Top Stories
Chancellor Angela Merkel invites PM Imran to visit Germany
F.P. Report DAVOS: Prime Minister Imran Khan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had in informal meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2020. During the meeting, Angela Merkel invited PM Imran Khan to visit the Germany, which he accepted. Earlier today, speaking at a ceremony of breakfast in Davos, the prime minister…
PM Imran to spearhead Kashmir campaign from Jan 25
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran has decided to spearhead a new campaign for the rights of the people of occupied Kashmir from January 25, so that ground realities of the Indian-held territory are shown to the world. This was announced by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was holding a press conference at the…
Senate body expresses reservations on proposed Rs115,000 hike in govt Haj package
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday expressed reservations over the proposed increase of Rs115,000 in the government Haj scheme package for 2020. The meeting chaired by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri directed the religious affairs ministry to justify the cost hike in the next meeting…
Pakistan categorically rejects CPEC related claims
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically rejected as baseless the claims that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is always in the form of loans or non-concessional financing with sovereign guarantees. Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today regarding US Ambassador Alice Wells recent remarks against the…
Peace under threat after India revoked IOK special status: FM
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says regional peace and security is under threat due to India’s step of revoking the special status of Occupied Kashmir. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, he said over one hundred and seventy days have been passed of the lockdown of Kashmir where all fundamental…
Pakistan successfully conducts training launch of ballistic missile Ghaznavi: ISPR
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface short range ballistic missile (SRBM) Ghaznavi or Hatf III, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said. The missile is capable of delivering multiple types of warheads up to 290km. According to the ISPR, the launch was conducted as part of…
Global
US restricts Iranians from entering on investment, trade visa
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States on Thursday barred Iranians from visiting the country on investment and trade visas due to the ongoing tensions with Iran in the Middle East. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services attributed the change to the termination in October 2018 of a treaty of amity with Iran, which is the target…
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First case of coronavirus found in Saudi Arabia
DUBAI (AA): A new type of coronavirus was detected in an Indian nurse who worked at a hospital in southwest Saudi Arabia, India’s minister of state for external affairs announced Thursday. “About 100 Indian nurses mostly from Kerala working at Al-Hayat hospital have been tested and none except one nurse was found infected by Coronavirus,”…
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Top UN court orders Myanmar prevent Rohingya genocide
THE HAGUE: Recognizing the suffering of Rohingya community, the top UN court on Thursday ordered Myanmar to implement certain preventive measures against the genocide of the persecuted community. Delivering its verdict on the case filed last month by Gambia, International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf declared a four-month deadline for Myanmar…
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Storm Gloria claims 11 lives in Spain
OVIEDO, Spain (AA): At least 11 people have died and several more are missing Thursday from winter storm Gloria that has devastated parts of Spain. The storm brought with it record-breaking waves in the Mediterranean Sea, huge amounts of snowfall and rain, strong winds, storm surges and flooded rivers when it hit Monday. A victim…
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UK set to leave EU on Jan 31 after Queen approves bill
LONDON (AA): The EU Withdrawal Bill that will enable Britain’s exit from the bloc on Jan. 31 became law on Thursday after receiving Royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II. The bill was passed by the House of Lords on Wednesday after it was sent back to the upper house of parliament after various amendments were…
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South African army drops charges against hijab-wearing officer
Monitoring Desk JOHANESBERG: The South African army on Wednesday dropped charges against an officer who had been indicted for wearing a Muslim headscarf under her military beret, lawyers said. Major Fatima Isaacs was criminally charged in June 2018 with wilful defiance and failing to obey a lawful instruction after her superior asked her to remove…
Read MorePakistan
Pakistan suffers from grassroots level corruption: Governor Punjab
F.P. Report LAHORE: Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar said that Pakistan is suffering from lower levels of corruption and claimed that corruption decreased under Prime Minister Imran Khan. While talking in Dunya News program ‘Nuqta E Nazar’, he said that government and bureaucracy have to work together to achieve good governance as politicians cannot carry out…
Sindh CM says IGP Kaleem Imam a ‘failed police officer’
F.P. Report KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said Thursday the inspector-general of police (IGP) for Sindh, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, was a failed police officer and that he was the weakest official he had ever seen. “The officer who works according to the people’s representative’s policy can stay in the province and our…
Transparency International lauds NAB’s performance to curb corruption
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Transparency International (TI) on Thursday while expressing satisfaction over the actions of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to eliminate corruption the country said that the anti-graft watchdog performed well under its present chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal. According to Transparency International, the NAB was rejuvenated after it took various initiatives, including adopting…
Those waiting for ‘change’ in Punjab, conspirators: CM Buzdar
F.P. Report LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Thursday categorically ruled out in-house change in Punjab. Talking to journalists, CM Buzdar said that conspirators were spreading rumours about ‘change’ in Punjab government and misleading the masses. All the stakeholders of the provincial government were on the same page, he said, adding that there was…
CPI report ‘proof of Imran Khan’s incompetence’: Saeed Ghani
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani, while referring to Pakistan’s downgraded position in the annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2019 released by the Transparency International, criticised the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for failing to fulfill its commitments. “PTI’s claims and slogans have proven to be false […]…
US must play its role for ending curfew in Indian occupied Kashmir: Mushaal
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Mushaal Mullick, the wife of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik, has urged the United States (US) to play its role for ending curfew in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) which continues for more than five months. Mushaal Mullick welcomed the statement of US President Donald Trump regarding the…
Afghanistan
Taliban closes health centers in Nangarhar districts
Monitoring Desk JALALABAD: The Nangarhar provincial council claimed Tuesday that the Taliban have closed all health centers in five districts of the province over the past several days. Council members say that the closure of these centers causes huge difficulties for residents. “The Taliban have closed health centers in Sherzad, Hasarak, Khogyani, Sorkhroad and Lalpor…
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Fuel price jump high by 25%
Monitoring Desk KABUL: Over the last couple of weeks, fuel prices have increased by 20% to 25% higher this year said Kabul residents. Some people demand the central government to address the fuel price issue and come up with a cohesive solution. According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), a high demand…
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Disabled Afghan soldier seeks promised foreign care
Monitoring Desk KABUL: Ali Murad, an army soldier, who served as a de-miner (land mine clearer), saved more than a thousand lives, by his reckoning, with his work. But now he is suffering from a disability because of war wounds, and his wife has divorced him. He lost both feet and one hand in a…
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Deadliest nation for journalists
Monitoring Desk KABUL: Four years ago today, seven employees from MOBY Group–one of the biggest media companies in Afghanistan–were killed in a targeted car bombing by the Taliban in Kabul. But since 2016, Afghanistan remains the deadliest country for journalists and media workers, according to those working in the field. Figures by journalists’ safety organizations…
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Ghani to brief world leaders on peace
Monitoring Desk KABUL: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday left Kabul for Switzerland where he is expected to meet a number of world leaders at the sideline of the World Economic Forum at Davos. “President Ghani leaves for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum 2020 Davos. He will be meeting with the world leaders…
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IECC: one week to decide 6,000 appeals
KABUL (TOLO News): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) has registered more than 6,200 appeals from campaign teams, with most of them referring to the 300,000 controversial votes, the chairperson of the commission, Zuhra Bayan Shinwari, said on Tuesday. Shinwari told reporters that members of the commission have not made any decisions on the controversial…
Read MoreBusiness
Pakistan bans use of open-loop scrubbers to clean fuel in local waters
Monitoring Desk ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has prohibited the use of open-loop scrubbers by ships in its waters, the latest country to tighten restrictions on the use of the cleaning devices which strip sulfur from marine fuel and empty the residue in the sea, a regulatory note showed. Since the start of this year, United Nations shipping…
Rupee gains 8 paisas against dollar in interbank
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: The exchange rate of Pakistani rupee against US dollar increased by 8 paisas and traded at Rs 154.52 on Wednesday against the last day’s trading of Rs 154.60, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Tuesday. In the open market, the buying and selling rates of Pakistani rupee against dollar stood at…
IMC wins CSR Award 2020
F.P. Report KARACHI: Indus Motor Company (IMC) has won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2020, for its contribution towards sustainable development of society which has been recognized by the National Forum for Environment & Health, Karachi. The Award Distribution Ceremony was held at a local hotel in Islamabad. Mr. Malik AmeenAslam, Federal Minister and Adviser…
Secretary lauds Ignite’s role in equipping Pakistan
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: A media briefing session was organized by Ignite to showcase the achievements of its flagship program DigiSkills; an online portal to give one million trainings in the future of work using technology. The session was graced by Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui Federal Secretary (IT & Telecom) and Mr. Syed Junaid Imam, CEO…
SCCI, APC ink agreement to boost Pak-Australia trade ties
F.P. Report PESHAWAR: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Australia Pakistan Chamber (APC), meant to strengthen bilateral trade relations, exchange of business delegations and taking full benefits from each other experiences. The agreement was signed by SCCI president EngrMaqsood Anwar Pervaiz and APC President…
Byco becomes first company in Pakistan to export HSFO
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s most innovative Oil Company, Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd. has always been at the forefront of innovation in the refining and petroleum eco-system. Paving the way for modernization, Byco has become the first company in Pakistan to export High Sulfur Furnace Oil (HSFO). This is potentially a solution to the long-standing problem…
Sports
Pakistan to host Kabbadi World Cup from Feb 9
LAHORE (Monitoring Desk): Pakistan will host a 10-country Kabaddi World Cup in Lahore from February 9. Former international Kabaddi player Syed Sultan Shah told reporters on Thursday that teams from Iran, Canada, Australia, United States, Sierra Leone, and Kenya have qualified for the event so far. India is amongst the other nations showing willingness to…
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Pakistan, Bangladesh skippers unveil T20I series trophy
F.P. Report LAHORE: Pakistan and Bangladesh will kick off the three-day T20I series on Friday at the city’s Gaddafi Stadium. The teams’ respective captains, Babar Azam and Mahmudullah, had unveiled the series trophy a day earlier. In the trophy-unveiling press conference, Azam said the team’s focus was to maintain their top world T20I ranking. If the…
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Australian Open: Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, into third round
MELBOURNE (Agencies): World number one Rafael Nadal reached the third round of the Australian Open with a straight-set win over Argentina’s Federico Delbonis. Nadal, bidding for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title, swept aside 76th-ranked Delbonis 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-1. The Spaniard will face compatriot and 27th seed Pablo Carreno Busta next. There were battling…
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Rashford targets rapid return to fitness after back injury
LONDON (Agencies): Marcus Rashford is confident he will return to action for Manchester United before the end of the season after suffering a back injury. The United and England striker is facing a lengthy lay-off after suffering a stress fracture of the back in last week’s FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves. The timeframe for…
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Gibbs respond to criticism
Monitoring Desk CAPE TOWN: Former batsman Herschelle Gibbs, in a Twitter response, revealed why he called a section of Pakistan fans ‘animals’ during South Africa’s home series against the Men in Green in 2007 The 45-year-old admitted to calling a certain section of the crowd ‘animals’ because they forced his son and his mother out…
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Bismah excited for her first World Cup
F.P. Report LAHORE: The upcoming ICC Womens T20 World Cup in Australia will see Bismah Maroof lead Pakistan for the first time in a global event. The 28-year-old who is excited to shoulder the responsibility has led Pakistan in 36 T20Is. She is the only batter from Pakistan to have more than 2,000 runs, while…
Read MoreFashion & Movies
Oscars 2020 confirms Olivia Colman, Rami Malek, Regina, Mahershala Ali as presenters
Monitoring Desk LOS ANGELES: The Oscars has booked its first four presenters for its upcoming 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony and they’re all last year’s winners, will be giving the show some sheen. As per its tradition the Academy invites back its last year’s A-listers stars to pass the baton to new winners. This year,…
Gippy Grewal wants to work with Mehwish Hayat
F.P. Report LAHORE: Indian actor-singer Gippy Grewal has expressed wish to work with Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat. In a statement, the actor said ‘Punjab Nahi Jaongi’ is his favourite film and hoped to meet Mehwish Hayat in Pakistan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is my favourite singer, he told. Gippy further thanked Pakistanis for their hospitality…
Animated British royal comedy ‘The Prince’ to make debut on HBO Max
Monitoring Desk LONDON: Animated versions of Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will have supporting roles in a British royal family satire that will make its debut on AT&T Inc’s HBO Max streaming video service, the company said on Tuesday. The Prince, is the brain child of Gary Janetti, a producer on the…
Rockers Queen join Queen Elizabeth on new British coin
Monitoring Desk LONDON: Rockers Queen have become the first band to be celebrated on British coinage, joining Queen Elizabeth II on a new coin unveiled by the Royal Mint. The iconic British group are hailed on a coin kicking off a Music Legends series being produced by the official mint. It features Queen Elizabeth on…
Actress Mahira Khan expresses support to filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’
F.P. Report LAHORE: Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has expressed her support to famous filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat for his movie ‘Zindagi Tamasha’. In a post of social-networking website Twitter, Mahira said, “Time and again we are made to realise our power and our influence. A film (that people haven t seen) can make some this scared.”…
Sindh bans Sarmad Khoosat’s upcoming film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’
F.P. Report KARACHI: The Sindh Board of Films and Censor on Tuesday banned upcoming Pakistani film “Zindagi Tamasha” three days before it’s release. A notification issued by the board said although it had previously examined and cleared the Sarmad Khoosat’s directorial film, it has now been informed that it may create unrest within a segment…
Science & Technology
Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups
Monitoring Desk SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc (AAPL.O) dropped plans to let iPhone users fully encrypt backups of their devices in the company’s iCloud service after the FBI complained that the move would harm investigations, six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The tech giant’s reversal, about two years ago, has not previously been reported.…
Asteroid twice the size of Big Ben skims past Earth
Monitoring Desk NASA is closely monitoring an asteroid with an estimated diameter of about 755 feet – larger than the Golden Gate Bridge tower or more than twice the height of London’s Big Ben – that was heading towards Earth and expected to skim past the planet on Monday. Flying towards the planet at a…
WhatsApp is only the second non-Google Android app to hit 5 billion installs
Monitoring Desk There are only a few apps on the Google Play Store to have reached the mythical 5 billion install figure, bar some of the pre-installed Google options. Third-party messaging app WhatsApp is now only the second non-Google app to do so, having amassed the figure over a decade on Android and the Play…
EU industry chief to dismiss fears strict security rules could delay 5G
Monitoring Desk PARIS: European industrial policy chief Thierry Breton is set to dismiss claims that relying on European companies to build a 5G network would delay its rollout, weighing in on an increasingly tense debate in Germany over the risk posed by China’s Huawei. In a speech at the DLD conference in Munich later on…
Huawei’s new-generation 5G smartphone launched
Monitoring Desk KUWAIT: Chinese technology and smartphone giant Huawei has launched the HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro 5G, a new-generation 5G smartphone, in Kuwait. A large crowd of consumers and fans attended the launching ceremony held at a Huawei store inside the Avenues Mall in the Farwaniya Governorate, the largest shopping mall in Kuwait. At the…
‘Invisible computing’ startup unveils smart contact lens
Monitoring Desk WASHINGTON: A startup focused on “invisible computing” Thursday unveiled a smart contact lens which delivers an augmented reality display in a user’s field of vision. The Mojo Vision contact lens offers a display with information and notifications, and allows the user to interact by focusing on certain points. The rigid contact lens, which…
Health
First case of coronavirus found in Saudi Arabia
DUBAI (AA): A new type of coronavirus was detected in an Indian nurse who worked at a hospital in southwest Saudi Arabia, India’s minister of state for external affairs announced Thursday. “About 100 Indian nurses mostly from Kerala working at Al-Hayat hospital have been tested and none except one nurse was found infected by Coronavirus,”…
Investigation underway regarding reason behind patients lost eyesight after eye drops
F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: The investigation are initiated by the federal government and management at Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital to find the reason behind an incident in which a number of patients reportedly lost their eyesight after eye drops were administered to them. According to local media reports, those patients, who have gone through operations…
TB vaccine efficacy boosted dramatically by IV administration
Monitoring Desk PITTSBURGH: Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have found that simply changing how the only licensed tuberculosis (TB) vaccine is administered can dramatically increase its protective power. The team’s study showed that administering the BacilleCalmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine intravenously rather than…
Another polio case surfaces in Chaman
F.P. Report CHAMAN: A new polio case has been reported on Wednesday in Qila Abdullah, Chaman, taking the tally to five in the area. According to the Health Ministry, the polio was reported in Habib Zai, UC of Qila Abdullah in Chaman. The authorities said a 18-month old baby girl was diagnosed with the crippling…
US confirms first suspected China virus case hospitalised over precaution
Monitoring Desk WASHINGTON/BEIJING: The US announced its first case of a new virus that has claimed six lives in China and sickened hundreds, joining countries around the world in ramping up measures to block its spread. The man, a US resident in his 30s who lives near Seattle, is in good condition, according to federal…
How diet, exercise, and weight management can add a decade to your Life
Monitoring Desk CALIFORNIA: Now a recently published study has concluded there are lifestyle factors that can increase your odds of reaching an older age without chronic health issues. There’s been plenty of research on lifestyle choices, such as smoking, physical activity, drinking habits, weight management, and diet, that affect our overall life span and likelihood…
Travel
KP Tourism department being digitized to facilitate tourists: Atif Khan
F.P. Report PESHAWAR: Senior Minister for Tourism Khyber PakhtunkwaAtif Khan has that tangible measures were being taken to put administrative working of the tourism department on modern lines to facilitate and attract more tourists towards picturesque tourist places in the province. Chairing a high level meeting in Khyber Pakhtukhwa House, the KP tourism minister said…
State Department to take aim at ‘birth tourism’ in expected change to visa guidelines
Monitoring Desk WASHINGTON: An upcoming change to State Department visa guidelines is expected to take aim at birth tourism, the practice of foreign nationals giving birth on US soil to ensure their children become American citizens, according to a State Department official. The State Department official told CNN that the department is amending a regulation…
Eight Indian tourists die in Nepal
Monitoring Desk KATHMANDU: Eight Indian tourists including four children died of suspected suffocation in a hotel in Nepal on Tuesday, police said, after trying to keep warm by using a gas heater during the night. The victims were staying in Daman, a hill resort south of Kathmandu which is known for its panoramic views of…
Spain’s Tourist arrivals hit record high
Monitoring Desk MADRID: The number of international visitors to Spain hit an all-time high of 83.7 million in 2019 in a seventh straight year of records, Industry and Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said on Monday, adding that she was optimistic about 2020. Tourist arrivals rose 1 percent last year from a year earlier, Maroto told…
Australia fights fire devastation with multimillion tourism industry boost
Monitoring Desk SYDNEY: Australia’s government hopes to boost its tourism industry with tens of millions of dollars in a bid to combat the damage to infrastructure and the country’s image caused by devastating bushfires. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who faced criticism for taking a holiday to Hawaii as the wildfire crisis unfolded, announced the stimulus…
From selling boiled eggs to skiing contest, Malam Jabba helping local children
Monitoring Desk MALAM JABBA: Until about a year ago, seven-year-old Zubaida Khan was selling boiled eggs to tourists in her native town to support her family, but she is now a professional athlete who is training to participate in some of the top skiing competitions in the world, a senior official at the Malam Jabba…
Articles
Hide and Seek
Muhammad Bilal Sethi The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman seems to be playing hide and seek with the masses in the province. The said leader has totally ignored the led from the day he has been in chair. Apart from missing tens of convocations, he has also mishandled several important cases of the higher educational…
It’s time to end ‘Honor’ killing
Lamia Sameen Malik “O beware my Lord of Jealousy…” as Lago utters these words it sets off a chain of events that leads to Othello murdering Desdemona. Our world is full of Lago’s variants. Some do it for jealousy, others pride, and many just to find ‘acceptance’ in other people’s eyes. Honor killing is a…
CAA-NRC ripping apart India’s societal fabric
Iqbal Khan India’s recent politico-legal actions like National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Supreme Court’s decision on Babri Masjid, revocation of Article 370 etc. are having telling effects on societal fabric of India. Entire World is watching the behaviour India’s State institutions with regard to a long overdue correction. On domestic…
Does Trump have a game plan?
Abdullah Muradoglu All eyes were on U.S. President Donald Trump in June of last year. Mounting tensions between the U.S. and Iran had reached a fever pitch after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards downed two U.S. drones in the Gulf of Oman. Was Trump going to retaliate militarily? This was the million-dollar question back then. In September…
Is India fit for UN Security Council Permanent Seat?
Shehla Naz Subsequent to World War II , nations opposed to the Nazi-Fascist axis congregated in San Francisco with an eye to secure next generations from the evil of war and consented to establish the United Nations (UN). Major powers who played major role in the war against the Axis powers i.e. France, UK, US…
Educational challenges in coming decade
Lamia Sameen Malik Statistically 32% of primary school age girls are out of school in Pakistan, as compared to 21% of boys of equal age. By grade six, 59 percent of girls are out of school, versus 49 percent of boys. Sadly, only 13 percent of girls are still in school by 9th grade. Both…
Editorial
Hydel profit arrears
Federal government has agreed to pay hydel profit arrears Rs. 8.5 billion to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa for the purchase of electricity from two power stations of 81 megawatt Malakand P-3 and 18 megawatt Pehur. Golangol hydel power station in Chittral has also come into operation and injecting 40 megawatt into the national grid, the net profit…
US critique of CPEC debt
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, apparently for facilitating global trade, has once again come under scatting criticism by the US admiration senior officials. Addressing a gathering of members of academia and representatives of civil society at AmbWells think tank in Islamabad, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State for…
Playing ethnicity card
The leadership of Awami National Party still seems under the illusion that playing Pukhtun Card will do magic once again in reclaiming their lost vote bank in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Addressing a public meeting at Amangarh near Nowshera, ANP Central President AsfandiyarWali announced calling a grand Pukhtun Jirga for the protection of their rights. He complained…
PM on ease of doing business
Speaking at a function of business leaders, Prime Minister Imran Khan referred to certain deregulatory measures and described them sufficient enough for improving the economic environment for fresh domestic and foreign investment. Streamlining the registration procedure for big businesses and industry and doing away with the condition of registration and getting licenses for small business…
Crops focused agriculture policy
Over the past five decades successive governments neglected formulation and implementation of major crops focused agriculture policy and relied mostly on announcing faulty kissing packages which did not produce the intended results. The share of agriculture has decreased from 53 percent to 19 percent in the gross domestic product yet it is the top contributory…
Securing regional peace
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Quershi has completed his hectic diplomatic journey in the pursuit of securing regional peace as the situation is fluid due US-Iran tension, war hysteria of ruling BJP Indian leadership and Kashmir lockdown and lack of peace and stability in Afghanistan due to continued war there. In his week long trip, the…
Arts and Literature
A 3-year-old Malaysian boy has just become the youngest member of Mensa UK, the largest international high IQ society
Monitoring Desk LONDON: A 3-year-old Malaysian boy living in the UK has become the youngest member to join Mensa UK, the largest and oldest international high IQ society in the world, Mensa officials said. Muhammad Haryz Nadzim was invited to join Mensa after meeting with a psychologist and scoring 142 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test,…
LAC to organize ‘Folk Music Festival’ from Jan 28
F.P. Report LAHORE: Lahore Arts Council (LAC) will organize a two-day folk music competition titled “Folk Music Festival” to promote folk music from January 28 at Alhamra Art Center. According to spokesperson here on Tuesday, candidates between the ages of 15 to 30 could register themselves for participating in the competition till January 27. Audition…
Anti-polio theatre enthralls students of UoP
F.P. Report Peshawar: Students enjoy and learnt a great deal about polio eradication government initiatives on national level through a theatre and video documentary display on Tuesday at Pashtun Cultural museum. “Society needs to take cognisance of this menace as it involves our children physical , cognitive , learning and lifelong aspirations “ the writer…
The Age of Hiroshima
Monitoring Desk Authors: Michael D. Gordin and G. John Ikenberry On Aug. 6, 1945, in the waning days of World War II, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The city’s destruction stands as a powerful symbol of nuclear annihilation, but it has also shaped how we think about war…
Race is about politics Jean-Frederic Schaub
Monitoring Desk Racial divisions have returned to the forefront of politics in the US and European societies, making it more important than ever to understand race and racism. But do we? In this original and provocative book, acclaimed historian Jean-Frédéric Schaub shows that we don’t— and that we need to rethink the widespread assumption that…
‘Maqsood-e-Kul Hoon Main’ concludes at Alhamra
F.P. Report LAHORE: A three-day long play ‘Maqsood-e-Kul Hoon Main’ based on the philosophy of Allama Iqbal, concluded here at Alhamra Art Centre on Sunday. A large number of people viewed the play. The drama proved to be an important step in the history of theater; from the script, character and acting, it kept the…
