Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has underscored the importance of intensifying plastic recycling practices.

Addressing the media at a campaign event, Minister Shiyam shed light on the significance of collaboration and teamwork to reduce plastic consumption. The minister stressed that the amount of plastic recycled on a daily basis continues to diminish at an alarming rate. Highlighting that while plastic waste contributes to 8% of the total waste accumulated in the country, he revealed that only 1% is currently being recycled. On this stance, the minister noted that the 8% of plastic waste is equivalent to 20,000 to 25,000 metric tonnes, emphasising the necessity in strengthening waste management systems in a modernised manner.

Furthermore, Minister Shiyam stated that if plastic recycling practices are intensified, it will benefit the environment.

The campaign launched at the Central Park of Hulhumale’, will distribute 10,000 cloth bags in the Male’ City area. The campaign aims to reduce the usage of single-use plastic while increasing public awareness regarding the issue.

Source(s): PsmNews

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has stated that over 50% of the domain numbers being utilized in the Maldives are unauthorised.

During the second ‘Ahaa’ public forum, the Minister revealed the opportunity for unauthorised domain number users to register within the legal framework, underscoring the imminent facilitation of the possibility.

Responding to a civilian inquiry, Minister Ameen confirmed that domain-related activities have been halted in light of two letters forwarded by the former President to the ministry. He emphasized the significance of the domain issue, highlighting the three main points identified.

He noted that individuals who had previously utilised authorised domains were required to cease their usage upon receipt of the President’s letter. While stressing the possession of multiple domains beyond the legal framework, he also pointed to the use of genuine numbers registered to their own numbers.

Moreover, Minister Ameen reiterated that the prior administration had halted the use of the domain due to issues within the Ministry of Transport. He underscored that the present administration does not view illegal activities by certain individuals as grounds for denying access to the service.

Additionally, the Minister provided an insight into the matter of vehicle registration, announcing that efforts are being made to ensure that vehicles are registered within the legal framework. He further expressed the ministry’s commitment to substantially enhancing the accessibility and ease of use of public services, offering maximum convenience for the public.

Source(s): PsmNews

Israel is set to send a delegation to Cairo for talks with Hamas on a new ceasefire proposal aimed at securing the release of hostages held in Gaza as the conflict lingers on for nearly seven months now.

The delegation, composed of security officials, will depart on Tuesday to discuss the deal with Egyptian brokers, an Israeli government source told Xinhua.

A Hamas delegation left Egypt after the talks and will “return with a written response” to the latest truce proposal, according to Egyptian sources quoted by Al-Qahera News, a site also linked to Egyptian intelligence services.

Abdul Latif al-Qanou, a spokesman for Hamas, said on Monday in a statement that “ensuring a permanent ceasefire is a fundamental cornerstone for moving towards the details of negotiations and the success of the agreement with the Israeli occupation.”

According to the Israeli state-owned Kan TV, in the revised proposal, Israel has agreed to reduce the number of hostages it demands to be released to 33.

Israel initially insisted that Hamas release a minimum of 40 hostages but altered its position upon learning that the actual number of surviving hostages was below 40.

Speaking on Monday at a World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt was hopeful about a proposal for a truce and the release of hostages, but awaiting responses from Israel and Hamas.

“We are hopeful the proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides, has tried to extract moderation from both sides, and we are waiting to have a final decision,” Shoukry said.

A Palestinian official close to mediation efforts told Reuters: “Things look better this time,” but declined to say whether an agreement was imminent.

Israel’s military operation to eradicate Hamas has killed at least 34,480 Palestinians and wounded 77,643, according to Gaza’s health authorities. It has displaced most of the Palestinian enclave’s 2.3 million people and laid much of the area to waste.

The campaign was triggered by the October 7 attack on Israel in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The conflict has brought Gaza to the brink of famine, United Nations and humanitarian aid groups say, while reducing much of the territory to rubble and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

High temperatures in crowded Rafah have turned makeshift shelters made from plastic tarps into sweltering ovens. The UN has warned of diseases spreading.

Source(s): CGTN