TOBA TEK SINGH: A landowner in Gojra allegedly chopped off two fingers of his farm worker on Friday for taking a holiday without permission.

Reports said Shahzad of Chak 83-JB was employed by farmer Asghar Ali in Chak 366-JB. When he returned to work, Asghar became enraged and severed two fingers of his hand with a sharp chopper.

Shahzad was admitted to Gojra THQ Hospital, while Gojra Saddar police are conductingraidsto arrestthe suspect.

KIDNAP: A youth allegedly kidnapped an 18-year-old girl from Gojra Chak 364 JB on Friday.

According to a Gojra Sadar police FIR registered under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code, Dawood Masih and two unidentified accomplices abducted the daughter of complainant Yousaf Masih, while she was alone at home.

SHOT DEAD: A man was shot dead in Samundri, Faisalabad, on Friday, while a youth died in a firearm accident in Thikriwala.

Reports said Sumair Ashraf, 34, was riding a motorcycle in the SamundriSadar police area when two unidentified people opened indiscriminate fire and injured him. He was taken to Samundri THQ Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

Meanwhile, Fazal Hussain, 17, died in Chak 82 JB after accidentally pulling the trigger of his father`s pistol while cleaning it.

UAF: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and California State University aim to strengthen ties for tackling agricultural challenges.

The decision was made during a meeting between California State University Fresno`s Associate Professor Dr Gurreet Brar and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali. former UAF vice chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and other agricultural experts were also present.

Prof Dr Brar visited the UAF Horticulture Department and met scien-tists. He emphasised the pressing challenges faced by the agriculture globally and their potential solutions. He said UAF and California State University`s scientists should enhance joint efforts.

He said the time has evolved and agriculture needs climate-smart technologies. He also stressed the need for the diversification within the crops. About the knowledge exchange, he talkedabout his own academic background with Punjab Agricultural University, India, and universities in US reinforcing the significance of cross-border collaboration. He stressed the need to adopt collaborative practice by the UAF, Punjab Agriculture University of Ludhiana, and California State University for the development of agriculture sector.

Dr Zulfiqar said that that both universities had excellent relations under which efforts have been made in various projects. He added that it is inevitable to develop agriculture on modern lines so that the dream of increasing production per acre can be realized.

Dr Iqrar emphasised the need to provide farmers with proper facilities and modern technologies to enhance agricultural productivity. He stated that when given adequate resources, farmers respond positively, leading to significantimprovements in yield and quality. He said that under Lyallpur Agriculture Model, India, has made tremendous progress with integrated approach of academia, extension services and research.

He also raised concerns over the decline in citrus crop quality and production calling for urgent efforts to protect citrus farming in the region.

KAMALIA UNIVERSITY: The Punjab Higher Education Department has assigned additional charges for key posts at the University of Kamalia.

Saima Farman, deputy registrar at the University of Jhang, has been given additional charge as registrar for four months or until a permanent appointment is made. Similarly, Dr Muhammad Ishtiaq, finance director at GCUF`s Lyallpur Business School, has been appointed as controller of examinations for the same period.