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News from October 30, 2025

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Forest rights act: A tale of bureaucratic intent and ground-level betrayal
Technology

Forest rights act: A tale of bureaucratic intent and ground-level betrayal

The Forest Rights Act, intended to empower tribal communities and correct historical injustices, faces significant challenges in implementation. Despite the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' efforts to guide states, bureaucratic resistance and technical rejections hinder progress. The gap between policy intent and ground reality remains vast, with communities often sidelined in favor of industrial interests..The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) writes detailed, thoughtful letters to Chief Secretaries, outlining with precision the gaps in the implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) that was born from a historic consensus to correct a “historic injustice”. It is a legislation that seeks not merely to grant land titles but to orchestrate a radical shift in forest governance — from a colonial, exclusionary model to a democratic, community-led one. The MoTA, as its custodian, periodically dispatches detailed missives to the states, outlining the path to achieving this vision. The latest such communication, from Secretary Vibhu Nayar, is a comprehensive diagnostic of the ailment and a prescriptive guide for a cure.It speaks of prioritising Community Forest Rights (CFR), disposing of decade-old pendencies, protecting against forced relocation and leveraging the Act to empower communities over minor forest produce (MFP). It is a blueprint for emancipation. Yet, in the forests of India, these letters often feel like messages in a bottle, washed ashore in a land where the language of rights is foreign. The chasm between the intent in New Delhi's Shastri Bhavan and the reality in the woods is not just a gap; it is a raging river of apathy, conflict and systemic resistance.Official narrative: Glimpse of progress in sea of dataOn the surface, the government’s own data, as reflected in MoTA’s Monthly Progress Report (MPR) for July 2025, tells a story of incremental, albeit slow, progress. The numbers are impressive in their aggregate: Over 2.39 million Individual Forest Rights (IFR) titles have been granted across 21 states, covering a vast expanse of over five million acres of forest land. Since the previous month, states like Odisha, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh have shown activity, adding a combined 1,529 new IFR titles. This indicates that the administrative machinery has not ground to a complete halt. On the community front, which is the very soul of FRA, the data shows that 121,863 CFR titles have been recognised nationally. The MoTA letter rightly identifies CFR and Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) as vital for “conserving ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and fostering community-led forest governance”. It even highlights “commendable examples” set by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, urging other states to prepare an FRA Atlas to systematically identify potential areas for vesting community rights.This is the narrative of intent — a central ministry pushing for a more systematic, transparent and accelerated process, anchored through state and district FRA cells funded under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA). Hidden truth: Mountain of rejections & pendencyHowever, a deeper dive into MPR reveals the more sinister underbelly of this story. Nestled within the same report is a figure that betrays a profound injustice: A staggering 1.87 million forest rights claims have been rejected. Let that number sink in. For every title granted, nearly one has been formally denied. In just one month leading up to the July 2025 report, this number swelled by over 11,000 rejections, with Odisha, Karnataka, and Goa contributing to this surge.This mass rejection is not a mere statistical anomaly; it is the central crisis of FRA. The MoTA letter itself provides the clue to why this is happening. It notes, with evident concern, that “several claims are rejected on technical grounds, such as the absence of satellite imagery, GIS / GPS mapping”. It then delivers a crucial corrective, reiterating that Rule 12A of FRA “clearly envisages satellite imagery and other technological inputs as supplementary, not substitute forms of evidence”.This directive lays bare the conflict. The ground-level implementing authorities — Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLC) and District Level Committees (DLC) — are often dominated by officials from the forest and revenue departments. These are institutions steeped in a legacy of control over forests and land, viewing FRA as an erosion of their authority. By weaponising technicalities like satellite imagery, which cannot capture the nuances of traditional occupation or identify the occupant, they create a convenient, bureaucratic veil for denying rights. The Gram Sabha’s evidence, the very heart of the FRA process, is routinely dismissed, making a mockery of the law’s community-centric philosophy. The system, in effect, is designed to fail the claimant.Crucible of injustice: Hasdeo AranyaIf one needs a case study of this betrayal, look no further than the Hasdeo Aranya region in Chhattisgarh. Dubbed the lungs of central India, this pristine forest is home to Adivasi communities whose existence is inextricably linked to the land. Despite FRA's clear safeguards under Section 4 (2), which mandates that rights must be recognised and settled before any relocation for "inviolate" areas, the state government has been pushing for coal mining in the region.The story in Hasdeo is a microcosm of the national struggle. The MoTA letter’s earnest directive that "no member... is relocated from such areas without the settlement of their rights" rings hollow here. The state's actions demonstrate a fundamental disregard for the spirit of FRA, prioritising extractive industrial interests over community-led forest governance and conservation. It is a stark example of how the law is side-lined when it conflicts with powerful economic and political agendas.MFP paradox: Policy vs practiceNowhere is the disconnect more poignant than in the context of MFP. The MoTA letter powerfully reiterates that FRA has an "overriding effect" on other laws related to MFPs. It empowers right-holders to process, add value and market their produce, and even calls for amending transit permit rules to allow Gram Sabhas to issue them. Yet, as field reports from villages like Sirlijodi in Rayagada, Odisha reveal, the gatherers — mostly women — have no awareness of the minimum support price (MSP) or schemes like Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK). They sell their high-quality tamarind for a paltry Rs 30 a kilogramme to the first middleman who arrives, utterly disconnected from the formal procurement system and the legal empowerment the FRA is supposed to grant them. The law promises autonomy, but the ground reality is one of continued exploitation.This dispossession is most starkly evident in the case of high-value MFPs like kendu leaves. In a bitter irony, numerous Gram Sabhas in Koraput district and other parts of Odisha that have received CFR titles, formally recognizing their right to “own, collect, use, and dispose of” MFP, are systematically prevented from exercising this right. The state forest department continues to control the lucrative Kendu leaf trade, issuing transit permits to its own contractors and denying the same to the legally empowered Gram Sabhas. This is not an isolated case; similar patterns are reported from states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, where the forest department's monopoly over transit permits persists, directly contravening the FRA's mandate and the MoTA's specific instructions. The recognition of CFR, in these instances, becomes a hollow certificate, a right granted on paper but violently withheld in practice.Way forward: Beyond letters to battle for powerThe MoTA’s letters are necessary. They are a crucial, official record of what should be. They provide civil society and communities with a tool to hold governments accountable. The establishment of FRA cells and the push for digitalisation, as mentioned in the letter, are steps in the right direction.However, the relentless pace of rejections, the battles in places like Hasdeo and the profound awareness gap in tribal hamlets prove that the FRA’s promise remains largely unfulfilled. Therefore, a multi-pronged strategy is essential:Political accountability: The implementation of FRA must be moved from the periphery to the centre of political discourse. The performance of state governments must be judged on metrics beyond titles distributed to include claims rejected, CFR titles recognised and instances of illegal relocation.Strengthening Gram Sabha: Massive capacity-building and legal literacy programs are needed to arm Gram Sabhas with the knowledge to defend their claims and assert their rights over MFPs and forest governance.Bureaucratic reformation: The composition and functioning of the SDLCs and DLCs need an overhaul to ensure they are not dominated by officials hostile to the FRA. Independent monitors and civil society observers could be incorporated to ensure fairness.Convergence as tool for empowerment: The DA-JGUA must be aggressively used to provide the promised post-recognition support — from building community storage facilities and processing units to facilitating market access — ensuring that a title translates into tangible economic improvement. FRA remains one of the most visionary and radical pieces of legislation in independent India. But its true implementation demands a political battle to dismantle the entrenched structures of control and to truly believe, as the law does, that the best guardians of India’s forests are the communities who have called them home for centuries.Chitta Ranjan Pani is an independent researcher of livelihood and natural resource governance.Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.

Chitta Ranjan Pani
Togo- L’OIM recrute pour ce poste (30 octobre 2025)
Technology

Togo- L’OIM recrute pour ce poste (30 octobre 2025)

Soutenir les opérations quotidiennes et le personnel affecté au bureau du MSEC à Dapaong. Développer et entretenir des relations de bonne collaboration avec les bénéficiaires et les autorités locales. Évaluer en permanence le contexte opérationnel, y compris la dynamique de stabilisation et les risques dans les zones prioritaires d’intervention. Élaborer des contributions écrites et des rapports d’analyse du contexte selon les demandes et les besoins. Coordonner l’organisation des ateliers, forums, dialogues et autres activités participatives, y compris dans le cadre de l’approche intégrée de stabilisation communautaire (ICSA). Identifier et coordonner le développement et la formulation de nouvelles idées de subventions en étroite collaboration avec le gouvernement, la société civile et les partenaires communautaires, sur base des analyses de contexte, des objectifs du MSEC et des priorités définies dans le cadre de l’ICSA. Veiller à la bonne exécution des initiatives de petites subventions en supervisant directement le personnel chargé de la mise en œuvre, notamment dans l’identification des bénéficiaires, des partenaires locaux et des consultants techniques et s’assurer que les volets liés aux achats, aux finances et à la logistique soient exécutés dans le respect des procédures et des délais. Superviser et soutenir le personnel sous supervision dans l’exercice de ses fonctions. Travailler en étroite collaboration avec l’Analyste de sécurité dans le développement et la mise en œuvre de la programmation relative au secteur de la sécurité et des mesures nécessaires en matière de gestion des risques et de sensibilité aux conflits. Soutenir le chef du parti et le chef adjoint du parti dans leurs initiatives d’engagement politique au niveau national. Veiller à l’intégration des thématiques transversales dans toutes les actions du MSEC, telles que l’âge, le genre et la diversité (y compris l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap), la redevabilité envers les populations affectées (y compris la participation, la transparence ainsi que les mécanismes de plaintes et de retours), la prévention de l’exploitation et des abus sexuels, la sensibilité aux conflits et les considérations environnementales. Soutenir l’analyse et la diffusion des données en garantissant la qualité et l’exactitude des informations recueillies et leur saisie en temps voulu dans le système de gestion des subventions. Veiller à ce que les informations/données soient enregistrées conformément aux exigences MEL et aux principes de protection des données. Faciliter les processus d’examen et de réflexion participatifs (pause et réflexion, examen après action) pour le personnel de terrain du MSEC et les partenaires du projet et veiller à la documentation des leçons apprises et des bonnes pratiques. Effectuer des visites régulières sur le terrain et des missions d’évaluation. Exécuter toutes autres tâches qui pourraient lui être confiées.

Godfrey AKPA
The sickness in our health system
Technology

The sickness in our health system

Keep on readingUNOC Engineer Rwakasanga drowns in River Nile while capturing moments with daughterUNOC engineer swept away in Nile rapids at popular tourist spotDaily MonitorUndoDon't vote for my father, he has made too many people suffer- Biya's daughterPaul Biya, 92, seeking re-election after 42 years in officeDaily MonitorUndoI will focus on my family and faith, says outgoing IGG KamyaKamya, who thanked God for His goodness in her tenure, also praised President Museveni for appointing herDaily MonitorUndoIsrael kills more than 100 in strikes after soldier's death, says it still backs ceasefireIsrael says Gaza truce still holds despite retaliatory strikes killing over 100Daily MonitorUndo Greater Masaka zonal commander collapses, diesHe was among the first police officers to be taken to Jinja military school for training in 1998Daily MonitorUndoLara Is Retiring - Her Final Jewelry Pieces Are 50% OffLara’s retirement sale just launched, and it’s chaos. People are buying 3–4 pieces at a time – 80% off sitewide.Artisan Weekly | SponsoredSponsoredUndoNeuropathy is not from Low Vitamin B. Meet the Real Enemy of Neuropathy (Stop Doing This)FootRenew | SponsoredSponsoredUndoCourt dismisses bail plea for Bobi Wine aides Eddie Mutwe and KivumbiMagistrate throws out bail application for opposition leader’s security menDaily MonitorUndoBalaam music events employee drowns in River Nile during presidential campaigns Yusuf Musasizi is said to have left his friends and approached the riverbank, where he attempted to swim, thus drowningDaily MonitorUndoMourners storm Kenyan airport to receive Odinga's bodyOdinga, a major figure for decades in Kenyan politics who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, died on Wednesday aged 80 in IndiaDaily MonitorUndoKalangala businessman Kisekka dies in early morning crashThe businessman died in an early morning Saturday road crashDaily MonitorUndoNUP names new candidate to take on AmongThe chairperson of the NUP’s Election Management Committee yesterday announced Ms Florence Asio as the party’s new flagbearer, replacing Ms Mercy AlupoDaily MonitorUndo1975 - 2025: Junie’s Retiring and Her Bags are Up To 50% Off!After 50 years of handcrafting bags, Junie is retiring. Her final collection is now up to 50% off — timeless designs, lovingly made, and available only while they last.Junie Boutique | SponsoredSponsoredUndoRent day felt like a punch. Now I split it.Rent.App | SponsoredSponsoredUndoHead teacher collapses, dies at Kyotera District headquartersLutankome, aged 51, was rushed to Kyotera Medical Centre after collapsing but was pronounced dead upon arrivalDaily MonitorUndoPastor Turyatunga, child killed in head-on collision with truck in WakisoSunday crash claims lives of pastor and child in Wakiso DistrictDaily MonitorUndo

Editor
Govt issues mixed signals on NMG ban
Technology

Govt issues mixed signals on NMG ban

But Mr Faruk Kirunda, the deputy presidential press secretary, took a different line when asked about the ban. “To set the record straight: H.E @KagutaMuseveni stopped NMG (parent company of @DailyMonitor, @ntvuganda, @933kfm, etc) from covering him as an individual- after persistent instances of misreporting on him. One such instance was at Kisozi when he hosted MPs on a Wealth Creation tour. NMG management is aware of these problematic instances, which were brought to their attention. But the President didn’t stop NMG from working in Uganda or covering other Government institutions. Moreover, as PPU, we provide press releases and appreciate their use. ..” Mr Kirunda posted on X.

Damali Mukhaye,Sylvia Katushabe
Attack on SNAP benefits weaponizes hunger | Opinion
Technology

Attack on SNAP benefits weaponizes hunger | Opinion

Luisa S. Deprez is professor emerita of sociology and social policy at the University of Southern Maine. She is a member of the Maine Chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications. Food is a basic human need. Without it, you will die. Yet on Nov. 1, more than 42 million Americans will be at risk of losing supplemental food assistance (SNAP) because of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” With the avid support of congressional Republicans, funding for food and health care was slashed. Their subsequent refusal to safeguard these programs, regardless of the consequences, caused a government shutdown. They have now halted the distribution of assistance, ordering that the billions of dollars in reserve not be used to finance it. Pushing their share of the cost onto states, the feds are forcing states to either scale back or end their SNAP programs. Of immediate concern was the estimated 4 million people who will lose all or part of their benefits because of worsening restrictions. That number of casualties will likely rise as at least 25 states plan to cut off all food aid benefits Nov. 1 at the government’s directive. Nearly 170,000 Mainers will not receive food support — the equivalent of $6.31 per person per day. While it sounds like a very small amount, and it is, it is a lifeline to those who receive it. The record cuts to SNAP also sharply reduced allocations to food banks. This spring, President Trump canceled 94 million pounds of food to food banks. Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention received 50% less food in April, as did Good Shepherd in Auburn. A struggling food bank in Aroostook County is rumored to close. These cuts come as the use of food banks is skyrocketing: up 50% in the Brunswick area and 97% in Kittery, 1 in 7 residents in rural Waldo County and more than 1,000 per week in Harrison — population 2,605. With rising food and gasoline prices, utility costs and fewer job opportunities — coupled with no paychecks caused by the shutdown — more and more people will be hungry and in need of this support than ever before. These are your neighbors, friends, students, school and day care aides, health and residential care workers, elders, family members. Thousands of low-income workers who make your life more comfortable will eat less because of the inhumanity of the Trump administration and its GOP followers. But for them, this threat to American citizens is of little concern. And we will not know of the increased need, as the administration intentionally stopped issuing USDA reports on hunger in America this spring. The federal government of the United States and GOP legislators are using one of the oldest weapons of war — withholding access to food. Though he’s positioning himself as a peace-maker abroad, Trump is unleashing a war here at home — on U.S. soil — against millions of children, elders, disabled and homeless people and households unsure of when and where they will get their next meal. Many of them are on the verge of malnutrition. Food assistance, like many other safety net programs — housing, welfare for families with children, Medicaid/MaineCare, disability benefits — have never been popular with the GOP. The history of their development and evolution has been fraught with controversy and suspicion. The recipients are people who are often seen as society’s cast-offs, forever questioned about everything including their trustworthiness, responsibility, honesty and work ethic. Yet, food assistance has, since its inception, been shown to lift people out of poverty, boost local economies and ensure better health for those who participate in it. The notion that people wake up in the morning and decide to become needy so they can get SNAP is absurd. Why does this matter? Well, in a country of riches with apparently insolvable problems, hunger is one of the easier ones to resolve. With proper systemic support coupled with a commitment to keeping Americans well-nourished, people will thrive, as will the U.S. and its economic stability. A recent report found that for every $1 reduction in SNAP benefits, the loss to the economy ranges from $1.50 to $20. The cost to society for families with children is $14 to $20. Not only will people’s lives be upended; local economies will be devastated. Trump and his allies are letting people starve to try and shift the shutdown blame from their own cruelty and intransigence to Democrats. They are playing politics with people’s lives and weaponizing hunger for partisan purposes. This weaponization of food is unconscionable and inhumane. One has to wonder what intended outcome is being pursued. We are now fighting to sustain and secure affordable health care, food, housing and education while the administration gives $40 billion to Argentina, pays out $172 million for two fighter jets for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, increases tax relief to the richest Americans, refurbishes the White House to pretty it up with gold medallions and a ballroom, throws a $45 million military parade for Trump’s birthday … and so on. But those life-saving things real people need are pushed off the table into the rubbish. The upcoming stoppage requires urgent action on the part of all of us. We must believe that our fellow humans who are in need are worthy of support. And we must act on that belief not only because they deserve it but because the president and GOP legislators don’t care enough to do so.

Luisa S. Deprez
Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent
Technology

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future TalentOctober 30, 2025 - 9:10Media OutReach Newswire HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 October 2025 - Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), a long-established healthcare provider in Hong Kong, has partnered with School of Accounting and Finance (AF) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch a strategic internship programme focused on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The initiative supports internal workflow improvement across QHMS operations while giving undergraduate students real-world experience in digital process transformation. The collaboration reflects QHMS's commitment to fostering future talent and exploring technologies that enhance operational efficiency in healthcare. Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based digital tasks such as data entry, file handling, and system navigation - reducing manual workload and improving consistency across administrative processes. In this internship, six PolyU AF students are working across five QHMS departments to develop and implement nine RPA use cases, with additional projects in reserve. These automations are expected to contribute to a combined monthly saving of approximately 1,600 man-hours1, providing measurable improvements in internal productivity. Key areas of focus of the internship include: Clinic report digitisation - Automating the generation and handling of internal reports across 20 clinics (approx. 1,320 hours/month1). Billing query management - Streamlining billing-related administrative queries (approx. 120 hours/month1). Amendment form handling - Automating the processing of 100+ scanned amendment forms from clinics to the billing system. "This programme allows us to pilot emerging technologies in a structured, low-risk way while supporting student learning," said Elaine Chu, General Manager of QHMS. "It demonstrates how collaboration between academia and healthcare services can create mutual value. By working alongside students, our teams gain fresh perspectives on how technology can enhance efficiency - supporting our broader goal of continuous improvement in healthcare operations." Designed specifically for business undergraduates, the internship provides the students with an opportunity to apply their analytical and process improvement skills in a live healthcare setting. Unlike traditional tech internships, this programme equips students from non-technical backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to automation projects. Each student will take part in a 24-week internship over two semesters, dedicating approximately 10 to 14 hours per week to the project. Throughout the programme, they will gain hands-on exposure to Quality HealthCare's business operations and processes, and contribute to the design and development of automation robots with an objective to enhance efficiency and foster innovation. Prior to the internship, students are required to complete a five-day training course on RPA. This course covers the fundamentals of automation design, development, and deployment, and equips them with the technical foundation needed to contribute effectively under supervision during the internship. The internship deliverables include: Term 1: Initial RPA bots and interim reports Term 2: Finalised bots, process documentation, and summary reports "This partnership provides students with a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting," said Professor Brian Kei, Professor of Practice (FinTech), School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU. "It also allows them to explore how digital transformation is impacting a vital sector like healthcare." Beyond skill development, the RPA internship fosters a broader innovation mindset within QHMS. The initiative encourages staff to explore process improvement opportunities and engage with digital tools that enhance internal workflows. Looking ahead, QHMS plans to deepen its collaboration with academic institutions in Hong Kong by expanding internship and applied learning opportunities. These initiatives will support a wider range of innovation and operational improvement projects across different functions. By partnering with more higher education institutions in Hong Kong and nurturing future talent, QHMS aims to contribute to workforce readiness in Hong Kong and foster a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare service operations. * The above contents are prepared for information purposes only and do not constitute an offer or solicitation for services. 1 The estimated man-hour savings are computed based on internal time-tracking data and average monthly volumes recorded across relevant teams (Q1-2 2025). Hashtag: #QHMS, #healthcare, #TheHongKongPolytechnicUniversity, #PolyU, #internship, #futuretalent, #卓健醫療, #醫療, #香港理工大學, #實習, #未來人才 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Quality HealthCare Medical Services Limited  Rooted in Hong Kong as Dr. Anderson & Partners since 1868, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS) has provided healthcare services for over 150 years. Today, we are one of Hong Kong's major private healthcare providers. We offer a wide range of services, including Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Mental Health, and Wellness, through a network of over 1,650 service points across Hong Kong. QHMS is committed to supporting the Government's policy through various public-private partnership programmes to provide medical services to the public. The QHMS App, our proprietary health and wellness mobile app, offers a range of features including e-ticketing for GP visits, e-booking, health records, video consultations, and health information, bringing healthcare services to everyone's fingertips. In October 2013, QHMS became part of Bupa, an international healthcare company. For more information, visit www.qhms.com.

Unknown
NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Mass Russian Missile Attack
Technology

NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Mass Russian Missile Attack

NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets to defend its airspace overnight in response to long-range Russian strikes on Ukraine. Poland’s military said in a statement early on Thursday that it had scrambled fighter jets and an early warning aircraft, while also putting its ground-based air defenses and radar systems on “the highest state” of alert. “The Operational Commander of the Armed Forces has activated all available forces and means at his disposal. Duty fighter pairs and an early warning aircraft have been scrambled, and ground-based air defense systems as well as radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of maximum readiness,” it said. It comes as Ukrainian authorities imposed restrictions on electricity use following a “massive missile and drone attack” on the country’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s state-owned electricity transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, said early Thursday that emergency power outages were in place in “most” Ukrainian regions. Rescuers search for survivors after a Russian missile hit a hostel in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday. This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.

Ellie Cook
Tinubu’s support helped Air Peace crash London fares to $3,000 — Onyema

Tinubu’s support helped Air Peace crash London fares to $3,000 — Onyema

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the policy support that made possible the airline’s historic Abuja–London Heathrow flight.He said the president’s intervention helped slash international airfares from as high as $13,000 to about $3,000.Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Onyema described the milestone as a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation sector and a proof of what effective collaboration between government and private enterprise can achieve.“I want to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pulling this off. This is an example of government paving the way for the private sector to thrive.“No country develops without the private sector, because it is the private sector that embodies and implements the visions and aspirations of government.”“President Tinubu did the right thing for this country. His intervention forced foreign airlines to reduce their ticket prices drastically. Prices have come down from $13,000 from Abuja to Heathrow; we’ve brought it down to $3,000,” Onyema said.His comments came after Air Peace Limited on Sunday commenced a direct flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the London Heathrow Airport.In a statement through his aide, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said, “The flight took off this morning, Sunday, October 26, 2025, and is expected to arrive this evening in London, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.”Onyema said the flight has “saved Nigerians money and made flying affordable again. Even Britons on our flights were happy because competition has finally arrived.”The Air Peace boss revealed that the airline now operates 14 weekly flights between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, covering both Lagos–London Gatwick and Abuja–London Heathrow routes, a first for any Nigerian carrier.He said the entry into the lucrative UK route has forced foreign airlines to review their fares, benefiting all travellers.“This is the first time any Nigerian airline will be flying both the Lagos–London Gatwick and Abuja–London Heathrow routes simultaneously.“It’s opened the corridor not just to Europe but to the entire world. Many of our passengers are connecting to America, Canada and Asia through London, saving a lot of money with our affordable fares.”“Even if you don’t fly Air Peace, you can now fly other airlines at reduced fares,” he added.“Air Peace cannot fly everybody, but at least Nigerians now have a choice,” he said.Onyema credited Keyamo for driving the president’s aviation vision, noting that under Tinubu’s administration, Nigerian airlines have regained access to international leasing options after more than 15 years of restrictions.“I cannot stop praising Festus Keyamo. He is implementing the mandate and vision of Mr President 100 per cent. This is the first time airlines in Nigeria will have leasing options.“For over 15 years, the industry was blacklisted, but this administration changed everything. They signed the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction that allows big leasing companies to come into Nigeria.“The government has given Nigerian aviation a new lease of life,” he said.Onyema also hailed the government’s removal of the 4% FOB levy on imported aircraft parts, saying such responsive policies have boosted investor confidence.“We’re not asking for money — just supportive policies. When we complained about the levy, the president removed it immediately. That’s what a listening government does.”Onyema, however, cautioned against bureaucratic hostility toward indigenous enterprises.“Some people still suffer from a pull-him-down syndrome. Destroying a company like Air Peace that employs over 10,000 Nigerians harms the nation. When people lose jobs, insecurity rises.”He reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to projecting Nigeria’s image globally, stressing that the airline’s success belongs to the country, not just its founder.“Air Peace is not about Allen Onyema — it’s about Nigeria. Every time we fly our flag in London, we show what Nigerians can achieve when government and the private sector work together,” he added.

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Ukey)
Final report on MBTA Green Line train derailment cites operator as probable cause
World

Final report on MBTA Green Line train derailment cites operator as probable cause

A hearing is scheduled on Thursday afternoon in the ongoing legal battle involving several Norfolk County defendants’ push to access evidence from Michael Proctor’s cellphone from the Karen Read case.The hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.Last week, prosecutors said in court that some grand jury material involving Michael Proctor, the former Massachusetts State Police trooper who led the Karen Read investigation, can now be turned over in other cases he investigated, as defense lawyers had been pushing for.A federal judge issued an order allowing the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office to produce that evidence, under seal, to lawyers for murder suspects Myles King and Brian Walshe and others, and an assistant district attorney said in Norfolk Superior Court that she’d brought them with her for Monday’s hearing.It came shortly after an attorney for Proctor said he is no longer appealing to be reinstated to the Massachusetts State Police.Thursday’s hearing was scheduled to handle any potential attorney requests to preserve additional documents that lawyers think could be exculpatory in their clients’ cases.“I am concerned by these so-called other materials being destroyed on Oct. 31,” defense attorney Joseph Krowski Jr. said last week, arguing that prosecutors wouldn’t have reviewed the documents with a knowledge of the defenses’ theories of their cases and asking for those files to be set aside and not destroyed for now.The defendants in the cases in question want to see if Proctor exhibited similar behavior while investigating their alleged crimes as he did in the Read investigation, as was revealed in her blockbuster trials, leading to his termination from the state police. That effort is being led by attorney Rosemary Scapicchio, who is representing 25-year-old Milton murder suspect King, with attorneys representing other clients, including Larry Tipton for Brian Walshe, cosigning the effort.The attorneys had been waiting for months waiting months for the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office to release critical evidence, including between 3,000 to 5,000 pieces of communication stored in Proctor’s cloud account. Similar evidence led to Proctor being fired for misconduct in the high-profile murder case of Read, who in June was found not guilty on the most serious charges she faced and guilty of the lowest form of a drunken driving charge.The Read trial evidence was given to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office on condition that it would only be used in the Read trial and then destroyed. But the defense attorneys were pushing to see the evidence, in case any may prove exculpatory in their cases — with a looming evidence destruction deadline.More Michael Proctor newsMichael ProctorOct 20Federal evidence involving Karen Read investigator cleared for sharing in other casesKaren ReadOct 20Karen Read investigator Michael Proctor drops Mass. State Police firing appealMichael ProctorOct 21As Proctor drops firing appeal, his police work could be scrutinized for years

Asher Klein and Jeff Saperstone
Well-being tips for people who work from home
Technology

Well-being tips for people who work from home

The world of work is changing fast. With AI reshaping industries and traditional office jobs feeling less secure, more people are turning to freelance work, launching small online businesses, and embarking on creative side projects – all run from home. At the same time, the coworking boom that once promised a community for the self-employed has begun to cool, especially in big cities where rising rents and hybrid schedules have emptied out shared spaces. That means millions around the world are working alone at the kitchen table, on the sofa, or – if they’re lucky – in a dedicated home office. But while that freedom that comes with working from home is appealing, it can also blur every line between work and life. Without structure, social interaction, or physical separation, well-being often takes the first hit. [See more: Identifying the AI bubble: Are we there yet?] If you’re looking for work from home tips that go beyond productivity hacks, these ideas can help you build healthier habits and make remote life more sustainable.’ Draw the line between “work mode” and “home mode” When your office is just a few steps from your bed, separation has to be intentional. Create small cues that mark the start and end of your day – a morning walk before logging on, a specific playlist, or even changing clothes when you’re done. The brain responds well to routine and ritual, especially when space is limited. It’s one of the simplest work from home tips to protect your focus and boundaries. Make space for micro-breaks, not just big ones You don’t need an hour at the gym to recharge. A few five-minute pauses – standing up, stretching, or stepping outside for sunlight – help prevent the sluggishness that comes from sitting all day. Think of these as small resets rather than interruptions. Reclaim part of your home as yours again When every corner starts to feel like “the office,” it’s easy to lose the sense of comfort your home once had. Try setting aside one corner that’s off-limits to work – a reading nook, a balcony chair, even a tidy shelf. That small boundary helps remind you that your home is still your space. Find your own version of social contact Coworking spaces once filled the gap between isolation and office life, but with fewer people commuting, those connections now need to happen elsewhere. [See more: Workplace policies could ease Macao’s birth rate woes, experts say] Join local hobby groups, catch up with a friend midweek, or talk to people in your neighbourhood café. You don’t need constant company, just moments that pull you out of your head. Redefine productivity as energy management Many people who work from home slip into the trap of endless hours – working later, checking emails at night, never really switching off. Instead of counting hours, focus on your wellbeing. Eat regularly, get daylight, move often, and finish the day at a fixed time. Protecting your energy is what makes the work sustainable. End your day with a full stop Build a short “shutdown” habit. Close all tabs, jot down tomorrow’s to-do list, and step away from the desk. It sounds small, but it helps tell your brain that you’re done, so you can relax without that lingering guilt of unfinished tasks. [See more: AI education is now compulsory at public schools in Beijing] The freedom to work from home, to build something of your own, on your own time, is one of the defining shifts of the post-AI economy. But it also asks for something new in return, like the discipline to care for your body and mind when no one else is watching. In the end, the best work from home tips aren’t about squeezing more productivity out of yourself. They’re about making sure the way you work actually fits the life you want to live.

Erico Dias
MEF calls for clarity of scope coverage in non-employment injury scheme
Technology

MEF calls for clarity of scope coverage in non-employment injury scheme

The non-employment injury scheme is designed to provide protection to workers beyond office hours with amendments to the Employees Social Security Act 1969. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged the government to clarify the scope of coverage under the non-employment injury scheme tabled in Parliament today to prevent confusion among workers. In a statement, MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said strong governance and transparency in the scheme’s management were key in preventing overlapping claims among employers and employees. "With proper collaboration and clarity, the scheme can be a game changer in extending protection to all workers, ensuring that Malaysia continues to be a competitive, fair, and socially responsible economy,” he said. He also called for the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to work closely with employers, industry associations and unions to raise awareness and provide clear implementation guidelines for the new scheme. Syed Hussain added that the scheme must be financially sustainable and cost effective, particularly for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). “It is essential that any additional contribution under the new scheme be actuarially justified. The design must balance worker protection with business sustainability,” he said. Separately, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) president Soh Thian Lai applauded the extension of coverage to foreign workers, saying it upheld Malaysia's commitment to fair labour practices and equal protection. “This inclusive approach ensures a level playing field and strengthens Malaysia’s reputation as a country that values decent and responsible employment across all sectors,” he said in a statement. “Contribution rates must remain equitable and realistic to ensure broad participation and to guarantee the scheme’s long-term viability," he added. Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Abdul Halim Mansor in a statement urged the government to set an official enforcement date and to ensure the registration of the scheme was simple so that no worker would be left behind. "Bureaucratic hurdles must be minimised and the claims process must be transparent and focussed on workers’ welfare,” he said. The scheme is designed to provide protection to workers beyond office hours with amendments to the Employees Social Security Act 1969 to provide 24-hour social security protection for employees under Perkeso.

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