TOI reporters visited govt schools in 6 Rajasthan districts after the CJP row. The findings show how basic govt schooling has collapsed in pockets of the state, from the coaching capital of Kota to desert villages and Jhalawar’s tragedy-hit Piplodi.

Rather than simply being written into workplace policies, Conrad Saunders, programme coordinator in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s (MLSS) HIV Unit, says respect, dignity and fairness must be reflected in how workers are treated. Saunders made the call on Friday at a Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) certificate presentation ceremony for beneficiaries of a human rights and discrimination in the workplace course. The course was held under the theme ‘End Workplace Discrimination: From Awareness to Action’.

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President O’Brian Heron says he is hopeful that upcoming talks with the Government will influence its decision to increase general consumption tax (GCT) on the tourism sector, which has still not fully recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Family, friends and political colleagues gathered at the home of former Speaker of the House Pearnel Charles Sr yesterday to celebrate his 90th birthday, which he officially marks today. Among those joining the celebration were his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons- and daughters-in-law and granddaughter-in-law.

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaicans are being challenged to break the culture of silence surrounding the abuse of children, with Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, minister of state in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, declaring that communities often see the warning signs long before the police do. Dalrymple-Philibert’s impassioned appeal came as 10-year-old Shani Coke, who was raped and murdered in her community of Troy, Trelawny, was being laid to rest.

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is investigating reports that some electors, particularly in St Mary, have been unable to transfer their votes despite repeated attempts over several years. Central to the issue is the verification process for voter transfers, which requires Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) staff to be accompanied by scrutineers representing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party when they visit an elector’s new address. According to the ECJ, the transfer cannot be completed unless the new residence is verified.

By 2:59 a.m. GMT, the decline slowed down, with gold trading at $4,472.4 per troy ounce

Department of State spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the US is looking forward «to strengthening our partnership with Iceland on all fronts»

The fleet will practice measures to ensure safety of Russian navigation via the Northern Sea Route, Captain 2nd Rank Alexander Zinovyev said

«Relations between our countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance,» Vladimir Putin said

Nearly 4,200 people, including 592 foreign nationals, remain missing

All unsecured loans from licensed moneylenders will be subject to a mandatory cooling-off period of three business days from Sept 15, announced the Ministry of Law (MinLaw).Moneylenders will only be allowed to retain a portion of the loan approval fee, up to the stipulated limits, said the ministry on Monday (Aug 31).If the principle amount of the unsecured loan is $5,000 or less, licensed moneylenders will only be allowed to retain a maximum of $50.If the unsecured loan is worth more than $5,000, moneylenders can retain a maximum of 3.5 per cent of the principal, not exceeding the loan approval fee.As such, there will not be any interest charged, and the total amount to be repaid by the borrower cannot exceed the principal amount of the loan, said MinLaw.Prior to the ministry's announcement of the cooling-off period, licensed moneylenders were allowed to keep the full loan approval fee, as well as any interest accrued, if a borrower cancels a loan.

SINGAPORE - Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam has called out comments questioning if the nine Singaporeans reported missing in the Nepal-Tibet disaster were «really Singaporean».In a Facebook post on Aug 31, he called the floods that struck the Himalayan border of Nepal and China's Tibet a «terrible tragedy» and listed the names of the Singaporeans who are still unaccounted for.They are: Estee Loeh, Ghosh Aditi, Ng Kit Kuen, Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan, Shubakshi Rawla, Subramaniam Diraviam and Sumit Rawla.Yam said that scrolling through the comments, he found something else equally difficult to stomach.«While families wait desperately for news of their loved ones, a loud minority of people apparently looked at the names and faces of those missing and decided that this was the moment to ask whether they were really Singaporean,» he said.He added that some have said they hope that people remain stranded or die, while others have also questioned why the authorities should help these Singapore citizens.

Singapore-based taxi operator ComfortDelGro said on Monday (Aug 31) its joint venture with Paris-headquartered RATP Group had been selected to operate and maintain the Copenhagen Metro under a contract valued at about $3.4 billion.Here are some further details.The contract covers the operation and maintenance of the fully automated network, including four lines, 44 stations and 43 kilometres of track, among others, ComfortDelGro said in a statement.The contract will run for 12 years until 2039, with an option to extend by a further three years.Signing of the contract is expected in September, with operations expected to commence in September 2027.«The selection marks ComfortDelGro's second rail operation in Scandinavia, following the group's earlier contract to operate and maintain the Stockholm Metro,» the Singaporean firm said.KBH Metro Partner is the joint venture between ComfortDelGro and a unit of RATP Group.[[nid:742491]]

NATO seeks to build up its military presence in the Arctic, turning the region into a “hotbed” of tensions, Sergey Lavrov has warned Read Full Article at RT.com

A powerful flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon, forcing dozens of hikers to be airlifted, and leaving trails and bridges badly damaged Read Full Article at RT.com

President Donald Trump has demanded that Canadian companies operating in the American market relocate to the US to avoid tariffs Read Full Article at RT.com

Heavy traffic is expected at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints during the upcoming September school holidays, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in an advisory on Monday (Aug 31).The September school holidays start on Sept 4 and end on Sept 14.In its advisory, ICA highlighted that security checks have been stepped up at all checkpoints since Feb 28 — when US and Israel struck Iran — due to the heightened global security environment.«Travellers should therefore expect longer waiting time during peak travel periods,» ICA said.Tips for faster immigration clearanceThose intending to travel through the checkpoints should plan their journey in advance and consider travelling during non-peak hours such as early mornings and late evenings.They can also check the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website and ICA’s social media pages for the latest traffic conditions.Travellers are also encouraged to use QR codes generated via the MyICA mobile app to enjoy «faster and more seamless» immigration clearance.

Former permanent secretary for home affairs Pang Kin Keong will take over as chairman of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) board from Sept 1, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) announced on Monday (Aug 31).He takes over from Alan Chan, who became LTA's board chairman in April 2016.Pang, 59, spent 35 years in the public sector, and retired from administrative service on June 1.Since joining the public service in 1993, he has served in various roles, including as principal private secretary to then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, director of the Internal Security Department (ISD), and director in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.Pang was also Permanent Secretary for Transport between 2012 and 2017 and is credited for leading several major initiatives to position Singapore's transport infrastructure for the future, including the planning of Changi Airport Terminal 5 and Tuas Port.

Deputy Director General for Research at the Moscow Kremlin Museums Andrey Batalov said that the age of the person and the grand prince matched

The Met Police confirmed the total number as of 7.45pm on Sunday, with the vast majority of arrests occurred within the event's perimeter.

Spanish police believe Thomasina Tobin passed away when attempting to save her husband after he became stuck underwater at a spa in a luxury villa in Spain.

Charles will now use the trip at the end of October to urge the nation to stay in the Commonwealth, without having him as head of state.

The harrowing news came on Sunday, following flash floods in the region on yesterday.

The Prime Minister is facing a new backlash after changing the policy to keep PC Andrew Harper's killers behind bars.

Maintaining combat operations at the current level will require around $20 billion

Scott Bessent also said he would hold talks with his Chinese counterparts during the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs

The Russian leader’s schedule includes attending the SCO Council of Heads of States, a meeting in the SCO+ format, and bilateral talks with his counterparts

Scott Bessent added that banks cooperating with Iran will be the first target