The chief of police in Jayapura has declared that the demonstration organised by the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) on 20 March was in violation of the regulations in force.
‘We have noticed that such actions are occurring more frequently and that they differ from other demonstrations that have been held. because the participants were carrying traditional attributes such as bows and arrows, police chief Alfred Papare told journalists.
He said several things had occurred : stones were thrown at members of the police force, flower pots were destroyed and attacks were made against journalist which had resulted in serious traffic congestion.
He said that in any action the police take against these people who have violated the law, they also expect the local government to support them against those who are acting in violation of the law.
‘Even though these actions did not turn anarchistic, I insist that they should not happen again; if this happens we will take firm action and we call on the local government authorities to support us in this,’ he said.
He also called on the local people who become involved in such actions to carefully consider the consequences of such actions, and to consider whether they are in violation of the laws in force.
I would like to remind all people living in and around Jayapura that they should consider what the aim of the action is and whether such actions are in conformity with the law. Dont just play around and start getting involved,’ he said. He said that people have the right to speak about their aspirations but they must not violate the law.
He also said that people who take part in such actions should not carry sharp weapons while under the influence of drink or behave like anarchists towards the general public but make sure that pedestrians are not prevented from using the pavements.
If these conditions are not complied with, he said, the police will take firm action.
As for the news that further actions are planned to take place on 5 April, he said that the police will take action to prevent this from happening.
[Translated by TAPOL]


MAKIRA ULAWA SIGNS UP FOR COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE
The Makira Ulawa provincial government together with the national government have signed a participation agreement for the province to participate in a pilot programme to strengthen community governance initiated by the World Bank.
Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Dudley Kopu and Makira Ulawa Premier Thomas Weape signed the agreement last week.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Stanley Pirione said the programme was compiled from 2010-2011 studies on community governance in Solomon Islands.
He said the studies showed that both the national and provincial governments are detached from the communities and that communities lack confidence in government service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary said though the programme comes in a conflict resolution perspective, it will also deal with general governance issues.
He said the National Government and the World Bank have signed the grant agreement for the programme which will be funded by AusAid and a sum of US$3 million has been made available.
Mr Pirione said Rennell and Bellona will also be covered by the pilot programme.
Premier Weape described the programme as a significant initiative by the World Bank, saying that the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government accepted its participation in the programme because it is worthwhile.


ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the cricket system in the country needs to be restructured which will make Pakistan unbeatable in the world. The Prime Minister said this while addressing the signing ceremony of agreements among Pakistan Television (PTV), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and cable operators regarding Pakistan Cricket broadcast and cable distribution rights here on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, while terming the agreement as a positive step, said it will provide lead to PTV in cricket broadcasts. He said that it is also important for cricket fans in the country. Imran Khan said the cricket broadcast will increase PTV’s coverage and quality. He said that there is a lot of cricket talent in Pakistan which needs to be polished, adding the cricket system in the country needs to be restructured. He advised the PCB to increase the competition level of players. Regarding possible increase in license fee of PTV, the Prime Minister said the government is waiting for its business plan.


UAE issues travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmirtext_fields
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has advised citizens to postpone travel to Jammu and Kashmir and called upon those who are there to follow instructions of local authorities, the media reported on Thursday.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) on Wednesday said in a tweet: "As a result of the current situation, the Ministry advises citizens to postpone travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the time being, and calls upon those who are there to follow the instructions of local authorities."
The development comes after the Indian government on Monday scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and converted the state into a Union Territory with a legislature.
It also split the state by hiving off Ladakh region and making it into a Union Territory without a legislature.
Germany, Australia and the UK have already advised their citizens against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.


A three-car collision occurred on a main Leeds road this afternoon.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called to the Stanningley Bypass shortly before 1.30pm.
A Mercedes 220, Peugeot 206 and Mini Cooper were involved, a force spokesman said.
The spokesman said that the vehicles had been recovered and the road was cleared.
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that its staff that were on their way somewhere else came across the scene and checked the people involved, but nobody needed hospital treatment.


Beijing, Oct 14 (IANS) Typhoon Kompasu, the 18th of this year, made landfall in China's island province of Hainan.
The typhoon landed on the coast of Boao Township in the city of Qionghai at 3.30 p.m., on Wednesday, packing winds of up to 118.8 km per hour, Xinhua news agency quoted the Hainan meteorological service as saying.
The typhoon has weakened after landing and is forecast to move across the southern part of Hainan before entering the Beibu Gulf early on Thursday morning.
Typhoon Kompasu, coupled with a cold front, was forecast to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the sea and land areas of Hainan until Thursday.
Ahead of the landfall, authorities had cancelled all flights at major airports across the province and suspended the local high-speed railway loop line service, as well as ferries across Qiongzhou Strait, which connect Hainan with Guangdong province.
The island province has adopted an emergency response plan to cope with heavy winds and floods, including suspending classes, work and markets, and closure tourist attractions.
Guangdong province has also taken precautions to safeguard residents' lives and property.
Schools, kindergartens, construction sites and tourist attractions in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan have been temporarily closed.
Temporary traffic control is in operation along the fairway of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and ships are prohibited from passing the bridge.
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Algeria successfully launches telecom satellite
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ALGIERS, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- Algeria has fired into orbit Alcomsat-I communication satellite from China.
Alcomsat-I, with the Algerian flag painted on it, was launched into orbit at 6:40 p.m. GMT, by the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), in partnership with China, the ASAL said in a press statement Sunday.
It added that the satellite was launched by the Chinese Long March 3B rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, in Sichuan Province.
The Algerian satellite is used for telecommunications, broadcasting and Internet, it pointed out. (end) fhb.ibi
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(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Tafileh, Sept 24 (Petra) -- Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh met on Saturday at the Tafileh Technical University with dignitaries, grassroots activists and officials of Tafileh Governorate as part of government visits to check first-hand on the needs of citizens and improve services to local communities across the Kingdom.
'Our visit to Tafileh is part of our duty towards the people of this dear governorate, who, along with the rest of the sons and daughters of our dear homeland, contributed to laying the foundations of the solid structure of the Jordanian state during its first centennial,' he told the meeting.
The Prime Minister said he hoped the new Tafileh Government Hospital will enhance healthcare, and that medical tourism in the southwestern governorate will flourish, referring to the Afra spa and other tourist attractions.
Khasawneh said his government is forging ahead with a comprehensive political and economic modernization scheme and developing the public sector, which was recently launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II.
The economic modernization vision, he said, aims to achieve a 5.5 percent growth rate and create about one million jobs for Jordanians in ten years, adding that legislation on political modernization to reach partisan governments has been accomplished.
He said the public sector modernization roadmap seeks to address the weaknesses it had suffered from, assuring that no civil servants will lose their jobs and their rights and privileges will be preserved under the development scheme that aims to raise the level of public services and attract investments.
The Prime Minister pointed out that unemployment in Tafileh, as in some other governorates, is high, pledging to lure in job-generating investments to the region.
He ordered the implementation of road construction and lighting projects and promoting investment in water harvesting and the industrial estate in Tafileh, noting government-approved incentives to businesses there.
On regional issues, Khasawneh reiterated Jordn's stand with the Palestinian people to fully realize their rights according to the two-state solution, an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital within a final solution that addresses all final status issues.
He said His Majesty King Abdullah II fully and responsibly undertakes the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and upholds maintaining the historical and legal status quo in the sacred city.
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US, Saudi to resume talks on nuke reactors
(MENAFN) After Saudi Arabia rejected to accept US's non-proliferation "gold standard" for civil nuclear cooperation deal, the talks were frozen under the former US administration, according to PressTV.
A report by Bloomberg said that Washington is considering whether to give into Riyadh's demand in return for the regime to pick US contractors for building reactors in Saudi Arabia adding that US Energy Secretary Rick Perry will hold talks with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy and Industry Khalid Bin Abdulaziz al-Falih in London on Friday in "a crucial step" in the Trump-era nuclear discussions.
The Kingdom plans to set up 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 to 25 years at a cost of more than USD80 billion.
Analysts said the US may give up the "gold standard" in a step to stop the profitable agreement from going to other potential contractors, like Russia and China.
It's worth mentioning that US has always been a strong ally for Saudi regime in its war against Yemen, as Trump first foreign visit to the kingdom resulted on providing Riyadh with USD110 billion worth of weapons.
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MANI, Jul 28: Papum Pare DMO Dr K Perme has informed that till now 61 Covid-19 positive have been detected in the district.
Speaking to the press here on Tuesday, the DMO said that the majority of the cases are among the paramilitary forces.
Dr Perme was overseeing the sanitization being carried out here under the supervision of Papum Pare DC Pige Ligu.
“Forty-six positive cases are from the ITBP, Kimin. Three NDRF personnel, who were the first group to test positive, have been discharged after recovering. Twelve positive cases have been found in places like Chiputa, Mani and Midpu,” said Dr Perme.
The DC informed that, as of now, Chiputa, Mani and Midpu have been declared as containment zones, and that the status might be extended, based on the recommendation of the health officials of the district.
Ligu also said that all the areas where coronavirus positive cases have been detected are being sanitized by the team of the Itanagar Municipal Corporation.
The DC advised the people of the rural areas not to visit the Itanagar capital region, unless they have urgent work, till the Covid-19 cases come down.
“The administration will try to provide basic items to them, but they should avoid visiting the ICR. Similarly, people living in the ICR should not visit the rural areas of Papum Pare. This will help to stop the spread of the virus,” said Ligu.


Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIEMENS, an energy company, to develop the economy of the state.
Obaseki, who disclosed this at the MoU signing ceremony in Benin on Wednesday, said that the MoU would cover power, transportation, education and industrialisation, among others.
He expressed satisfaction that the agreement was coming at a time the state government was entering into many similar arrangements to develop the state.
The governor said that the agreement would fast-track industrialisation of the state.
He said that the state government had signed its first Power Purchase Agreement, (PPA) which targeted five megawatts of electricity in its first phase.
He said the state government had also commenced negotiation with gas companies to begin exploration activities in the state.
Earlier, the Head of SIEMENS delegation, Onyeche Tiffashe ,said the agreement also covered sustainable development Initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship development in the state.
She said the group was working hard to deliver on their set targets which also included collaboration with BEDC to increase power generation in the state.


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday said she already sought royal approval for House dissolution to return power to people and to solve the ongoing political conflicts.
Therefore, a national election will be held accordingly, she said. Speaking at special broadcast at 9.42am, Yingluck said her government has tried its best to settle the conflicts and to talk to anti-government protesters who demanded what she described as not allowed by the laws and the constitution.
"At this stage, when there are many people opposed to the government from many groups, They claimed to represent people. Therefore, the best way is to give back the power to the Thai people and hold an election.
So the Thai people will decide," she said.
The announcement came as as thousands of protesters are marching to the Government House and took place one day after opposition Democrat Party MPs resigned en masse.
She said the ongoing protests put the country into dilemma. She said the Cabinet members will also be dissolved but they will remain the interim government which has authority to do duties that are allowed by the laws.


JTeam has always been about exposing what we are doing. Most JTeam employees have their own blog, where they write about the issues they encounter and the way they solve them. However, these entries have been mostly technically oriented.
We feel that it is time we start blogging more about what’s going on inside JTeam. This will include things like: what projects are we working on, the challenges we face, the trends we see, and etcetera.
So expect more content to be published here soon!


Facebook to lift ban on news in Australia
Facebook has announced that it is removing the ban on news content for its Australian users.
Veteran social media company Facebook stopped news related content in Australia from last Thursday in protest against a proposed law. This proposed law provides that Facebook and Google must pay news publishers for content.
Australian Finance Minister Josh Freudenberg said that "in the coming days", Facebook will revive all the news pages.
On Tuesday, he said in a statement that the law will be amended.
The government has said that this law is being brought to establish the balance of power between tech companies and media institutions in the market.
This law had worldwide attention, but Facebook and Google vehemently opposed it.But Facebook said on Tuesday that the government has assured it in the recent discussion.
Read here why facebook banned news in Australia
On Facebook, Vice President of News Participation Campbell Brown said, "We have reached an agreement, according to which we will be able to select publishers, including small and local publishers, for support."
Facebook has its own "Shokas" product, through which it pays media institutions to show the story on its platform.
However, under Australia's new law, money will have to be paid to share and post news links on Facebook.
Since last Thursday, no one in Australia is able to see or share news stories on their account.


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 7. To modernize
Kyrgyzstan's irrigation networks, investments of some $800 million
are required, while an additional $400 million is needed to ensure
access to clean drinking water for the remaining villages, trend reports.
This announcement was made by Akylbek Zhaparov, the Chairman of
the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan at the Bishkek Water
"The issue of water resource management is very relevant, with
the World Bank (WB) and the government taking the lead. Together,
we will be able to unite other financial institutions in this
direction," he said.
According to Antonella Bassani, the WB's Vice President for the
Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, water is a crucial condition
for economic growth and development. In Central Asian countries,
annual rates of economic growth could decrease by 6 percent of GDP
by 2050, due to water scarcity.
In turn, Saroj Kumar Jha, the Global Director for the WB Group's
Water Global Practice, said that there should be more investments
made for more efficient water management.
He also emphasized that it is important to unite the partner
efforts to provide clean water access for each person.
The Bishkek Water Forum, organized by the World Bank and the
Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, is currently underway in
Kyrgyzstan's capital. It serves as a platform for experts in the
water sector and influential individuals to work together in
resolving water-related challenges in Kyrgyzstan and the Central
The central theme of the discussions revolves around the
management of water resources.
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Tamil National Alliance, Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Sivajilingham said that several Tamil political parties in the North will take part in the protest.
He said there is a concern that state sponsored terrorism was behind the killing of the two Jaffna university students.
Sivajilingham said that university students in other parts of the country are also expected to protest this week against the killing.
He said Tamil youth in the North will support the protests and demand action against those involved in killing the two students. (Colombo Gazette)


The Police are to raid parties and other events held in violation of the quarantine regulations.
Police Spokesman, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Rohana said the Police have received multiple reports of such parties and public gatherings being held.
He said all regional Police officers have been instructed to take stern action against those organizing and providing their premises to host such events, as well as the participants.
DIG Ajith Rohana said the Police intelligence agencies are tracking events and public gatherings being organized in violation of the quarantine law.
The Police Spokesman said suspects arrested in this regard will be charged under the quarantine and criminal laws in the country.
All public gatherings, parties and weddings have been banned due to the further spread of the New Year coronavirus cluster.
The Health Ministry has also issued a new set of health guidelines in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.
Several areas in the country have also been placed under isolation as a result. (Colombo Gazette)


(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) recently held a seminar on the new mechanism issued by Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) on not halting the trading of a company's stock during its annual general meeting and extraordinary general meeting.
The seminar was attended by representatives and officials from the QFMA, Qatar Central Securities Depository, listed companies, and the member brokerage firms.
Nasser al-Abdul Ghani, director of Market Operations at QSE, gave a detailed presentation on the implementation mechanism of the new procedures, as well as its investment advantages.
He pointed out that the new procedures will be implemented as of January 1, 2018 to enable the listed companies and investors to be acquainted with the new procedures.
It is noteworthy that the new mechanism is consistent with the best practices in the international financial markets and offers various investment advantages as it allows investors to trade during general assembly meetings instead of suspend trading during such events, which would be in favour of boosting liquidity in the market.
This mechanism will also be helpful to ease the successful launching of new tradable products. In general, the non-halting of trading during general assembly meetings will be very supportive of both the investors and listed companies and the securities market as well, the QSE said.
A presentation during the Qatar Stock Exchange seminar, which was attended by representatives and officials from the QFMA, Qatar Central Securities Depository, listed companies, and the member brokerage firms.
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Fauci believes that the new coronavirus is likely to be natural.
Reference News Network reported on the 29th According to an article published on the 28th local time by the US “Newsweek”, the top US infectious disease expert Fauci said that he supports investigations into various theories about where the new crown virus comes from. But he also said that he believes that the virus is likely to be natural.
Reported that Fauci said in an interview with the US “Joe Madison Show” that he believes that the new crown virus is likely to be natural. Fauci noted that based on his experience of working with Chinese scientists, they are “sincere.”
Previously, US President Biden asked the intelligence community to “double their efforts” to investigate the source of the virus.


Clearance companies association calls for waiving fees on Jordan-Syria transport trucks
(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Oct. 5 (Petra) -- The Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies on Tuesday urged the government to waive fees for trucks transporting goods between Jordan and Syria through the Jaber crossing border.
In a statement, the Association's President DaifAllah Abu Aqouleh said that imposing fees, along with an additional JD200 after halting the back-to-back shipment protocol, have held up a number of trucks heading from Jordan to Syria, due to the confusing procedures at the border.
Abu Aqoula called on the relevant Jordanian and Syrian authorities to put in place clear mechanisms that will simplify procedures, cancel fees imposed on trucks, and fully re-implement the memorandum of understanding previously concluded between the two countries, in order to facilitate and enhance the movement of trade exchange.
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(NAN) The organised labour movement on Monday suspended its nationwide protests and urged workers to embark on a sit-at-home strike.
Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), told newsmen in Abuja, after an extensive meeting of labour leaders, that the decision was taken due to serious concerns about national security.
“We came to a conclusion that our strike will continue but we will embark on stay-at-home, that is, staying off the streets in order to make sure we don’t, in the first instance, endanger innocent lives because of the security situation in the country and the reports we are getting.
“This is based on the fact that there are calls by Nigerians about the abrupt nature of the imposition of deregulation,” he said.
Omar also said that President Goodluck Jonathan had appealed to labour to consider the fact that there had been security reports indicating that people outside organised labour and civil society were likely to hijack the street protests.
The labour leader said that the President had decided to put on hold the issue of full deregulation pending the positioning of certain issues, especially in the areas of palliatives.
He said that Labour had also agreed to dialogue with the Justice Belgore Committee regarding other issues underlying the whole issue of deregulation and fuel subsidy.
“We are, however, also going to analyse the issues involved, especially the issue of the committee that we envisaged will work toward coming up with permanent solutions regarding the issue of deregulation.”
Omar added that the issue of pricing would be the outcome of the Belgore Committee assignment, which would be worked out within two or three days. (NAN)


BJP State president Dr K Laxman has lashed out at the State government alleging that its rule was atrocious one. The TRS government was suppressing the people fighting for their rights, he remarked.
Speaking to the media here on Friday, Laxman said that the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was seeing ‘Thamasha’ by creating differences among the Adivasis and Lambadas. KCR sat in the Chief Minister seat by deceiving daliths, he claimed. He warned that the BJP will teach a lesson to KCR by uniting Daliths in the coming elections.
Laxman also ridiculed the Chief Minister saying that the latter didn’t give single job to the people in the last three-and-a-half years but his family members have got jobs. The BJP has taken up Porubata to wage movement on farmers’ issues and firmly said that the BJP will achieve the rights of farmers by mounting pressure on the State government. (NSS)


Shillong, Dec 1: A delegation of Synjuk ki Khlieh Nongsynshar of the Sohra Civil Sub-Division led by local MDC Titos Chyne met the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to apprise him about the weak economic situation of the people within the jurisdiction of the Sohra Sub-Division following the ban on coal mining and after tourist activities which brings in much revenue was also disturbed.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the CM, Chyne said that the ban on coal mining has affected the livelihood of the people. Again, the people will have to make way for scientific mining and cannot revert to rat-hole mining.
Chyne said that the CM has assured to give awareness to the people of the Civil Sub-Division who do not understand about the new technique and miners within the Sohra Civil Sub-Division will be given training.
Secondly, he said that there was a discussion on improving the tourism prospects where CM assured to come up with “major investment” will be in tourism and road development.
He said that the road condition from Umtyngar till Sohra was also discussed and the CM has said that there is a sanction for redeveloping the road.
Chyne said that Sangma pointed out big projects to promote tourism and set up a heritage village in Sohra and to build a bridge in Mawkdok that will connect Mawkdok viewpoint and Swer
The local MDC also spoke about the development of rural areas such as Dainthlen, Mawkma, Laitlyndop.
“The CM has assured to develop as there are Rs 700 crore”, for the development of tourism.
As with Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL), Chyne said that there will be an elaborate discussion later which will be for the overall interest of the people.


Karachi: Director and Actor Javed Sheikh said that people have high expectations from Imran Khan’s government, hope that the time to come will be much better for the country and the nation.
According to media reports, referring to the future of the film industry, the actor said that the government, like other industries, should take steps to revive the film industry. ۔
He said that Pakistan’s film industry has paid billions of rupees in taxes to the government. Now that the film industry needs it, the government also has a duty to help the film industry. Javed Sheikh said that he intends to start an Urdu and a Punjabi film soon.


The founder and leader Muttahida Quami Movement, Mr. Altaf Hussain said that MQM was not against the seminaries that preach the message of Allah and Prophet Mohammad PBUH.
Talking to the Chairman Pakistan Ullema Council Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi on the telephone, MQM chief said that MQM was not against the seminaries, that were preaching love, peace and brotherhood but those spreading sectarianism, hatred, killings and terrorism. He said that the federal and Sindh government completely failed to provide security and protection to the people and their properties.
He said that at one hand the innocent citizens were being murdered in targeted-killings while on the other hand the government failed to resolve people’s fundamental issues like water, electricity, gas and petrol. He said that the current federal and Sindh government increased the problems for the people rather resolving them.
Meanwhile, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi admitted Mr. Hussain’s thoughts regarding the seminaries’ responsibilities and said that one could not expect any betterment for the people from the current government. He also said that if such negligence would continue then the masses would outburst against government's corruption and negligence.
اردو میں پڑھیں


Saudi Cultural Days Concluded in London
(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
London, Jumada II 21, 1439, March 09, 2018, SPA -- The Saudi Cultural Days, organized by the General Authority for Culture in cooperation with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation 'MiSK' concluded here today.
The three-day event provided an interactive platform for creative talents from Saudi Arabia, presenting their work to the global audience.
23:18 LOCAL TIME 20:18 GMT
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(MENAFN) On Sunday, Sudan's Health Ministry stated that one coronavirus has passed away.
The ministry underlined in a statement, "The death occurred for the case No. 6, which was announced earlier on Sunday."
It is worth mentioning that the nation registered its first death from the novel coronavirus on March 13.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the nation is six.
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(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, March 17 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Friday a cable of congratulations to President of Ireland Michael Daniel Higgins on the occasion of his country's National Day.
In the cable, His Highness the Amir wished the Irish president everlasting health and wellness, and further progress and prosperity for Ireland and its friendly people. (end)
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(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal believes that the countries that will be the first to invest in Ukraine will benefit the most in the future.
Shmyhal made a corresponding statement at the Rebuild Ukraine business conference, according to the post on the Head of Government's telegram channel.
'Those who are the first to invest in Ukraine will benefit the most in the future. During a speech at the Rebuild Ukraine business conference, organized by Canada, I called on Canadian companies to join the reconstruction of our country right now. Russian terrorists continue to attack civilian and energy infrastructure of Ukraine. I emphasized the importance of Canadian business assistance in meeting the critical needs of the state,' the Prime Minister wrote.
According to him, the priority areas of investment are security and military-industrial complex, agricultural sector, energy, IT, and new infrastructure. Read also: pm shmyhal : eu plans to collect thousands of generators and power equipment for ukraine
'We are negotiating with IFC and MIGA about war risk insurance to intensify investment attraction. $500 million Ukraine Sovereignty Bond issued by the Canadian government will also become an important tool for strengthening Ukraine. We thank Canada and Canadian companies for their support and interest in the restoration of our country,' he emphasized.
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Response to key poll questions:
▪ Views on the third Covid-19 wave (multiple choice):
- 74.29 per cent said the virus spread quickly
- 67.56 per cent said they had sympathy for medical staff who worked hard
- 67.28 per cent said they were afraid that the government would not able to tackle the situation
- 63.58 per cent said everyone must take care of themselves, such as by staying at home and washing hands regularly
- 62.76 per cent said they were worried about the safety of family members.
▪ Uncertainty over the third Covid-19 wave compared to the previous waves:
- 68.40 per cent said this wave was more worrisome than the previous ones
- 19.60 per cent said this wave was as worrisome as the previous ones
- 12.00 per cent said this wave was less worrisome than the previous
▪ Opinion on the severity of three Covid-19 waves in Thailand:
- 70.51 per cent said the third wave was the most severe
- 23.34 per cent said all three waves were equally severe
- 4.47 per cent said the first wave was the most severe
- 1.68 per cent said the second wave was the most severe
▪ Ways of preventing themselves from getting infected in the third wave (multiple choice):
- 83.90 per cent said wearing face mask and washing hands regularly
- 79.72 per cent said avoid going to risky or crowded places
- 76.50 per cent said following social distancing
- 71.60 per cent said avoid going outdoors
- 65.93 per cent said following the Public Health Ministry's guidelines
▪ Could the government tackle the third Covid-19 wave?
- 39.19 per cent said the government could
- 35.73 per cent said they were not sure
- 25.08 per cent said the government could not
▪ How long will it take to control the third wave:
- 50.58 per cent said more than three months
- 22.19 per cent said three months
- 17.82 per cent said two months
- 9.41 per cent said a month
▪ Will there be a fourth wave in Thailand?
- 58.89 per cent expected a fourth wave
- 37.61 per cent said they were not sure
- 3.50 per cent said no.
Pornphan Buathong, an analyst at Suan Dusit Poll, advised the government to conduct proactive testing and administer vaccines as soon as possible.
"The fourth wave would emerge in Thailand if the government delays tackling this problem," she said.
Published : April 25, 2021
By : The Nation


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LAKKI MARWAT: Police claimed to have arrested two people wanted in terrorism-related cases during a raid in Kurrum Par area on Thursday.
An official said that a police party of Dadiwala police station raided a suspected hideout in Mangala village in the riverine locality and arrested the wanted men.
He said that the raids were carried out when DPO Khalid Hamdani received information about the presence of terrorism suspects in the rural locality.
The official said that the Elite Force and Anti-Terror Squad personnel also took part in the action and assisted the police. “The arrested men, including Haris and Shahzeb, were wanted by Naurang police station in terrorism-related and other cases,” he said.


(MENAFN- UkrinForm) On Thursday, 15 June, President Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to the Switzerland's Parliament via video call.
This became known during a meeting of the Swiss parliament, Ukrinform reports citing evropeiska pravda .
Martin Candinas, the speaker of the Swiss National Council (lower house), announced Zelensky's speech at the beginning of the debate, adding that the date had been chosen in agreement with the Ukrainian side. The duration of the speech was not specified.
Read also: three more swiss trams arrive in vinnytsia
Thomas Aeschy, leader of the right-wing Swiss People's Party parliamentary group, criticised the decision to allow Zelensky to speak, saying it could be seen as influencing the debate on weapons and ammunition supplies.
He later said that most members of his faction would not attend the speech of the Ukrainian president.
Read also: president's office deputy head meets with swiss embassy representatives
It should be noted that Zelensky will be the first president to address the Swiss parliament via video call.
Since 1970, 28 guest speakers have spoken in the country's legislature. Among them were presidents of countries and representatives of international organisations, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Senate.
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Election verdict a victory for politics of performance by Modi government, says BJP chief Amit Shah
He said that the people of Gujarat have rejected the politics of caste, dynasty and vote bank being practised by the Congress and instead voted for the politics of development.
The BJP chief attributed the win to the policies of the BJP government for the welfare of the poor.
Focusing on the transformation in the nature of democracy, Shah said that people now vote for those who talk about development.
Shah said that an increase in vote share of the BJP from 47.85% in 2012 Assembly elections to 49.10% in the 2017 Assembly elections shows that BJP's popularity has risen among people.
Accusing the Congress of outsourcing the elections and diverting it towards caste, the BJP president said that the verdict is a befitting reply to Congress from the people of Gujarat.
He also thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh for giving the BJP a major victory and said that the people of the state have shown faith in the Narendra Modi-led BJP government's politics of development.


(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Madrid, Rajab 26, 1439, Apr 12, 2018, SPA -- HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense has met here with the Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy.
During the meeting, they reviewed the Saudi-Spanish relations and their bilateral partnership in various fields and ways of enhancing them.
Then, six agreements, MoUs and bilateral programs in the field of defense, air transport, education, culture, technology and development were signed.
Furthermore, HRH Crown Prince and Spanish defense minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal signed an executive summary to facilitate the necessary procedures for signing of Ministry of Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the contract of supplying ships by the Spanish Navantia company to enhance cooperation in the field of defense between the defense ministries of the two countries.
23:19 LOCAL TIME 20:19 GMT
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'Web firms not being under Companies Act a concern'
Sreedharan said that such instances have cheated the public in the past and managed to remain untraced. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, he said.
On the government tightening section 25 of the Act, he said that it was due to misuse of the section by certain companies. On the whole, he said that the focus on self-regulation, reducing number of approvals, were welcome from a business perspective.
On the role of auditors, he said that it is difficult to define “material fraud” as there is no index to indicate it.


(MENAFN- IANS) Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (IANS) Leading state owned financial institution, Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), has quadrupled its net profit for the financial year that ended on March 31.
As per the audited financials, KFC posted a net profit after tax of Rs 50.19 crore as against Rs 13.20 crore in the year ended 2022.
The loan portfolio stands at Rs 6,529.40 crore against last year's figure of Rs 4,750.71 crore, recording a growth of 37.44 per cent.
Incidentally this is the first time that the KFC crossed Rs 5,000 crore loan portfolio in a financial year.
"This can be seen as a sign that the state's economy is making a strong comeback post-Covid. Most of the sectors, including the tourism sector have performed well. KFC has recorded its best-ever performance in its 70 years of history," said State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal.
The interest income is Rs 543.64 crore registering a growth of 38.46 per cent while the total income increased to Rs 694.38 crore against Rs 518.17 crore last year.
With regards to the NPAs, KFC was able to bring down the Gross NPA to 3.11 per cent from last year's figure of 3.27 per cent.
During the year, KFC has sanctioned Rs 3,207.22 crore loans to MSMEs, startups and other sectors.
KFC could improve its recovery position through special recovery drives without resorting to coercive measures.
A total of Rs 59.49 crore was collected through special recovery.
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(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Amman, Nov. 20 (Petra) -- Minister of State for Media Affairs and the government spokesman, Mohammad Al-Momani, on Monday, said Jordan's battle against terrorism is relentlessly ongoing to defeat the terrorist Daesh group, which has lost about 95 percent of territories it had previously occupied.
Speaking to a delegation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Defense College, led by Brigadier Khalid Al Qattan, Al-Momani described as "holistic" Jordan's strategy in addressing terrorism from military and security dimensions, noting the importance of the ideological and media dimensions as well.
Jordan has specialized units to monitor terrorist propaganda in the media, Al-Momani added.
The delegation lauded Jordan's efforts, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, in dealing with various regional crises and challenges, especially the Palestinian issue and the Syrian crisis.
20/11/2017 - 07:54:54 PM
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By Fredrick Odiero
The department of Cooperative Development in Kisumu Central Kisumu County will soon organize training for stakeholders in the sector in order to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Kisumu Central sub county cooperative officer Philip Akama further said that some of the beneficiaries of the training will be the over 300 Saccos in the area.
He said other potential beneficiaries will be the National Transport and Safety Agency and matatu owners.
Akama said that they will also incorporate Saccos in the dairy and sugar industry in order to tap the potential there.
Speaking in Kisumu Akama said that many Saccos in the area are at the moment doing badly due to incapacity on the part of members and the management.
He said many of the organizations have gone under since they are not keen on their books being audited.
“These are some of the issues which will be tackled during the training’ he said.
Akama said some Saccos such as Kisumu Teachers Sacco are doing well due to good management.
He also gave the example of Mwonya Tuk Tuk Sacco which he noted has managed to fight on despite challenges.


Khartoum — Member of Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) Hassan Sheikh Idris Gadi has got acquainted with the overall political and security situations and the efforts exerted to secure the agricultural season in West Darfur State.
This came when Gadi received at his office at the Republican Palace Monday West Darfur State Governor Mohamed Abdallah Al-Duma.
. Al-Duma explained in a press statement that the meeting discussed social peace in West Darfur, affirming the stability of security situations in the state.
He added that the meeting also discussed the agricultural season in the state, which he described as promising.
The Governor pointed out that the meeting also discussed the issue of chikungunya fever that spread out recently in the state but he said, now it has been brought under full control.
Meanwhile, the Governor welcomed Juba peace agreement, saying his state is one of most states that require peace as the only road for stability and development.
The governor said he invited Gadi to attend activities of conferences of national building scheduled to take place in the state next month.
He explained that these conferences contribute to activating democratic practice and enable the people to discuss their issues and tackle them in a proper way.


KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led provincial government was in contact with Ministry of Interior on the issue of recoveries of mutilated bodies of youngsters which has assured all sorts of cooperation to resolve the issue.
Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the IG Sindh was also inquiring into the matter of recovery of mutilated bodies. The chief minister said the inquiry being conducted into the killing of youngsters would be finalised between 15 days to one month.
Responding to a question, Qaim Ali Shah said that the Sindh government was ready to hold local bodies elections. “It was a provincial subject and we were holding the elections on party basis but the Supreme Court authorized the Election Commission for the purpose, therefore, elections could not be held,” he said and added that the ECP has given a statement that they could not conduct local bodies election shortly.


(MENAFN - Trend News Agency) The European Union together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) handed over thirty 4WD vehicles to the Border Police of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Trend reports citing 1tv.ge .
Ten vehicles have already been handed over to the Border Police in October of 2020. The vehicles will help to reveal and react upon the illegal activities at the border, and improve capabilities of border guards when patrolling.
'The European Union and Georgia closely cooperate in direction of border security strengthening,' EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell claimed.
The project is a part of EU's Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE) program. Its budget is 6 million Euros (24 million GEL).
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Scuderia Ferrari fires up their engine for the first time in 2022… a team that is expected to shine for the new era.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will remain Ferrari drivers for the new season – and rumours are increasing that the Marranello team will be a team to beat for the new season.
We don’t know yet who and where will be for the new season – but the deficit of the new fuel will play a big role for the new era.
𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗡 🔊
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 3, 2022


Reaping What We’ve Sown
First, we taught people that life was cheap and disposable when we made abortion as easy as getting a driver’s license. Then we taught people that they were merely animals.
Now that they’re acting on the basis of those two notions, and treating life cheaply and killing at will for their own advantage, we pretend that we’re surprised and horrified.
We can’t be that stupid. But we are. We can’t really have forgotten that we reap what we sow. But we have.


INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, Ark. – An Independence County jailer is in custody after deputies said he was accused of providing prohibited items to inmates.
Deputies with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office said that they received information that 35-year-old Adam B. Ward was providing items such as tobacco, vapes and phones into the county jail.
Deputies said that Ward had been under surveillance since June 14 after receiving the information.
After law enforcement officials launched an investigation, deputies said that Ward was accused of receiving money to allow contraband into the jail. Investigators also said that the inmates’ family members were accused of being involved in the matter and paid Ward.
Deputies said that in affidavit, Ward admitted to the crime and said he did so to supplement his income. Officials said that contraband was found in Ward’s vehicle, which was seized along with his cell phone.
Ward was taken to a neighboring county jail for his safety, deputies said.


May 18, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – Coronavirus cases in South Sudan have surpassed 300 after 57 more people tested positive on Monday, a senior health ministry official said in a statement this evening.
Dr. Makur Koryiom, the undersecretary of South Sudan’s ministry of health said 57 people – almost all are South Sudanese – tested positive bringing the total number of the cases to 347.
He said two more people have died bringing the total number of fatalities to six (6) adding that the number of recoveries remained at four (4) as no new recoveries have been recorded by the ministry of health.
“Fifty-seven (57) people have tested positive and two more have died. So, we have 347 cases and six deaths as well as four recoveries,” he said during a statement to South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).


(MENAFN- Gulf Times) His
Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a written
message from the President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas,
pertaining to the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and the
possibility of the US administration to recognise Jerusalem as the
capital of Israel or the transfer of the US embassy in Israel from Tel
Aviv to Jerusalem.
The ambassador of Palestine to Qatar Munir
Abdullah Ghannam delivered the message during a meeting with His
Highness the Emir at Al Bahr Palace yesterday.
During the meeting,
the Emir affirmed the State of Qatar's firm stance on the Palestinian
issue in general and Jerusalem in particular because of its religious
and political importance to Arabs, Muslims and the whole world.
Qatar has totally rejected any measure calling for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement
to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that such measures undermine the
international efforts aiming at the implementation of the Two-State
The source reiterated Qatar's firm position in support of
the Palestinian cause and the rights of the brotherly Palestinian
people, foremost of which is the establishment of an independent and
sovereign state on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders with Jerusalem
as its capital.
Meanwhile, the extraordinary session of the Council
of the League of Arab States, at the level of permanent delegates,
began yesterday at the headquarters of the Arab League Secretariat to
discuss developments affecting Jerusalem and its legal and historical
Qatar participated in the meeting with a delegation headed by
Permanent Representative to the Arab League Saif bin Muqaddam
The meeting discussed the formulation of an Arab
position to confront threats and challenges facing Jerusalem, its
identity and its historic status.
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Unknown gunmen have abducted three civilians on the Kabul-Ghazni highway, said an official on Sunday.
The provincial council head of Ghazni, Khaliqdad Akbari, told media that the abducted people were on way to their destinations from Malistan district to the provincial capital when unknown gunmen stopped their vehicle in Mushki area of Qarabagh district on late Saturday.
He further said that five passengers were kidnapped but later a mother along with her child were released but the remaining three civilians are still in the captivity of the gunmen at an unknown location.
He said that security forces have started investigation to release the hostages safely. He said their fate is still unknown.
Akbari said that the abduction of the civilians is the work of the Taliban militants.
However, the Taliban militants have not yet claimed the abduction.
Fragile securities on roads have caused many such incidents this year. Deash (IS) which has increased its foothold in the country had recently abducted seven civilians including women and children from Ghazni province and later they were found beheaded in southern Zabul province.


According to the head of Rosteh Sergey Chemezov, this year the state defense order will be reduced by 10%, but this is not critical for the military-industrial complex. “I think the state defense order will be reduced by 10%”, — he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, answering the question of whether the reduction this year is more than 5%.
Chemezov also confirmed that the reduction of expenses on the state defense order has already begun. He explained that cutting the defense budget is understandable given the fall in energy prices, which constitute the main source of state revenue.
In relation to the programmes that can be frozen, Chemezov said that the President and the Prime Minister has already decided that ongoing projects should be completed. “We probably will not release anything new. This is likely to be suspended”, — said the head of Rostec.
In early March the Deputy head of the Ministry of defence Tatyana Shvetsova has confirmed that the budget office will be reduced by 5%. She said that cuts will not affect arms, and social spending, and will be sequestered logistics and construction.
“When the budget sequester on national defense leadership of the country decided that the state armaments program is not subject to sequestration in General”, — said Shvetsova.


The Police in Osun on Tuesday confirmed the kidnapping of a traveller in Ede town, near Imesi-Ile in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relation Officer in the state, SP Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the incident in Osogbo, said the victim was kidnapped by gunmen on Monday evening.
According to Opalola, the interstate bus which the victim boarded from Ekiti to Osun was forcefully stopped by the gunmen in Ede town, a border between Ekiti and Osun.
The PPRO said while other passengers in the bus had the opportunity to escape into the bush, the victim was unlucky and was kidnapped.
Opalola, however, said that the identity of the kidnapped person had yet to be known.
She said the police tactical team and local vigilantes were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
Opalola said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, had equally directed the police tactical team to ensure the kidnappers were arrested.


President Maithripala Sirisena’s double standards on the Tamil issue was evident today when the President’s Media Division (PMD) revised a press release on Deepavali celebrations held at the President’s House.
In the first version of the press release sent by the PMD today, President Sirisena was quoted saying his strong determination to resolve the issues faced by the Tamils in the North and the development of the region remained the same.
The statement also said that Sirisena acted with great responsibility with regard to the issues faced by the people in the North and that he decided to change the Prime Minister due to the latter’s failure to find solutions to their ongoing problems.
Furthermore, President Sirisena had stated that 90 percent of the land held by the security forces in the North had already been released and instructions have already been given out to release the lands belonging to temples, churches and places of worship in the North.
The Maithri-Mahinda faction had previously announced that they would consider the release of Tamil political prisoners in the North in an attempt to get the support of the Tamil National Alliance to legitimise their government.
However, the second press release, sent again after about ten minutes with the title ‘Deepavali Celebration – Edited News’, had conveniently omitted Sirisena’s remarks about the release of lands, Tamil political prisoners, development in the Northern province and the current political situation.
The second press release only highlighted President Sirisena’s remarks on Deepavali and that of national unity.
Sources within the media division said that the two press releases sent minutes apart clearly indicates President Sirisena’s double standards with regard to the Tamil issue.
However, the sudden removal of issues like the release of lands and political prisoners from the second press release, which were included in the first press release, intimates whether the reversal of such pledges to the Tamil community was scrapped due to the TNA’s rejection and non-recognition of the Maithri-Mahinda government.
Link to story on the first press release:


New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Delhi Water Minster Satyendar Jain on Tuesday reviewed the availability of water and its supply system for all sections of consumers in the national capital.
Jain, who is also the chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), took stock of the implementation of the 24x7 water supply project in the capital.
"DJB will float multiple tenders to implement the scheme; intricacies regarding the same were being finalised in the meeting that went on for over three hours," DJB said in an official statement.
During the meeting, Jain also took stock of the works being done upon the water bodies and STPs of the city and proposed changes to enhance the quality of work. A detailed discussion was held on technicalities involved at every check-point from pumping to connection and supply, official said.
"The scheme should be implemented as soon as possible for the benefit of the people of Delhi and all technicalities should be addressed in a time bound manner," Satyendar Jain said after review meeting on Tuesday.
Besides these, Jain also took assessment of the other water related projects going on in the city and allotted duties to officials for ensuring a smooth flow of work so that they can be completed at the earliest.
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Suncrest creates a wonderland of lights
When it comes to Christmas lighting displays, Duluth has its Bentleyville Tour of Lights. Cloquet has Suncrest Senior Living Community.
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Over 5000 people have been displaced in the eastern and central provinces following heavy rain and floods.
The Disaster Management Center (DMC) said that almost 100,000 families in those areas had been affected by the bad weather.
The worst affected was the Batticaloa district where 4782 people have been displaced.
The DMC said that one person was also killed in the area after drowning in gushing flood waters.
According to the DMC 5197 people have been displaced in the two provinces over the past few day.
The DMC said that 355,102 people have been affected by the rain and flash floods in the eastern and central provinces.


THE bad name some vicious persons gave to the registered members of Fairly Used Motor Parts Dealers Association (Ngbuka) Nnewi, has enabled the executive members of the association to fish out bad eggs by timely introduction of I.D cards to registered members.
To this end, the chairman, Fairly Used Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chinedu Enyeribem, whose administration introduced the I.D cards for the first time said that these infiltrating miscreants who gave them a lot to chew have been handled with the police and their task force.
Comrade Enyeribem said that the sector was a place of complete genuine business, adding that food sellers have been shifted to a place where they will sell and clean up their surroundings unlike when they were throwing food wastes carelessly which could attract sicknesses.
He said that they have punitive measures for those who violate market closure time of as was ordered by Anambra State Government as well as COVID-19 preventive maintenance.
He said that gully erosion has submerged some of their members’ shops which located within its base and regretted that the I.G.R which the destroyed shop owners were paying can longer be attracted and beckoned passionately to Governor Obiano to come to their aid before the gully erosion sacks them from their site.
Enyeribem was of the opinion that some of the ugly incidents that happen today were happening before the advent of social media which today reveals those hidden moral decadence, especially rape sagas that has given the country infamous name.
He finally called on parents and guardians to monitor the companies their children keep and correct them when they miss steps.


Vehicle stripped, left up on blocks
WINCHESTER — Police are investigating an incident that left one vehicle at a local dealership stripped of its wheels and tires Saturday.
According to Winchester Police Department spokesperson Lauren…
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Renewable Energy: Morocco Seeks International Markets, Offers its Expertise
(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Rabat - At the opening of an awareness workshop, the Minister of Energy, Mining, and Sustainable Development, Aziz Rebbah, said that the renewable energy sector is experiencing sustained momentum in Morocco. The workshop was held on Wednesday under the theme, "Solar pumping: a lever for energy efficiency and sustainable development in the agricultural sector." Minister..."
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The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is spending Rs22 billion on education in the recently merged tribal districts, a spokesperson for the provincial government told Radio Pakistan.
In an interview, the spokesperson said that the government is hiring 4,000 new teachers for the schools in tribal districts.
The government will also provide furniture, solar electricity system to the schools. News classrooms and boundary walls will also be constructed at the education institutions, the spokesperson added.
He said that the government will provide monthly stipend to female students to encourage them.


Matthew Bell, a director at Frontier Economics, also said the government and business had a central role to help people move to roles in growing industries as data-driven changes transformed the economy.
‘The work that we’ve done both in Guernsey but also elsewhere emphasises the fact that, as we know, there will be parts of the economy that benefit from data and digital transition. And there will be parts of the economy that suffer and where there are job losses,’ he told a data-focused event held at the Digital Greenhouse in St Peter Port.
Other changes related to Covid-19, the climate and energy systems were also under way.
Facilitating the movement of people to growing sectors such as finance, technology, wholesale retail and tourism post-pandemic was therefore essential.
‘Both government and the private sector have a big role there in ensuring that skills, labour market policies and other related policies are linked to those changes and are adapting, as we have been speaking to, in real time,’ said Mr Bell.
He also noted government being able to step in, apprenticeships and retraining were initiatives undertaken in the past.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, a member of the Economic Development committee, also spoke at the event, highlighting the need for a ‘just transition’ to help people in an ever-more data driven economy.
‘As economies and economic mixes change, we need to make sure we take the people who are affected and the businesses who are affected, basically, with us,’ said Deputy Kazantseva-Miller, who is the committee’s digital, skills and entrepreneurship lead.


Recently Uncle Waffles posted pictures on social media were she was performing in an event. People who were in this event seemed to have been entertained by Uncle Waffles, as you could also see by the reaction that the crowd made in these pictures that she posted that the people were really entertained.
It is clear to see that Uncle Waffles is a great entertainer, as she always know what to do to keep people entertained. After seeing these pictures that Uncle Waffles posted some people on social media expressed the love that they have for her. Other people on social media were however complimenting her, as they were admiring how Uncle Waffles performs to keep the crowd entertained.
Here are some of the comment that people on social media made after seeing these pictures that Uncle Waffles posted on social media.


Last night’s debate between Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and Democratic state Sen. Andrew Rice — who’s challenging Inhofe for the U.S. Senate seat — was still available on www.kjrh.com this morning and it’s worth watching. There were some very good questions asked on Iraq, health care, the economy and global warming.
And if there was any doubt before the debate — and there shouldn’t have been — that the election offers a stark choice, well the 45 minutes of answers should have cleared that up.
Inhofe, who famously once referred to global warming as a hoax, asserted that the world is now in a cooling period. Rice said global warming is a serious problem that requires a comprehensive approach.
There were a couple of questions on health care, and people interested in that issue should watch the debate for those answers. It is an issue that the presidential candidates were also asked about, so it’s clearly on the minds of the electorate.
Inhofe pitched Health Savings Accounts and malpratice reform; Rice talked about the state program that uses tobacco tax revenue and Medicaid money to help small businesses provide health care coverage for their employees.
One of the more interesting responses came from Inhofe when asked whether Oklahomans were better off now than they were six years ago. Inhofe said that it depended on when the question was asked; the state had been doing better than most, he said, but now was in a “slump.”
Both Inhofe and Rice opposed the $700 billion rescue plan approved by Congress last week.


Chinese players who are eligible for the Olympics have had to make sacrifices during the opening ceremony, which is expected to be the biggest sporting event in the country’s history.
China’s Ministry of Culture and Sports has also announced that some athletes who have qualified for the Beijing Games have had their eligibility revoked.
“We have decided to restrict eligibility for some of our top athletes and their teams, who have been involved in the preparations for the Games,” a ministry statement said.
“Some of them have been unable to attend the opening ceremonies.”
They will be ineligible for participation in the Olympic Games and the subsequent activities in Beijing.
“The announcement follows a similar announcement last week by the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, which said that some Chinese athletes would be excluded from the opening of the Games, the Beijing News reported.
In August, China’s Sports Minister Yang Zhigang told Xinhua News Agency that the country had reduced the number of qualifying athletes from about 1.2 million to around 1 million.”
I have to say that there are more people eligible to participate in the Games in the first place,” Yang said at the time.
China has been hosting the Olympics for more than a century, but has been reluctant to hold the Games until the country has built a better stadium.
The Olympics are also expected to generate significant revenue for China, and are expected to have an impact on the Chinese economy.
The Beijing Olympics, which are expected run for 16 years, will be held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.


Government urges Gurkha veterans to end hunger strike
KATHMANDU: The government has urged the retired Gurkha soldiers, who have been staging a hunger strike for the past one week in London demanding pensions among others on par with other British Army soldiers, to end their hunger strike at the earliest.
A Cabinet meeting held on Monday requested the Gurkha veterans to end the hunger strike.
Saying that their problems will be resolved through diplomatic efforts, the government has urged the Gurkha veterans to halt their protest programmes including hunger strike as soon as possible, Government spokesperson and Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said.
He said that the government has already started diplomatic efforts to address the demands of Gurkha veterans.
Meanwhile, the government has directed the concerned authority to rescue Nepalis working in Afghanistan at the earliest.


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Story | Mar 5, 2015 | 2:50 PMSANTA CLARA, Calif. Darnell Dockett is joining a 49ers defensive line that could especially need his veteran presence if Justin Smith retires.


In West Africa, the spread of the Ebola epidemic is 'unprecedented', said the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO also said that there were certain areas that cannot be reached and that the number of cases was underestimated, reports the BBC.
There were 142 new cases of the disease and 77 deaths since August 19, confirmed the organization.
Nigerian authorities said that two new cases had been detected who were spouses of medical workers who had direct contact with a man from Liberia.
More than 1,427 people have died so far in the epidemic and the reported number of cases stands at 2,615.


Telangana HC says can’t impose restrictions on New Year celebrations
Telangana high court on Friday said that it cannot impose restrictions on New Year celebrations in Hyderabad and asserted that the state government will take decisions on the celebrations based on the COVID-19 situation in the state.
The court was dealing with the petitions filed by the advocates against the state government’s decision on extending the timings of bars and pubs on the New Year eve. They asked the court to impose restrictions on the New Year celebrations like Maharashtra and Delhi.
Stating the it will not interfere in the government’s decision, the high court asked the state government to follow the centre’s guidelines. It also said that the state completed 100 per cent vaccination of first dose and 66 per cent of the second dose of vaccine.
The HC also directed the government to submit a report on the actions taken against the people violating the norms and adjourned the matter to January 4.


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Story | Feb 13, 2014 | 9:49 AMA two-game series between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins will mark the return of Major League Baseball to Panama for the first time since 1947, the league and the players association announced Thursday.


| The report said that the identity cards issued to all Turkish citizens at birth should have the religion section removed and that schools should abolish compulsory religious classes.
It also warned that it was the best to not force the religious classes, especially if they were only to focus on the teaching of Islam.
The report also said that although the rights of religious minorities were covered under the Lausanne Treaty, further freedoms should be granted and warned that the public and the media in Turkey held an attitude that looked down upon minorities.
In Turkeys schools books, especially those referring to the Armenians and Greeks, had humiliating and slanderous statements in them, the report said, adding that Turkey should see these elements of society as being part of its cultural wealth.
The report also cited instances of some people being attacked for being Jewish and that some parts of the Turkish media made anti-Semitic statements.
Referring to the issue of the Kurdish question the report said that many of Turkeys 10 to 15 million Kurds who had lived in south eastern Turkey had moved either to urban areas or left the region due to the armed conflict between the state and the terrorist group the PKK. It said that there were now problems being faced by those citizens trying to return to their home villages. The report said that some of these persons had been killed by the state village guards when they had tried to return to homes which was occupied by the village guards.


(MENAFN) Turkey sent condolences to Russia when a factory blasted and killed 17 people in Russian Ryazan area.
In accordance to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry "We received the news with sorrow that seventeen people have lost their lives and many were left injured in a factory explosion that took place in the Ryazan region of the Russian Federation."
The ministry continued to send its condolences to the families of the fatalities, in addition to Russia’s administration, and wished the wounded people to get well soon.
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(MENAFN) The Walt Disney Company is set to begin the first of three phases of cutting 7,000 jobs, or 3.2% of its workforce. CEO Robert Iger stated that the company will begin notifying employees whose positions are impacted by the workforce reductions this week. The first group of impacted employees will be informed directly over the next four days, with a second, larger round of notifications scheduled for April. The final round of notifications is expected to take place before the beginning of the summer to reach the target of 7,000 job cuts.
Last month, the US-based multinational entertainment conglomerate announced its aim to save around $5.5 billion in costs, citing economic uncertainty as the reason for the workforce reductions. Disney's global workforce stood at approximately 220,000 as of October 1, 2021.
Disney's decision to cut jobs is not unique, as more than a dozen companies in the US, particularly in the tech sector, have been reducing their workforces due to lower income, falling ad revenue, and fears of a recession. Companies such as Amazon, Yahoo, Affirm, Zoom, Dell, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, PayPal, and Google's parent, Alphabet, have been laying off workers by the thousands in recent months.
The job cuts at Disney highlight the economic challenges faced by companies in the entertainment industry due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With many theme parks and theaters closed or operating at reduced capacity, the company's revenue has taken a hit, leading to the need for cost-cutting measures.
The workforce reductions at Disney also have a ripple effect, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of employees and their families. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the economy, it is likely that more companies will be forced to make difficult decisions to reduce their workforces to stay afloat.
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(MENAFN- Gulf Times) HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received yesterday a copy of the credentials of non-resident ambassador of Ireland to Qatar John Paul Kavanagh. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the new ambassador success in his duties and assured him of all the support to upgrade the bilateral relations between the two countries.
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.


COLORADO SPRINGS — The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating a home invasion involving four to five suspects that left one person injured.
The department said officers arrived to the apartment in the 7500 block of Copper Crest View where they found the victim who was assaulted. Police said the call reported four to five suspects entered the apartment just after midnight Monday and while the victim was being assaulted, the other involved suspects took clothing and items from the home.
Officers said the victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for possible fractures after they "suffered injuries to his head and face."
The suspects have not been identified, but the department is asking anyone with information related to this incident is being asked to contact the department at (719) 444-7000.


Hyundai's subsidiary closes USD20m deal with Chinese firm
(MENAFN) Hyundai Wia Co., an auto parts subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has concluded a deal to supply machine tools estimated at USD20 million to China's Tri-Ring Group.
The deal consists of supplying 100 units of machine tools until 2016, which will be part of plant automation machines intended to process key automobile parts.
Tri-Ring Group is an auto parts maker in China that supplies global mainstream carmakers like Audi, with yearly staggering sales reaching a whopping USD2.5 billion.
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Priyanka leads protest at India Gate against police crackdowntext_fields
New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is leading the protest at India Gate, along with hundreds of Congress workers in solidarity with the protesting students against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Along with Priyanka, Congress leader Ahmed Patel, General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and A.K. Antony are also at the sit-in protest. Many women wing members including Sushmita Dev are also at the protest site.
Priyanka termed "barbaric" the police action in Jamia campus on Sunday evening, saying that the government has attacked Constitution by enacting such a law. She said she will fight against the government to save the Constitution.
The Congress leaders will be sitting for the next two hours at the iconic India Gate to protest against the police crackdown on students.


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Cairo: Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent a written message to Minister of Interior of Egypt H E Major General Mahmoud Tawfik, pertaining to bilateral relations and means to bolster and develop them.
Qatar's Ambassador to Egypt H E Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi delivered the message during a meeting with the Egyptian Minister of Interior in Cairo.
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.


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, March 19 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah returned home on Sunday following a private visit to Italy.
His Highness the Amir was received at the airport by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince's Diwan Chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad AlSabah, Deputy Chairman of the National Guard Sheikh Faisal Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Frist Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and other state officials. (end)
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Islamabad, January 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Deputy Prime Minister and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of PML-Q, met Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf this evening at the PM House and discussed political situation currently prevailing in the country.
The leaders of PML-Q assured the Prime Minister of their unstinted support to the PPP-led coalition government and conveyed their firm commitment to strengthen democracy in the country.
Talking to the PML-Q leaders, the Prime Minister said that consensus among political forces across party divide on the need for continuity of democratic process augured well for the country’s stability.
The Prime Minister said that democratic process was vital as it incorporated interests and aspirations of various stakeholders.
The Prime Minister said that the country was looking forward to general elections and the government would ensure that they were fair, free and transparent as per the Constitutional provisions.
For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326


Townhouse Lounge, the bar and nightclub located at 1517 21st St., is expected to close early next year, according to owner/operator Desi David.
“We’ve been there so long – it’s been 15 years – and the landlord is going to raise the lease,” he said. “We don’t blame them, and we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”
David said the business won’t close immediately, and will likely stay open through the holidays, and possibly into next year.
“We’re being completely positive about it right now,” he said. “We’ve got a nice community, and we will see what happens.”
The business is open from 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. every day and features multiple levels of dancing, a bar and live music shows.


This morning (3/21) a motion was approved by the Raleigh County Commission to continue to support the West Virginia tolls.
Commissioners believe supporting the West Virginia Turnpike is important for Raleigh County. Commissioners said no matter the weather, the turnpike roads are always clear and safe for people to drive on.
If the tolls were removed, Raleigh County Commissioners see the downside. “Pushing the maintenance costs and other costs associate with that road to the state would further burden the state when a majority of that comes from out of state people,” said the President of the Raleigh County Commission, Byrd White.
Commissioners said the West Virginia Parkways Authority makes it easy on West Virginia residents to drive through the tolls with E-ZPass.
They believe keeping the tolls will give the state more money to obtain other roads.


Residents of Knox have the opportunity to support their schools just by filling up their gas tank.
Ten cents of every gallon purchased at the Zingo BP station on East Danker Street goes to the school corporation, according to WSBT.
The funds will support a new security system called “Raptor” for the schools. Some of the expected funding for the system, which was expected to come from the state, failed to materialize.
The fundraiser runs through the end of November.


Discussions with President successful, SLFP not to leave government
Mon, Jul 26, 2021, 11:46 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 26, Colombo: General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara says that the two and a half hour discussion with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ended successfully.
A Sri Lanka Freedom Party delegation joined a special discussion with President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today (26) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Former President Maithripala Sirisena, , Minister of Labor Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera, and National organizer State Minister Duminda Dissanayake also participated in the discussion.
State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said the issues that have arisen for them as a party which gives special strength to the present government and the President and the issues that have arisen in the country as a whole were discussed.
Speaking to the media after the discussion, the SLFP members stated that the discussion ended positively and the President responded positively to their demands. They also stated that they would continue to contribute to strengthen the government.
Jayasekara said President Rajapaksa’s attention has been drawn to the contribution of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to the future program of the government and the preparation of a special program regarding future actions. He said the President was briefed on the injustices done to the SLFP representatives of the local government bodies and the organizers of the constituencies by some government ministers and MPs.
“We, as a party, especially at the local level made a huge commitment to elect the President and form this government, but after that the government has disregarded the local representatives, who helped to strengthen the government and is continuing to sideline the SLFP members, especially the local government representatives,” State Minister said.
The party has questioned the President on how the government can include SLFP organizers, district organizers, divisional councilors, divisional representatives as well as representatives of affiliated organizations in government-implemented programs.
“We have also discussed with the President on amendments to the new constitution and the electoral system, teacher salary anomalies, Educational Reform Programs, and the current issues regarding fertilizers and organic fertilizers,” Jayasekara said.
He said the President agreed to implement and follow through on the decisions taken at the discussion and .promised to amend the electoral system.
The General Secretary said the President responded positively to their concerns and the discussions was successful. He added that the party hopes to hold discussions with the SLPP next.
Many in the political circle were watching to see if the SLFP would continue to support the government and the meeting between the President and the SLFP parliamentary group has affirmed that the party led by former president Maithripala Sirisena will resolve the issues and continue to support the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led government.
Meanwhile, at a media briefing convened by the SLPP today, its General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam expressed his views regarding the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
He said that a small minority of SLFP MPs are complaining that they are being disregarded and given some menial posts and they are still in the same old mindset thinking that SLFP was a major party.
“In previous alliances SLFP was the major party and had more power. But in this government the major party of the alliance is SLPP. Although some of the SLFP members with political experience have understood this reality but few members have failed to grasp it,” SLPP General Secretary said.


Farmers' agitation would end soon: Anurag Thakur
Hamirpur (HP)/UNI: Union Minister of state for finance and Corporate affairs, Anurag Thakur on Sunday expressed optimism that the agitation by the farmers on three farm bills would end soon and a final solution would come out which would be acceptable to both parties.
Talking to reporters after casting vote with his family at Samirpur polling station on Sunday, he said that the BJP was pro-farmer and was all set to double their income in the next two to three years.
He said some elements were harming the cause of the farmers and misleading them but the day was not for when farmers would realize that that who their friend was and end the agitation amicably.
He said that talks in this respect with the central ministers and the leaders of the farmers were still in progress and he was sure that talks would be fruitful shortly as the central government was in favor of helping the farming community.
Thakur said that the central government had accepted the Dr. Swaminathan's report and provided relief amounting to thousands of crore rupees to the farmers. The farmers were happy for this but some persons were still trying to misguide them for their own benefits and welfare.
He said that the BJP government had given more MSP to farmers than the Congress party was giving earlier and it had made more than two crore and fifty lakh kisan cards thereby helping them to make purchases and get benefits of the farmers related schemes.
He was, however, pained to say that farmers were being misled by Congress party and other opposition leaders as they were out of power and wanted to come to power. However, their evil intentions would not yield favorable results and the BJP would continue to remain in power and work for the wellbeing and welfare of the masses.
Replying to a question, he said that the party was sure to form its civic bodies in the state in majority as those elected were having allegiance with the BJP and only a handful of the Congress party leanings have won the elections. He claimed that the BJP was united and those who had won defeating the official candidates had returned to the main fold of the party.