Death toll from Madagascar boat sinking climbs to 83

Published by
Reuters UK

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -The death toll from the sinking of a cargo ship off the coast of northeastern Madagascar rose to 83 on Wednesday as bad weather ended the search for five missing passengers, the maritime agency said. The ship, which was not authorised to take passengers, was overloaded and water flooded the engine before it sank on Monday, said Mamy Randrianavony, director of operations at sea at the Maritime and River Port Agency (APMF). Fifty survivors have been found, APMF said. The search for the five remaining missing passengers would resume on Thursday. One of the search helicopte… Continue reading “Death toll from Madagascar boat sinking climbs to 83”

Hitachi Energy wins major contract for the first-of-its-kind sub-sea power transmission network in the MENA region advancing a sustainable energy future for Abu Dhabi

HVDC Light® will connect low-carbon power from the mainland grid to ADNOC’s production operations as a strategic project to enable a sustainable, flexible and secure power supply.

Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy today announced it has won a major order from Samsung C&T Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering and construction companies, to connect ADNOC’s offshore operations to the onshore power grid in the United Arab Emirates owned and operated by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA).

Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light® technology and MACHTM digital control platform1 will enable the transfer of cleaner and more efficient power from the mainland to power ADNOC’s offshore production operations, enabling a carbon footprint reduction of ADNOC’s offshore operations by more than thirty percent.

This innovative solution reinforces Hitachi Energy’s commitment to helping customers and countries to transition towards a carbon-neutral future and help enable the ‘2050 Net-Zero  Initiative’ of the UAE.

With a capacity of 3,200 megawatts (MW), the two HVDC links will be by far the most powerful power-from-shore solution in the Middle East and North America (MENA) region to date. It is also the first HVDC power-from-shore solution outside Norwegian waters. This innovative solution reflects how Hitachi Energy continues to pioneer technology to address the growing interest from national and independent oil and gas companies to power their offshore production facilities with carbon-free energy from onshore power grids.

“We are proud to be enabling Abu Dhabi and ADNOC to make significant progress on their pathway toward achieving the United Arab Emirates’ ambition to be carbon-neutral by 2050,” said Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi Energy. He continued, “At Hitachi Energy we are championing the urgency of the clean energy transition, and this major order is further evidence that we are a ‘go to’ partner for developing and deploying technologies and solutions that are advancing the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure.”

Mr. SH Kim, Procurement Manager at Samsung C&T Corporation, commented, “In Hitachi Energy, we have selected a trusted partner who brings deep global competence and a strong mindset of collaboration and innovation.” SH Kim continued, “Together, we will serve ADNOC with pioneering technologies that are proven to deliver for such a large HVDC project.”

The entire power-from-shore project will comprise two HVDC power links, which will connect two clusters of offshore oil and gas production facilities to the mainland power grid, a distance of up to 140 kilometers for each cluster.

Hitachi Energy is supplying four converter stations, which convert AC power to DC for transmission in the subsea cables, then reconvert it to AC from DC for use in the offshore power systems. The HVDC technology will be supplied from Hitachi Energy’s global competence centers. Also included in the order are system studies, design and engineering, supply, installation supervision and commissioning. Hitachi Energy will support the customers with a long-term life-cycle service agreement leveraging digital technologies to ensure system availability and reliability over the HVDC links’ long operating life.

HVDC Light is a voltage source converter technology that was pioneered by Hitachi Energy. It is the preferred technology for many grid applications, including interconnecting national power grids, integrating offshore wind parks with mainland transmission systems, feeding more power into congested city centers, interconnecting asynchronous networks that operate at different frequencies, and power from shore.

HVDC Light’s defining features include uniquely compact converter stations (which is extremely important in space-critical applications like offshore wind, offshore production facilities and city-center infeeds), exceptionally low electrical losses, and black-start capability to restore power after a grid outage.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC Classic projects and more than 70 percent of the world’s voltage source conversion HVDC projects.

Notes:

  1. Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH™)
  2. The estimated reduction in carbon footprint is based on Hitachi Energy’s own calculations.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

# # #

Attachment

Rebecca Bleasdale
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
+41 78643 2613
rebecca.bleasdale@hitachienergy.com

Islamabad police to establish welfare center, provide full salary to injured cops 

Islamabad, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Islamabad police will establish a welfare center at Central Police Office with its link at all front desks of police stations where cops can register their issues. It was stated by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younus during ‘Meet the Force Program’ on Tuesday. He interacted with more than 350 policemen and officials of different divisions in this program and assured to resolve their problems on priority.

The IGP said that immediate promotion would be made against all vacant seats and salary would not be deducted of those policemen getting injured during duty. He asked all policemen facing the issue of salary deduction on medical grounds to appeal with the department. The IGP said that purpose of this program is to enhance the coordination among the policemen and officers and discuss their issues. He said that geysers would be installed soon at all police stations and hostels within 2-3 weeks.

The IGP said that mess would be introduced at the level pf police stations and every cop would be member of it. He said that quality meal would be provided at concessional rates there while policemen would manage themselves all mess related affairs. He said that Islamabad police will establish a welfare center at Central Police Office with its link at all front desks of police stations where cops can register their issues. The IGP and DIG (Headquarters) would review the cases themselves registered through this center.

Islamabad police chief directed continuity of all departmental and refresher courses for equipping policemen with modern techniques. He asked the police officials to contact with him in case of any disease or other issue to him as prompt assistance would be provided through welfare fund. The IGP said that transfer policy would be introduced at all divisions and all posting as well as transfers would be made through it. No transfer would be made before three months and option would be given after this period for getting transfer somewhere else.

Islamabad police chief said that request would be made to the government for enhancement in salaries of the personnel. He assured to stand with those policemen accomplishing their responsibilities in professional manner and honesty while to take stringent action against black sheep as well as poor performers.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Police
Data centre H-11, Admin Block,
Police Head Quarter, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9258371 Ext (160)
Fax: +92-51-4443180
Email: webmaster@islamabadpolice.gov.pk
Website: https://islamabadpolice.gov.pk

Chief Minister Punjab condoles death of the mother of SAPM Malik Amir Dogar 

Lahore, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of the mother of Malik Amir Dogar, SAPM and Chief Whip. In a statement, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

For more information, contact:
Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab
Government of the Punjab
8-Club Road, GOR-I, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99205562-3
Fax: +92-42-99205561
Website: https://cm.punjab.gov.pk/

Delegation led by Minorities Affairs Minister calls on Chief Minister Punjab 

Lahore, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):A Christian community delegation led by the Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Ejaz Alam called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office and thanked him for the welfare of the minority communities. The government has taken unprecedented steps for the welfare of religious minorities; they said and appreciated the government’s sustained efforts to protect their rights.

The government has taken the lead in the welfare of minority communities, they added. Talking on the occasion, CM Usman Buzdar said a special commission was being constituted for the protection of the rights of minorities. The formulation of the minority rights commission has been drafted, he explained. The government has made a five times increase in minorities’ budget in the current financial year.

In the current financial year, Rs 2.5 billion has been earmarked for the welfare of minority communities, he added. The recruitment process has started for the vacancies under the 5 per cent job quota for minorities and 100 per cent implementation would be ensured. For the first time in the history of Punjab, a 2 per cent special quota has been fixed for students of minority communities in higher education institutions to help them to continue their studies.

Meanwhile, Youhaha Abad in Lahore and Warispura in Faisalabad have been declared as model minority areas. Similarly, a Hindu temple has been restored in the Bhong area of Rahim Yar Khan and every effort will be made to protect the rights of the religious minorities, added Usman Buzdar. He said the role of minorities in the development of Pakistan cannot be ignored. The Constitution of Pakistan protects the rights of minorities as they enjoy equal rights, he concluded. SACM Hassan Khawar and Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs department were also present.

The delegation included Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Mahinder Pall Singh, Haroon Gill MPA, Youdester Chauhan, Bishop Azad Marshall, Archbishop Sebastian Francis, Dr Majid Abe, head of Salvation Army in Lahore, Chairperson Minority Advisory Council Punjab Ms Jacqueline Tressler, Vice Chairman Minority Advisory Council Punjab Robinson Aziz Francis, Bishop Wilson John Gill and others.

For more information, contact:
Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab
Government of the Punjab
8-Club Road, GOR-I, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99205562-3
Fax: +92-42-99205561
Website: https://cm.punjab.gov.pk/

Chief Minister Punjab condoles death of Dr Tahir Shamsi 

Lahore, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of renowned haematologist Dr Tahir Shamsi. In his condolence message, the CM extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant courage to them to bear the loss with equanimity.

For more information, contact:
Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab
Government of the Punjab
8-Club Road, GOR-I, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99205562-3
Fax: +92-42-99205561
Website: https://cm.punjab.gov.pk/

Chief Minister Punjab condoles death of religious scholar Maulana Yousuf Islahi 

Lahore, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of renowned religious scholar Maulana Yousuf Islahi. In his statement issued on Tuesday, the CM said that Maulana Yousuf Islahi had rendered significant services for the promotion of Islam and his contribution would be remembered for a long period. Usman Buzdar prayed that may Allah Almighty grant patience to the bereaved heirs to bear the loss with equanimity.

For more information, contact:
Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab
Government of the Punjab
8-Club Road, GOR-I, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99205562-3
Fax: +92-42-99205561
Website: https://cm.punjab.gov.pk/

Chief Minister Punjab holds meeting to review progress on Prison Reforms Package 

Lahore, December 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired a meeting at his office to review progress on the prison reforms package on Tuesday and directed to expedite the implementation as no attention was paid in past to providing facilities to prisoners. The meeting was attended by Prisons Minister Fayyazul Hasan Chohan, SACM Hassan Khawar, chief secretary, ACS (Home) and administrative secretaries.

The CM directed to start the recruitment process against vacant posts in jails without delay while ensuring merit in toto. Similarly, medical officers should be recruited for jails hospitals without delay. The MOs would be given a separate cadre besides the provision of special allowance, he added.

A stepmotherly treatment was meted out with the captives in past but the PTI-led government has given them rights and approved Rs.500 million to provide a balanced diet to them, he noted. Similarly, the jail foundation’s funds should be utilized for the welfare of the detainees and availability of items be ensured at canteens at fixed rates, he added.

The CM instructed the participants to devise a feasible mechanism for providing necessary legal aid to inmates of minor penalties for giving relief to them. Alongside, construction of new barracks in jails be expedited and installation of water geysers be completed early, he further said and recommended to increase the telephone calls’ duration for prisoners. Similarly, he directed that prisoners should be given market-based rates for their work. A feasible strategy should be devised for arranging prisoners’ meetings with their relatives so that the complaints of extortion could be eradicated, he instructed.

The CM emphasized that no complaint should arise with regard to the provision of necessary items to the detainees and made it clear that immediate action would be taken in case of any complaint of fleecing. While announcing to hold a fortnightly meeting to review progress, the CM disclosed that the draft of the Prison and Prisoner Act, 2021 would be presented before the cabinet for final approval soon. Similarly, the draft of Juvenile Justice System Rules, 2021 has also been devised; he said and concluded that a prison complex would also be built in Lahore.

Provincial Minister Fayyazul Hasan Chohan appreciated steps taken for the welfare and protection of the rights of prisoners in the tenure of CM Usman Buzdar along with the welfare of the jail dept. officials. No such step was taken in the past, he maintained. The CM was briefed by IG Prisons that prisoners have been provided with the facility to watch eight to 40 channels through cable TV.

The networking of cable TV has been completed in 29 jails along with the repair of 2889 washrooms and the construction of 250 new toilets in jails. Prisoners are also allowed to arrange pillows and mattresses from their homes and central jails in Mianwali, Faisalabad and DG Khan were being converted to solar energy. Rs. 150 million were earmarked for this purpose. Additional barracks were being constructed in nine jails and medical camps are held in every jail twice a month, he concluded.

For more information, contact:
Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab
Government of the Punjab
8-Club Road, GOR-I, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99205562-3
Fax: +92-42-99205561
Website: https://cm.punjab.gov.pk/