MAKKAH, 28 March 2021, (TON): The General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, today, announced the Presidency’s plan for the Holy Month of Ramadan (1442 H). The announcement was made at a virtual media conference held by the General Presidency in the presence of the Acting Minister of Media Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.
During the event, Al-Sudais stressed that the General Presidency and the security authorities operating inside the Two Holy Mosques will be very strict in applying the precautionary measures, and preserving the safety of visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, and that the Mataf will be used for circumambulation only.
Expressing appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince for their care and support for the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims, Al-Sudais said that this support was evident in the decisions and the precautionary and preventive measures taken in the Two Holy Mosques since the announcement of the pandemic.
Al-Sudais added that the plan was a result of hard work and dedication over the past year, stressing the Presidency's keenness to intensify precautions, activate technical aspects, facilitate rituals for pilgrims and worshipers, and enrich their experience in line with the Kingdom's vision 2030.
Sheikh Al-Sudais and al-Qasabi also agreed to organise an annual media forum for media professionals cooperating with the General Presidency in disseminating the message of the Two Holy Mosques and the efforts made by the Kingdom in appreciation of all media practitioners cooperating in spreading the message of the Two Holy Mosques.
For his part, al-Qasabi called on media representatives to cooperate with the General Presidency to highlight the great efforts made by the Kingdom's government in a way that reflects the true image of Saudi Arabia and its leadership in serving pilgrims and Umrah performers.

COLOMBO, 28 March, 2021, (TON): An Inspector of Police (IP) connected to the Gampaha Traffic Division passed on when the bike he was riding collided with a parked bowser at Kalagedihena Junction on the Colombo-Kandy Main Road early toward the beginning of today

Police said the 36-year-old IP, a resident of Nugadeniya was admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The police have arrested the driver of the bowser for parking the vehicle without proper safety protocols.

ISLAMABAD, 28 March, 2021, (TON): The Saudi Royal Air Force (RSAF)'s combat aircraft with all air, technical and support crews completed on Saturday their arrival in Mushaf Airbase in Pakistan to participate in the 2021 Air Excellence Center Exercise.

A number of Tornado combat aircraft of the RSAF takes part in the exercise along with US Air Force and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the host country.

KATHMANDU, 28 March, 202, (TON): People in Kathmandu Valley and hilly districts will observe Holi, the festival of colors, also known as Fagu Purnima, by exchanging wishes today.

Revelers, young and old alike, celebrate the festival by smearing colorful powders and throwing water-filled pouches or balloons at each other. The festival will be celebrated in the Tarai region on Monday.

The festival marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The first day of the festival is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan while the second-day Dhuleti or Holi. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, the symbol of the triumph of good over evil, is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits.

Fagu Poornima carries its own speciality and significance. People of all ages enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon on the lunar calendar.

The festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing color with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.

DHAKA, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Three people were killed and four others were wounded in an accident at Padua area of Lohagara Upazila on Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar highway early Sunday.

The dead were identified as Shah Alam, 41, Md Ayas, 40, and Md Jahangir, 30. They all were residents of Ukhiya Upazila in Cox's Bazar, said officer-in-charge of Dohazari Highway police station.

The accident took place as Cox's Bazar-bound Noah hit a truck, parked beside the road, from the back after its driver lost control over the gear at about 3:00 am in front of Padua Union Parishad office at Lohagara Upazila, he said.

The accident left Shah Alam dead on the spot while Ayas and Jahangir were declared dead at Chakaria hospital in the morning while undergoing treatment, he added.

The injured were undergoing treatment at Chakaria and Cox's Bazar hospital, the OC said.

KABUL, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Safatullah Faqir, a member of the Afghan Air Force (AAF), was killed by unknown gunmen in the Bagh-e-Daud area of Paghman district on Saturday, a source confirmed.

Kabul police said the incident is being investigated but yet no further details provided.

Sources said Sunday that in addition to the killing of the AAF member, a state prosecutor was killed in Paktia province and another security force member was killed in Kabul in the past 24 hours. This comes on the heels of two other incidents against security force members in the country since Friday.

ISLAMABAD, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday has wished "Happy Holi" to the Hindu community, as they celebrate the festival of colors being across Pakistan on Sunday (today).

"Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colors," the premier said on Twitter.

The festival is celebrated each year in Pakistan and other countries around the world by members of the Hindu community, with people gathering in the streets to dance, throw color at each other and distribute sweets.

They smear "Abeer" or red vermilion powder, besides other colored powders, and throw water-filled balloons at each other in celebration.

COLOMBO, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Two persons have died after being trapped in a gem mine in the Weralupitiya area in Avissawella, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

He said that the power supply to the mine had been cut off due to heavy rains and the two individuals who had entered the mine at that time could not get out and were trapped inside.

The deceased has been identified as 41 and 45 year old residents of Avissawella.

He further said that the bodies of the two who were trapped in the mine have been placed at the Avissawella Hospital.

An inquiry is underway to determine the cause of death of the two victims and the postmortem of the two bodies will be conducted today.

COLOMBO, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Several areas in the country would receive heavy rainfall of over 100 mm during this evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said.

While giving climate estimates for now, the Department said, heavy storm could be considered typical at certain spots in Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Western, Central and North-western areas.

Even showers could be expected in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district during the morning, they said.

The general public are requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. 

DHAKA, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Huge number of law enforcement agencies’ members were deployed across Bangladesh on Sunday as Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, along with their supporters, observed their pre-announced nationwide strike.

 A clash between madrassah students and police reportedly took place in the Signboard area at about 10:30am as police fire bullets to disperse a gathering of madrassah students.

 Long-distance buses were not seen on the roads as Hefazat supporters put barricades on the roads limiting communication.

Police are seen patrolling on the roads and ruling party supporter were seen insisting drivers to ply their vehicles on roads to foil the strike.