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KP govt launches 4 initiatives to empower youth KP government allocates Rs 2 billion for this initiative in current fiscal year PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday launched four initiatives for youth empowerment. The initiatives included the Ehsaas Hunar Programme worth Rs 4 billion, the Rural Economic Transformation Project worth Rs 11.4 billion, the upgrading of technical educational institutes, and an on-job training programme for TEVTA graduates. The launching ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s House, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur as the chief guest. It was attended by provincial cabinet members, the deputy speaker of the KP Assembly, MPAs , government officials, and selected beneficiaries. The Ehsaas Hunar Programme to be implemented through Akhuwat Microfinance, aims to provide interest-free loans of up to Rs 500,000 to skilled youth for start-ups and entrepreneurs. The provincial government has allocated Rs 2 billion for this initiative in the current fiscal year. More than 35,000 skilled youth are expected to benefit from the programme. The Rural Economic Transformation Project was launched in collaboration with IFAD and the European Union. This project worth Rs 11.4 billion will offer free technical and vocational training to 60,000 youth males and females from rural areas. Additionally, financial assistance averaging $300 per person will be provided to 42,000 skilled individuals to promote self-employment. The programme will also facilitate internships and employment for 25,000 TEVTA graduates. The third initiative of upgrading the selected Technical and Vocational Educational Institutes would be funded by the GIZ-European Union. Under the initiative, two Government Colleges of Technology in Nowshera and Abbottabad would be upgraded to the status of Centres of Excellence. Moreover, 22 technical institutions across the province will be upgraded to model institutes, and nine other institutes have been selected to offer DAE Level-5 certifications. On the Job Training Programme for TEVTA Graduates has been launched with an investment of Rs. 177 million. Under this programme over 3,000 graduates would be placed in the selected industries for internships in a phased manner. In the first phase, 168 students will be offered three-month internships, each receiving a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000. The cost of the first phase is estimated at Rs. 7.56 million. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister underlined the importance of empowering the youth, terming them the nation’s most valuable asset. He emphasized that creating employment opportunities for the youth is vital for the nation’s progress and self-reliance. He underscored the need for youth to take advantage of the opportunities being provided, stating ‘the government cannot offer everyone public-sector jobs, it is committed to creating avenues in the private sector’. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Technical Education, Tufail Anjum, also addressed the event, reiterating the government’s dedication to skill development and youth empowerment.Ambernath schoolteacher arrested for sexually abusing 3 minor boys
PPP's 57th foundation day: 'Dialogue or baton', political stability a must, says BilawalTimberwolves didn’t turn to small ball to close last game, and those lineups don’t seem to be on the horizonHENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Aidan O'Connell might not be Mr. Right for the Raiders, but he is Mr. Right Now. He did enough in Friday's 19-17 loss at Kansas City to show that Las Vegas' quarterback job will be his for the rest of the season — barring, that is, another injury. O'Connell didn't look like a quarterback who hadn't played in nearly six weeks because of a broken thumb . Plus, the Raiders had a short week to prepare for the Chiefs, meaning O'Connell only went through a series of walk-through practices. Even so, he completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards, including touchdown passes of 33 yards to tight end Brock Bowers and 58 yards to wide receiver Tre Tucker. He didn't throw any interceptions. “Thought he competed,” coach Antonio Pierce said Saturday morning. “I thought for what we knew we were getting with Spags (Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) and that defense, that he stood in the pocket, made some tough throws, took some hits, took the shots down the field like we wanted. We had some opportunities to take shots down the field, he threw them. And I thought our skill guys did a hell of a job competing and making some really good plays for us.” O'Connell's performance would've shined even more if not for the Raiders' final offensive play. He led the Raiders from their 8-yard line to the Chiefs 32 with 15 seconds left. The plan was for O'Connell to take the snap and throw the ball away to run off a few more seconds, then send Daniel Carlson out for the potential winning field goal without giving Patrick Mahomes enough time to mount one of his signature comebacks. But rookie center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball before O'Connell was expecting it, and the Chiefs recovered to secure another close, last-minute victory. The Raiders were called for illegal shift, which Kansas City declined. But there was some question about whether officials intended to call a false start instead. Though that infraction would have cost Las Vegas 5 yards, the pre-snap penalty still would've given Carlson a shot at the field goal. Pierce said his team heard an official's whistle before the snap, and that will be included in the Raiders' report to the NFL. “We do that every game,” Pierce said. “Typically, anywhere from three to five questions, and then we’ll get a letter within 24 to 36 hours, and we’ll read it and learn from it.” What’s working Bowers had another sensational game. He was targeted 14 times, catching 10 passes for 140 yards. For the season, he has 84 receptions for 884 yards and four TDs, making him a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year. “We’re seeing double-teams and them really shifting their zone to him, and I don’t really think it matters,” Pierce said. “I think we've got a really special player on our hand.” What needs help The Raiders need to do better on first and second downs to set up more favorable third-down conversions. They have faced 47 third downs from 7 to 10 yards, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for fifth most. Las Vegas' conversion rate on those plays is 36.2%, which actually is favorable compared to the rest of the league, but the Raiders are still creating too many of those situations. Stock up Las Vegas made life difficult for Mahomes, sacking him five times. And it wasn't just Maxx Crosby bringing the heat. Four players had at least one-half sack, including K’Lavon Chaisson, who had 1 1/2. It was a season-high total for the Raiders, and they have taken down the opposing quarterback in 30 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak. Stock down Carlson is usually money, but he missed field goals from 56, 55 and 58 yards. Hardly chip shots, but he is capable of converting from those distances. He had made 30 of 38 field goals from 50-plus yards entering the game, with a career long of 57 yards. Injuries WR DJ Turner injured his knee in the second half. Key number 12 — The Raiders are one of three teams to fall behind double digits in each of their first 12 games of a season. The others were the 1986 Indianapolis Colts and 1972 New England Patriots. Next steps The Raiders visit Tampa Bay on Dec. 8. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl