“We are having conversations with various countries that have SDRs that are not used because, frankly, they don’t need them. As a result, most of these SDRs have remained unused by the rich nations. Though the rich nations agreed to pledge $100 billion worth of their SDRs for climate finance for Africa, there still remains a shortfall of $15 billion. This is where the GCC leaders can step in, say the experts as their own unused SDRs can be leveraged to raise the much-needed funds for the African nations as well as other vulnerable countries. “So you’re talking about roughly $190 billion of additional headroom in the World Bank alone that could help drive development and climate resilience in countries that get money from the World Bank.

December 10, 2023 15:56 UTC

Furthermore, he mentioned Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in addressing the Palestine issue through backdoor channels with friendly countries. In 2006, the United Nations also adopted the solution, albeit not accepted by Israel, he added. During this period, certain OIC member countries forged diplomatic ties with Israel, exercising autonomy in their foreign policies. Ashrafi emphasized that since 2002, all political parties in successive Pakistani governments, with the inclusion of various religious groups, supported this solution. He clarified that Pakistan was fostering positive relations with brotherly Islamic nations, which had a favourable impact on Pakistan’s economic conditions.

December 10, 2023 14:58 UTC

It underlines the PPP’s persistence and commitment to legal processes, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring a transparent judicial process. This pursuit of justice is not only about Bhutto’s case but sets a precedent for the fairness of legal proceedings in Pakistan. The meeting’s discussions on challenges faced by citizens and their potential solutions highlight the PPP’s holistic approach to governance. Zardari’s vision for economic recovery, emphasising the digitalisation of crucial departments like food, education, and health, echoes the party’s commitment to effective governance and transparency. The PPP’s stance on the Bhutto case aligns with its broader goals of ensuring justice, fair governance, and a better future for all Pakistanis.

December 10, 2023 13:30 UTC

His remarks echoed both a deep-seated commitment to South Asian cooperation and a pragmatic understanding of the challenges that lie ahead. Beyond regional cooperation, the Prime Minister’s message addressed the critical issue of economic development within Pakistan. He emphasized the government’s commitment to undertaking economic documentation and institutional reforms, aligning with the nation’s long-term priorities. Furthermore, the PM acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the increased investor confidence, offering a glimmer of hope for the country’s economic future. By prioritising cooperation, addressing common challenges, and implementing crucial reforms, Pakistan can contribute to building a more prosperous and secure future for the entire region.

December 09, 2023 21:01 UTC

According to Maryam, her father faced false cases and conspiracies, including disqualification over allegations of not taking a salary from his son. Maryam stated that Nawaz's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to his commitment to public service. The PML-N leader argued that, whenever the decision-making power rested in the hands of the people, they consistently favoured Nawaz Sharif. Despite claims from political opponents that Nawaz Sharif's politics had come to an end, Maryam asserted that the reality was quite the opposite, as evidenced by Nawaz's return to the country and the people's continued support in elections. Maryam maintained that Nawaz Sharif's enduring popularity and the lack of substantiated accusations against him speak volumes about his contributions to Pakistani politics.

December 09, 2023 18:37 UTC





And local people — descendants of the Ryukyuan Kingdom that was absorbed into Japan in 1872 — still take a fierce pride in being distinct. Now Japan’s most southerly prefecture, Okinawa consists of more than 150 islands, dotted between southern Kyushu to a point just over the horizon from Taiwan. Some of the more remote islands are uninhabited while others have just a handful of homes in communities that have changed little in generations. Bullocks pull wooden carts across the beach flats and the sound of three-string “shamisen” being plucked floats on the warm evening air. A series of decorated gateways lead deeper into the complex, their designs reflecting Chinese as well as Japanese and Ryukyuan influences.

December 09, 2023 16:33 UTC

ATHENS — Jackson Meeks opened up about entering the NCAA transfer portal, calling it the toughest decision in his life. Meeks, a junior receiver on scholarship at Georgia, won two national championships with his teammates but shared how he yearns for more on an individual level than he has been able to achieve. Last season Meeks had six catches for 65 yards, and as a freshman in 2021, he had three catches for 44 yards. Meeks, who played for Pat Nix at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., aid he’s hoping Alabama wins the national title. List of Georgia players in NCAA portal at time of publication(ratings per 247Sports composite)OL Austin Blaske, 2020 signee, 3-star, 529th nationallyPK Jared Zirkel, 2020 signee, 3-star, 1,927th nationallyQB Brock Vandagriff, 2021 signee, 5-star, 17th nationallyLB Xavian Sorey, 2021 signee, 5-star, 26th nationallyDL Jonathan Jefferson, 2021 signee, 4-star, 129th nationallyWR Jackson Meeks, 2021 signee, 3-star, 659th nationallyCB Nyland Green, 2021 signee, 4-star, 72nd nationallyWR Mekhi Mews, 2021 class, walk-onOLB CJ Madden, 2022 signee, 4-star, 352nd nationallyOLB Darris Smith, 2022 signee, 4-star, 163rd nationallyMLB EJ Lightsey, 2022 signee, 3-star, 494th nationally

December 09, 2023 14:35 UTC

KARACHI - Caretaker Prime Minis­ter Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday said that the government was ensur­ing the implementa­tion of its institutional reform agenda besides taking practical steps for documentation of the economy. In the meeting, the CEO Pakistan Stock Exchange thanked the prime minister for his visit and gave a detailed briefing regarding the stock exchange. Prime Minister Kakar commended the services of Pakistan’s business community and investors for the country. Prime Minister Ka­kar said the bullish sentiment in the stock exchange was made possible by an improved econo­my, the participation of foreign investors, a high yield, and a sta­ble exchange rate. In her address, Caretak­er Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar welcomed the prime minister to launch Government Sukook Auction through PSX.

December 09, 2023 13:41 UTC

Renowned Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan recently took to social media to share her profound grief and express solidarity with the people of Palestine amid the ongoing brutalities in the region. In her statement, Khan conveyed a poignant message: "Nothing feels good. We resume work, we worry about our child’s exams, or mother’s health, or our own...But through it all...The heart bleeds and breaks. May the universe be kind to… — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) October 20, 2023Uhhh I call it loud and clear. https://t.co/1YVhNNxCKO — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) October 20, 2023Furthermore, Khan retweeted a statement by Fatima Bhutto, echoing her sentiments about the tragic situation in Gaza.

December 09, 2023 10:48 UTC

In an opinion piece published in Bloomberg, Google has admitted to staging parts of its demo video for newly launched GPT-4 competitor, Gemini. The company not only edited the speed of output, but also added the implied voice between human voice and AI user. The original demo was made "using still image frames from the footage, and prompting via text," rather than having Gemini respond to a drawing or change of objects on the table in real time. The misleading video puts into question Gemini's capabilities, especially since the demo lacked a disclaimer. https://youtu.be/UIZAiXYcGemini's co-lead, Oriol Vinyals, on X denied any wrongdoing and said that "all the user prompts and outputs in the video are real," and that his team made the video "to inspire developers."

December 09, 2023 10:30 UTC

G24 Game Notes: Streaking for six, and the birthday boy’s 500th NHL gamePhoto credit: © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

December 09, 2023 03:14 UTC

A recent World Bank report, “Climate Silence in Pakistan,” resonates with an overarching sentiment among Pakistanis – a profound concern regarding the adverse impacts of climate change. Women, often serving as primary caregivers for children, exhibit a deeper apprehension about the potential impact of climate change on the younger generation. Similarly, educated individuals are more inclined to acknowledge climate change as a significant threat, emphasising the vital role of education in shaping attitudes and responses towards environmental issues. This link between education and climate concern highlights the importance of fostering knowledge about climate change for a sustainable future. Investing in education programmes that prioritise environmental awareness and sustainability education becomes imperative, not just for individuals but also for broader societal change.

December 09, 2023 02:44 UTC

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that his pursuit was not for power but to hold accountable those responsible for fabricating fake cases against him that led to his removal as prime minister in 2017. Nawaz termed the £190 million corruption case, which also involved former prime minister Imran Khan, the “biggest corruption scandal in the history of the country”. Taking a dig at Imran Khan, the PML-N supreme leader deplored that one who had called others thieves turned out to be the “biggest thief himself”. Nawaz said that good and bad times are part of life and that the PML-N, despite facing injustices, had not abandoned the cloak of patience. Again referring to Imran, Nawaz said that the “player” did not know anything about the economy and international relations.

December 08, 2023 20:44 UTC

Bahawalpur Zoo’s tiger Bubbli delivered a litter of four cubs on Wednesday, bringing zoo staff and visitors a wave of happiness. Photo: ExpressA zoo in Bahawalpur has been shut down after a man was mauled to death by tigers in an attack discovered during routine cleaning, officials said Thursday. New details have emerged regarding the death of a citizen in a tiger attack at Bahawalpur Zoo on Wednesday. Read more Bahawalpur zoo facelift plan soughtWildlife Deputy Director Usman Bukhari informed The Express Tribune that Bilawal’s entry to the zoo remains a mystery and so far, he has not appeared in CCTV footage. Four tigers attacked and mauled a citizen to death in Bahawalpur Zoo on Wednesday.

December 08, 2023 19:38 UTC

WhatsApp users will soon be able to set voice messages to disappear after their recipient hears them. The feature was previously available for photos and videos. To use this feature, simply record the audio by pressing and holding the mic on the WhatsApp display. Read more Alphabet soars as Wall Street cheers arrival of AI model GeminiThe feature is helpful if a user wants to send any piece of information without letting the recipient keep a record of it. say it once, play it once ☝️ now you can select “view once” when sending a voice note for an added layer of protection 🔓 pic.twitter.com/xVWcuBLfI4 — WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 7, 2023The feature will soon be available for all users worldwide.

December 08, 2023 13:34 UTC