Category: News

NEW DELHI: India is setting up four thematic hubs in the domains of Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing Metrology, and Quantum Material Devices as part of its National Quantum Mission by leveraging national strengths in this sector.

This announcement was made by the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India on the occasion of World Quantum Day, which has been observed annually on 14th April since 2022 under the United Nations auspices.

Quantum Mechanics is the study of atoms and sub-atomic particles. It has now advanced to such an extent that it is used to develop technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers and ultra-precise atomic clocks used in the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Ajay Kumar Sood, India’s Principal Scientific Adviser, on Saturday emphasised the global impact of Quantum Technology.

‘It is the new technology frontier, reached after decades of fundamental research leading to mankind’s ability to exploit the scientific principles o
f superposition, entanglement, and measurement. Quantum Technology promises to lead in applications with immense potential for the global economy in areas ranging from medicine to the discovery of advanced materials, and from safe communication to extremely sensitive sensors.’

India’s Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission on 19th April last year with a financial outlay of Rupees 60.03 billion (US dollars 717.9 million) over eight years.

In addition to the four thematic hubs, ‘the Mission aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial research and development to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology,’ the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor said.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has sent a condolence message to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, over the victims of the floods that hit the sultanate, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.

H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; and H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; also sent similar messages to the Sultan of Oman.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned on Monday of a further escalation in violence in Sudan as parties to the conflict arm civilians and more armed groups join the fighting.

On the first anniversary of the outbreak of the armed conflict, Turk issued a statement from Geneva calling for an end to the conflict and the suffering of civilians.

Turk expressed concern about the recruitment of children in the conflict, arming civilians, as the increase of indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, as well as ethnically motivated attacks.

He denounced the recent arrest warrants issued against leading civilian figures including former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on charges that he said “do not appear to be substantiated” and some of which carry the death penalty.

“The Sudanese authorities must immediately revoke the arrest warrants against Hamdok and other civilian leaders and prioritize confidence-building measures towards a ceasefire as a first step followed by a comprehensive resol
ution of the conflict and the restoration of a civilian government” he added.

Turk called on all parties to ensure humanitarian and human rights workers are allowed safe and unhindered access to all areas under their respective control, and to hold accountability of those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law.

He also urged all parties to cooperate with the Designated Expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, and the Fact-Finding Mission established by the UN Human Rights Council.

Since fighting broke out on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have forcibly claimed thousands of lives and others injured, as well as the destruction of thousands of buildings and infrastructure, plunging Sudan into a severe humanitarian crisis and creating the world’s largest displacement crisis, according to UN reports.

Over eight million people have been displaced from their homes fleeing the war, more than two million of them to neighbo
ring countries, and nearly 18 million people face acute food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and over 70 percent of hospitals are no longer functional amid a rise in infectious diseases.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Gaza: The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has announced the release of two of its crews by the Israeli occupation forces after 50 days of detention.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PRCS explained that the occupation forces had apprehended them at a military checkpoint in Khan Yunis while they were on a mission to evacuate patients from Al-Amal Hospital on February 25th.

It further noted that the occupation forces still detain six members of the society’s crews, with their fate remaining unknown.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, received on Monday a call from Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

The two ministers discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and de-escalate tensions in the region, underlining the importance of preventing further escalation and its potential threats to regional and global security and peace.

Safadi underscored that halting the aggression against Gaza and addressing the resulting humanitarian crisis is essential to prevent the war from spreading regionally.

He reiterated that securing the rights of the Palestinian people, notably their right to freedom and an independent state based on the two-state solution, is the key to ensuring security and stability for all parties involved.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Meteorological Department expected that the weather today, Monday, will be partly cloudy and there will be no change in temperatures, remaining around their general average, and there will be a weak chance of scattered light rain falling in some areas, and the winds will be westerly to northwesterly, light to moderate, brisk. Sometimes the sea is light to medium wave height.

In the evening and night hours: The weather will be partly cloudy to clear, relatively cool over the mountainous areas, and pleasant in the rest of the areas. The winds will be northwesterly moderate, active at times, and the sea will be light to medium in height.

Tuesday, the weather will be clear and relatively hot to hot and dry, and there will be a significant rise in temperatures to become higher than the general average by about 5 degrees Celsius, and the winds will be northeasterly to northwesterly, light to moderate speed, and the sea will be light in height.

Wednesday: The weather will be generally clear
, hot and dry, and there will be another significant rise in temperatures, becoming higher than the general average by about 9 degrees Celsius. Winds will be southeasterly, light to moderate speed, and the sea will be light in height.

On Thursday, the weather will be clear and relatively hot to hot and dry, and there will be a significant drop in temperatures to become higher than the general average by about 5 degrees Celsius, and the winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, moderate to active speed, and the sea will be light in height.

Source: Maan News Agency