FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Congo officials over financial misconduct
FIFA's ethics committee launched disciplinary proceedings against three senior Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) officials on Wednesday, including president Jean-Guy Mayolas, over allegations of financial misconduct, Reuters reported.
Mayolas, his wife and his son were sentenced to life in prison earlier this month after a criminal court in Congolese capital Brazzaville convicted them of embezzling $1.1 million in FIFA funds. Media reports said their whereabouts were not known and they were tried in absentia.
FECOFOOT general secretary Wantete Badji and treasurer Raoul Kanda are also subject to the disciplinary proceedings, FIFA said. Badji and Kanda were sentenced to five years each in prison by the court in Brazzaville for related charges, according to Reuters.
Sabalenka to face Rybakina in blockbuster Miami Open semi-final
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the two top women's players in the world, will battle it out in a Miami Open semi-final on Thursday after coming through their quarter-final matches, Reuters reported.
World number one Sabalenka took down American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday and is looking to complete the coveted 'Sunshine Double' after her triumph in the Indian Wells final over fellow big-hitter Rybakina.
"It's definitely going to be a battle," Sabalenka said in an on-court interview. "It's always a battle, always a fight, always a challenge."
7,231 disaster incidents across the country in 11 months
A total of 7,231 disaster incidents have occurred across the country in the past 11 months.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 479 people have died and 1,800 injured in those incidents that affected 13,098 families.
Of the disaster, 3,480 were fire incidents, 321 floods, 604 landslides, 442 heavy rains, 406 lightning strikes and 600 snake bites.
Similarly, there have been 279 forest fires, 451 storms, 504 wild animal attacks, 123 landslides and five avalanches, according to the Authority. There were seven earthquakes, two hailstorms, and two boat capsizing incidents, while one each of strong winds and cold waves occurred.
The details made public by the NDRRMA mentions that 26 disasters occurred from the morning of March 24 to the morning of March 25.
Fire incidents occurred in 13 places in nine districts on the same day, and 10 people were injured in the disaster.
Two business firms penalized, 17 cautioned
The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has imposed a cash penalty on two firms after they were found violating the law during an on-site inspection.
The department issued a press release on Wednesday stating that it has imposed a fine of Rs 201,000 on Pilgrims Grocery Pvt. Ltd., Swayambhu, and a fine of Rs 10,000 on RS Grocery and Gas Shop, Lalitpur, Bhaisepati.
Similarly, instructions for correction have been given to 17 more firms in the federal capital.
The firms were fined in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS.
The department has been regularly conducting market inspections with the participation of local people representatives, consumer rights activists and concerned parties.
