Latest news with #QualityControlDepartment
Barnama
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Over One Million Hectares Contaminated As Azerbaijan Faces Landmine Crisis
Head of the Quality Control Department, Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) Elnur Gasimov (left) and Turus (RAJD), Commander of the Royal Engineer Regiment (KRJ), 1st Division Headquarters, Malaysian Army, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Colonel Rashdan Abdul Rashid (right) during the Panel session titled 'The Lasting Impact of Landmines: The Weapons of Civilian Destruction' in conjunction with the International Seminar: Towards a Landmine-Free World - Case of Azerbaijan, held at the Asian International Arbitration Centre. The session was moderated by Professor of Faculty of Defence Studies and Management, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) Prof. Ruhanas Harun (middle). --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED Head of the Quality Control Department, Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) Elnur Gasimov delivers his introductory remarks during the International Seminar: Towards a Landmine-Free World - The Case of Azerbaijan at the Asian International Arbitration Centre. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED By Ahmad Idzwan Arzmi & Suraidah Roslan KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Azerbaijan faces heavy landmine contamination, posing serious risks to the civilian population, socio-economic development and the environment in the affected areas. Head of the Quality Control Department, Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), Elnur Gasimov, said that landmine locations, estimated at over 1 million hectares in the southwestern part of the country, have been linked to a total of 243 recorded incidents. bootstrap slideshow "Unfortunately, we have seen an increased number of incidents because people have started rushing to the liberated territories, with 330 individuals injured and 70 killed. "These figures highlight the sheer scale of the threat and the urgent need for continued international support in demining operations," he said during his keynote at the International Seminar Towards a landmine-free world-case of Azerbaijan, here on Monday. He said as of July 2025, the Azerbaijani government had cleared over 200,000 hectares of land in the affected region, removing a total of 37,655 anti-personnel mines, 21,992 anti-tank mines and 143,010 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO). To strengthen community awareness of explosive ordnance risks, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), ANAMA, and the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education launched a joint initiative to establish Mine Awareness Groups in areas affected by mines. 'The programme also includes educational outreach through textbooks and methodological aids and the installation of warning billboards,' he said. Meanwhile, SUHAKAM Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus said that SUHAKAM's core principle is to advocate for the rights of all individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, and to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld universally, without taking sides in conflicts.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- The Hindu
Silence after the Sigachi blast: families wait for missing victims, officials stay mum
It was Justin's first day at work. Just an hour into his shift at Sigachi Industries in Sangareddy, a massive blast ripped through the factory on June 30, killing dozens and plunging families into a nightmare of uncertainty. Justin, only 20 and fresh out of a Medical Laboratory Technology course, is still listed as 'missing' in official police and medical records. 'His father and I had told him he was too young to rush into a job. But after his mother died, he was driven. On Saturday, he went with three of his friends to enquire about work. On Monday, he left home around 7 a.m., full of hope,' says his maternal aunt Sujatha, eight months pregnant, making rounds of the factory to get headway. 'I had left for work before him. By the time I called him to ask how his first day was going, it was already too late. He never answered the phone,' she shares. Sujatha, a staff nurse at a government hospital in Banjara Hills, had taken over the care of Justin and his two sisters after their mother passed away. 'In August, it will be two years since we lost her. Now we have lost Justin too,' she says, tearing up. It was also the first job for 26-year-old Rahul Sharma, listed as 'missing' too. A native of Uttar Pradesh, he had been working in the Quality Control Department of the unit for over 10 months after completing his MSc. On Sunday, the day before the explosion, he told his uncle that he was hopeful of an increment after completing a year. 'In case he didn't, he wanted to start looking for another job,' recalls his uncle, Ashok Sharma. Rahul had not visited home in Varanasi since he started work. 'He was planning to come in November, Now, we don't know if he will ever come back,' Ashok adds as his phone rings. 'It is my sister, Rahul's mother. She keeps calling me for updates. What do I even tell her,' he asks with a sigh. Ashok rushed to Hyderabad by the earliest flight from Mumbai as soon as he heard about the blast. The news reached the family through Rahul's friend, Ashish, who had completed his shift just moments before the explosion. Neither the company nor the police had contacted the family, he says. Ashok is staying at the shared paying guest accommodation in Kukatpally where Rahul lived with his colleagues from the factory and has been making repeated visits to the site, desperate for information. Rahul's two other relatives — Umesh from Varanasi and Ajay from Maharashtra — have also arrived here. 'We gave our DNA samples on Tuesday evening and were asked to wait for at least 24 hours. But how do you explain to your heart that it must wait,' Ashok says. Sujatha rues about the lack of official word from the company or police. 'Justin's father, who works in the oxygen industry in Patancheru, heard about the blast from a friend. We rushed there but not a single official has come forward to speak to us,' she says.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar expects high hotel occupancy as khareef draws visitors
Salalah – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed that hotel establishments in Dhofar governorate have completed their preparations to welcome tourists for the 2025 khareef season. Hotels in the region are offering promotional packages and marketing programmes in anticipation of a high number of visitors during the season, which attracts tourists from across the region each year. Many hotels have introduced competitive prices and improved hospitality services, including guest reception and departure assistance, as well as guided tours to key tourist, heritage and entertainment sites. A key highlight this year is the increased presence of qualified Omani staff in the hotel and tourism sector, further supporting the local hospitality industry. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director of the Quality Control Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said preparations began with an annual coordination meeting involving the directorate and representatives from the hotel and tourism sectors. The meeting focused on service readiness and maintaining high standards of quality across all facilities. Ghassani said there are now 100 licensed hotel establishments in Dhofar, offering more than 8,000 rooms. 'In 2024, hotel occupancy rates reached 90%, and we expect these figures to increase this year due to attractive marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions from hotels and tourism companies,' he said. He also noted the continued use of the 'Sikka' app during the 2025 season. Supervised by the Office of the Governor of Dhofar in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality, the app regulates the real estate market and formalises rental agreements between landlords and tenants. The platform protects the rights of all parties and provides property owners with new ways to market their properties within Oman and abroad. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
18-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Dhofar expects high hotel occupancy as khareef draws visitors
Salalah – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed that hotel establishments in Dhofar governorate have completed their preparations to welcome tourists for the 2025 khareef season. Hotels in the region are offering promotional packages and marketing programmes in anticipation of a high number of visitors during the season, which attracts tourists from across the region each year. Many hotels have introduced competitive prices and improved hospitality services, including guest reception and departure assistance, as well as guided tours to key tourist, heritage and entertainment sites. A key highlight this year is the increased presence of qualified Omani staff in the hotel and tourism sector, further supporting the local hospitality industry. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director of the Quality Control Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said preparations began with an annual coordination meeting involving the directorate and representatives from the hotel and tourism sectors. The meeting focused on service readiness and maintaining high standards of quality across all facilities. Ghassani said there are now 100 licensed hotel establishments in Dhofar, offering more than 8,000 rooms. 'In 2024, hotel occupancy rates reached 90%, and we expect these figures to increase this year due to attractive marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions from hotels and tourism companies,' he said. He also noted the continued use of the 'Sikka' app during the 2025 season. Supervised by the Office of the Governor of Dhofar in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality, the app regulates the real estate market and formalises rental agreements between landlords and tenants. The platform protects the rights of all parties and provides property owners with new ways to market their properties within Oman and abroad.
