Caribbean Festival Reignites Spirit of Unity in Poughkeepsie After 15-Year Break

Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie came alive last weekend as the Caribbean Festival made a triumphant return after a 15-year hiatus, drawing hundreds of residents and visitors for a celebration of music, culture, and community pride. The event, led by the newly established Caribbean Association of the Hudson Valley, showcased the vibrancy of Caribbean culture with…

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Walsall Authorities Clean Up Union Street Car Park in Joint Crackdown on Anti-Social Behaviour

A collaborative operation between West Midlands Police and Walsall Council has transformed a town centre car park previously plagued by anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. The Union Street multi-storey car park had become a hotspot for drug misuse, fly-tipping, rough sleeping, and abandoned vehicles — sparking numerous complaints from residents and local businesses. In response,…

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Pakistan Senate Endorses Indigenous Payment System to Rival Visa, Mastercard.

The move aims to boost economic sovereignty, reduce foreign transaction dependency In a significant shift toward financial autonomy, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Pakistan has endorsed the development of a national payment gateway to rival global giants like Visa and Mastercard. The move is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen local…

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Pakistan Launches $1.5bn Upgrade of Deadly Highway in Balochistan to Boost Trade and Safety.

Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious $1.5 billion plan to upgrade the notorious National Highway 25 (N-25), often dubbed the “killer highway,” which connects Karachi to Quetta and plays a strategic role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative After lengthy delays and some 7,000 accidents recorded annually, it will…

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Philippines Halts Rice Imports for 60 Days to Protect Local Farmers.

The Philippine government has announced a 60-day suspension on rice imports, a move aimed at protecting local farmers during the ongoing harvest season. The temporary ban, effective immediately, was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday, stirring debate among analysts about its potential impact on global rice prices. Ronnel Gardon tends rice supplies…

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Why Crop Diversity Matters for the Future of Food

Traditional crop varieties, or landraces, help develop more nutritious, climate-resilient crops. Copyright @FAOAshiya Noorani By Yurdi YasmiROME, Aug 6 2025 (IPS) Across continents and cultures, seeds and plants hold more than the promise of a harvest—they carry the wisdom of generations, the hopes of communities, and the keys to a more resilient future. Yet the…

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Landlocked Developing Countries’ Group to Negotiate Way Out of Agricultural Catastrophe

A high-level event focused on agriculture at the ongoing Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. Credit: Joyce Chimbi/IPS By Joyce ChimbiAWAZA, Turkmenistan, Aug 6 2025 (IPS) Agriculture is a critical sector in landlocked developing countries, as more than half (55 percent) of the population is employed in the agriculture sector – significantly higher…

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Sumitomo Pharma Seeks Approval for Groundbreaking Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease.

Japanese pharmaceutical giant Sumitomo Pharma has filed for regulatory approval of its innovative stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, marking a major milestone in the global race to develop a regenerative treatment for the debilitating neurological disorder. The submission was made to Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and represents the world’s first formal…

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Thailand Faces $1.85 Billion Trade Threat Amid Cambodia Tensions

Thailand’s economic relationship with Cambodia faces a serious setback as escalating political tensions and fears of prolonged conflict threaten to derail over $1.85 billion in annual bilateral trade. The growing unease stems from recent military posturing and diplomatic friction near the Thai-Cambodian border, which has led to concerns about the safety of trade routes, cross-border…

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Oyo Government Expands Agricultural Loan Scheme to Boost Food Security and Empower Farmers.

In a significant move to strengthen the agricultural sector, the Oyo State Government has approved the disbursement of additional funds under its single-digit interest loan scheme to support farmers across the state. The initiative is part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader commitment to food security, job creation, and rural development. The Chairman of the Agricultural…

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