Day: September 11, 2024

Windhoek: The Ministry of Education , Arts and Culture has adjusted the school calendar to accommodate the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for 27 November 2024 . The ministry ‘ s Executive Director , Sanet Steenkamp made the announcement in a press statement on Tuesday . ” The last day of school for learners has been changed from 06 December 2024 to 22 November 2024 , while the last day for teachers , hostel staff , and institutional workers has been changed from 09 December 2024 to 06 December 2024 ,” Steenkamp said . School reports will be issued to learners on 06 December 2024 . Steenkamp further indicated that schools are required to make up for the eight lost school days through various means , in coordination with the school community and under the guidance of inspectors of education and school principals , before the end of the academic year . The eight days are to be compensated for during non – examination days in the form of afternoon lessons , Saturday school , or whichever meth
od works best for respective schools . Steenkamp urged regional directors , inspectors , principals , school board members and stakeholders to take note of the changes in the calendar .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Keetmanshoop: President Nangolo Mbumba on Tuesday appointed three ambassadors who will represent Namibia in Brazil , Senegal and Botswana respectively . Selma Nghinamundova is the new ambassador to Brazil , replacing Mbapeua Muvangua . Richard Tsandib is the new ambassador to Senegal , replacing former ambassador Elvis Shiweda , while Elizabeth Kakukuru is the new high commissioner to Botswana . Mbumba said Namibia ’ s national interests and the wellbeing of its people should be at the forefront of all their activities , and what they do as ambassadors should translate into tangible benefits for the Namibian people and contribute to the country ‘ s developmental agenda . “ Our foreign policy is an extension of our domestic policy and the social and economic wellbeing of all our people is paramount . You should be cognisant at all times of the socio – economic challenges in our country and how we are trying to address them ,” said the president . He said the new ambassadors have , through the oath they have ta
ken , made a public commitment to uphold and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Namibia . “ You have made a vow to promote , protect and place Namibia ’ s national interest above all else . I expect you , as my representatives , to inform your host countries truthfully and regularly about economic opportunities and other developments in Namibia . I expect you to maintain good character and integrity , consistently upholding the honour , dignity and good reputation of Namibia ,” Mbumba said . The president further said he expects Namibia to gain more trading partners , noting that they must endeavour to find niche markets for local products , as well as to work towards improving the country ’ s image and global competitiveness rankings . “ I also charge you to serve all Namibian nationals that you will be encountering in your host countries to the best of your abilities and with utmost courtesy ,” he urged .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Outapi: The Outapi Mayoral Cup , which ended on Tuesday , has been hailed as a success as it attracted many participants and gave local vendors a platform to boost their sales . The tournament was hosted at the Olufuko Centre and started on Saturday . Speaking during the awards ceremony on Tuesday , Outapi Mayor Selma Asino said the event was a resounding success and all participants displayed exemplary sportsmanship and a competitive spirit throughout the event . “ This tournament was more than just a sports competition ; it served as a platform to promote physical and mental well – being and strengthen community ties ,” Asino said . The Outapi Mayoral Cup also fostered economic empowerment as it gave local vendors a space to showcase and sell their goods . Asino promised that next year ’ s tournament will be even bigger and better . In the football category , the Covid 22 football team won the Mayoral Cup after defending NamPol FC 2 – 0 in the finals . In addition to the trophy , Covid 22 also pocketed N .
dollars 26 000 , while NamPol FC received N . dollars 18 000 . Third – placed Okafa FC won N . dollars 10 000 . In the netball finals , Rocket NC claimed victory after defeating Omusati Blazer and took home N . dollars 12 000 . Runners – up Omusati Blazer pocketed N . dollars 8 000 , while Kunene U – 17 received N . dollars 6 000 in third place .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Gaza: At least 14 Palestinians were killed and some others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a UN school-converted shelter for displaced people in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp of central Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said Wednesday.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Beijing: The following are the indices of major stock markets worldwide on Wednesday.

IN THE UNITED STATES

The S&P 500 Index opened at 5,496.42 points, up 0.90 points, or 0.02 percent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened at 40,638.76 points, down 98.20 points, or 0.24 percent.

The Nasdaq Composite Index opened at 17,061.41 points, up 35.53 points, or 0.21 percent.

IN EUROPE

The DAX Index opened at 18,342.57 points, up 76.65 points, or 0.42 percent.

The FTSE 100 Index opened at 8,205.98 points, up 0.00 points, or 0.00 percent.

The Paris CAC 40 opened at 7,419.04 points, up 11.49 points, or 0.16 percent.

IN ASIA

The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 2,721.80 points, down 22.39 points, or 0.82 percent.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 8,105.38 points, up 31.55 points, or 0.39 percent.

The Hang Seng Index closed at 17,108.71 points, down 125.38 points, or 0.73 percent.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed at 7,987.90 points, down 24.00 points, or 0.30 percent.

The 225-issue Nikkei
Stock Average closed at 35,619.77 points, down 539.39 points, or 1.49 percent.

The Straits Times Index closed at 3,531.17 points, up 18.50 points, or 0.53 percent.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed at 2,513.34 points, down 10.09 points, or 0.40 percent. Enditem

(This article is generated by Xinhua News Robot.)

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Islamabad: A polio worker and a policeman were killed in firing by unknown gunmen in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to police officials on Wednesday.

Unknown miscreants riding on a motorcycle opened fire at a polio vaccination team in Salarzai area of Bajaur district of the province, said the police in the area.

The attackers fled the scene after carrying out the attack, and a search operation is underway to arrest the culprits, said the police, adding that polio vaccination has been halted in the area after the incident.

Earlier on Monday, a week-long polio vaccination campaign was launched in the district to administer vaccination drops to children aged up to five years.

This is the second attack on an anti-polio team in KP province this week. Earlier on Tuesday, a bomb blast hit a vehicle carrying polio workers and policemen in South Waziristan district, leaving at least six people injured, according to police officials.

According to government officials, Pakistan is
one of the only two polio-endemic countries in the world along with its neighbor Afghanistan. The country has reported 17 polio cases so far this year.

Source: The Namibia News Agency