target terrorists in Afghanistan.
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Voting went on peacefully in first 2.5 hours: EC
Voting in the Gazipur City Corporation election has been going on peacefully in the first first two and a half hours of polling, said Election Commissioner Md Alamgir.
Speaking at the Election Commission around 10:30am today, he said the election monitoring through CCTV camera, and information given by law enforcers and observers appointed by the EC, show that there were no untoward incidents.
He said in the morning several EVM machines were non-functional but it was repaired immediately and voters were able to cast their vote.
Alamgir also told reporters that there were some problems with 10-12 CCTV cameras due to internet issues, but the footage was still being recorded in those centres.


Saudi- KSRelief Center Delivers Benefits to 429 Yemeni Orphans
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Aden, Jumada I 10, 1439, January 27, 2018, SPA -- King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has delivered benefits for living to 429 orphans, in the governorates of Aden, Lahaj and Abyan of Yemen, respectively, as a part of the overall humanitarian aid delivery.
On this occasion, the coordinator of the relief committee Jamal Balfaqih hailed great attention KSrelief paid for the Yemeni orphans.
20:20 LOCAL TIME 17:20 GMT
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Panaji: Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Goa protested against the Pakistan’s External Affairs Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protestors including BJP Goa President Sadanand Shet Tanavade, MLAs Daji Salkar, Sankalp Amonkar, former MP Narendra Sawaikar, former MLA Damodar Naik shouted slogans against Pakistan.
BJP Yuva Morcha’s Goa Unit President Sameer Mandrekar was also present for the protest along with his supporters.
Effigy of Zardari was burnt by the protestors on the city lane next to party’s head office in Panaji.
Addressing the gathering, Tanavade said that the protest has erupted in the entire country against the statement of Zardari. He said that Zardari’s statement indicates the frustration of Pakistan over the respect garnered by Indian Prime Minister across the globe.
The BJP leaders also presented memorandum to Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai against Zardari.


(MENAFN) Russia could not keep the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in eastern Ukraine under its control as its forces are being pushed closer to the frontier, a senior assistant to Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a statement early on Monday.
"The Russian military will retreat from Zaporizhzhia NPP (nuclear power plant), as their line of defense is being gradually pushed away towards the borders of Russia. When Russia seized Crimea, all the international representative offices gave up and said: 'Well, okay.' Now, such a story won't cut it," Mykhailo Podolyak announced in an interview televised by the Kyiv-based television channel Freedom.
The Ukrinform news agency also cited Podolyak saying that the world openly stated Russia's nuclear energy firm Rosatom to have no lawful jurisdiction over the Zaporizhzhia plant and that the facility is only Ukrainian.
The statement comes as four Ukrainian atomic plants, as well as the one in Zaporizhzhia, lost power because of a decline in frequency in Ukraine's energy system after Russian attacks in many regions of the nation last Wednesday.
"Emergency protection was activated at the Rivne, South Ukrainian, and Khmelnytsky NPPs, as a result of which all power units were automatically disconnected," Ukraine's national nuclear energy company Energoatom shared on Telegram.
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Court says Amen to prayers before public meetings
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week confirmed what local government leaders have believed for years: Prayer at meetings is OK.
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According to reports there maybe casualties and hostage situation.
Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has urged members of the public to avoid the Westgate area and its environs.
“We have managed to evacuate some people to safety. We urge Kenyans to avoid the area as we pursue the thugs,” Kenya’s Interior Ministry said on its twitter handle.
Kimaiyo said police have surrounded Mall area and is asking Kenyans on the social media to avoid speculations and await proper briefing.
More details to follow….


The last patient of Corona, who was admitted to Services Hospital, Lahore, also recovered.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid has said that there are no more patients suffering from corona in Services Hospital. The last patient of corona has also been discharged.
He said that there were a total of 60 patients of Corona in the ICU of Services Hospital who have now recovered and returned home.
On the other hand, Principal Services Hospital Dr. Mahmood Ayaz said that doctors and other staff were fulfilling their responsibilities till the night before Eid. The services of the medical staff are commendable.
Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid has appealed to the citizens of Lahore to keep the city clean on Eid-ul-Adha and said that the citizens should throw their garbage in containers through waste bags.


Atmar, a former national security adviser to President Ghani, said that the government’s term ends on 22 May, nearly two months before presidential election on 20 July.
“Considering the government’s performance, there is no national trust that the current government could lead us to a free, fair, inclusive and credible election,” Atmar said at a press conference in Kabul. “It is essential that the nation discusses the issue at the Loya Jirga and consider constitutional solutions.”
President Ghani, who is seeking a second five-year term, has previously said that he would remain in office till presidential election results.
Commenting on the government’s dismissal of top election officials, Atmar criticized the decision as unilateral and hasty. He said that the presidential hopefuls should have been consulted beforehand.
Atmar also said that the government was removing its political rivals ahead of the upcoming vote. He said that 12 officials, including Mohammad Mohaqiq, who had links to his election team had been dismissed or forced to resign.
The presidency rejected Atmar’s claims.
Haroon Chakhansoori, a spokesman for President Ghani, said that the dismissals were part of the government’s reform plan.
Monday 18 February 2019 18:56


Dubai developer, Sobha Realty aims for USD1.6B in real estate sales
(MENAFN) Dubai developer Sobha Realty is optimistic on the UAE real estate market and is aiming for USD1.6 billion in sales the current year as the nation's economy remains rebounding from the pandemic.
According to Francis Alfred, chief executive and managing director of Sobha Realty statement to a news agency, predictions for the firm’s sales is 60 per cent more than 2021.
He stated, “we have put in a high target because we are considering the market growth and the opportunities for a company like Sobha.”
The developer is establishing the USD4bn Sobha Hartland scheme presently with 9,000 units near Mohammed bin Rashid City. It aims to begin work on another development, also worth USD4bn, in the July-September period of this year over increasing investor demand.
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SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Press Club has condemned the assault on the media persons by the police, who were covering a Muharram procession in Srinagar today.
The club demands that the police authorities take action against the concerned policemen involved in the incident and sensitise their rank and file to respect media freedom.
Scores of media persons were on Tuesday thrashed by the policemen when they were performing their professional duties at Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar.
The media persons, including photojournalists, were covering the Muharram procession at Jahangir Chowk today when the sleuths from Shergari Police Station beat them to the pulp “without any provocations”.
Observing that the media persons were performing their professional duty, the Club in its statement termed the police action as uncalled for and unfortunate.
The Club reiterates that the police authorities need to respect the freedom of the press as enshrined under the Constitution and ensure strict disciplinary action against the guilty policemen involved in the incident.


New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the interests of the poor have been at the centre of every Budget of his government.
Addressing the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting in New Delhi, PM Modi said the Union Budget 2023-24 has taken care of all sections of society.
Briefing the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi quoted the Prime Minister as saying that this Union Budget has been brought keeping in mind the interests of the poor.
PM Modi asked BJP MPs to interact with the poor and the middle class in their constituencies and appraised them about the benefits of the Union Budget. He added that conversation should be held with all sections and efforts should be made to tell people about the government’s good intentions.
Mr Joshi informed that the Prime Minister said that whenever the Budget is presented there are always a few people to oppose it but this time even those who are against the ideology of BJP have welcomed the Budget.
On logjam in Parliament, the Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that the two Houses will function smoothly from today.


Govt taking effective steps for country's progress: CM Punjab
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said that the government is taking effective steps for the progress and development of the country.
In a statement in Lahore on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said government is focusing on development of less and far-flung areas.
He regretted that previous government paid attention towards construction of bridges and roads and neglected education and health sectors.
Usman Buzdar said that previous government only chanted hollow slogans and taken hefty loans, which were not spent for the welfare of masses.


USA Soccer Team to Receive Federal Protection
5/29/2010 9:00 AM PT
TMZ has learned the USA soccer team will have top-notch security when they travel to South Africa for the World Cup -- courtesy of the U.S. State Department.
A rep for the squad tells us the feds have agreed to aid in protecting the team -- particularly at their hotel and while traveling to and from the stadiums.
We’re told the State Dept. has been working for more than a year with the local police departments in Johannesburg -- which have been more than cooperative.
Several major U.S. political figures have announced that they will be attending the matches -- including Joe Biden and Bill Clinton.


Etisalat, banks reach agreement over $1.2b debt
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says Etisalat and its creditors have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to the 1.2 billion dollars indebtedness.
Mr Tony Ojobo, the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, said in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday that a smooth transitional process was currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms.
He said that the amicable resolution would allay the fears of stakeholders on enquiries regarding the current position on Etisalat Nigeria.
Ojobo said that the commission was confident that the amicable resolutions reached by the parties would further strengthen Etisalat’s capacity to continue to provide services to its over 20 million customers.
According to him, the resolutions will help Etisalat fulfil its obligations to its other stakeholders as a fast growing business concern.
“This is regardless of any changes that the parties have agreed to Etisalat’s ownership, its board and/or executive management.
“We further wish to assure that as empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the commission will continue to work assiduously with all industry stakeholders.
“This is to ensure that the Nigerian telecommunications industry remains capable of playing its critical role as a key driver of national socioeconomic development,” he said.
Ojobo said that the NCC was mindful of the need to sustain the industry’s significant contribution to the National GDP, employment and infrastructure roll-out at all times.
He said that the commission’s intervention in the debt matter was informed by these considerations and was pleased about the success of the ongoing process.
“The commission also wishes to acknowledge the pivotal role of the Central Bank of Nigeria in resolving the matter in a manner that protects the interests of all stakeholders, especially the creditor banks and Etisalat’s over 20 million customers,” Ojobo said.


New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the National Herald case, will be asked the same set of questions which were asked to Rahul Gandhi during his five-day questioning, ED sources said.
Sonia Gandhi has been asked to join the probe in mid July by the ED. Her questioning, which was scheduled on June 23, was postponed on health grounds.
'We have to ask about her role in the deal between Young India and Associated Journal Ltd (AJL),' the sources said.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that late Motilal Vora was looking after these affairs. Vora held 12 per cent stake in Young India whereas Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi held 76 per cent stake.
As per ED, Gandhis were major beneficiaries in the whole deal.
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ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on Monday said that the participants of International Conference of Asian Polit
ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on Monday said that the participants of International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held in Baku, have expressed their full support to Kashmiri people living in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).
Talking to a private news channel programme, he said that Bangladesh and Malaysia have also supported the point of view of Kashmiri people, who wanted to resolve the issue as per United Nations Security Council charter.
Mushahid said that participants of the conference had demanded to end the massive human rights violations being committed by Indian forces in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Russia, Japan, Korea, and Central Asian States were also in favour of addressing the issue of Kashmir as per the UN charter, he stated.
To a question, he said that a large number of people took out a procession in Bangladesh for expressing solidarity with the IOJ&K people.
To another question, he said that the voice of IOJ&K people was being raised around the world so that the long standing issue of Kashmir could be addressed in a better way.


Organisers of the Electronic Game Show have announced that the 2003 event will take place in the World Trade Center, Mexico City from October 23rd to 26th. Last year’s event attracted more than 30,000 visitors and these figures are expected to rise to 32,000 this year.
The EGS will have more than 70 pavilions, a business and press center and conferences hosted by companies such as Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Atari and Nintendo. The event will also host a FIFA 2004
tournament named Cybercup, which will see 7,000 people competing on the popular soccer simulator.
For further details visit www.electronicgameshow.com


(MENAFN) According to Newsweek, Iranian officials have cautioned that American military action against their nation runs the risk of sparking a full-scale conflict. There have been rumors that Washington may have been involved in a recent drone strike on an Iranian military facility.
The Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nation warned Newsweek on Monday that any deployment of “the use of the military option at any level means US entry into the war.” The statement said Iran presently views such a prospect as "weak." Nevertheless, it went on to say that if "the US miscalculates and starts a war," Washington would be responsible for the dire repercussions for the region and the rest of the globe.
The remarks were made following a Saturday night attack on a building belonging to the Iranian Defense Ministry in the city of Isfahan. The Wall Street Journal and the Jerusalem Post, among other news organizations, claimed that Israel had launched the attack from within Iran. Three tiny drones apparently carrying explosive payloads were used in the attack.
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At least people 25 people, including policemen were killed and 69 others injured in the week-long operation launched by police and Frontier Corps (FC).
During the operation most of the people were stranded in their houses without electricity, water and food supply.
However, a considerable number of people managed to evacuate the area. According to reports, receiving from Lyari, business and schools have been opened while people were seen going to their jobs.
On Friday, authorities decided to postponed the operation for 48-hours, saying a joint operation would be launched by police and the Rangers to arrest the culprits.
Sources said that Balochistan Governor Nawab Nadir Magsi played vital role in the cease fire.


Arab League: "no peace without Palestinian cause settlement"
(MENAFN) Normal Arab relations with Israel will not be reached without a fair and permanent settlement of the Palestinian cause, Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said, Wednesday.
"It will not be possible to establish normal relations between the Arabs and Israel before settling the Palestinian cause fairly and permanently, ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," said Abul-Gheit.
These comments come after a meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian deputy foreign minister and special envoy of the Russian president to the Middle East, at the AL headquarters in Egypt's capital Cairo.
Both sides discussed the results of a mini-Arab ministerial meeting with European ministers on the Palestinian-Israeli peace process in the light of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer Washington's embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed holy city.
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The Kano State House of Assembly has fined Globacom N15m for failure to pay the state government N47m tax.
Chairman of the House ad-hoc Committee on Outstanding Taxes and Liabilties by GSM Service Providers, Alhaji Bello Butu-Butu made the disclosure while presenting the committee’s report to the house.
Butu-Butu explained that the committee had discovered that the globacom service provider owed Kano state government N47m tax.
He explained that the company had not pay tax to Kano state government for three years.
He said, “In the course of our investigation, we have discovered that the globacom has a total of 145 masts across the state as against 175 masts as claimed by the state government.”
He, however, said the committee had written a letter to state government resquesting it to reduce the outstanding tax hanging oj the company to enable it offset the bill.
The house has adopted the report and called on the state government to take neccessary action against any tax defaulters in the state.
The house also called on the State Government to direct all revenue generation agencies in the state to be proactive in discharging their duties.


ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Adviser on Finance Hafeez Sheikh has said the government is pursuing policies to ensure a sustainable economic prosperity.
Addressing a conference via video link on Wednesday, he said the country’s economy is on positive trajectory regardless of COVID-19. He said the government gave an economic stimulus package to support the industries and poor segments of the society.
The Adviser said the package to the construction industry has accelerated economic activities in the country.
Hafeez Sheikh said the government took difficult decisions to ensure fiscal discipline and reduced expenditures and no supplementary grants have been given to the ministries.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency )
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Kingdom's National Investment Strategy (NIS) on Monday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya .
According to SPA, the National Investment Strategy is one of the main enablers to achieve the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program.
The National Investment strategy will contribute to the growth of the national economy and diversifying its sources, which will achieve many of the goals of the Vision 2030, including raising the contribution of the private sector to the gross domestic product to 65 percent, and promoting foreign direct investment to reach 5.7 percent of the total GDP.
When launching Vision 2030, the Crown Prince said:“Our country has huge investment capabilities, and we will seek to be an engine for our economy and an additional resource for our country.”
The strategy will also achieve the vision's goals of increasing the proportion of non-oil exports from 16 percent to 50 percent of the total non-oil GDP, reducing the unemployment rate to 7 percent, and advancing the Kingdom to one of the top ten positions in the global competitiveness index by 2030.
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Letter to the editor
Robbed, by the men in striped shirts
I was at the matchup between Handley and I.C. Norcom at VCU’s Siegel Center last week.
As we know, Handley led comfortably for most of the game. But with…
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(MENAFN- Iraq Business News) By John Lee.
Iraq's Ministry of Oil has announced that the Oil Pipelines Company has completed the first phase of rehabilitating the 12-inch dry gas pipeline from the East Baghdad field to Taji power station.
Mr. Ali Abdul Kareem Al-Moussawi, the Director General of the Oil Pipelines Company, stated that the company's technical and engineering teams successfully completed maintenance and rehabilitation works along a 13-kilometer stretch of the pipeline.
This achievement contributes to the government's and the Ministry of Oil's plans to invest in flared gas from the East Baghdad field using Carbon Credit financing, marking the first such experiment in Iraq, in accordance with international standards, agreements, and frameworks.
Mr. Al-Moussawi also highlighted the upcoming discharge of the dry gas produced from the East Baghdad field, as well as the enhancement of electricity production by delivering gas to the Taji power station.
He noted that the maintenance and rehabilitation works were completed within an exceptional timeframe of no more than one month, involving the rehabilitation of the pipeline and the maintenance of associated parts.
(Source: Ministry of Oil)
The post Oil Ministry Completes Rehabilitation of Gas Pipeline first appeared on Iraq Business News .
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OIC condemns shooting incident in Las Vegas
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Jeddah, Muharram 13, 1439, October 03, 2017, SPA -- The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has condemned the shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday night, killing more than 50 people and injuring hundreds.
Secretary-General of the Organization, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the US people and government, wishing the speedy recovery of the injured.
He also expressed his deep regret at the occurrence of such heinous criminal and terrorist acts targeting innocent civilians, reiterating the firm position of the Organization against all forms of violence and terrorism, stressing that terrorism has no religion, no country or race, which requires concerted regional and international efforts to combat it in all its forms and manifestations.
02:34 LOCAL TIME 23:34 GMT
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Malawi government through the ministry of foreign affairs has disclosed that it will fire support staff working in embassies around the globe.
Confirming the development, spokesperson for the ministry Rejoice Shumba said the move will help the country to save money used to pay salaries for the workers.
Speaking on the local press, Shumba said Malawi is to save K200 million after chopping off 123 support staff working in the country’s embassies.
“They were just too many and we have been spending a lot. Those people that are to be fired include drivers, receptionists, and secretaries,” said Shumba.
Malawi government also embarked on recalling employees who have worked in embassies for a long period as part of public reforms the country works towards on.
However, the recalled embassy workers are yet to come back to Malawi as government has failed to give them money to be used for their journey back home.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) Rafael Grossi is scheduled to visit the Zaporozhye nuclear
power plant next week to assess the safety and security situation
at the facility and to underscore the urgent need to protect it
during the ongoing military conflict, the IAEA said in a statement
on Saturday, trend reports citing tass .
"I've decided to travel again to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power
Plant to see for myself how the situation has evolved since
September (Grossi's latest visit to the NPP was on September 1,
2022) and to talk to those operating the facility in these
unprecedented and very difficult circumstances," the statement
quoted Grossi as saying.
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(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor)
Dubai: Emirates has announced plans to up frequencies to Mauritius starting 1 October 2022. Now, the airline operates double-daily Airbus A380 services to this island destination. The additional evening frequency which will operate up till 31 January 2023 is in response to increased travel demand to and from Mauritius,
The third-daily flight will boost seat capacity to and from Mauritius by approximately 35%, catering to the surge in demand and providing added support to the tourism industry during one of the busiest travel seasons.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said,“Emirates is committed to playing a key role to promote inbound travel, and support the government in achieving its goal of hosting 1.4 million tourists by June 2023.”
In May this year, Emirates renewed its MoU with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) aimed at jointly promoting the island destination across Emirates' global network. Mauritius is a very popular leisure destination, and continues to experience consistent growth post-pandemic.
In addition to carrying more passengers, Emirates' third-daily flight between Dubai and Mauritius will provide around 30-40 tonnes of cargo belly-hold capacity for businesses.
Emirates started operations to Mauritius in September 2002 with three weekly flights and currently is in its 20th year of operations to the Indian Ocean destination.
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KARACHI: Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) president Saleem-uz-Zaman said that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, the government should keep its expenditure to a minimum in the upcoming budget for the betterment of the economy and the people.
He welcomed the statement of Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in which he emphasized on increasing the tax net instead of increasing the rate on existing taxpayers.
Saleem-uz-Zaman said that it was inevitable to increase the tax net in the face of inflation and economic difficulties.
He said that in the next budget, the government should bring non-development expenditure to a minimum, adding that the current situation demanded that the budget should be people and business-friendly.
He said that a large portion of the budget from the federation and the provinces should be utilized for the welfare of the people, elimination of unemployment
and in the health and education sectors on priority basis.
KATI president said that the industrialist and the business community have been constantly emphasizing that urgent steps are needed to reduce the cost of production, that the government should introduce new policies to facilitate the taxpayers and spread the tax net and also make necessary regulations to reduce income tax, sales tax and federal excise taxes.
Saleem-uz-Zaman said that the government should introduce long-term and short-term plans and positive policies to improve the economic indicators so as to increase exports, reduce unemployment and accelerate economic prosperity in the country.
KATI president hoped that the government would take special measures in the budget for the next financial year to provide affordable electricity and gas to industries and to the people.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021


Hyderabad: Indirectly indicating that the Andhra Pradesh police was protecting cash-for-vote scam accused Jerusalem Mattaiah, AP Director-General of Police J.V. Ramudu said on Wednesday that it was the duty of the police to help when someone sought protection.
Without taking any names, Mr Ramudu said that based on a complaint the police was providing needed help to a “victim”. However, he denied that there was growing rivalry between the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state police and added that the entire force gave priority to the national interest.
Responding to a question from reporters regarding allegations that the AP police was protecting Mr Mattaiah and other absconding accused in the cash-for-vote scam, the police chief said, “The police is not partial. But we will have to protect the complainant since the matter is in the courts.”
Mr Mattaiah had apparently fled to Vijayawada and approached the AP police seeking protection after Telangana ACB sleuths started arresting the accused in the scam.
Earlier, the TS ACB had found that Mr Mattaiah and Mr Jimmy Babu were being protected by some “influential people”. ACB officials had also started exploring legal avenues to tackle these people. They said that if necessary, they would send a notice to the AP police in this regard.
Denying allegations that the AP and TS police were at loggerheads, Mr Ramudu said, “We are from the Indian Police Service. Serving the interest of our nation is our first priority. All other matters come second,” he said, adding that higher officials of both state police had a cordial meeting a day ago on official matters.


Brownsville Police raise money to fight against prostate and testicular cancer
November is designated nationally as the month to bring awareness on the fight against prostate and testicular cancer.
Brownsville Police have decided to show their support for the cause by letting their beards and mustaches grow to increase awareness on the subject.
The department says it’s going one step further by fundraising during the campaign. Any money donated to the Brownsville Police Department will go towards institutions that help men battle against these forms of cancer.


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the people of the country would vote for the Awami League (AL) in the next general election as it has changed the country and transformed it into a developing nation.
“We hope that the people will vote for us in the next general election as we have changed the country,” she said.
She was speaking at the meeting of AL presidium members at her official Ganabhaban residence here this afternoon.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of the AL, said that her party beleives in democracy and it has belief in the people.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has become a developing nation due to the relentless efforts of her government.
“The living standard of the people has been elevated as we are in power. We are reaching every facilities to the people’s doorsteps by taking community clinics, My House-My Firm and Ashrayan projects,” she said.
She reiterated her commitment that no one in Bangladesh would remain homeless, mentioning that cent percent people of the country has been brought under electricity coverage.
The Prime Minister said that they have made Bangladesh’s economy stable by giving various stimulus packages during the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Bangladesh’s GDP growth rate now stands at 6.94 percent and its per capita income is 2591 US dollar (despite the global economy has stuck due to the 1Covid-19),” she continued.


Paytm Payments Bank Staff Commits Suicide In Indore Due To Stress Over Potential Job Loss
(MENAFN- Live Mint) "A 35-year-old staffer of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd has committed suicide by hanging himself in Indore prima facie due to stress over potential job loss, police said on Monday.\"As per the preliminary investigation, Paytm staffer Gaurav Gupta was under stress for the last few days fearing that the company might close down and he might lose his job. We are investigating,\" said police inspector Taresh Kumar Soni said Gupta allegedly hanged himself at his house on Sunday Payments Bank announces board rejigPolice have not found any suicide note from the spot, Soni added Paytm and Byju's debacles dented startups' prospects? Experts weigh inNotably, the Reserve Bank has barred the PPBL from accepting deposits and credits from any customer post-March 15 for persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank.
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US campaigners fight child marriage
(MENAFN)Fraidy Reiss pledged to make a difference and stop child marriage in the United States, after being married off at the age of 19 to an abusive husband by her ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in New York City.
While campaigners globally are trying to promote the end of child marriage in such places as Africa and Asia, child marriage is actually legal in every one of the 50 US states.
Data in 38 states showed that between 2000 and 2010, about 170,000 children aged under 18 got married off according to Unchained at Last, a non-profit group set up by Reiss in 2011 to fight child marriage in the United States.
"People like to believe we are better than other countries and problems like violence against women and child marriage and forced marriage and pay inequity and all kinds of problems that happen in developing countries don't happen here." Reiss said.
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Did you miss: Calm returns to PE after protests
An eye witness, who only wants to be known as Witbooi, said the learners and teachers were sent messages using WhatsApp that there would be no school on Monday due to the organised protest.
Witbooi, who is also a resident, said the schools in the northern areas were short of teachers. The areas include Booysens Park, Helenvale and Jacksonville.
Witbooi also said that protesters were violent and police officers had to use rubber bullets, water cannons and teargas to disperse the protesters.
Later in the day, one pupil was reportedly wounded in Helenvale after being hit by a rubber bullet.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Marinda Mills said the police warned residents to avoid affected areas.
“It would be safer for people to avoid areas where there are demonstrations because they could be injured, we have had incidents in the past where bystanders were injured.”
Mills said some roads remained closed and police continue to maintain a high visibility in the area.
“Six police vehicles and one vehicle belonging to a community member were damaged. Criminal elements ceased the opportunity during the protests and tried to loot a shop in West End, but police acted swiftly and dispersed the crowd before the shop was looted.”
The police also said they have arrested two suspects who will appear in the Gelvandale Magistrate’s Court today.
By yesterday afternoon calm returned to the affected areas.
“The situation is slowly returning to normal. There are negotiations taking place at the moment,” she said.
Mills said that the allegation that police had used live ammunition on the protesters was untrue.
Eastern Cape education department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said the protests followed the closure of 23 schools in the area by the Northern Areas Forum.
“This was the catalyst for the protests. We have been shocked by the violence. This (the violence) has nothing to do with the issues. We didn’t close the schools.”
He said that the Northern Areas Forum had closed the schools at the start of the third term last week.
Last year in September, there was also a protest in Port Elizabeth against the shortage of teachers.


Current Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue as Prime Minister in a United National Front Government.
United National Party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that Wickremesinghe will also remain as the part leader.
Kariyawasam said that while a decision was taken to name United National Party Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the United National Front Presidential candidate at the upcoming elections, a decision has been taken that Wickremesinghe will be the Prime Minister.
He said that the UNP will hold its party convention on October 3rd and begin its election campaign at Galle Face on 10 October.
Kariyawasam said that there were no conditions put forward to nominate Premadasa as the Presidential candidate. (Colombo Gazette)


Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that apart from providing maximum resources from the provincial kitty, additional funding from public-private partnership arrangements and international lending agencies is being arranged to develop Karachi at a faster pace.
He stated this on Friday as he concluded the pre-budget discussion in the Sindh Assembly. Earlier during the debate in the house, the opposition legislators alleged that the Sindh government had much less focus on the development of Karachi.
The CM told the concerned legislators that up to 85 per cent of fiscal resources were being spent on Karachi of all the out-of-budget special development schemes being completed in the province in the current fiscal year.
He said that a number of important schemes related to road infrastructure were being completed in Karachi, including the road from the Y-junction to Gulbai and roads in SITE industrial area. He conceded in the house that road infrastructure had been in shambles in the SITE area.
Shah said the mode of public-private partnership was being utilised to build a treatment plant and a system to treat industrial effluents before their discharge into the sea. He said that different schemes were also being completed to overcome the water shortage in Karachi.
The chief minister said that around Rs600 billion was annually being spent by his government to pay the salaries and pensions to the employees of his government, and this figure didn’t cover the staffers of the municipal agencies and health institutions like the NICVD and the SIUT that were the recipients of annual grants from the Sindh government.
He said the timely measures taken by his government, including the expansion of healthcare facilities and lockdown measures enforced in the province last year, had gone a long way in protecting the lives of the people of Sindh against the deadly coronavirus infection.
He said that owing to the efforts and services of his government, the coronavirus statistics of Sindh had been much better as compared to the rest of the country by all accounts. He said Sindh had done 87 per cent more coronavirus testing of its population as compared to the rest of the provinces.
The chief minister further remarked that the tax collection by his government had been far better than that being done by the centre, and that was why he had demanded that the authority to collect the general sales tax on goods should also be devolved to the provinces as was the case of the GCT on services.
The performance of the Sindh Revenue Board and the Excise & Taxation Department in generating revenue for his government had been exemplary so far, he claimed.
Earlier, speaking in the house, Leader of Opposition Haleem Adil Shaikh, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party had done nothing for the province, but the centre had been duly performing its role for the development of the province.
He disclosed in the house that the Kmayab Jawan Programme of the federal government was going to be launched in the province from June 15. He said that Rs10 billion would be spentto extend the loan facility to the youth of the province to help them do business.
He said that the law and order situation had been worsening in the province, and no ambulance service was available to the poor people of the province. He said the Sindh government should tolerate the opposition in the province as the latter was present to duly identify the shortcomings and failures of the former in doing the public service. Shaikh added that vaccination was not available in the healthcare facilities of the province to treat dog-bite patients. He said the federal government had provided the coronavirus vaccine to vaccinate the people against the coronavirus infection.
He said billions of rupees were spent on affairs related to the Sindh Irrigation Department, but there was no system of accountability of this massive expenditure of public money. He said that earlier international media had published stories on the outbreak of HIV in Larkana, and that spoke volumes about the performance of the Sindh Health Department.
The Sindh government reconstituted the Sindh Non-Muslim Welfare Committee on Tuesday to induct a few new leaders from...
A judicial magistrate on Saturday gave police five more days to complete the probe of the Mehran Town factory fire...
Workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan took part in a protest on Saturday to show their anger over deserving...
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Administrator Murtaza Wahab has announced that an aviary will be established at the...
Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal on Saturday said that the Pakistan Peoples Party had been abusing...
Prominent civil society activists from various professions in a joint letter have questioned Sindh Chief Minister Syed...


(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) The Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has the support of its parliament on deciding to go it alone in oil exports if the central Iraqi administration does not pay Erbil's share of the budget, diplomatic sources have said.
The KRG Prime Minister Nechervan Barzani met with a parliamentary group representing all parties Wednesday, and ensured their backing in the case of a potential break with Baghdad, according to the sources.
Barzani also reportedly said that an oil company was ready to pay $2 billion for Kurdish oil, and it was one of many international firms eager to do business with the KRG, said the sources.
On Dec. 2 2014, Erbil and Baghdad agreed that Iraq would export the KRG oil and in exchange, the central government would give Erbil a share from the federal budget.
According to the agreement, the KRG was to export 250,000 barrels of oil per day, with the Kirkuk province providing 300,000 barrels per day under the supervision of central oil marketing company. In return, Baghdad was to provide 17 percent of the national budget to the KRG.
There have been numerous disputes between Erbil and Baghdad due to the amount of crude oil being exported. While Erbil accuses the central government of failing to provide its full share from the national budget, Baghdad claims the KRG has not delivered the promised amount of crude oil from Kirkuk.
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An 80% increase in wages has been recorded by the National Insurance Services (NIS) over the past 17 years.
That’s according to Prime Minister and former Finance Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who was speaking at a media conference on Monday at Cabinet Room, who noted that the average wage per person, was over 12-thousand per annum.
PM Gonsalves pointed out that 17 years later, under his ruling ULP administration, there has been an increase to about $21-thousand dollars per year, per person.
The Prime Minister said figures from the NIS show that since 2000, there has been more than 6,000 registered persons employed.
PM Gonsalves further noted that there are now over 20-thousand active employers in the country compared to 2000, when there were some 1700 employers.


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Chennai, Sep 6 (IANS) Actor Sibi Sathyaraj, the son of well known actor Sathyaraj, has begun work on his next film, an investigative crime thriller that is being directed by Ilaiyaraja Kaliyaperumal.
Tentatively titled Production Number 1, the film is being produced by Latha Babu and Durgaini of Duvin Studios.
Sources say that the story of the yet-to-be-titled movie revolves around a murder and that Sibi Sathyaraj appears in three different looks in the film.
Interestingly, this film will have no female leads. However, the story would involve around 25 characters. The film has an ensemble star cast comprising Dileep of 'Vathikuchi' fame, Gajaraj, 'Aadukalam' Murugadoss, Raj Ayyappa, Pazhaya Joke Thangadurai and Vijay TV Kureshi among others.
Cinematography for the film will be by Karthick Venkat Raman and music is by Sundaramoorthy KS.
Sources say that the movie will be shot and completed in a single-stretch schedule across Chennai.
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Schieffer: No Mandate
“He’s not going to have a mandate here. The President has been re-elected, but nobody's put the stamp of approval on his…
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Story | Mar 4, 2012 | 4:24 PMIf you look at the official boxscore from the Phillies spring training opener with the Yankees on Saturday, you'll see that Dave Bush was charged with a blown save in the 8-5 loss. That's because the likely IronPigs starter "failed" to protect the 2-1 lead he


Building on the theme of working together – which he celebrated the Salvation Army for doing – Ball said that is also what is required of the people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The challenges we face, even though not the same in their magnitude, most definitely require the people of our province to come together,” Ball said during the keynote address.
The decisions that were made have an impact, he acknowledged, and they were tough ones for a government to make. The criticism he has faced has also had an impact, he said after his presentation.
“It’s never lost upon an individual,” he said. “I live in the communities as well.”
The premier said members of government recognized individuals would feel these decisions, and expected there to be displeasure.
“I also know we were at a crossroads, we are at a critical juncture,” he said.
While the criticism has been great, Ball said there is support in not making the “political” or popular decisions. The tough decisions were made so the province could have a better future, he said, and suggested people need to work together rather than fight against one another to obtain it.
He said government is protecting the vulnerable in society, including the seniors and low-income earners. Ball acknowledged others will pay more, but he also said the province has benefitted from past oil wealth.
He addressed the temporary deficit reduction levy — a term that immediately brought the crowd to laughter — and clarified the income brackets are based on taxable income. He said 38 per cent of the province will not pay the levy, and there are programs in place to assist those in difficult situations.
Although much of the focus has been on the negative, the premier said there are many positives in the $8.48-billion budget. However, even he felt the need to defend against the criticism.
“I am not proud at all of some of the decisions we have had to make, and I don’t mind saying that,” he said. “They were difficult. When I look at the choices we had, there were not too many clear choices we could have had to do things differently.
“Have we been perfect? No, we have not. What we have done is to put measures in place to secure our future.”


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(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) New York, Jan. 10 (Petra) -- United Nation (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, on Wednesday, condemned an upsurge in civilian casualties in Eastern Ghouta in Syria, amid the recent escalation in airstrikes and ground-based attacks by Government forces and their allies.
In a statement issued by the UN News Centre, Prince Zeid said all parties are obliged under international law to distinguish between lawful military targets and civilians and civilian objects.
He also expressed "grave concern" about the situation of an estimated two million people in Idlib, which saw an increase in the clashes.
"The suffering of the people of Syria knows no end. Residential areas in Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of the nation's capital, Damascus, are being hit day and night by strikes from the ground and the air, forcing civilians to hide in basements. Armed opposition groups also continue to fire rockets into residential areas in Government-controlled Damascus. In Idlib, ground attacks and airstrikes have escalated as a rapidly-moving Government offensive gains momentum, jeopardizing the safety of hundreds of thousands of civilians," said the UN human rights chief.
"I repeat my call for the parties to ensure strict adherence to international law including by ensuring the protection of civilians from the effects of hostilities and to allow unhindered access by humanitarian agencies to provide badly needed aid, in Eastern Ghouta, where at least 390,000 civilians have been living under siege for four years," Prince Zeid concluded.
10/1/2018 - 09:21:50 PM
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New Delhi [India], May 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the measures and reforms announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will have a transformative impact on health and education sectors.
He also stressed that the economic stimulus will boost entrepreneurship, help public sector units and revitalise the village economy.
"Measures and reforms announced by the Finance Minister today will have a transformative impact on our health and education sectors. They will boost entrepreneurship, help public sector units and revitalise the village economy. Reform trajectories of the states will also get an impetus," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Under the final tranche of the economic package, Sitharaman earlier today announced that the Centre has allocated an additional amount of Rs 40,000 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
She also announced that public expenditure on health will be increased and a dedicated hospital block for treatment of infectious diseases will be set up in each district across the country. (ANI)


State Secretary: Pandemic has been a stress test for communities and economies all over the world
Zoltán Kovács told the BBC that the state of emergency powers enabled the government to take firm and timely action at the time of the crisis.
Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary of International Communication and Relations, said the novel coronavirus pandemic has been a stress test for governments, local communities and economies all over the world.
During an appearance on a BBC program, Kovács said that Hungarian healthcare did well in that test, however, its weaknesses were also demonstrated. Those deficiencies, such as a lack of supplies, were similar to those in other European countries, adding that the experiences gained could become useful in the future.
Answering a question about the Hungarian government’s special powers during the state of emergency, the state secretary said that the government’s power was based on a huge democratic mandate and a two-thirds majority in parliament. Kovács said that position enabled the government to take firm and timely action at the time of crisis, adding that the figures have proven the efficiency of those actions.
Concerning a suggestion that large companies had increased their revenues during the pandemic while others went bankrupt, Kovács said that Hungary’s representatives in the European Union were working to highlight that fact and that the bloc should protect itself against such challenges.
Photo credit: Magyar Nemzet


BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Around 5,000 Pakistani students are stranded in Kyrgyzstan with no food supplies and medical facilities, and they have appealed to the government of Pakistan to arrange their immediate repatriation.
In a video message, the students said that they have been suffering immense hardships in Kyrgyzstan as the Central Asian Country battles with the COVID-19 pandemic and its major Cities including the Capital Bishkek are under lockdown imposed by the authorities as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus.
So far over 400 Coronavirus Cases have been detected in Kyrgyzstan while five of the patients have lost their lives.
Apprising about their situation they are dealing with, the Pakistani students said that since all banks have been shut down; therefore, they can’t withdraw their money from ATMs.
They said that Kyrgyzstan lacks basic facilities and they are facing the acute food shortage and health issues. They said that even the prices of available food have soared sky-high, making it difficult for them to purchase them.
Furthermore, they said that the Kyrgyz police have arrested a number of students and slapped heavy fines on them, which have further worsened their woes.
They said that they also have to face discriminatory treatment in Kyrgyzstan as the Local Community is being given the preference over Pakistanis and they are being denied the livelihoods and medical facilities at various outlets.
The students were also of the view that now they are being offered online Courses since the institutions have been shut amid the lockdown, and added that if their physical attendance is no more required in such circumstances, they can attend the online Courses while being in Pakistan.
Talking to the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency, the Chairman Students Union Kyrgyzstan Arbaz Khan said that there are around 5,000 Pakistani students stranded in the Central Asian Country, and yet no one from the Pakistani Mission has approached them so far.
Arbaz Khan told that now they are facing a serious shortage of money and there is no way that they can acquire it from their relatives etc in Pakistan.
Thus, they demanded the government of Pakistan to take stock of their plight, and ensure that they are repatriated immediately.


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Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Jubaland President Ahmed Islam met for the first time in Dhusamareb since the political crisis between the central government and Jubaland erupted. The meeting, which took place at the Galmudug State House in Dhusamareb, the residence of President Farmajo, came after efforts since last night to bring the two sides together.
According to our source, President Farmajo’s advisor told Somali Times that the meeting was co-chaired by Prime Minister Khaire, Galmudug President Ahmed Qorqor and HirShabelle Waare President who worked hard to bring the two sides together before the opening of the general assembly. No details have been released about the meeting, but people close to it said it was mostly a goodwill showdown before the opening of the conference of federal and state leaders.
It was the first time the two officials had met face to face since the federal government declared Ahmed Madobe’s election in Jubaland null and void. One of the things that is expected to be registered in Dhusamareb is to resolve the dispute between the central government and Ahmed Madobe, which is part of the challenges facing the opening of the conference of Heads of Federal and State Governments.


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Bharat City is a project of joint venture of HDFC PMS and BCC Group. Bharat City is an Indraprastha Yojana in Ghaziabad near Hindon Airbase. Bharat City Ghaziabad is a world class township engulfed in sprawling greens, which is a complete retreat for your senses, equipped with the most modern amenities.
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Al Hammadi Meets IAEA's Director-General
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi met with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) H E Rafael Grossi, on the sidelines of the 66th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, being held in Vienna, Austria. During the meeting, they reviewed relations, in addition to issues of common interest.
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District 13: Rep. Wieland seeks third term
Representative Alon Wieland announced that he is seeking a third term in the North Dakota House of Representatives from District 13 in West Fargo.
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(MENAFN) The chief of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), in a gathering with the Vietnamese envoy to Tehran on Monday, stated that developing two-sided exchange among the two nations is going to eliminate the obstacles established by shortage of banking relations.
As said by Gholam-Hossein Shafeie, developing two-sided exchange is going to cause a higher surge in the trade exchanges among the two nations, the ICCIMA portal mentioned in a report.
Talking about Vietnam’s USD550 billion exchange this year, Shafeie stated that “Although the economic relations between Iran and Vietnam have a favorable level and the fields of cooperation between the two countries are very diverse, there are also serious problems which have prevented the realization of existing capacities.”
Shafeie highlighted banking and financial issues and transportation problems as the two major problems to the improvement of financial ties among the two nations and also stated that “Fortunately, barter trade between the two countries, especially in the agricultural sector, has a very high capacity. We need tropical fruits and rice, while Vietnam needs Iranian products such as apples, pomegranates, and other agricultural products. Therefore, it is possible to increase the barter trade interactions between the two countries through serious negotiations and leave the banking problems behind.”
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Samana, April 12:
Continuing the exercise of closing toll plazas across Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann closed the ninth toll plaza on Wednesday and said that this toll plaza had been closed in the public interest and that more such toll plazas would be closed in the days to come.
After getting the toll plaza on the Samana-Patran road closed, the Chief Minister said that these toll plazas were actually open loot shops for common people. He said that these toll dealers blindly looted the people by ignoring all the conditions of their agreements. Bhagwant Mann said that it is surprising that instead of taking action against these toll plaza companies in the public interest, the previous governments turned a blind eye to these irregularities.
The Chief Minister said that though the people elected the governments to protect their interests, the power-hungry politicians acted as shields to such defaulters for their selfish interests. He said that the previous governments ignored the arbitrariness of these toll plazas and allowed them to make money illegally without caring for the common people. Bhagwant Mann said that despite the agreement on even one of the closed toll plazas, arrangements for ambulances and recovery vans were not made.
The Chief Minister said that the agreement for these toll plazas was signed on September 1, 2005, during the time of the Captain government, and this toll was imposed for sixteen and a half years. He said that due to several lapses, the company was fined Rs 1.48 crore, and due to lapses, the toll could have been closed on June 24, 2013. Bhagwant Mann said that this never happened and this toll could have been closed on October 16, 2018 due to the non-repair of this road, but no action was initiated.
The Chief Minister said that after assuming office, when our government issued notices to toll plazas for violations, the company went to court. He said that the court rejected the application, and the government decided to close it in the public interest. Bhagwant Mann said that due to the closure of this toll plaza, Rs 3.80 lakh would be saved daily for the common people.
The Chief Minister said that on the pretext of the farmer’s movement and the COVID pandemic, the company had demanded an extension of toll timings, but the government cancelled it. He said that this work should have been done earlier, but earlier Chief Ministers did not care about protecting the interests of the people but worked day and night to fulfil the interests of the company. Bhagwant Mann made it clear that each and every penny looted from the people would be recovered at any cost and that an FIR would be lodged against this company. Will also be registered.
The Chief Minister said that the people of the state had elected him to form the government a year ago by pressing the button on the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Bhagwant Mann said that now, within a year, he will be dedicating new projects to the people of the state by pressing four to five buttons daily. He said that the day was not far when Punjab would become the number one state in the country with the untiring efforts of the state government.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the government to punish the culprits of sacrilege incidents in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that for the first time, the state government has taken a step in this direction. He said that justice is not far away in these cases, as a challan has already been presented in court to ensure the strictest punishment for the culprits. Bhagwant Mann said that justice could have been done in the cases of sacrilege earlier as well, but the previous governments did not pay attention to them.
The Chief Minister said that conventional political parties were hostile to him because they could not digest the fact that a common man’s son was running the state in such an impressive manner. He said that the previous governments used to work for their own benefits without caring for the interests of the people. Bhagwant Mann said that now the son of a school teacher is protecting the interests of the people and the state.
Information and Public Relations Minister and Local Samana MLA Chetan Singh Jodamajra, Public Works and Energy Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Guralal Ghanaur, and Kulwant Singh, the Chief Minister’s media director Baltej Pannu, Ranjodh Singh Hadana, I.G. Mukhwinder Singh Chhina, DC Sakshi Sahni, S.S.P. Varun Sharma, and local residents were also present.


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