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FG moves to accelerate mini-grid deployment with new guidelines

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja The Federal Government has unveiled new guidelines for the safe and efficient interconnection of solar mini-grids to electricity distribution networks, aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment and improving electricity access across Nigeria. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Chief Electrical […] The post FG moves to accelerate mini-grid deployment with new guidelines appeared first on Vanguard News.

Federal govt extends closing times for markets, restaurants

The federal government on Tuesday, amid deliberations over its ongoing austerity measures, decided to extend the operating hours of shops, markets, restaurants and other commercial outlets citing longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The government had announced unprecedented austerity measures on March 9 in the wake of the Middle East war to deal with the global energy crisis, which had arisen due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As per the revised schedule, the closing timings are as follows: Shops, markets, malls, and general retail: 9pm Restaurants, cafes and eateries: 11pm (takeaway and delivery services exempt) Marriage halls and event venues: 10pm (no change in timings) Essential services (pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, IT & telecom-related services) are exempted. “The Committee also directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of these guidelines in coordination with federal authorities,” the statement said. On May 11, PM Shehbaz had extended the countrywide austerity drive till June 13. The measures extended included 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowance for official vehicles, with the exemption of operational vehicles such as ambulances and public buses. Other steps included grounding 60pc of official vehicles and a complete ban on foreign visits by ministers and government officials, excluding those deemed essential for the country’s interests, as specified the last time. Among previously announced austerity measures, the working week for all government offices was reduced to four days — Monday to Thursday. However, the additional holiday was not availed by banks. It did not apply to the agriculture and industrial sectors, or essential services such as hospitals and ambulance services. Under the measures, the salary of parliamentarians was to be cut by 25pc, while employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and government-supervised institutions were to see their salaries cut by 5pc-30pc. Expenses of government departments were reduced by 20pc, along with a ban on purchasing vehicles, furniture, air conditioners and other items for government departments.

Federal govt extends closing times for markets, restaurants under austerity measures

The federal government on Tuesday decided to extend the operating hours of shops, markets, restaurants and other commercial outlets as part of its ongoing austerity measures, citing longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The government had announced unprecedented austerity measures on March 9 in the wake of the Middle East war to deal with the global energy crisis, which had arisen due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As per the revised schedule, the closing timings are as follows: Shops, markets, malls, and general retail: 9pm Restaurants, cafes and eateries: 11pm (takeaway and delivery services exempt) Marriage halls and event venues: 10pm (no change in timings) Essential services (pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, IT & telecom-related services) are exempted. “The Committee also directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of these guidelines in coordination with federal authorities,” the statement said. On May 11, PM Shehbaz had extended the countrywide austerity drive till June 13. The measures extended included 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowance for official vehicles, with the exemption of operational vehicles such as ambulances and public buses. Other steps included grounding 60pc of official vehicles and a complete ban on foreign visits by ministers and government officials, excluding those deemed essential for the country’s interests, as specified the last time. Among previously announced austerity measures, the working week for all government offices was reduced to four days — Monday to Thursday. However, the additional holiday was not availed by banks. It did not apply to the agriculture and industrial sectors, or essential services such as hospitals and ambulance services. Under the measures, the salary of parliamentarians was to be cut by 25pc, while employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and government-supervised institutions were to see their salaries cut by 5pc-30pc. Expenses of government departments were reduced by 20pc, along with a ban on purchasing vehicles, furniture, air conditioners and other items for government departments.

Strict entry guidelines issued for CM’s oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan

Trump signs executive order seeking early access to new AI releases

Under new rules, tech companies will be asked to share AI models with government for review before public release Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a voluntary framework for the federal government to vet powerful new AI models before they are released. Tuesday’s highly anticipated order represents an attempt by the president to tighten his grip on cybersecurity and national security threats posed by AI, tacking against his earlier deregulatory stance. But the voluntary nature of the framework shows that, while Trump has toed a more cautious line on AI than when he first took office last year, he is still reluctant to impose regulations on the tech industry. Under the new guidelines, tech companies would be asked to share their AI models with the government for a voluntary review, up to 30 days before a public release. The Trump administration says doing so will allow them to improve national security, particularly with regards to cybersecurity. Continue reading...

Jill Biden says White House docs ‘missed’ Joe’s cancer, says ‘I don’t know’ if husband would have finished a second term

The former first lady conceded that doctors followed recommended guidelines that discourage prostate cancer screenings in men over the age of 70.

CM urges Centre to reach out to laterite mining lease applicants

Their applications have been put on hold following the Centre’s revised guidelines and after the applicants made investments based on earlier framework, Naidu tells Union Minister Kishan Reddy

Coach apologises over alleged slapping incident

A basketball coach of a secondary school in Siu Sai Wan has apologised over a suspected case of corporal punishment. Secretary for Education Christine Choi said officials will follow up on the incident. A video circulating online purportedly showed the coach, Yung Kam-wah, holding the hand of a student and forcing him to slap himself in front of other youngsters. Writing on social media, Yung, who is also a former SAR basketball team player, apologised to the student. He admitted he should not have penalised anyone in this way under any circumstances. Yung said he would deeply reflect on the matter and promised not to repeat the mistake, noting that the incident caused discomfort and harm to the students. He also said he would cooperate with all investigations. In a statement, the incorporated management committee of Hon Wah College said the incident happened during 2023/2024 academic year. The committee said it has suspended the duties of Yung and launched an investigation. The police have been notified as well. The committee added that it has reached out to the affected student and arranged assistance. The school has issued a letter to all parents, offering assistance and support to students in need. Speaking to reporters, Choi said the Education Bureau attaches great importance to the incident and contacted the school immediately after the incident came to light. “We will also strictly follow up on the matter, and request the school to submit a report as soon as possible to give a detailed account of the incident,” she said. “We will also keep close contact with the school to provide appropriate assistance.” Choi added that the bureau offers guidelines to schools on teachers’ conduct and the management of coaches who are hired externally. She made it clear the welfare of students should always be the top priority. Edited by Edmond Fong

Federal cabinet approves track and trace system to eliminate counterfeit medicines

The federal cabinet has approved the nationwide implementation of a Track and Trace system for pharmaceutical products across Pakistan, Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal announced on Tuesday. According to an official handout, the system aims to strengthen public health and safeguard citizens from counterfeit medicines. The cabinet has also approved the necessary amendments to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules, enabling the introduction of “a modern digital system for tracking and verifying medicines throughout the supply chain”, the statement said. “This decision marks a major and historic step towards eliminating counterfeit, fake and substandard medicines from Pakistan,” said Kamal according to the statement. “For the first time, every medicine in the country will be digitally traceable and verifiable, ensuring greater transparency, safety, and accountability,” he said. The statement noted that under the new regulatory framework, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. The system will enable regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption, helping to identify and eliminate counterfeit products from the market, it said. The health minister stated that once the system was implemented, consumers would be able to access authentic information regarding a medicine’s expiry date, price and verification status. This would empower them to make informed healthcare decisions and enhance public trust in the pharmaceutical sector, according to Kamal. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) will oversee the nationwide rollout of the system. It will also issue detailed technical guidelines to facilitate the pharmaceutical industry’s compliance, the statement said. “Consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders have already been conducted to ensure a smooth transition,” it added. Kamal emphasised that the initiative would “significantly strengthen the security and quality of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical supply chain”, replacing conventional monitoring mechanisms with a modern digital framework. He highlighted that the adoption of advanced technology would position Pakistan among the leading countries in the region in pharmaceutical regulation and oversight. “The track and trace system will establish a strong and effective barrier against counterfeit medicines and ensure the protection of public health, lives and trust,” the press release quoted the minister as saying.

Asia Pacific's Leading Dental Body Calls For A Prevention-First Shift In Oral Health, Backed By New Global Evidence

The Asia Pacific Dental Federation (APDF) has released The Power of Prevention: Evidence-Based Guidelines for ...

Kitengela International School fee structure and admissions guidelines

Kitengela International School offers the Competency-Based Curriculum and IGCSE programmes across four campuses in Kenya. Read on to explore fees and admissions.

NAHCON begins return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims 3 June, urges compliance with travel guidelines

NAHCON said Max Air will begin the return operation on 3 June with pilgrims from Nasarawa State, while Flynas and Air Peace are scheduled to commence operations on 4 June with pilgrims from Ogun and Oyo states, respectively. The post NAHCON begins return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims 3 June, urges compliance with travel guidelines appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

NHPC shares tumble 5% as govt’s OFS worth up to Rs 4,300 crore opens at 8% discount. Check details

Shares of NHPC fell nearly 5% to Rs 73.42 apiece on Tuesday after the government launched an offer for sale (OFS) to divest up to a 6% stake in the PSU. The OFS, which opened for non-retail investors on Tuesday, was priced at Rs 71 apiece, a discount of nearly 8% to the stock's previous closing price, weighing on investor sentiment.NHPC announced on Monday that the government aims to sell 3% of the company’s total paid-up equity capital as part of the base offer. The government also retains an oversubscription option to sell an additional 30 crore shares, taking the total potential offer size to 60.27 crore shares or 6% equity. At the floor price of Rs 71 per share, this would be worth more than Rs 4,279 crore.The offer for sale opened for non-retail investors on June 2, while retail investors, eligible employees and non-retail investors carrying forward unallotted bids can participate on June 3.Also read: Vedanta shares fall after media reports of ED searches at Mumbai, Delhi officeThe government owned more than 67% stake in the PSU company as of March 31, 2026. NHPC, in its exchange filing, further said that the share sale by its promoter will be conducted through a separate window mechanism on BSE and the National Stock Exchange in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s OFS guidelines.NHPC’s OFS comes days after the government divested some of its stake in state-run miner Coal India through an offer for sale at a floor price of Rs 412 per share. The government owned more than 63% stake in the PSU company as on March 31, 2026.NHPC share priceNHPC shares have fallen more than 6% in one week and 12% in one month. The stock is down around 8% in 2026 so far and 16% in one year. In the longer term, the stock delivered 70% returns over three years and 185% over five years.Also read: Morgan Stanley says Indian stock market poised for strong year ahead. Here’s why The company currently has a market capitalisation of more than Rs 73,760 crore. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Southwest walks back part of its plus-size seating policy, but advocacy group says it's not enough

Southwest Airlines is apparently rethinking its guidelines for plus-size travelers, walking back a key part of the new seating policy just months after implementation.

AI Agent Guidelines for CS336 at Stanford

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Govt to retain AI labelling rule, bring schedule for advisories

The proposals are part of amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, released for public consultation earlier this year

India bans cross-border transportation of Ebola-infected human remains under strict new biosecurity rules

The Union health ministry's guidelines also mandate safe practices, including double packaging and cremation, while traditional rites are banned to avoid contamination.

'Rises again as champions! Karnataka CM-elect DKS, Sidda congratulate RCB on winning IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has won its second consecutive Indian Premier League title. Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated the team. They praised the players for their performance and dedication. Celebrations are underway across Bengaluru and Karnataka. Police have issued guidelines for public safety during the festivities.

Political leaders hail victorious RCB, Siddaramaiah appeals for adhering to safety guidelines

What is changing for UPI and LPG from June 1, 2026? Everything to know

Some new changes to the UPI system and the LPG distribution system guidelines will be in effect from June 1, 2026.