At least 17 pupils killed by fire at school in central Kenya

13.09.2024, 13:14 5451

Protocol signed to launch construction of a low-power NPP in Uzbekistan

The State Enterprise "Directorate for Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant" under the Uzatom Agency and the JSC Atomstroyexport (Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation) signed a protocol on the start of work at the construction site of the future low-power nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, UzA reports.

The document was signed in the presence of Nikolay Spassky, Deputy CEO for International Relations at ROSATOM, and Azim Akhmedkhadjayev, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Today’s signing marks the transition to active work on the implementation of the first LPNPP in Uzbekistan and will allow us to begin direct work at the construction site soon", said Otabek Amanov, Director of the Directorate for Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant under the Uzatom Agency.

The protocol signed today confirms the fulfillment of the priority conditions in terms of regulatory and financial obligations of the parties. Rosatom’s Engineering Division is beginning to actively develop the documentation to obtain a license for the placement of the LPNPP and survey work at the construction site", said Pavel Bezrukov, Director of NPP Construction Projects in Central Asia at JSC ASE.

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13.09.2024, 10:14 5266

China builds world's highest BeiDou high-altitude meteorological observation station

A meteorological balloon featuring BeiDou navigation was recently launched at a national meteorological observation station in Baingoin County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinhua reports.

This marks the establishment of the world's highest BeiDou high-altitude meteorological observation station, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

After 65 minutes of ascending through clouds, the BeiDou meteorological equipment aboard the meteorological balloon beamed back meteorological data, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction and wind speed, from altitudes ranging between 4,706 meters and 31,680 meters, according to Pema Dorje, a local meteorological bureau official.

Once operational, the meteorological observation station will boast ground and high-altitude collaborative meteorological observation capabilities.

This will increase the density and precision of high-altitude observation networks in Xizang and improve tracking and monitoring of weather conditions such as thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

It will also support studies on precipitation enhancement effects in plateau lake groups, while improving forecasting accuracy and strengthening meteorological disaster prevention and relief efforts.

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05.09.2024, 11:56 20991

High school shooting in U.S. Georgia leaves 4 dead, 9 injured

Four people were killed and nine wounded in a campus shooting at a high school in the U.S. state of Georgia on Wednesday, local authorities said, Xinhua reports.

The four deceased are two students and two teachers at the Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, about 70 km north of Atlanta, Georgia's biggest city.

The shooter has been identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the high school, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Chris Hosey told a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Gray opened fire at the high school shortly before 10:30 a.m. He surrendered to police as soon as he was confronted by a school resource officer, Hosey said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency responders were dispatched to the school following the shooting.

The shooter will be charged with murder and will be tried as an adult, Hosey said.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said he is not aware of any connection between the suspected shooter and the victims.

Hosey said part of the investigation is looking into every aspect of the shooter, his connection at the school.

Another nine people injured in the shooting have been taken to hospitals, Hosey said. In addition to the patients with gunshot wounds, five people were hospitalized with panic attack symptoms, a hospital spokesperson said.

The school was put on a hard lockdown after the shooting took place. Schools in Barrow County will be closed for the rest of the week, according to Dallas LeDuff, the county's superintendent.

The deadly school shooting has prompted officials to step up patrols around campuses in Atlanta.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he is mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to "senseless gun violence."

What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart," he said.

The president called on lawmakers to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.

Over 380 mass shootings have occurred in the United States in 2024 so far, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed.

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04.09.2024, 15:36 21151

Kyrgyzstan, China open new checkpoint on border

Images | Kabar

A ceremonial opening of a new Bedel checkpoint took place on the state border between Kyrgyzstan and the People's Republic of China, Kabar reports.

The Cabinet of Ministers reported that the opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobaev, as well as Chairman of the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Erkin Tuniyaz, who headed the Chinese delegation.

The ceremony began with video addresses by Chairman of the Cabinet - Head of the Presidential Administration Akylbek Zhaparov and member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CPC XUAR Ma Xingrui.

In a video address, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Zhaparov noted that the opening of the checkpoint was made possible by the agreements between the heads of the two states - Sadyr Zhaparov and Xi Jinping, which marked a new page in the history of Kyrgyz-Chinese relations.

The Bedel checkpoint will become not only a gateway for further economic cooperation, but also a bridge of friendship and mutual respect between our countries. I am confident that in the near future it will become an important international transport and logistics corridor that will contribute to an increase in trade and passenger traffic between China and the countries of Central Asia," said Akylbek Zhaparov.

Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPC Ma Xingrui noted that the opening of the Bedel checkpoint will make a significant contribution to the development of good-neighborly and strategic relations between the two countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Bakyt Torobaev emphasized that the new transport corridor will become the third major gate and bridge linking Kyrgyzstan and China along with the Irkeshtam and Torugart checkpoints, promoting even closer interaction and expanding existing routes.

This unique project, located on the border between the picturesque Issyk-Kul region and the prosperous Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, strengthens the friendship and cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China. A lot of work has been done in a short time, and there are still many tasks ahead. This is only the beginning of our long journey," Bakyt Torobaev added.

Chairman of the People’s Government of the XUAR Erkin Tuniyaz expressed confidence that the opening of the Bedel checkpoint will open a new stage in Kyrgyz-Chinese relations, creating new projects and opportunities that will contribute to the well-being and prosperity of both peoples.

The Bedel checkpoint was opened under a simplified procedure with the creation of temporary infrastructure. Full-scale construction of the road, as well as the creation of customs and border infrastructure that meets international standards, will be jointly implemented by 2027.

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03.09.2024, 17:25 23741

293 killed, 564 injured in monsoon rain-related accidents in Pakistan

Images | Jan Ali/Xinhua

A total of 293 people have been killed and 564 others injured in monsoon rain-triggered accidents in Pakistan in the past two months as heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, Xinhua reports.

Heavy rains have partially or fully damaged 19,572 houses, 39 bridges and several schools across the country, said the agency, adding that nearly 1,077 livestock have also perished from July 1 to Aug. 31.

Most of the damages and casualties were reported from the eastern Punjab province, where 112 people lost their lives and 302 others sustained injuries due to torrential rains, followed by the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with 88 deaths and 129 injuries.

The agency said a fresh spell of moderate to heavy rainfall was expected in parts of Pakistan in the coming days.

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03.09.2024, 10:23 23881

School bus rams into crowd in east China, 11 dead

A school bus ran into a crowd of students at the gate of a middle school in Tai'an City in east China's Shandong Province on Tuesday morning, resulting in approximately a dozen casualties, according to local authorities of Dongping County, Xinhua reports.

The accident occurred after 7 a.m. when the bus, customized for transporting students, collided with students standing at the roadside.

The cause of the accident is not yet known.

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02.09.2024, 13:06 24081

Uzbekistan and Dubai enhance collaboration in tourism

Images | uza.uz

During a recent roundtable discussion in Tashkent, the tourism opportunities of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism were presented, UzA reports.

Here is what the Regional Head of Proximity Markets of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Bader Ali Habib, said about this: Currently, comprehensive ties between our countries are strengthening. This contributes to increasing the tourism potential of the two countries.

Dubai had a record year in 2023, with 17.15 million foreign tourists visiting the Emirates. This trend will continue in 2024. In January-June this year, Dubai was visited by 9.31 million foreign tourists, 9 percent more than in the same period last year.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism recorded record attendance figures in 2023. In particular, a significant increase in the number of tourists from Uzbekistan was noted. Compared with the summer season of 2022, in 2023, the tourist flow increased by 81 percent. Compared with the summer season of 2019, it increased by 160 percent. In 2024, the tourist flow from Uzbekistan continues to grow. In particular, in the first quarter of the year, visitors increased by 8 percent compared to the same period last year. This is due to the growing popularity of Dubai and the successful development of the country’s tourism sector. Established direct flights between Dubai, Tashkent, and Samarkand strengthen the ties between these cities.

Uzbekistan is becoming an important and promising market for Dubai, and we are pleased with the steady growth in the number of Uzbekistan tourists coming to the Emirates. Thanks to the availability of direct flights and the absence of visa barriers, tourism has become very convenient for citizens of Uzbekistan. Dubai attracts tourists with its unique cultural events, attractions, and excellent service. We strive to provide guests an unforgettable experience and a comfortable and safe holiday.

Dubai’s excellent tourism performance is recognized internationally. Starting in 2024, the city was ranked number one in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for the third time.

With new attractions and events attracting tourists worldwide, Dubai has established itself as a global hub for leisure and entertainment and continues to strengthen its position. One of its most recent achievements was opening the first Real Madrid World theme park at Dubai Parks and Resorts, operated by a renowned football club. This was achieved through a long-term agreement between DET and Real Madrid in October last year. The deal opens new opportunities for the two organizations and supports Dubai’s D33 economic goal.

More than 100 Dubai hotels offer visitors a special Kids Go Free promotion during the summer. As part of the promotion, children under 12 can stay, eat, and visit attractions in the city for free.

The Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival is also held regularly. From June 28 to September 1, visitors and residents of Dubai are offered incredible discounts, special offers, and cultural events. The shopping festival is held from December 13 to January 19 in the winter.

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29.08.2024, 20:45 40056

3,600-year-old Minoan bronze dagger discovered off Türkiye's coast

Images | Anadolu

A 3,600-year-old bronze dagger, believed to be from the Minoan civilization, has been unearthed off the coast of Türkiye, marking a major archaeological discovery, Anadolu reports.

Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the find on X, stating, "During underwater excavations conducted off the coast of Kumluca in Antalya, a bronze dagger with silver rivets, attributed to the Minoan civilization of Crete, was discovered."

Ersoy emphasized the significance of the discovery, calling it one of the most important finds in the history of underwater archaeology, not only in Türkiye but globally.

The minister also extended his gratitude to Akdeniz University and the Directorate of Excavations and Research for their diligent work in uncovering the ancient artifact.

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