Latest news with #Administrative
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
New 12-storey S'wak govt complex set to boost public service in Sarikei, says SS
Abang Johari (second right) signs the plaque after the opening of the new Sarawak Government Administrative Centre for the Sarikei Division, witnessed by Mohamad Abu Bakar (third left) and others. SARIKEI (May 14): The newly completed RM147.25-million 12-storey Sarawak Government Administrative Centre for the Sarikei Division will house around 500 civil servants from various state departments and agencies. Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said the consolidation of these state departments under one roof will enable key services to be delivered to the public more easily, quickly, and efficiently. Describing the facility as both a symbol of Sarikei's progress and a key driver of its development, Mohamad Abu Bakar said that the centre reflects the state government's commitment to modernising public service infrastructure. 'This new administrative centre is not only a symbol of Sarikei's progress but also plays a vital role in supporting the rapid development of the division. 'The Service Sarawak Centre and Sarawak Government Counter located on the ground floor of the building are digital service hubs based on the 'Whole-of-Government' concept,' he said during the official launching ceremony of the Sarawak Government Administrative Centre for Sarikei Division today. The centre was officially launched today by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Also in attendance were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, as well as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Dato' Sri Huang Tiong Sii. According to Mohamad Abu Bakar, the centre offers a wide range of services to the public, including bill and tax payments, license and permit applications, status checks for government applications, registration for small businesses and entrepreneurs, applications for welfare and social assistance, and access to advisory and information services. He said this integrated approach enhances efficiency, saves time and resources, and aligns with the government's 'One-Stop Customer Centric Service Delivery' model focused on convenience and impact. 'This center will be a major catalyst for inclusive development in Sarikei, in line with our aspirations to enhance the public service delivery system to be efficient, sustainable, and impactful,' he said. He also revealed that the Sarawak government has approved 46 new administrative building projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, with a total allocation of approximately RM1.2 billion. Of these, five are Integrated Administrative Centres (IACs) at the divisional level. To date, 16 new administrative buildings have been completed across various districts and sub-districts, including the Sarikei IAC.
Morocco World
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Court Delivers Sentences in Controversial ‘Caid Slap' Case
Rabat – The judicial panel at the Primary Court in the city of Temara, south of Rabat, issued a series of rulings on April 10 against four individuals involved in what has come to be known as the 'Temara Caid Slap' case. The case has captured public attention across Morocco in recent weeks, after a video showing a woman slapping a 'Caid', a local administrative executive, outside the Seventh Administrative District office in Temara went viral, sparking widespread public debate. The primary defendant, Chaimae, received the maximum sentence of two years in prison on charges of 'insulting and using violence against a public official during the performance of their duties.' Her husband was sentenced to one year of effective imprisonment for 'insult,' without any act of violence, in addition to a fine of MAD 1,000 (approximately $107). Chaimae's brother-in-law and a fourth defendant were each sentenced to six months of effective imprisonment for insult, and were acquitted of the remaining charges related to the same case. Bouchaib al-Sufi, Chaimae's defense attorney, told local news outlets outside the court that all defendants were acquitted of the charge of 'rebellion,' which carries a potential five-year prison sentence. The court granted the defendants ten days to appeal the verdict — a step al-Sufi says he would take. 'We are now facing a preliminary judicial ruling, which we cannot publicly comment on or criticize. The appropriate and legal course is to file an appeal,' he stated. Earlier that same day, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Skhirat-Temara province, formally withdrew its lawsuit during the hearing, requesting only a symbolic compensation of one dirham. While some condemned Chaimae's behavior and sympathized with the Caid for being insulted and assaulted while performing his duties, others argued that he initiated the confrontation by forcibly grabbing her phone and throwing it, as she filmed a heated exchange between him and her husband. A central point of dispute, within and outside the courtroom, was a medical certificate submitted by the Caid, stating that he required 30 days of rest due to psychological trauma from being slapped in public. The certificate ignited broader debate in Morocco around the credibility and legal influence of medical documents in court cases, particularly when they involve public officials. While some viewed the certificate as reasonable, given the public humiliation the Caid experienced, others suspected it was an attempt to influence the trial's outcome, doubting that the slap could justify such a diagnosis. Chaimae's legal team called for the exclusion of the certificate, questioning its legal basis and credibility. Media reports indicated that the defense intended to request an independent medical examination. 'One person gets two years for slapping, another gets one year for witnessing it, six months for hearing about it,' commented one social media user sarcastically. 'How many slaps were dealt to the faces of young people in the streets during the Covid lockdown?' the user added. The comment echoed a sentiment shared by many Moroccans who expressed that the sentence was excessive — not out of disregard for the mistreatment of public officials, but due to the perceived double standard in how justice is applied when the public suffers abuse at the hands of authorities. Tags: Moroccan courtMorocco Administration
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Not Just a Sporting Event, but Also a Technological Test: Insights into the World's First Human-Robot Co-Run Marathon
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 April 2025 - A scene even science fiction has yet to depict—humans and humanoid robots running side by side in a half-marathon — will become reality on April 13 in Beijing E-Town. Every spring, marathons sprout across China like bamboo shoots after rain. In Beijing, the world's only 'Dual Olympic City' and a global hub for science and innovation, the 2025 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, scheduled for April 13, will pioneer a 'sports + technology' format. For the first time, humanoid robots will register alongside human runners, start simultaneously, and share the 21.0975-kilometer course in an unprecedented fusion of innovation. The humanoid robot 'Tiangong' made its debut at the Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon in November 2024. Li Quan, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Beijing E-Town, revealed that the event has already attracted over 30,000 human applicants. On the robotics front, global humanoid robot companies, research institutes, robotics clubs, universities, and other innovators have shown immense enthusiasm, with registration numbers soaring. Notably, to ensure safety, physical barriers will separate human and robot runners, with distinct race rules and completion time standards. Yet this groundbreaking human-robot collaboration undeniably signals a bold leap for 'technology stepping into reality.' During a visit to training facilities, reporters observed teams racing against time to upgrade robotic components and intelligence levels, tackling technical challenges to enhance mobility. Some competing robots now reach a top speed of 12 km/h. To mitigate the physical strain of road running, some models have added shock-absorbing mechanisms, while others wear customized running shoes. Liang Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing E-Town Administrative Committee, explained that as the event is a global first with no prior experience or data to reference, both logistics and participants face significant hurdles. To support the robots, organizers have deployed dedicated support vehicles and robotic aid stations. Additionally, they are working closely with each team to refine technology, troubleshoot functions, and achieve developmental goals through pre-race collaboration. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, artificial intelligence revolutionized real-time data monitoring, 3D motion capture, and referee decision-making—boosting athlete training efficiency and competitive fairness while showcasing how technology elevates life's value. The upcoming human-robot 'half-marathon' collaboration represents a new frontier where the humanoid robotics industry intersects with humanity, sports, and endurance challenges. Industry experts note that half-marathons strike an ideal balance between 'challenge and accessibility": the event's low entry barrier contrasts with its rigorous test of physical stamina and mental resilience, culminating in profound personal achievement. By completing the same course, humanoid robots aim to validate industrial progress and refine human-centric technologies. 'This isn't just a sports competition—it's a stress test for technological breakthroughs and industrial growth,' asserted Xiong Youjun, CEO of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. A participating robotics executive stated that 'marathon-running robots' could accelerate technical maturity, spur industry standards, and drive innovation. On one front, the effort pushes upgrades in high-torque motors, flexible joints, and wear-resistant materials. On another, running's demand for full-body coordination forces tighter integration of hardware-software systems and deeper partnerships between manufacturers and AI algorithm firms. These advances promise to unlock transformative applications: deploying humanoid robots in disaster relief, long-range inspections, hazardous operations, smart manufacturing, and even elderly home care. As capabilities grow, such robots could also serve as AI training partners for elite athletes, 'giving back' to sports development. Industry experts emphasize that humanoid robots—comprising thousands of components—still face significant hurdles in maintaining stable, prolonged running. Xiong Youjun explained, 'Real-world road conditions differ vastly from lab environments.' To complete the race, robots require high-density integrated joints and bodies capable of enduring long distances with efficient heat dissipation. Second, precise coordination of all joints is critical for running, positioning, and dynamic obstacle avoidance—a test of core algorithm development and adaptability. Third, the marathon's demands on stability, reliability, and battery life are immense, with slopes, turns, and uneven terrain pushing machine performance to its limits. Humanoid robot 'Tiangong,' developed by the National-Local Joint Embodied Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center, demonstrates its running capabilities at the Beijing Robotics Industrial Park (E-Town) on February 24. Given persistent technical challenges requiring breakthroughs in industrial development, alongside the disruptive impact of complex outdoor environments on robotic operations, current capabilities allow robots to run alongside humans but not truly compete with them. Thus, this event functions more as an industry dialogue and a robotic stress test than a traditional race. For human participants and spectators, sharing the track with robots offers sensory thrills and intellectual expansion. These benefits are concrete: the 'constructive interplay' between technology and society clarifies the boundaries of human-robot collaboration, reinforces the principle of 'technology for humanity,' and accelerates the shift from coexistence to co-prosperity. 'As the essence of this event, humanoid robots 'running marathons' symbolize humanity's imagination and dreams in motion—that's the ultimate highlight,' said Li Quan. 'Regardless of rankings or speed, the footprints left by these robots at the finish line hold greater value than any medal. The 21-kilometer course will end, but our quest for human-robot synergy never will.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Death penalty possible for Mexican drug lord Caro Quintero, Brooklyn federal prosecutors say
NEW YORK — The death penalty is on the table for notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, the so-called 'narco of narcos' who orchestrated the torture and murder of a DEA agent in 1985, according to federal prosecutors. 'It is a possibility. The decision has not yet been made, but it is going through the process,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Saritha Komatireddy said in Brooklyn Federal Court Wednesday. About 30 DEA agents lined the benches to watch Caro Quintero, 72, and Ismael Quintero Arellanes, his cousin and right-hand man, appear before Judge Frederick Block for an update on his case. Caro is accused of masterminding the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA Agent Enrique 'Kike' Camarena in 1985, and was one of the founding members of the notorious Guadalajara Cartel, the predecessor of the Sinaloa Cartel. Camarena's killing was depicted in the Netflix series 'Narcos.' Block formally assigned veteran defense lawyer Elizabeth Macedonio as Caro Quintero's 'learned counsel' — meaning she'll represent him in any death penalty-related proceedings. The decision to seek the death penalty falls to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Macedonio won an acquittal in 2015 for Bonanno crime family member Vincent Asaro, after he was put on trial for his alleged involvement in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa heist at Kennedy Airport depicted in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas.' The drug lord is currently also represented by court-appointed defense lawyer Michael Vitaliano, and he expects to apply for taxpayer-funded counsel for the duration of his defense. Block said he'd have to see what prosecutors say about his assets before making a decision on whether taxpayers will foot the bill for his trial defense. 'I don't know whether the government's tied up his assets. I don't know what's available, what's not available,' he said. Caro Quintero, who at one point topped the FBI's list of most wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico in a dramatic 2022 capture. He and 28 other cartel figures were expelled from Mexico last month. Their expulsion has been viewed as a show of cooperation from Mexican officials to stave off the Trump administration's threats to apply tariffs on Mexican goods. He was hauled to Brooklyn and arraigned Feb. 28 on charges including allegations he led a criminal enterprise, engaged in murder conspiracy, international narcotics distribution conspiracy, and unlawful use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Caro Quintero is locked up in the Special Administrative Measures, or SAMS unit of the MDC Brooklyn, which houses high-risk inmates who the feds worry might pass deadly instructions to their cohorts in the outside world. He's slated to return to court June 25. _____
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Death penalty possible for Mexican drug lord Caro Quintero: Brooklyn feds
The death penalty is on the table for notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, the so-called 'narco of narcos' who orchestrated the torture and murder of a DEA agent in 1985, according to federal prosecutors. 'It is a possibility. The decision has not yet been made, but it is going through the process,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Saritha Komatireddy said in Brooklyn Federal Court Wednesday. About 30 DEA agents lined the benches to watch Caro Quintero, 72, and Ismael Quintero Arellanes, his cousin and right-hand man, appear before Judge Frederick Block for an update on his case. Caro is accused of masterminding the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA Agent Enrique 'Kike' Camarena in 1985, and was one of the founding members of the notorious Guadalajara Cartel, the predecessor of the Sinaloa Cartel. Camarena's killing was depicted in the Netflix series 'Narcos.' Block formally assigned veteran defense lawyer Elizabeth Macedonio as Caro Quintero's 'learned counsel' — meaning she'll represent him in any death penalty-related proceedings. The decision to seek the death penalty falls to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Macedonio won an acquittal in 2015 for Bonanno crime family member Vincent Asaro, after he was put on trial for his alleged involvement in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa heist at Kennedy Airport depicted in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas.' The drug lord is currently also represented by court-appointed defense lawyer Michael Vitaliano, and he expects to apply for taxpayer-funded counsel for the duration of his defense. Block said he'd have to see what prosecutors say about his assets before making a decision on whether taxpayers will foot the bill for his trial defense. 'I don't know whether the government's tied up his assets. I don't know what's available, what's not available,' he said. Caro Quintero, who at one point topped the FBI's list of most wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico in a dramatic 2022 capture. He and 28 other cartel figures were expelled from Mexico last month. Their expulsion has been viewed as a show of cooperation from Mexican officials to stave off the Trump administration's threats to apply tariffs on Mexican goods. He was hauled to Brooklyn and arraigned Feb. 28 on charges including allegations he led a criminal enterprise, engaged in murder conspiracy, international narcotics distribution conspiracy, and unlawful use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Caro Quintero is locked up in the Special Administrative Measures, or SAMS unit of the MDC Brooklyn, which houses high-risk inmates who the feds worry might pass deadly instructions to their cohorts in the outside world. He's slated to return to court June 25.
