The Ministry of Mines and Energy says, it has observed that such illegal practice is being done by operators of Jewelry shops, who have not obtained any licenses from the Ministry. According to Deputy Mines and Energy Minister for Operations, William Hines, and Assistant Minister for Mines, Carlos Edison Tingban, the Ministry will not hesitate to apply penalty (ies) to any violator (s) of the law. Hence, the Ministry (MME) wants all mineral processors (Jewelry Shops owners to regularize their status and become legitimate. This confusion has held the Brokers Association hostage. During the period given, Assistant Minister Tingban told the Brokers, the Ministry of Mines and Energy will not recognize any of the disputed groups.

Bomi County – The Ministry of Labour has ordered the management of the Chinese Mining Conglomerates, the Bao Chico and its subsidiaries, operating in Gbarpolu and parts of Bomi Counties to immediately institute several labour and administrative reforms, in line with The Decent Work Act or face severe penalties, in keeping with law. Over the weekend, Assistant Labour Minister for Alien Registration and Liberianization – Raphael Donokolo, made an intensive spot site tour of Bao Chico and its subsidiaries mandated by Labour Minister, Cooper W. Kruah, to ensure labour reforms in line with the ARREST Agenda of President Boakai Government’. Assistant Minister Donokolo expressed serious disappointment over the poor work environment, neglect of workforce, renewal of alien staff work permit and creation of managerial status for qualified Liberians. Visited 29 times, 2 visit(s) today

By ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press |KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian troops are locked in intense battles with the advancing Russian army in two border areas, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, while the death toll from a Russian apartment building collapse blamed on Ukrainian shelling rose to 15. Zelenskyy said “fierce battles” are taking place near the border in eastern and northeastern Ukraine as outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian soldiers try to push back a significant Russian ground offensive. “Defensive battles are ongoing, fierce battles, on a large part of our border area,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday. The new Russian push in the northeastern Kharkiv region, along with the ongoing drive into the eastern Donetsk region, come after months when the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line barely budged. The Kharkiv incursion may be an attempt to create a “buffer zone” to protect Belgorod, an adjacent Russian border region battered by Ukrainian attacks.

She disclosed that cooperative societies will be accountable for monies given them and urged cooperative societies to exercise a high degree of honesty in managing funds received from government and development partners. The experienced Administrator highlighted the significance of taking legal actions against individuals members and leaderships of Cooperative Societies found guilty of mismanagement, stressing the need for setting examples to deter such behavior. The new CDA Boss pointed out challenges in Rivercess County and called for decisive actions to uphold integrity within the Cooperative Movement in Liberia. Over two hundred beneficiaries received financial support from Conservation International in 2022-2023 from its Blue Oceans Program to empower fishmongers and women in Cooperative Societies. “Funds given to each of the women from these Cooperative Societies are intended to rotate among them to empower members in their various communities in line with the Blue Oceans Program goals,” Mike Kava said.

The Government of Liberia in the aftermath of suspending the Road User Permit of Western Cluster Limited, was apprised of the docking of AE Mercury, a vessel brought in by WCL to export its ores previously prepared. GoL wishes to emphasize that the said vessel only docked at the Freeport of Monrovia on May 3, 2024, predating the period at which Western Cluster’s Road User Permit was suspended by the Government through the Ministry of Public Works. Following rigorous analysis of the legal and financial consequences that could lie against Western Cluster and the Government of Liberia, the Government has decided to grant Western Cluster a three (3) day respite from May 10-12, 2024, to allow the company lift its ores that were already prepared for export by the supra named vessel. Therefore, it is also important to stress that the respite ends on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at midnight, and that the suspension remains enforced thereafter. A Public Works press lease issued notedVisited 51 times, 5 visit(s) today

Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah has issued a decree dissolving parliament and suspending some of the articles of the constitution for “a period not exceeding four years”, after weeks of political tension following recent elections. The powers of the National Assembly will be assumed by the Emir and the country’s cabinet, state TV reported. The Gulf country held its fourth elections in as many years last month, with 39 of the 46 members from the previous parliament retaining their seats. In a new constitution enacted after the liberation from Iraq in 1990, a parliament was established which compared with other Gulf countries has considerable powers. source: commonspace.eu with agenciesphoto: The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal al Ahmad, al SabahVisited 45 times, 13 visit(s) today

FrontPage Africa gauged the views of Liberians regarding the performances of President Boakai and the former Liberian leader. There was no outcome with respect to what the 100 days, and can’t point to. President Weah 100 days, we saw that the Doe Community road had commenced, and we saw the completion in the first 100 days of President Weah. During the 100 days maybe, President Boakai was still asleep because nothing can be pointed to as real deliverable. He talks about doing a whole lot that until now we are yet to see what the 100 days will be.

BENTOL, Montserrado County – Montserrado County newly inducted Superintendent Whroway Bryant has vowed to ensure the Boakai-Koung administration’s ARREST Agenda is successfully implemented in Montserrado under his watch as Superintendent. He replaced former Superintendent Florence Brandy who served for 11 years under the administration of former Presidents George Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He acknowledged that the salary of local officials was not encouraging, as some make as low as US$100. He thanked his predecessor Florence Brandy for the smooth transition. Meanwhile, Madam Lucia K. Tarpeh was also inducted as Development officer of Montserrado County.

MONROVIA – To ensure judicial independence and integrity, the appointment of judges and other judicial officers should be done by an institutionalized body, instead of being done by presidents and chief executives, says Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, the Director of the Kenya School of Law and renowned activist. Speaking on the theme “Integrity Through Positive Actions: A Means of Ensuring an Independent Judiciary,” Prof. Lumumba said achieving judicial independence is not merely a matter of institutional design. It requires a constant commitment to integrity and ethical conduct among judicial officers and court personnel, and an enhanced understanding of the public on the role it plays in realizing the goal. Since then, there has been split opinions on his removal, and calls for judicial independence in Liberia. “Judicial officers must deliver themselves from temptation,” he said.

In an interview on CNN, President Biden said the U.S. will stop supplying certain weapons to Israel if its forces invade Rafah. President Joe Biden: “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem. We’re going to continue to make sure Israel is secure in terms of Iron Dome and their ability to respond to attacks like came out of the Middle East recently. But it’s just wrong. We’re not going to supply the weapons and the artillery shells used, that have been used in cities” —Erin Burnett: “Artillery shells, as well?”President Joe Biden: “Yeah, artillery shells.”Israel’s extreme-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted on X this morning, “Hamas [heart symbol] Biden.”Read more of this storyVisited 5 times, 5 visit(s) today

The U.N.’s International Organization for Migration is warning heavy rains and extreme flooding have created over 200,000 climate refugees over the past week across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Kenya has declared a National Day of Mourning on Friday for the more than 200 people who have died in the country. Power Shift Africa said, “The fossil fuel industry and the politicians that fail to stand up to it have blood on their hands.”Read more of this storyVisited 5 times, 5 visit(s) today

The mobile Health service finally resumed its operations over the weekend to the public by providing a free of charge medical service to the people of Royesville in Rural Montserrado County. Royesville Township is highly hit by numerous health problems, something that prompted the Serene Health Incorporated, through its mobile clinic to move in and administer medical service to about 350 residents and provide them with high quality drugs. “This Township doesn’t have a clinic and the residents here are faced with numerous health challenges including lack of safe drinking water,” Serene Health Incorporated CEO said. Madam Pelham commended the Montserrado County Health team for collaborating with Serene Health Incorporated and also hailed Community Health Volunteers for always encouraging residents in these rural communities to practice safe health. Madam Nora James, 61, was seen heavily smiling after being checked and treated by volunteer doctors of Serene Mobile health team.

MONROVIA – Liberia is on the verge of experiencing another shortage of petroleum products, but it is an artificial shortage resulting from hoarding by major importers due to an unsettled agreement with the government regarding a pump price increment. In March 2024, President Boakai issued an Executive Order to reduce the cost of petroleum products by 20 cents to alleviate the cost of living. However, the Managing Director of LPRC, Mr. Amos Tweh, told FrontPageAfrica that the government is not in a position to offer any increment in the pump price of petroleum products. Any information you’re receiving is either an attempt to create an artificial shortage to force the government to increase the pump price of petroleum products.”It remains unclear how long the importers will continue hoarding their petroleum products. This waived amount doesn’t benefit the pump price; it rather creates a windfall for the petroleum dealers.

Biden’s replacement, Trump’s challengerMikhail ShereshevskiySpeculation is swirling about whether Michelle Obama could potentially replace Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for the presidency, as reported by Der Spiegel. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Democrats might pivot away from Biden in favour of Michelle Obama. Indeed, Michelle Obama herself has previously said that she will never go to the polls for the reason that she considers politics a dirty business. Furthermore, Michelle Obama’s association with the perceived success of her husband’s presidency could enhance her appeal to voters nostalgic for the Obama era. Without altering their candidate, Democrats face a significant risk of defeat.

The FedEx plane took off from Paris Charles de Gaule airport this morning and was heading to Istanbul. Video footage has captured the moment the nose of the plane smashes into the runway and scrapes along the tarmac. Boeing is already mired in controversy over safety concerns and the deaths of two whistleblowers just two months apart. Flight traffic and operations continue smoothly on all other runways, including the spare runways. Read more of this storyVisited 38 times, 38 visit(s) today