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The Citizen
23-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Harmful alien plant species removed by SANParks Honorary Rangers
The biodiversity of the Kruger National Park (KNP) faces a serious threat from invasive alien plant species that are not indigenous to the region and have been introduced either intentionally or accidentally. These plants, also referred to as exotic, non-native, or foreign species, include well-known invaders such as lantana (Lantana camara), paraffin weed (Chromolaena odorata), queen of the night cactus (Cereus jamacaru), prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), famine weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), pompom weed (Campuloclinium macrocephalum), Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) and slender potato creeper (Solanum seaforthianum.) ALSO READ: Youth Forum plants indigenous trees in White River To combat this, the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) in the Lowveld region co-ordinate regular hack duties that are volunteer-driven operations focused on removing these plants from affected areas in the park. The hack operations are physically demanding and form a continuous part of conservation efforts. Amelda Obermeyer, the SHR hack co-ordinator in the Lowveld region, says: 'We employ several methods for invasive plant removal, including mechanical control, which involves physically cutting or uprooting the plants, often followed by the application of approved herbicides to prevent regrowth. With biological control, natural enemies such as the cochineal insect (Dactylopius opuntiae), which targets specific plant species like the prickly pear and queen of the night, are used.' In May 2025, the team had a successful hack at Nkambeni Safari Camp and Mdluli Safari Lodge. A total of 14 dedicated volunteers from six different SHR regions took part. During this effort, over 2 000 lantana plants and 600 paraffin weed plants were eradicated. Events like the upcoming open-air performance by the renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir, under the stars in the Kruger National Park, are essential for fundraising. ALSO READ: Experience the magic of Ndlovu Youth Choir under the stars at Kruger Concert for Conservation The event on June 13 promises to be an unforgettable evening. There are limited exclusive overnight glamping packages available at Nkambeni Safari Camp. The cost is R2 550 per person sharing and R2 950 per single person, which includes bed and breakfast, concert tickets with a harvest table and a glass of wine, a return shuttle with a game drive experience and conservation fees. Bookings can be made with Linda Pieters at lowveldfundraising@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Prince William opens up about youngest son Prince Louis' difficult decision
Prince William visited a youth centre in Edinburgh during a royal engagement, where he revealed his son Prince Louis's difficult decision Prince William brought laughter during his recent royal visit. The Prince of Wales took a trip to Scotland to visit the Leith Community Centre, in Edinburgh, where he shared heartfelt details about his youngest son, Prince Louis, and spoke about a challenging decision his son will have to face someday. While visiting the non-profit organisation Street Soccer Scotland on Wednesday, Prince William warmly engaged with locals - taking time to chat and connect with them. One amusing moment in particular was when he was shown a hilarious picture of one of the women at the centre dressed up as the Hanlon Stevenson mascot, Percy, for a fundraising event. The image left William in fits of laughter, before he went on to play football with the locals and even scored a goal. After the cheers, he joked: "That's it, I'm done now." He also watched flamenco dancing and unveiled a new Royal Foundation Community Impact project. William met Erin, nine and Shaniah, ten, who held a Youth Forum at Edinburgh City Council Chambers to discuss their concerns about the block of flats where they lived. The Prince praised the young girls for their public speaking, saying: "Wow, it's not easy standing up and speaking. It takes a lot of courage, well done." Erin then gifted the prince of Wales an Aston Villa Football Club poster which sparked up the discussion of his youngest son Louis. William asked Erin what team she supports, and she replied that she supports two teams, and William revealed that Prince Louis was torn between his favourite football teams at the moment. He explained: "My youngest at the moment says he supports five different football teams." At just seven years old, Louis has plenty of time to decide his favourite team, even if his current indecision contrasts with his fathers. Prince William is a well-known Aston Villa supporter and his eldest son Prince George is also a fan of the team often joining his dad at matches. Prince William previously spoke to the BBC in 2015, about his love for Aston Villa. He said: "A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn't want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams. I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments." The royal visited the community centre as part of the Royal Foundation's Community Impact Programme, which aims to "provide lasting impact and legacy in the communities Their Royal Highnesses visits." During the visit he met with Street Soccer Scotland founder and CEO David Duke, who is also a strong supporter of William's Homewards work. The partnership will support Street Soccer Scotland to assist individuals facing challenges such as mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman boosts food security, industry, with new land deals
Muscat: As part of the ongoing efforts to promote investment and optimise the use of government land, the second day of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition witnessed the signing of 46 usufruct contracts worth over RO 9 million. These agreements cover a variety of sectors that support the national economy. The agreements were signed by Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, in the presence of several representatives from relevant entities and investment partners. Among the agreements, 33 contracts were in the food security sector, covering an area exceeding 1,325 acres, and 12 contracts were allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector, spanning over 10,000 square metres. Additionally, a contract was signed to establish a specialised sports academy on an area exceeding 26,000 square metres, reflecting support for sports infrastructure and youth sector investment. YOUTH FORUM On Tuesday, A Youth Forum was organised with the participation of a group of young Omani professionals who played a significant role in shaping and implementing the National Urban Development Strategy projects. The forum provided an opportunity to highlight achievements in recent years and reaffirm the importance of empowering youth and involving them in planning future cities in ways that reflect the aspirations of the new generation and ensure sustainable development across all governorates. During the event, the ministry honoured the three winning teams from the Housing Design Innovation Lab for their effective contributions in developing innovative housing designs that meet sustainability standards and reflect a deep understanding of Oman's geographic diversity. The lab is one of the ministry's initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the government and academic institutions by involving university and college students specialising in architecture and civil engineering. The goal is to develop advanced design solutions for social housing projects tailored to coastal, mountainous and desert environments, integrating artificial intelligence concepts into urban planning and analysis processes. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part in the lab. They were divided into 14 teams and worked on creating advanced housing models that address environmental and financial sustainability challenges while meeting the needs of modern lifestyles. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman boosts food security, industry, with new land deals
Muscat, May 20 As part of the ongoing efforts to promote investment and optimise the use of government land, the second day of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition witnessed the signing of 46 usufruct contracts worth over RO 9 million. These agreements cover a variety of sectors that support the national economy. The agreements were signed by Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, in the presence of several representatives from relevant entities and investment partners. Among the agreements, 33 contracts were in the food security sector, covering an area exceeding 1,325 acres, and 12 contracts were allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector, spanning over 10,000 square metres. Additionally, a contract was signed to establish a specialised sports academy on an area exceeding 26,000 square metres, reflecting support for sports infrastructure and youth sector investment. YOUTH FORUM On Tuesday, A Youth Forum was organised with the participation of a group of young Omani professionals who played a significant role in shaping and implementing the National Urban Development Strategy projects. The forum provided an opportunity to highlight achievements in recent years and reaffirm the importance of empowering youth and involving them in planning future cities in ways that reflect the aspirations of the new generation and ensure sustainable development across all governorates. During the event, the ministry honoured the three winning teams from the Housing Design Innovation Lab for their effective contributions in developing innovative housing designs that meet sustainability standards and reflect a deep understanding of Oman's geographic diversity. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part. The lab is one of the ministry's initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the government and academic institutions by involving university and college students specialising in architecture and civil engineering. The goal is to develop advanced design solutions for social housing projects tailored to coastal, mountainous and desert environments, integrating artificial intelligence concepts into urban planning and analysis processes. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part in the lab. They were divided into 14 teams and worked on creating advanced housing models that address environmental and financial sustainability challenges while meeting the needs of modern lifestyles.
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
HH Shaikh Nasser chairs SCYS council meeting
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), chaired a meeting of the Council. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, was present. HH Shaikh Nasser emphasised the SCYS's key role in supporting Bahraini youth and encouraging their active participation in national development. HH Shaikh Nasser directed the establishment of the 'Al Bayt Al Oud Authority', an initiative designed to instil values and national awareness. The initiative seeks to develop community engagement and invest in future generations. HH Shaikh Nasser tasked the Ministry of Youth Affairs with continuing to implement and develop these programmes to build an informed and engaged youth base committed to national progress and community cohesion. The meeting reviewed a presentation by the Ministry of Youth Affairs on the Hope Network initiative, an international platform dedicated to unifying global efforts to empower youth and promote hope. HH Shaikh Nasser highlighted that the initiative reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and aligns with the directives of the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The meeting also reviewed the participation of Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, where Bahrain's national programme Lamea was showcased as a successful model in preparing effective youth leaders.
