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Arab information ministers endorse Sheikha Fatima’s initiative to expand ‘Arab Child Media Award’

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NNPS Desk
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CAIRO, Nov 27 (WAM/APP): Arab Information Ministers have endorsed the initiative of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak- the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF)- to expand the regional scope of the ‘Arab Child Media Award’. This endorsement highlights the award’s profound social, educational, and developmental significance.

Led by the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and the UAE Media Council, the initiative aims to foster the production of creative media content that addresses the needs and issues of Arab children.

This was outlined in the resolutions and recommendations adopted at the conclusion of the 55th session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The meeting was chaired by the Syrian Arab Republic and attended by ministers, heads of delegations from Arab states, as well as media organisations and bodies with observer status at the Council.

Consistent with the Council’s commitment to addressing key media themes—particularly the welfare of children in the region—the ministers approved the adoption of the Arab Child Media Award. Based on an initiative by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, this effort will be coordinated with the League of Arab States (Media and Communication & Social Affairs Sectors) to expand the award’s reach across the Arab world.

In a statement following the meeting, the Council welcomed the UAE’s initiative to launch the ‘Media Engineering in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ programme. Additionally, the Arab Electronic Media Committee was tasked with drafting a model law to regulate digital media.

The Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause across all political, humanitarian, and legal dimensions, placing special emphasis on the issue of occupied Jerusalem.

They urged Arab media outlets to maintain coverage of current developments amid ongoing Israeli breaches of the truce in the Gaza Strip and serious violations in the West Bank, condemning the targeting of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces, in clear violation of international and humanitarian law.

Speech competition on ‘Anti-Narcotics, Social Media’ impacts held at UoS

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Samina Ch
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SARGODHA, Nov 27 (APP):A speech competition on anti-narcotics awareness and the negative impacts of social media was organized by The Educators Police Public High School on Thursday at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the University of Sargodha (UoS).
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sargodha, Muhammad Shehzad Asif Khan, and Vice Chancellor UoS, Dr. Qaisar Abbas, graced the event as chief guests. Other distinguished attendees included SP RIB Azhar Yaqoob, SP Investigation Javed Akhtar Jatoi, ADIG Muhammad Tariq Malik, and DSP Special Branch Javed Iqbal.
The competition aimed to promote co-curricular engagement and bring forward the hidden talents of students. Thirty students from various schools participated, and the panel of judges comprised Dr. Rabia Faiz, Dr. Sumaira Ijaz, Muhammad Muneer, and Ilyas Gondal.
Participants competed under two themes: “Say No to Drugs, Love Life” and “Running after Likes, Turning away from Books.”
In the anti-narcotics category, Umm-e-Ammara of The Educators Police Public High School secured first place, followed by Zarmina Nisar of Muslim Hands School of Excellence in second, and Fajar Hassan in third.
In the category focused on social media usage, Hajra Mukhtar from Beaconhouse School System clinched first place. Muhammad Arslan of The Educators Police Public High School earned second place, while Eshal Hoorain from Reader Cambridge School secured third.
Cash prizes of Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 15,000 were awarded to the first, second, and third position holders, respectively, along with shields. Later, honorary shields were also presented to teachers and school administration for their exemplary arrangements.

Commissioner inaugurates ‘Deewar-e-Khair’ project

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Samina Ch
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MULTAN, Nov 27 (APP):Commissioner Amir Karim Khan on Thursday inaugurated Deewar-e-Khair (Welfare Wall), a project aimed at providing free warm clothes, blankets, and shoes to destitute individuals. The initiative, launched as a joint venture between the Bait-ul-Maal and Social Welfare Departments, commenced at Sanat Zar.
On the opening day, Commissioner Amir Karim Khan distributed warm clothes, jackets, and shoes among the deserving members of society. Director of the Social Welfare Department, Um-e-Farwa, was also present on the occasion.
The Commissioner stated that the distribution of warm outfits would continue throughout the winter season. He noted that the initiative would particularly benefit daily-wage labourers, enabling them to save their hard-earned money by obtaining essential items free of cost.
He also praised philanthropists for their valuable support in sustaining the project, adding that the effort has not only been appreciated by its beneficiaries but has also received widespread acclaim across the city.

China train collision leaves 11 dead, two injured

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NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, Nov 27 (WAM/APP): Eleven people died in a train crash in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan on Thursday,

According to Kunming Railway Station, the collision, which involved a group of railway workers, also injured two others.

The incident occurred when the train, which was testing seismic equipment, struck the workers, who had entered the track at a curved section inside the Luoyang Town Railway Station in the city of Kunming.

NASA rover detects electrical discharges ‘mini-lightning’ on Mars

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NNPS Desk
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WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (WAM/APP): NASA’s Perseverance rover has obtained evidence that the atmosphere of Mars is electrically active, detecting electrical discharges – what one scientist called “mini-lightning” – often associated with whirlwinds called dust devils that regularly saunter over the planet’s surface.

The six-wheeled rover, exploring Mars since 2021 at a locale called Jezero Crater in its northern hemisphere, picked up these electrical discharges in audio and electromagnetic recordings made by its SuperCam remote-sensing instrument, researchers said.

It is the first documentation of electrical activity in the thin Martian atmosphere.

“These discharges represent a major discovery, with direct implications for Martian atmospheric chemistry, climate, habitability and the future of robotic and human exploration,” said planetary scientist Baptiste Chide of the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetology in France, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

“The electrical charges required for these discharges are likely to influence dust transport on Mars, a process fundamental to the planet’s climate and one that remains poorly understood. What’s more, these electrostatic discharges could pose a risk to the electronic equipment of current robotic missions – and even a hazard for astronauts who one day will explore the Red Planet,” Chide said.

Mars joins Earth, Saturn and Jupiter as planets known to have atmospheric electrical activity. Though not yet documented, other worlds in our solar system also may have this feature including the planets Venus and Uranus and Saturn’s moon Titan, according to the researchers.

UAE announces approval of National Encryption Policy, issuance of executive regulation

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NNPS Desk
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ABU DHABI, Nov 27 (WAM/APP): The United Arab Emirates announced the approval of the National Encryption Policy and the issuance of its executive regulation, which calls on government entities to develop clear, well-defined, and officially approved transition plans from traditional encryption methods to post-quantum cryptography.

The step aims to support a safer and more technologically prepared future amid the rapid advancements in quantum computing.

This milestone reflects the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to build a secure and modern digital infrastructure, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to keeping pace with major technological transformations and anticipating future developments. It also strengthens the UAE’s position as a global hub for artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

According to this policy, the UAE Cybersecurity Council will continue to oversee the national migration efforts, working closely with government bodies to ensure the successful implementation of post-quantum encryption standards.

The council aims to reinforce data protection and safeguard digital assets in accordance with the highest international best practices.

Under its forward-looking leadership, the UAE, through the Cybersecurity Council, is formulating comprehensive national strategies for post-quantum encryption, enhancing the country’s readiness to confront emerging challenges and align with global advancements in this field.

The UAE is now considered one of the leading nations worldwide in adopting and transitioning toward post-quantum encryption, driven by its proactive approach, sustained investment in advanced technologies, and commitment to building a secure and sustainable digital ecosystem.

The UAE Cybersecurity Council is responsible for strengthening national information security, protecting data from unauthorised access, and proposing legislation, policies, and regulations related to encryption. It also sets forth procedures and standards to ensure proper implementation, with recommendations submitted to the National Security Advisor for approval.

Furthermore, the council proposes mechanisms to mitigate the risks posed by quantum computing to sensitive systems with weak cryptographic components and prepares plans for the migration of these systems. It will conduct technical and analytical assessments to support government and private entities in evaluating the readiness and integrity of digital systems prior to wide-scale adoption and deployment.

These assessments also include evaluating the efficiency, quality, and preparedness of AI systems, applications, software, hardware, and technical components to ensure compliance with national and international standards. This enables both government and private institutions to obtain technical accreditation and validate their solutions with confidence.

The council’s services are structured around four main testing and verification pillars: AI reliability testing, software reliability testing, hardware reliability testing, and signal reliability testing.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE government, stated that the approval of the National Encryption Policy and its executive regulation represents a major advancement in the national cybersecurity framework. He emphasised that this achievement reflects the leadership’s commitment to strengthening the UAE’s status as a trusted global hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

He added that encryption and information security have become critical challenges for countries, institutions, and communities in the era of comprehensive digital transformation, highlighting the increasing reliance on secure and resilient digital infrastructure.

KP CM reaffirms his commitment to restore Peshawar glory

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Samina Ch
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PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi here Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to restore Peshawar’s past glory.
He said govt will accelerate efforts for the restoration of Peshawar’s past glory through robust development projects and will make city of flowers.
He was presding over an important meeting of Peshawar district parliamentarians.
CM Sohail Afridi announced during the meeting that a grand session will be convened regarding development projects worth 100 billion rupees for the restoration of Peshawar’s former glory and the city’s progress.
Current and former members of the assembly, along with senior leadership of Peshawar, participated in the meeting. It was decided that a grand gathering will be held in Peshawar on December 7.
Addressing the meeting, CM Sohail Afridi said that detailed consultations were held on the administrative and political matters related to the December 7 gathering.
He added that Peshawar is the provincial capital of KP and the face of the province, therefore, mega projects and the challenges faced by the city will be resolved on a priority basis.

Three policemen killed in Hangu terrorists attack: DPO

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Samina Ch
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PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP):At least three policemen were killed in a terrorist attack in Hangu district on early Thursday.
District Police Officer (DPO) Khanzeb Khan told the media on Thursday that terrorists carried out the attack on the security checkpoint located in the Qazi Talab area of City Police Station jurisdiction, in which three police personnel were martyred.
The DPO said that the officers stationed at the checkpoint bravely confronted the terrorists, causing losses to the attackers as well.
The bodies of the martyred officers have been shifted to the DHQ Hospital, while a large contingent of police and security forces reached the scene, sealed the area, and launched an operation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack. They said sacrifices of martyrs will not go to waste and action against terrorism will continue.

ICT Police come under fire in Golra raid; Main drug accused injured

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Samina Ch
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police came under heavy fire in the Golra area when accomplices of a notorious drug peddler opened indiscriminate fire on a police raiding team.
An official told APP on Thursday that the Golra police team was taking the arrested drug peddler, Adnan Haider, for the recovery of narcotics and arrest of his associates when the incident occurred.
He said as soon as the police team approached a house where the accomplices were hiding, the suspects opened indiscriminate fire on the raiding team.
He added that Constable Abdul Shakoor was hit in the chest, but remained unharmed due to timely safety measures and his bulletproof jacket.
He said the under-custody drug peddler Adnan Haider, who was on physical remand, was injured by the firing of his own accomplices. Adnan Haider is a record-holder with dozens of narcotics cases registered against him.
Police said raids are underway to arrest the fleeing suspects involved in the attack.

Trade minister meets European business leaders to promote investment in S. Korea

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NNPS Desk
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SEJONG, Nov 27 (YONHAP/APP): Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with representatives of European companies operating in South Korea on Thursday and discussed ways to create a stable environment for their investment here, Yeo’s office said.

The meeting was attended by representatives from German automaker Mercedes-Benz, health care company Merck Korea and cosmetics firm L’Oreal Korea, among others, as well as the leadership of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea, including its Chairman Philippe Van Hoof and President Stefan Ernst, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

In the meeting, the European companies pointed out several issues they said need to be addressed for them to boost their investment here, including regulatory improvements, simplified customs procedures and the recognition of European standards, the ministry said.

Yeo said the Seoul government will review relevant systems and regulations through the implementation body of the Korea-EU free trade agreement as part of efforts to improve EU companies’ access to the Korean market.

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