Government has taken several measures to encourage young scientists to undertake research work. The schemes / programmes are designed to identify promising
Jul262017
Jul262017
Integrated Security System at Stations
Based on the report of a High Level Committee and in consultation with the Zonal Railways, 202 stations have been identified as sensitive for the purpose of installation of an Integrated Security System (ISS) to strengthen surveillance mechanism at these stations.
Jul262017
Sharp increase in number of personal insolvencies
26 Jul 2017
New figures released by the Scottish Government have shown a drastic increase in the number of personal insolvencies and bankruptcies between April and June this year.
The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) confirmed that there were 2,839 personal insolvencies in the first quarter of 2017-18, compared to 2,420 in the same quarter last year – an increase of 17%.
Of those 1,289 were bankruptcies, an increase of 11% on the year before.
The figures show just how much some are struggling, and the Scottish Conservatives have called on the SNP Government to do more to help Scots deal with personal debt.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“It’s incredibly worrying to see such a sharp increase in the number of Scots going bankrupt.
“Given the lacklustre growth in the Scottish economy over the last year, we are starting to see the consequences of it as more and more people are struggling in a sea of debt.
“These individuals will be going through an incredibly tough time and it is incumbent upon the Scottish Government to do all they can to support them.
“One step the SNP could take immediately would be to boost long-term economic growth and job creation by reversing their tax hikes that have made Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK.
Jul262017
UN refugee agency seeks $9.5 million to assist self-organized Nigerian returnees from Cameroon
26 July 2017 – The UN refugee agency is seeking an additional $9.5 million to scale up its activities in northeast Nigeria, as a result of an unexpected surge in self-organized returns of Nigerian refugees mainly from Cameroon since the beginning of the year.
“This is a new emergency, which requires urgent attention,” said Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in a press release.
Between January and June 2017, nearly 135,000 refugees returned to Nigeria, mainly women and children. The majority left Minawao and Kolofata refugee settlements, in the Far North Region of Cameroon.
“Many of these returnees are unable to go back to their homes due to security concerns and end up being displaced again, in dire humanitarian conditions,” he added.
The situation is particularly difficult in the town of Banki, where many are forced to live outdoors and have limited access to drinking water, food and medicine.
“During my recent visit to the region, I was not only appalled by the scale of the humanitarian needs, but also deeply shocked at the level of trauma, social division and distrust,” said Mr. Türk, who visited both Nigeria and Cameroon over the past three weeks.
“We urge the international community to pay more attention to this highly complex and challenging humanitarian and security situation,” he added.
As vulnerabilities increase over time, funding is, unfortunately, lagging behind needs. So far, UNHCR has received $41.1 million from donors out of a total funding requirement of $179.5 million for 2017 for Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Additional funding would allow UNHCR to increase its presence in border locations and improve border and protection monitoring. The agency also plans to expand reception facilities and launch mass information campaigns to ensure that Nigerian refugees in Cameroon’s Far North have accurate and updated information on the situation prevailing in areas of return in Nigeria.
Mr. Türk said that the Governments of both countries gave him assurances that action has been taken to stop involuntary returns.
The first meeting of the Tripartite Commission, comprising representatives from UNHCR, Nigeria and Cameroon, is expected to take place early August. The Commission was set up after the signature, last March, of a tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees.
It will be “a positive step forward,” Mr. Türk said.
Jul262017
Consultation outcome: Category B driving licence derogation for alternatively fuelled commercial vehicles
Updated: Government response to consultation on regulatory changes to support the take-up of alternatively-fuelled light commercial vehicles.
The government wants to establish low emission light commercial vehicles as an alternative to diesel-powered vans. This will help to improve air quality in our towns and cities and meet our legal obligations under the Climate Change Act and air quality regulations.
The proposals set out in this consultation would allow category B (car) licence holders to drive a slightly heavier vehicle, if it is powered by a low emission technology, by offsetting the additional weight of the powertrain.
This will help compensate for lost payload capacity due to the added weight and size of alternative fuel technologies.