MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque on Thursday launched its operational plan for the 2024 Hajj season. Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, described it as the largest religious operational plan yet undertaken by the presidency. The plan is focused on serving pilgrims, enriching their religious experience, creating a devotional atmosphere, and launching 120 religious enrichment initiatives during the Hajj season.

As part of its ambition to complete the banking union, the European Commission has proposed to introduce a European deposit insurance scheme (EDIS) to reduce the potential spill-over risk of local bank failures on the financial stability of the economic and monetary union as a whole. According to the proposal of 24 November 2015, the EDIS would be the third pillar of the banking union. It would be introduced gradually, in three separate phases between 2017 and 2024, complementing national deposit guarantee schemes. The proposal would also have implications for the overall resolution framework for banks under the single resolution mechanism (SRM), so the Commission proposes to amend the SRM Regulation (EU) No 806/2014, introducing a common deposit insurance system as of 2024. In the meantime, the Commission has tabled a package of proposals for bank crisis management and deposit insurance. In Parliament, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) is responsible for the file. While the first draft report was never adopted by ECON, a second draft report was adopted in ECON in April 2024. The report suggests focusing on the first step of EDIS – namely the liquidity insurance fund, now called 'EDIS I' – and reiterates the need for a fully-fledged EDIS, to be adopted through a new Commission proposal. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

A man was found dead in a shipping container at Mandai Foodlink after he went missing for days, Shin Min Daily News reported on Friday (May 24). The body of the 30-year-old was discovered at 11am on Wednesday at a third-floor unit of the industrial complex. Arriving at the scene at around 2pm, the Shin Min reporter noted that a large blue shipping container at the unit had been left open, with a pungent stench emanating from it. Officers were seen bagging evidence from the container, which included clothing. Speaking with Shin Min, an employee from a neighbouring unit said he was shocked to learn that a death had occurred so nearby. He added that the deceased was an employee of a middle-aged couple that operated a business selling alcohol products including wine, and had been working for about a year. «How could there be such a sudden death? I haven't smelled anything strange the past few days either,» he said. The dead man's employer — red-eyed and wearing a downcast expression — was also at scene speaking with police.

The federal government has unfurled a new cybersecurity strategy aimed at protecting its vast array of computer systems and information banks against a growing variety of threats.

United Airlines started today seasonal direct flights between Keflavík International Airport and its home port New York/Newark.

The 2015 refugee and migrant crisis in Europe called into question existing EU legislation on asylum, in particular the criteria according to which applicants for international protection can qualify for refugee or subsidiary protection status, as recognised in the Qualification Directive. Although national asylum rules are more closely aligned than they were, there continue to be major differences in approach across the EU. This can lead asylum-seekers to claim refuge in Member States whose asylum systems appear to be more generous, rather than in the Member State officially responsible for their asylum applications. The European Commission's proposal of 13 July 2016 proposed to replace the Qualification Directive with a regulation, setting uniform standards for the recognition of people in need of protection and for the rights granted to beneficiaries of international protection. The European Parliament and the Council reached provisional agreement on the text in June 2018. After being blocked since 2018, the two institutions reached a final agreement on the regulation on 15 December 2022. Coreper approved the agreement on 8 February 2024. Parliament adopted the text during its plenary session of 10 April 2024. The regulation enters into force in June 2024 and into application on 1 July 2026. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In addition, the Russian leader expressed hope that, in his capacity as president, Lam would continue to promote constructive bilateral cooperation in all fields, benefiting both nations and strengthening security and stability in the Asia-Pacific, the agency reported

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that «odious terrorist structures such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS are the spawn of the US and UK special services»

«We see secondary sanctions against our partners as evidence of the neocolonial policies of Washington and London, which serve as a cover for attempts to implement a course of action aimed at establishing total control over trade and financial operations within the CIS,» Alexander Bortnikov noted

An armed attack on Robert Fico took place in the western Slovakian town of Handlova on May 15

«Liberal elites don’t like him because he dared to advocate the national interests of his country and people,» Sergey Naryshkin noted

[New Times] President Paul Kagame, on Thursday, May 23, inaugurated a Rwf22 billion new Radiant Insurance building, located in the central business district.

[The Herald] Zimbabwe has made tremendous strides to improve agricultural production in line with the Malabo Declaration targets that were set in 2014.

[UNFPA in WCA] Adelia's story is one of quiet suffering and resilience. «My clothes were constantly wet from urine or faeces and gave off a bad smell. The father of my children could no longer stand my presence and I couldn't run my business. I suffered for 10 years. I was ostracized and had to stay with my mother in the village...». These poignant words from Adelia, a survivor of obstetric fistula, bring to light the harrowing reality faced by countless women and girls. On this International Day to End Obstetric

«When Bollywood considered me an outsider and mocked my English. Then, the world's biggest party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the world's biggest leader, PM Modi, chose me to serve the people of Mandi and work for their welfare. They chose a 'Pahadi Beti' for this work. This fills us with pride and eminence. I bow in respect before our PM Narendra Modi on behalf of all women and citizens of Himachal.»

In addition to its hilly terrain, seismic activity and tropical climate, Papua New Guinea's population is spread across the country in a way that makes it particularly vulnerable to landslide fatalities.

«Moreover, Chisinau is being pressured to consider giving up its national identity and statehood in general,» Alexander Bortnikov pointed out

«Russia closely cooperates with these countries,» Alexander Bortnikov noted, pointing to «the long-established and new contacts in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America, primarily in the field of countering international terrorism»

«9M333 surface-to-air missiles have been produced by the Kalashnikov Group since 2020 and have proved to be efficient in the special military operation in accomplishing combat missions,» the statement says

VTB Group received record net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the amount of 432.2 bln rubles ($4.6 bln) for 2023 following loss for the previous year

«The heads of delegations of the CSTO member states participating in the second staff talks gave high marks to the preparation and conduct of the exercise,» the CSTO stated

CIBC Caribbean is in the process of unveiling plans for the creation of a ‘Digital Branch’ through its current call centres. The establishment of a new call centre facility in Kingston, Jamaica, and the creation of new job opportunities for some of...

Lydford Mining Company, with its plant based in Golden Grove, St Ann, has been providing vital support to four local schools, particularly with the most recent drought exacerbating water scarcity in the area. As a result of the drought, Lydford...

On Tuesday, the Wolmer’s Trust Group of Schools celebrated 295 years as one of the premier educational institutions in Jamaica. This was the day John Wolmer made his last will and testament, leaving 2,360 pounds sterling, the bulk of his estate,...

“My friends, I am pleased to tell you that the state of the tourist industry in Jamaica is strong and flourishing. Our industry has embraced ‘More in 24’ recognising the transformative power of Jamaica’s tourist industry, which is, like many in our...

Hoping to become the first Jamaica-born male to sit on the New York City Council, Lawman Lynch recently announced his candidacy for a Brooklyn city council seat. He is seeking to represent Council District 41 in Brooklyn. Should he win the seat in...

N'djamena le 23 mai 2024- Le Président de la Transition, Président de la République, Chef de l'Etat, le Général Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a honoré de sa présence ce jeudi à N'Djamena au Tchad la cérémonie d'investiture de Son Homologue le Général Mahamat Idiss Déby Itno, Président de la République Tchadienne, Premier Président de la Cinquième République. C'est à l'invitation du Président Tchadien, vainqueur de l'élection présidentielle du 6 mai dernier en République du Tchad après (...) - INTERNATIONAL / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le classement annuel des meilleures universités du monde a été rendu public par le Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Avec 59 universités issues de onze pays africains, le continent se démarque. Pour réaliser ce classement mondial, l'organisme de conseils Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), s”est appuyé sur un échantillon de 20.966 institutions pour ne retenir que 2000, classées comme étant les meilleures universités du monde en 2024. L'organisme de conseils précise (...) - ENSEIGNEMENT SUPÉRIEUR / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Trump said Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and Viktor Orban were “at the top of their game, whether you like it or not.”