A Futile Quest for Peace
The Israeli government, emboldened by its impunity, continues to pursue its expansionist agenda, openly dismissing the possibility of a Palestinian state. Only through a just and lasting peace, based on international law and UN resolutions, can the region hope to achieve stability and security. Tel Aviv’s expansionist, homicidal practices will continue, and this is a strong indication that the Israelis are not prepared for peace. Arafat said, “Don’t let the olive branch slip from my grasp.” Unfortunately, the Israelis’ conceit has essentially severed the olive branch, leaving the Palestinians with nothing but a gun. The outcome of the Israelis’ continuous rejection of the olive branch was what happened on October 7, 2023.
Source:The Patriot
November 14, 2024 01:44 UTC
Liam Payne's Death Sparks Global Conversation On Mental Health
Liam Payne's Death Sparks Global Conversation On Mental Health Tributes pour in for the former One Direction star as family seeks justice amid investigationThe music world is mourning the untimely death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction star whose life was cut short at the age of 31. Before his death, Payne had been staying at the hotel to renew his American visa, which had expired due to his struggles with drug dependency. Alongside the tributes flowing for Payne, discussions are reigniting concerning mental health support for artists. With over 137,000 signatures, the petition proposes regular mental health check-ups and the embedding of mental health professionals on-set to oversee artists’ welfare. Following Payne's death, his former One Direction bandmates released a poignant statement, emphasizing their heartache and the bond they shared.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 13, 2024 23:52 UTC
PM Shehbaz calls for redefined climate finance after incurring $30 billion loss in 2022 floods
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised concerns on Wednesday about the unmet financial pledges made at the previous two United Nations climate summits, COP27 and COP28. Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the IDC framework could be "a defining tool for a fair and effective global response" to climate challenges. The prime minister called on the world to present a unified response to climate finance. He stressed the need for urgent reforms to the financial architecture to ensure no country was left behind in the global response to climate change. The prime minister also discussed bilateral relations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 13, 2024 22:56 UTC
Tom Brady Reflects on Parenting Mistakes and Challenges of Being ‘Tom Brady’s Son
Tom Brady opened up about his parenting struggles and acknowledged the unique challenges his children face due to his fame. “It sucks to be Tom Brady’s son in so many ways,” he shared, emphasizing that they will encounter unique challenges he never faced. Despite not claiming to be an “expert in parenting,” Brady tries to remain “dependable and consistent” for his kids. Brady shares his eldest, 17-year-old Jack, with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan, and his two younger children, Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen. Brady was reportedly surprised by the news, as he didn’t anticipate this step in her relationship, but Bündchen is “excited to embrace this new chapter openly.”
Source:Pakistan Today
November 13, 2024 22:42 UTC
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Daily VPN attempts to access porn in Pakistan exceed 20m: PTA
PTA is intensifying its oversight on platforms disseminating offensive content and implementing measures to restrict access to these sites. PTA spokesperson revealed that Pakistan remains one of the top countries for online access attempts to pornographic content. PTA confirmed that it had blocked 100,183 “blasphemous” URLs and 844,008 pornographic websites, based on data from ongoing monitoring efforts, Express News reported. Despite these efforts, daily access attempts remain high, with around 20 million Pakistani users attempting to access pornographic content, according to PTA figures. In August, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) intensified its efforts to curb VPN use, aiming to restrict access to X, which remains banned in the country.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 13, 2024 21:56 UTC
Azerbaijan Stands Firm On Fossil Fuels At COP29
Azerbaijan Stands Firm On Fossil Fuels At COP29 President Ilham Aliyev defends natural resources and criticizes Western hypocrisy during the UN climate summitAzerbaijan, hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, has sparked controversy by defending fossil fuels amid rising concerns about climate change. Aliyev asserted, "No country should be judged for its natural resources," positioning Azerbaijan as both victim and steward of its oil and gas wealth. The assertion of fossil fuels by Azerbaijan reflects broader conflicts within the climate dialogue: the necessity of transitioning to sustainable energy versus the economic reliance on fossil fuel industries. Following Azerbaijan's statements, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of moving away from such reliance, asserting, "Doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd. While some world leaders remain focused on ambitious climate targets, the realities of energy transitions and economic dependence on fossil fuels raise difficult questions.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 13, 2024 20:40 UTC
Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
... He’s tough, he’s a fighter and he’s going to work,” Wright said. “We’re all here for him, but he’s doing OK.”Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the acting head coach in Popovich’s absence. The Spurs play at home Wednesday against Washington, and that will be the seventh straight game in which Johnson will be filling in for Popovich. Johnson took over for that night’s contest, which the Spurs won, after the team said Popovich was not feeling well. Johnson and Popovich spoke on Nov. 3, and on Nov. 4 Johnson said Popovich is “in good spirits ... he’ll be OK.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 20:10 UTC
Timely completion of all development projects stressed
Minister Bilal Yaseen expressed his appreciation for the IT reforms and the underground water tank projects, which, he described, as revolutionary steps towards improving public convenience. He emphasized the need for the timely completion of all development projects under the Wasa to ensure better facilities for the public. He underscored the importance of fully digitizing all revenue systems to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. Bilal Yaseen also signaled an immediate push for the implementation of solarization projects as part of efforts to reduce electricity bills and promote cost-saving measures. Additionally, MD Ghufran Ahmed highlighted the agency’s plans for in-house capacity building and cost-saving initiatives worth millions of rupees.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 19:57 UTC
Pakistanis, Turks like one nation, Turkish Ambassador, Irfan Neziroglu
- Advertisement -ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP):Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu has said that Turkiye’s borders do not meet Pakistan, but Pakistanis and Turks are like one nation, their hearts beat together. The ambassador said on this occasion that Turks consider Pakistan as their second home and Pakistanis also consider Turkiye their second homeland as well. He said that Turkey is Pakistan and Pakistan is Turkey. He encouraged students to embrace Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of “Khudi” (selfhood) and focus on personal development to help lead the nation toward success. Professor Dr. Zafar Hussain Zafar reflected on Iqbal’s lifelong solidarity with Turkey, noting that Iqbal never missed an opportunity to express his affection.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 19:36 UTC
World’s top banks pledge $120 billion in climate finance to poor nations
BAKU: The world’s top multilateral banks pledged to ramp up climate finance to low- and middle-income countries to $120 billion a year by 2030 as part of efforts at global talks in Azerbaijan to agree on an ambitious annual target. The new figure includes $42 billion to help adapt to the impacts of extreme weather, a 70% increase over the 2023 number. “We can spend time just discussing issues, but I think it’s better to get on with it and … work as best as possible, together to mobilize green finance, public and private finance, and have maximum impact on the ground,” she said at the meeting. “Provision of climate finance at scale also depends on increased MDB internal resources; a larger pool of grant and concessional funds to support enhanced policy dialogue, finance public goods and mobilize private finance; and additional capital to unlock more MDB financing,” the statement said. “We welcome the ambition set out today by the multilateral development banks, which played a key role in scaling up climate finance to exceed the $100 billion goal,” a U.S. official, who declined to be named, said on the sidelines of the gathering.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 17:02 UTC
Punjab govt transfers four officers
LAHORE - The Punjab government has issued notification regarding transfer and posting of four officers on Tuesday. According to the notification, Syed Asim Raza Naqvi, Section Officer (SO) Agriculture Department, has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner HR & Coordination Gujranwala; Muhammad Shahid Anwar, SO Specialized Healthcare Department, as SO Price Control; Muhammad Nadeem, SO Home Department, as SO Specialized Healthcare Department and Muhammad Asif Shehzad has been posted as SO Irrigation Department.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 16:56 UTC
Smog in 2025
The focus now must shift to immediate actions that individuals and authorities can take to reduce harm—such as closing schools, offices, and banning certain activities. Firstly, stubble burning should be criminalised and penalised, with alternative waste disposal methods implemented long before smog season. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the viability of remote and hybrid work arrangements; for the three months when smog is most severe, schools and government offices could also operate in hybrid mode. Finally, costly but effective methods like cloud seeding and artificial rainfall could be considered to temporarily alleviate smog when conditions are particularly severe. Otherwise, millions will face yet another year of hazardous smog, suffocating under dangerous air quality, with lives being lost every moment.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 13:46 UTC
Countering Ideology
Incidents of religious extremism within the police are increasingly common, creating scenarios where officers must guard against threats from within their own ranks. This internal threat undermines public trust and complicates counter-terrorism efforts nationwide, as the reliability of the force itself comes into question. Pakistan has sporadically engaged in counter-terrorism initiatives but has yet to launch a robust strategy to address the root causes of extremism. The government must revive and reinforce NAP’s counter-extremism measures as a long-term strategy to secure the nation. Addressing the ideological roots of extremism rather than focusing solely on short-term, reactionary measures is essential to building a more secure and cohesive society.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 13:46 UTC
COP29: Echoes from the Mountains
“Worsening Climate Impact will put inflation on steroids unless every country can take bolder climate actions,” UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, addressed world leaders at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. As COP29 kicks off on November 11, the developing nations are well prepared to present compelling cases for substantial funding. The Ministry of Climate Change has officially finalized a 35-member delegation for COP29, including the cabinet minister’s daughter, with an estimated cost of around $1 million. Fourth, a transparent system should be established to ensure accountability and equitable distribution of funds to the most vulnerable communities. Lastly, vulnerable communities should be actively involved in climate discussions and policymaking to ensure accurate data collection and implement effective strategies.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 13:41 UTC
At UN climate talks, nations like Pakistan get chance to bear witness to climate change
The UAE-Pakistan trade volume rose to $7.9 billion in 2023, up 12 percent from 2022. “Discussions were also held on the investment of UAE companies in various projects in Karachi,” the CM’s office said. In May this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the UAE had committed $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan. Earlier this month, Pakistan signed four MoUs with the AD Ports Group, a major investor in Pakistan, to explore opportunities in the maritime, air and rail sectors as well as in logistics and digital services. With UAE partner Kaheel Terminals, AD Ports Group is already developing, operating, and managing container, bulk, and general cargo operations at the Port of Karachi, Pakistan’s major port, where it has agreed to invest almost $400 million over 15 years.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2024 12:15 UTC