Latest news with #MemorandumofUnderstanding
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Panama Declares State Of Emergency After Violent Protests
Protestors react at the Pan-American Highway as the police shot tear gas during Embera people's protest against social reforms, mining and the Memorandum of Understanding between Panama and the US concerning the canal and other aspects of mutual cooperation, in Arimae, Panama, June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun BOGOTA (Colombia) June 21 (Bernma-Anadolu) -- The Panamanian government declared a five-day state of emergency on Friday in the western province of Bocas del Toro, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The decision follows a surge of violence during protests against a social security reform, which culminated in the forceful takeover of an airport and the offices of a multinational banana company. The declaration temporarily suspends certain individual rights, including freedom of movement and assembly, for the duration of the emergency. bootstrap slideshow "We took this measure to prevent radical and criminal groups from gathering to organise acts of violence, vandalism, and endangering property," Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said at a news conference after President Jose Raul Mulino urgently convened a Cabinet meeting. Protesters reportedly looted the facilities of Chiquita Panama, a prominent banana company, late Thursday in Changuinola, a town within the Bocas del Toro province. They also set fire to a soccer stadium and seized control of the Changuinola Airport, where vehicles were stolen from rental companies and personal belongings taken from terminal offices. The government has described it as "vandalism" and argued that the increase in violence in the area is "politically motivated." "The National Government informs the country that the situation in the province of Bocas del Toro has escalated dangerously in recent hours, as a result of acts of violence perpetrated by radicalised groups and criminal elements who have infiltrated the demonstrations," the government said Thursday night. Mulino deployed 1,500 police units to Bocas del Toro earlier this week in "Operation Omega" to clear blocked roads. The operation has resulted in at least 55 arrests, several injuries and the death of a young man, which is currently under investigation. Protests against the social security reform initially began nationwide in April, headed by teachers' and construction workers' unions, who initiated a strike. In May, banana workers in Bocas del Toro joined the strike, arguing that the proposed law negatively affects their benefits.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India, Croatia keen to boost joint research via university tie-ups: MEA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic have noted the importance of cooperation between universities of both countries for joint research and development, as per a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. The two leaders also noted the importance of cooperation in digital technology and cultural ties. "In the area of science, technology and innovation, the two Prime Ministers highlighted the importance of connecting scientific institutions and universities of both countries for joint research and development. Both sides expressed their willingness to facilitate exchanges of young researchers for long-term research collaborations and encouraged networking within the scientific community to share best practices and develop applied technologies," the MEA statement said. "The two Prime Ministers noted the signing of the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and agreed to advancing defence ties. Further emphasis will be placed on seeking opportunities for cooperation between national defence industries through collaboration and regular interactions," the statement added. As per the statement, both sides recognised several areas of cooperation in the gamut of digital technology and promotion of start-up culture."Digital technology was recognised as another key area for cooperation. Croatian and Indian scientific ecosystems could benefit from strategic collaborations between incubation centres and start-ups working in sectors such as Healthcare-tech, Agri-tech, Clean-tech, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and Cybersecurity. The two Prime Ministers agreed on the need for strengthening India-Croatia Start-up Bridge in order to foster innovation and collaboration amongst start-ups," as per the statement. The two leaders agreed to deepen engagement in cultural sector during the period 2026-2030. "While acknowledging the strong cultural exchange, both sides underscored the importance of deepening engagement in the cultural sector during the period 2026-2030. They recognised culture as a powerful tool for strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries," the statement added. PM Modi and Plenkovic understood the importance of mobility of personnel in expanding bilateral cooperation."They recognised the importance of skills development and the mobility of personnel in supporting expanded engagement across various sectors of bilateral cooperation, and agreed on the speedy conclusion of a memorandum of understanding on workforce mobility between the two countries," as per the statement. PM Modi paid an official visit to Croatia on June 18. This marked the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia to strengthen the growing momentum of high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia, Russia To Sign MoU On Disaster Management Cooperation This Year
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) receives a courtesy call from the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Alexander V. Kurenkov at his office, today. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED PUTRAJAYA, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Russia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MoU will serve as a practical framework for joint training, knowledge exchange and coordinated emergency response. "As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia remains committed to regional leadership in disaster response," he told a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) Minister, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said Malaysia welcomed Russia's offer of capacity-building programmes for Malaysian officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok this September. "We are exploring broader collaboration, including technology transfer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring," he added. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team was among the first to arrive in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, operating alongside international teams including EMERCOM' RUS-03. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Russia agreed to conduct joint search and rescue (SAR) training between the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and Russia's RUS-03 team. He also expressed appreciation to Russia for the offer to train Malaysia's SMART team and the invitation to allow senior officers from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia to participate in a specialised course at a leading university in St. Petersburg. Ahmad Zahid also values the inclusion of EMERCOM's cultural ensemble as part of the visit, describing it as a meaningful gesture that fosters people-to-people ties and strengthens the foundation of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Russia.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
43rd ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting concludes with key agendas finalised
KUCHING: The 43rd ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy (SOME), which began on Monday and involved the participation of about 250 delegates, concluded today with several agendas finalised. The meeting, chaired by Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, featured a series of discussions, including energy-related consultation sessions involving senior officials from ASEAN member states. Delegates at the meeting unanimously agreed and committed to finalising two major agendas, namely the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the second phase of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for 2026–2030. Mad Zaidi, at a press conference, said the meeting also reached consensus on the implementation progress of the six annual key priorities for the energy sector in 2025. This included the preparation of a framework for the development of submarine cables, the signing of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) Successor Agreement, and the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database and Investment Platform (Building). Mad Zaidi also said the selection of Sarawak as the host for the meeting was expected to have a positive impact on the state, particularly in the energy sector. This, he said, was due to the interest shown by delegates in Sarawak's vast potential in renewable energy, given its abundant natural resources and strong commitment to sustainable energy. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said international cooperation was crucial for ASEAN to realise a sustainable energy future, as this aspiration required member countries to adopt innovative technologies and enhance energy infrastructure. He said technological advancements and investment support from ASEAN dialogue partners and international organisations were vital in addressing complex challenges and achieving common energy goals. 'Sarawak is expected to play an important role in the implementation of regional initiatives, particularly in the development of hydropower and green energy,' he said in his speech at the welcome dinner for the delegates.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
43rd ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting concludes with key agendas
KUCHING: The 43rd ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy (SOME), which began on Monday and involved the participation of about 250 delegates, concluded today with several agendas finalised. The meeting, chaired by Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, featured a series of discussions, including energy-related consultation sessions involving senior officials from ASEAN member states. Delegates at the meeting unanimously agreed and committed to finalising two major agendas, namely the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the second phase of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for 2026–2030. Mad Zaidi, at a press conference, said the meeting also reached consensus on the implementation progress of the six annual key priorities for the energy sector in 2025. This included the preparation of a framework for the development of submarine cables, the signing of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) Successor Agreement, and the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database and Investment Platform (Building). Mad Zaidi also said the selection of Sarawak as the host for the meeting was expected to have a positive impact on the state, particularly in the energy sector. This, he said, was due to the interest shown by delegates in Sarawak's vast potential in renewable energy, given its abundant natural resources and strong commitment to sustainable energy. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said international cooperation was crucial for ASEAN to realise a sustainable energy future, as this aspiration required member countries to adopt innovative technologies and enhance energy infrastructure. He said technological advancements and investment support from ASEAN dialogue partners and international organisations were vital in addressing complex challenges and achieving common energy goals. 'Sarawak is expected to play an important role in the implementation of regional initiatives, particularly in the development of hydropower and green energy,' he said in his speech at the welcome dinner for the delegates.
