FundayForum
Register
Forum Blogs Gallery Files Poetry Books
Portal Facebook YouTube Twitter
👀 You are watching:
Jump to content
👉 Click here to explore Remote Jobs, Work From Home & Global News – USA 🇺🇸 | UK 🇬🇧 | Canada 🇨🇦 | Pakistan 🇵🇰 ×
🚫 Guest Access Notice ×
LIVE UPDATES

Waqas Dar

🔥 Admin/Core Authority
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    11,279

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    552

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Waqas Dar

  1. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: Muhajir Qaumi Movement Chairman Afaq Ahmed on Friday threw his party's weight behind Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) and announced that he will support the party in the upcoming elections in the metropolis' PS-114 constituency. 
    Ahmed said that voters in the constituency should not waste their votes and should unite and make a decision as muhajirs. 

    PS-114 encompasses the city's Mahmoodabad and surrounding areas. 
    "My support is with Kamran Tessori," added Ahmed. 
    Friday is the last day for campaigning in PS-114. 
    The constituency comprises the localities of Mehmoodabad No 1 to Mehmoodabad No 6, Chanesar Goth, Manzoor Colony, Akhter Colony, Azam Basti, Kashmir Colony, Defence View and the KAECHS (Karachi Administration Employees Cooperative Housing Society).

    Although the PPP could not become a significant stakeholder in the constituency in the past elections, this time round the party has fielded its secretary general for Karachi, Senator Ghani, in an effort to branch out of its traditional strongholds in Lyari and Malir.

    In the May 2013 general elections, PS-114 was bagged by Irfanullah Marwat on a PML-N ticket but his victory was declared void by the election tribunal in July 2014.
    On May 11, the Supreme Court dismissed Marwat?s appeal challenging the election tribunal?s decision paving the way for the by-polls.
    The by-poll campaign took an interesting turn recently when Marwat announced to support the PTI, which has fielded one of its founding members, Haroon.
    In the 2013 polls, PML-N?s Marwat bagged 37,130 votes while MQM?s Rauf Siddiqui got 30,305 votes. Moreover, PTI?s Israr Abbasi got 13,807 votes while PPP?s Sajjad Ahmed Pappi only 3,827 votes.


  3. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday on Friday met Facebook Vice President Joel Kaplan and discussed various steps and actions to remove blasphemous content from the social media website, said a statement from the interior ministry.

    Nisar said the entire Muslim Ummah was disturbed and has serious concerns over the misuse of social media platforms to propagate blasphemous content.
    ?Nothing is more sacred to us than our religion and our holy personalities,? said Nisar. 
    ?We appreciate the understanding shown by the Facebook's administration and the cooperation being extended to us on these issues.?
    The statement said the Facebook official reiterated the website's commitment to keep the platform safe and promote values that are in congruence with its community standards. 
    He added the social media site is also committed to removing fake accounts, explicit, hateful and provocative material that incites violence and terrorism.
    Kaplan`s visit to Islamabad was the first tour of a high-level representative from Facebook Public Global Policy.



    The statement claimed that Nisar told the top-level representative of Facebook that though the government of Pakistan believes in free speech however, it will not allow anyone to insult religious sentiments of people.


  4. Waqas Dar
    WASHINGTON: A review of past air and artillery strikes has found that another 119 civilians were killed by the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria, pushing the total number of such deaths to 603.
    In a statement Friday, the coalition said that in May it completed an analysis of 141 reports of civilian deaths dating back to when operations to defeat Daesh got underway in late 2014.
    "To date, based on information available, (the coalition) assesses that, it is more likely than not, at least 603 civilians have been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes" since the anti-Daesh campaign began, the statement read.
    Aside from probing civilian death reports that came in from coalition pilots and through social media and other channels, military investigators also began wading their way through a huge backlog of hundreds of allegations reported by the website Airwars.org.
    The London-based collective of journalists and researchers has always had civilian death tolls that are wildly divergent from those acknowledged by the coalition.
    According to the most recent Airwars tally, 4,354 civilians have been killed in coalition strikes.
    Major Michael Burns, who compiled the coalition statement, told AFP that of the 80 Airwars reports it looked at in May, 10 were "credible" and 70 were "non-credible."
    Among all the reports the coalition examined in May was an April 17 strike on an Daesh headquarters building that caused secondary explosions, killing 25 civilians in adjacent structures and wounded 40 more.
    And on January 21, near Mosul in Iraq, a strike on a suicide car bomb caused secondary explosions that killed 15 civilians.
    Observers say the US-led coalition has been taking greater risks with civilian lives since President Donald Trump took office and gave the military greater leeway in how it conducts strikes, but officials insist the rules of engagement are unchanged.
    "Although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties unfortunately occurred," the statement read.


  5. Waqas Dar
    Photo:File Pakistan has entered into an agreement with a Chinese firm to construct an oil refinery near Kohat, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.
    The state news agency, quoting sources in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Company Limited, said that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the country.
    The oil refinery is to be built over land of two hundred acres land and will cost $300 million over four years, added Radio Pakistan.
    The refinery will produce 15,000 barrels of oil per day when completed. 
    Pakistan, China sign agreements for Gwadar port
    The two countries signed a series of agreements on Saturday
    In May, Pakistan and China signed a series of agreements in Beijing for cooperation in different sectors.
    Three agreements pertaining to economic and technical cooperation worth 3.4 billion Yuan for Gwadar port and East Bay expressway were signed, according to media reports.
    MoU signed between Pakistan and Alibaba group
    During his visit to Alibaba headquarters, PM Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has immense potential for investors
    Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road initiative, upgrading the main railway line track ML-I, and the establishment of Havelian Dry Port were also signed.
    Pakistan also signed a MoU with China?s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group on May 16. Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir inked the MoU from Pakistan?s side, while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a witness to the ceremony.


  6. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) should have recorded Qatar's Prince Hamad Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani?s statement before any other witness.
    The minister questioned Al-Thani's statement was not recorded earlier.
    ?They should have first taken his statement as it would have concluded the case against Sharif family,? said Aurangzeb 
    She added that if Pervaiz Musharraf`s statements can be taken from his residence, than why could the same procedure not be applied for the prince.?
    Aurangzeb alleged the JIT is making excuses to not record his statement and questioned if there is any malicious intent behind it.
    Earlier today, Al-Thani has invited members of the JIT to his palace for answering questions related the Panama Papers probe, reported Geo News on Friday.
    The prince has also asked for names of the JIT members and the dates of their visit.
    Al-Thani has also answered the letter by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and the same will be presented before the team today, added Geo News.
    A source close to the Sharif family, present in Doha for the past two days, confirmed the same to Geo News.
    In its last communication to Al-Thani, the JIT considered the verification and investigation of Qatari prince?s letters important for Hussain Nawaz and Hasan Nawaz.




    The latest JIT?s communication dated July 4 and addressed to the Qatari prince did not mention any relevance of Thani?s probe with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.


  7. Waqas Dar
    NATHIAGALI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Friday that he is fighting against a mafia rather than indulging in politics.

    Khan, while speaking at a press conference, claimed that according to a report of the US State Department, around Rs10 billion is laundered from Pakistan. He also alleged that the premier bought Mayfair flats in London on the name of his children from money gained from corruption.
    The PTI chairman said the day the has been waiting for has finally arrived, saying that a great ?match? will happen soon.

    Khan also said that the Sharif family has now planned to discredit the JIT and the Supreme Court to "protect their loot".

    "They now claim that they are a target of a judicial coup," said the PTI chairman. 
    Imran once again warned the PML-N and said if the apex court comes under threat after the submission of the JIT report, he will bring the masses out on the street against the government. 
    PTI leader Jahangir Tareen on the occasion said that the people must raise their voice against the status quo. 
    "PTI is Pakistan's hope," said Tareen.


  8. Waqas Dar
    Project is a combined cycle power plant with an installed capacity of 1,230MW. JHANG: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the first unit of Haveli Bahadur Shah power plant near Jhang.
    The first unit of the power plant, fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), will produce 760 megawatts. 
    The project is a combined cycle power plant with an installed capacity of 1,230MW.
    The first unit of the power plant was completed in twenty-one months. 
    The project is expected to be environment friendly with a minimum impact on climate change as efficient technology has been used which guarantees the productivity and regulation of the plant at 62.44 per cent on LNG, said government officials.









  9. Waqas Dar
    Music director AR Rahman smiles while speaking to a reporter upon his arrival on the green carpet for an event. Photo: AFP/file  LONDON: As he celebrates 25 years in the music industry, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Indian musician AR Rahman says his religious beliefs have helped define and shape his career.
    Rahman, who converted to Islam in his 20s, is in London with a show called "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow".
    He told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that his interpretation of the Muslim faith meant living a life that was simple and in which humility was key.
    "Islam is an ocean, you know, it has different sects. More than 70. So I follow the Sufi kind of philosophy which is about love," Rahman said. "I am what I am because of the philosophy I'm following, my family is following. And of course, many things are happening, and I feel it's mostly political."
    The 50-year-old artist, who has won two Oscars, two Grammys and a Golden Globe, has over 160 film soundtracks to his name, including the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and Bollywood films like  Lagaan and Taal.

    He sings, writes songs, plays instruments and composes music and has teamed up with other global artists including Mick Jagger, Sarah Brightman and the Pussycat Dolls.
    Rahman said his latest tour, which kicks off at Wembley SSE Arena in London on July 8, will take his fans on a journey through his music for the last quarter of a century.
    The softly spoken artist, who nevertheless has a powerful stage presence, said he still had more to achieve and hoped music would help bring more people together.
    "If you take an orchestra, you have the underprivileged and the privileged, playing together. We have different races playing together. We have different religions playing together. But one sound comes out," he said. "You work towards one harmony."


  10. Waqas Dar
    A new Nokia 3310 Edition, which is named as the Putin-Trump edition, has been launched which features a 3D picture of the political leaders. Photo: Nokia  Encased in gold and titanium, back of the phone has a 3D picture of Putin and Trump
    The return of the Nokia 3310, a few months ago, left many wondering if there was anything explicitly unique about the much-loved phone. But let?s not be disheartened because we?ve got news for you! 
    A Russian-Italian phone customising company has launched a new Nokia 3310 Edition, which is named as the Putin-Trump edition.
    This new edition is being released ahead of the upcoming meeting of the two superpower?s leaders at the G20 summit and is available in a number of countries, including Pakistan.
    Encased in gold and titanium and priced at $2,500, the phone has a 3D picture of Putin and Trump placed at the back, with both leaders looking in the same direction.
    Explaining the symbolism of this picture, the company stated on their website, ?The fact that they?re looking in one direction undoubtedly expresses everyone?s desire of a progress in Russian-American relations?.
    Unfortunately, till now, there are only 20 Nokia 3310 Putin-Trump edition phones up for grabs. 
    However, despite the lavish encasement, the newly released edition of Nokia 3310 will feature the same specifications as the original edition which include:
    2.4? with 240p resolution and a curved display with polarized layer for better readability in sunlight

    2 MP camera with LED flash
    16 MB internal storage along which can be expanded via a MicroSD card slot with support up to 32 GB
    Available in both single SIM and dual SIM variants
    1,200 mAh Battery, translating into up to 22 hours talk time and a standby time of 31 days
    FM radio and MP3 player for music
    Nokia Series 30+ Operating system
    So, who wants to make poltical statement with their new phone?


  11. Waqas Dar
    Qatar's Prince Hamad Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani has replied to the letter.  ISLAMABAD: Qatar's Prince Hamad Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani has answered the letter by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and the same will be presented before the team today, reported Geo News on Friday. 
    A source close to the Sharif family, present in Doha for the past two days, confirmed the same to Geo News. 
    In its last communication to Al-Thani, the JIT considered the verification and investigation of Qatari prince?s letters important for Hussain Nawaz and Hasan Nawaz.

    The latest JIT?s communication dated July 4 and addressed to the Qatari prince did not mention any relevance of Thani?s probe with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. 


    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/bf532d127b27cc83f7ee605f7ced0332.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgMTA6NTY6MzMgQU0maGFzaF92YWx1ZT1WOVRIU2pSdytKMWc0b0g3VGRKMHBBPT0mdmFsaWRtaW51dGVzPTYwJmlkPTE= style=center] The JIT conveyed to the Qatari prince that the JIT intends to go beyond mere verification of Thani?s letters.

    ?The scope and remit of the investigation and recording of your statement as intended and sought by the JIT is therefore materially broader and different than that which has been offered in your latest letter. This is also self evident from the contents of our letter dated 22-6-2017," said the JIT. 

    On the question of jurisdiction as was raised by the Qatari prince in his letter written to the JIT, the team responded that the Al-Thani has accepted the jurisdiction of Supreme Court of Pakistan as well as that of the JIT by voluntarily signing and providing letters for submission before the apex court in support of the replies and stance adopted by Hussain Nawaz and Hasan Nawaz.







  12. Waqas Dar
    For all those who were hoping Instagram would stop turning into a Snapchat clone, here?s news for you: Instagram has added a new exciting feature for its users, enabling them to reply to Instagram Stories with photos and videos.

    Sounds familiar, doesn?t it?
    But wait, it doesn?t end there! Along with the photos and videos, users can now make use of any of the creative tools in the Instagram camera such as Boomerang, face filters, the reverse effect, and the various stickers which can be resized or repositioned in order to reply to the Instagram Stories.
    For instance, with the new update installed, now if you open the story, a camera icon appears at the bottom right of your screen. You can tap on that button to get access to all the Instagram camera features and reply the way you want.
    After you?ve sent your reply, the person will get a notification and can take a screenshot which you will also be notified of. However, after 24 hours, your reply disappears. Seems like Instagram has deployed a new tactic to keep its users hooked, no?
    Though this might not be the first of its kind, you can?t deny that this feature will definitely help users get more expressive with the various stickers which can depict exactly how you feel and can conversational engagement.


  13. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday welcomed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decision to include Jamat-ul-Ahrar in the list of entities subject to travel bans, arms embargos and freezing of assets. 
    Islamabad had proposed including the banned organisation in the list, said a statement from the Foreign Office (FO). 
    The JuA based in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan has been involved in a series of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. 
    Pakistan had proscribed JuA last year.
    Since 2014, when the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar first surfaced, it proved itself to be a lethal terrorist group, perpetrating some of the most brutal attacks in Pakistan.
    From August 2014 till date, the group has been involved in 116 terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. 
    In the latest update 'Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List' the Jamaat ul Ahrar has been identified as a splinter group of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan "associated with Islamic State in Iraq and the Levenant" aka Daesh.
    The UNSC list mentions that JuA was banned in Pakistan on the 21 November 2016.
    Jamaat ul Ahrar: Changing the militant landscape in Pakistan
    From August 2014 to date, Jamaat ul Ahraar has been found involved in 116 terrorist attacks in Pakistan




  14. Waqas Dar
    The plug for Perry´s ?Witness? tour next year featured the singer telling the poodle: "Let´s go chase some koalas, Nugget." Photo: YOUTUBE SYDNEY: Pop superstar Katy Perry has been slammed by animal activists for telling her pet dog to "chase some koalas" in a promotional video for the Australian leg of her global tour.
    The plug for Perry´s ?Witness? tour next year, which also pushes the country´s top department store Myer and its 8,000 ticket giveaway for the shows, featured the singer telling the poodle: "Let´s go chase some koalas, Nugget."
    Koalas on Australia´s east coast are listed as vulnerable to extinction, with dog attacks, habitat loss and vehicle strikes among the top causes of the population decline.
    "This is just absolute ignorance from Perry and Myer, and inappropriate on so many levels," wildlife vet Claire Madden told Queensland´s Courier Mail.
    "Perry is a role model to so many young people, and this just destroys all the good work we do to try to encourage people not to let their dogs come into contact with koalas."
    The retailer also came under fire on social media.
    "How could you even think this was OK? On any level? Pathetic. Cruelty to animals is not a joke", one user wrote on Facebook.
    Following the backlash a Myer spokeswoman told AFP the company had removed the reference to koalas in the video.
    It replaced the line with: "OK Nugget, it´s time to get you a puppy passport".
    Perry is not the first celebrity to come under fire in Australia over her dog.
    In 2015 Hollywood star Johnny Depp and his then-wife Amber Heard also caused a storm when they failed to declare her two dogs on arrival into the country.
    The Pirates of the Caribbean actor drew the ire of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who ordered Depp´s dogs Pistol and Boo to "bugger off" back to Hollywood or face being put down in a case dubbed ´War on Terrier´.
    "Johnny Depp all over again," complained one Facebook user on Myer´s page.
    "Arrogance and disrespect for Australia."
    Perry, the first user to garner 100 million followers on Twitter, has not commented about the video on social media.


  15. Waqas Dar
    Sana Mir top scored for Pakistan with 45 against Australia on July 5, 2017/ICC ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Women?s cricket captain Sana Mir believes her team has learned a lot from the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup but needs to build on that experience.
    Although not mathematically eliminated, Pakistan's chances of progressing are slim in the World Cup, but Sana feels the team has learned a lot so far, said a press release issued here.
    ?We may not have had the best tournament so far but we need to enjoy it,? she said.
    "We only qualified for the tournament a few months ago so just being here is an achievement in itself and I think we are better than we have shown so far.
    "What is very important is that we are able to bat out the 50 overs like we did against Australia.
    ?We need the young girls who are playing in the future to get an opportunity to face the best bowlers in the world. This is a learning curve for the newcomers.
    New Zealand captain Suzie Bates in action, July 6, 2017/ICC/Getty Images  ?We started very well with the ball against all the big teams so we are not afraid of playing New Zealand in Saturday's clash. I think with the kind of attitude and consistency we're showing with our bowling, particularly early on, we can hurt New Zealand," she said.
    A big win over the West Indies pushed New Zealand back into the top four after four games at the Women's World Cup, but captain Suzie Bates knows that every game is crucial.
    The White Ferns responded to the defeat against Australia in the best possible fashion, hammering West Indies by eight wickets and chasing down the target of 151 in less than 20 overs.
    That was enough to leapfrog South Africa in the points table, and with the game between the sides having been washed out earlier in the tournament, their battle for a place in the last four could come down to net run-rate.
    While New Zealand cannot focus solely on run-rate, Bates admitted it could yet be crucial to her side's chances of progression.


  16. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/b55ff7883459a63e7b898bdf0c126401.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgOTo0MTowMCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPVZ3UU9mRDRXM1pGVDFrTmpXd24vclE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif?s daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif has finally broken her silence, hitting back at critics who slammed a female security official for ?breaking protocol? by saluting her on her way to the Federal Judicial Academy earlier this week.

    In a Twitter post on Friday, Maryam posted a picture of herself saluting a female security official with the caption: ?We salute the daughters, not the ranks! If they respect you, respect them back ! All salutes are not protocol. Respect comes from the heart.?
    On Wednesday, social media broke into a heated debate after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan voiced his criticism of Maryam Nawaz "getting official protocol with police saluting?, as she made her way to appear before the Panama Case Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
    ?Inexplicable why private citizen Maryam getting official protocol with police saluting as she goes to appear before criminal investigation?? he had tweeted, adding, ?The Pakistani nation must decide once and for all whether we are a democracy or a Badshahat.?
    Imran critical of ?private citizen Maryam getting official protocol?
    Information minister denies claim, says Maryam arrived in private vehicles
    The officer in question is reportedly SP Arsala Saleem, who was specially deputed in light of Maryam's summoning at the JIT.
    Responding to Imran Khan's comments, State Interior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that no official protocol was given to the premier's daughter during her visit to the judicial academy.
    She said Maryam Nawaz reached the site in private vehicles of the Sharif family.
    "Imran Khan should explain under which capacity he uses the helicopter of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, and why he is [running away] from the courts," the statement quoted the minister.


  17. Waqas Dar
    Looks like the release of Marvel?s latest venture Spider man: Homecoming has Bollywood's King Khan excited too. 

    In a promotional video for his upcoming movie, Jab Harry Met Sejal, Shah Rukh Khan can be seen trying to emulate Spider man?s upside down pose in a moving bus.
    The movie director Imtiaz Ali shared the video on his Instagram and captioned it ?Look who I found in the bus?.


    The movie, which also stars Anushka Sharman, is set to be released to August 4. 

    Earlier, Shah Rukh had a shared a video of himself and his younger son, AbRam, in which the father-son duo was seen wearing Spider-Man masks.
    The actor had captioned the video, ?We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.?






  18. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Health experts on Friday expressed concern and urged those responsible to formulate a Chikungunya management plan along with providing technical support to hospitals and creating awareness among the public to prevent being affected by the disease. 
    According to them, concerned departments need to improve their reporting systems, provide training on clinical management and diagnosis and vector control strategies.
    They said it was high time develop and maintain the
    Highlighting the need to build capacity to detect and confirm cases, manage patients and implement social communication strategies to reduce the presence of the mosquito vectors, was the need of the hour. 
    According to Dr Wasim Khawaja from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) the viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes causes fever and severe joint pain while other symptoms include muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue and rashes.
    He added, that the joint pain caused by Chikungunya is often debilitating and can vary in duration, from a few days to a few weeks. Since the disease shares some clinical signs with dengue it can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
    The virus can cause acute, subacute or chronic disease, he added.

    What is Chikungunya
    Dr Wasim Khawaja said that after the bite of an infected mosquito, the onset of illness occurs usually between four and eight days but can range from two to 12 days.
    While most patients recover fully, in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years according to Dr Khawaja.
    Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.
    He said that serious complications are not common, but in older patients, the seriousness of the disease can reach serious levels. 
    Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognised, or be misdiagnosed in areas where similar diseases - such as Dengue - occur.
    He said that both prevention and control rely heavily on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support the breeding of mosquitoes.
    Dr Sharif Astori from the Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) said that basic precautions should be taken by people travelling to high-risk areas.
    He recommended using repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
    For those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, or sick or older people, insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection, Dr Astori advised.
    Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporisers may also reduce indoor biting, he added.
    He advised to use clothing which minimises skin exposure to the day-biting vectors for protection during outbreaks of chikungunya and repellents can be applied to exposed skin.


  19. Waqas Dar
    Tesla has built the world´s current largest battery, which came online in California in December, Musk said. Photo: AFP/file SYDNEY: Elon Musk´s Tesla will build what the maverick entrepreneur claims is the world´s largest lithium ion battery within 100 days, making good on a Twitter promise to ease South Australia´s energy woes.

    Billionaire Musk tweeted an offer to help build a battery farm in March after South Australia was hit with a total blackout when an "unprecedented" storm wrecked power transmission towers in 2016.
    "This system will be three times more powerful than any system on Earth," Musk told reporters in the state capital Adelaide.
    Tesla has built the world´s current largest battery, which came online in California in December, Musk said, adding that the South Australian battery would be 100 megawatts -- enough to power 30,000 homes.
    "This is not a minor foray into the frontier... I´m pretty darn impressed with South Australia willing to do a project of this magnitude that is beyond anything else in the world," Musk said.
    "That takes a lot of gumption... I do see this as something that the world will look at as an example."
    The battery will be built in Jamestown, 230 kilometres (143 miles) north of Adelaide and will be paired with a nearby wind farm run by Neoen, a French renewable energy company, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said.
    Experts said the battery could help transform the renewable energy landscape by addressing the intermittent nature of sources such as wind and solar by pairing them with a large-scale electricity storage system.
    "Variability is one of the key challenges in integrating large amounts of renewables into power systems as we try and get towards 100 percent renewables," Ariel Liebman of Monash University´s MEMSI energy institute told AFP.
    "So we need a balancing mechanism that helps take some excess production when these things are producing a lot and then distribute it into the system when it´s needed and there´s not so much production."
    Battery ´common sense´ 
    Musk said it was "common sense that if you have solar you must have battery because otherwise your power is going to be proportionate to how sunny it is".
    "I specifically think that the consistently lowering cost of batteries, coupled with renewables, is going to fundamentally reshape the energy landscape much faster than anyone thinks it will," Cal Lankton, Tesla´s vice president of global infrastructure operations, added.
    Musk acknowledged his company had to overcome the technical risks associated with building a project at such a large scale, but said Tesla was confident of its success.
    The high-flying firm, known for producing electric cars, has agreed to deliver the battery "within 100 days or it is free", Weatherill added.
    No figures were given for the cost of the contract.
    Neoen, which has built major projects around the world since being set set up in 2008, operates Europe´s biggest solar energy park in southwest France, which can produce the equivalent annual electricity to supply a town of 300,000 people.
    South Africa-born Musk has envisaged Tesla as a company that can help reduce emissions by not only selling people electric cars, but also generating and storing the renewable energy that powers them.
    Australia is one of the world´s worst per capita greenhouse gas polluters due to heavy use of coal-fired power.


  20. Waqas Dar
    On June 25, hundreds of people were killed and many others injured after a fire erupted in an oil tanker, which had overturned near Bahawalpur. Photo: file  ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has held a private oil company responsible for Ahmedpur Sharqia oil tanker fire, which has claimed more than 200 lives so far.

    On June 25, hundreds of people were killed and many others injured after a fire erupted in an oil tanker, which had overturned near Bahawalpur. In a investigative report of the incident, OGRA held the private company responsible and fined a meager penalty of Rs10 million.

    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/c829ada9b6de6fd98762b06bd746770e.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgODo1Mjo0NiBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPVRXbGNQS2RtOEdIWitUYktTb0MrL1E9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    According to the report, the oil tanker of the private company did not meet the set requirements. Moreover, the fitness certificate issued to the oil tanker also turned out to be fake.
    A 15 excel tanker is needed to transport about 50,000 litres oil, but the tanker used by the private company was of 14 excel.
    OGRA?s report also directed the oil company to pay Rs1 million as compensation to the families of the victims and Rs0.5 million to the injured. 
    According to Reuters, the road accident was caused by "non-professional driving/vehicle being lesser than required specs", the authority said in a report.
    "The report shows that they [private oil company] have completely ignored the safety standards of the vehicles procured from the contractors," OGRA spokesman Imran Ghaznavi told Reuters.
    The regulator also ordered the company to upgrade its "infrastructure" in line with its standards.
    The OGRA sent a letter to the company on Monday asking for a detailed report on the accident but the authority had not got a reply, Ghaznavi said, adding that the company has the right to appeal against the fine and compensation demand. 


  21. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that the cinema in the city?s Federal B. Area be converted back to the Islamic centre it originally was.
    In its ruling, the apex court instructed the concerned authorities to restore the Islamic centre, called Al-Markaz-i-Islami, back to its original condition.

    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/864314e2d8e4e774233d2799119daf4d.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgNzo1OToyNSBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUR4bWNlNE4xUGlHam1DeFQwVGdYZHc9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] The Supreme Court also ordered appropriate action against the property?s owner and officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

    The KMC has maintained its stance that the Islamic centre building had been given to the owner for Islamic cultural activities. The KMC had earlier also conceded before the Supreme Court that no mosque was constructed as planned at the centre.


  22. Waqas Dar
    The main contenders for the the PS-114 by-poll. Photo: The News KARACHI: The by-polls in the city?s PS-114 constituency have turned into a do-or-die contest among the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
    Campaigning in the constituency is in full swing as the major political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, are holding corner meetings and rallies to mobilise the voters and gain their trust ahead of July 9 by-election.
    The constituency comprises the localities of Mehmoodabad No 1 to Mehmoodabad No 6, Chanesar Goth, Manzoor Colony, Akhter Colony, Azam Basti, Kashmir Colony, Defence View and the KAECHS (Karachi Administration Employees Cooperative Housing Society).
    The PPP?s Saeed Ghani, MQM-P?s Kamran Tessori and PTI?s Najeeb Haroon are being considered as the main contenders for the contest.
    Although the PPP could not become a significant stakeholder in the constituency in the past elections, this time round the party has fielded its secretary general for Karachi, Senator Ghani, in an effort to branch out of its traditional strongholds in Lyari and Malir.
    PS-114 by-polls: PPP resorting to cheap tactics, says Farooq Sattar
    Police has been harassing MQM-P members, alleges Sattar
    In the May 2013 general elections, PS-114 was bagged by Irfanullah Marwat on a PML-N ticket but his victory was declared void by the election tribunal in July 2014.
    On May 11, the Supreme Court dismissed Marwat?s appeal challenging the election tribunal?s decision paving the way for the by-polls.
    The by-poll campaign took an interesting turn recently when Marwat announced to support the PTI, which has fielded one of its founding members, Haroon.
    In the 2013 polls, PML-N?s Marwat bagged 37,130 votes while MQM?s Rauf Siddiqui got 30,305 votes. Moreover, PTI?s Israr Abbasi got 13,807 votes while PPP?s Sajjad Ahmed Pappi only 3,827 votes.


  23. Waqas Dar
    Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie speak at Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg The ever-sunny Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a quick stop at the Global Citizen Festival on the eve of the G20 summit in Hamburg, to chill with none other than British rockers Coldplay and pop star Shakira.
    Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire made a powerful statement on gender equality and the importance of empowering women and girls in the fight for justice at the Global Citizen Festival ? an event that raises awareness for issues related to global poverty.
    "Because the really big issues we face, like climate change, poverty, and disease, affect women and girls more than anyone else," said Sophie, as the two highlighted Canada's feminist international development policy, which, Trudeau said, puts women and girls at the heart of Canada's aid efforts.
    "That's one of the messages I'll be bringing with me to the G20 Leaders' Summit this weekend, and I hope you'll help to share that message too," he said.
    Trudeau then smoothly moved on to introduce Coldplay and the band?s frontman Chris Martin, also the event's main patron.

    The show opened with Martin seated at a grand piano strung with garlands of colourful flowers, as he kicked off Global Citizen Hamburg with a remarkable rendition of "Paradise." "Viva La Vida," "Adventure of a Lifetime," and an emotionally-charged performance of "Fix You" followed.
    Shakira then joined Coldplay to a roaring reception, smashing through "Yellow" before Martin and Shakira sat down to playfully rap "Chantaje." The duo then performed a duet of her new solo material with "Me Enamore".
    Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding and other artists also highlighted the mega event. 
    Coldplay release song to support refugees 
    Coldplay have released a new song written with ambient legend Brian Eno, with proceeds to support refugees and migrants who make the dangerous journey to Europe across the Mediterranean.
    "Aliens," released late Thursday alongside an animated video, is the latest single from Coldplay´s upcoming EP "Kaleidoscope."
    Coldplay said that proceeds from "Aliens" would support the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a charity in Malta that sends search and rescue teams to save some among the thousands making the dangerous trek to Europe.
    Ostensibly about extraterrestrials, the song alludes metaphorically to the migrant crisis with frontman Chris Martin singing, "Just an alien / We just want to get home again."
    The song is set to a somber electronic drum-beat and driven, like many Coldplay songs, by the clean, ringing guitar sound of Jonny Buckland.
    Coldplay said the band co-wrote the song with Brian Eno, the godfather of ambient music known for his work with David Bowie.
    Coldplay has long championed humanitarian causes and released the song just after playing the latest Global Citizen concert in Germany, which aimed to press the Group of 20 major economies to commit to development.
    "Kaleidoscope," a five-song EP, follows Coldplay´s 2015 album "A Head Full of Dreams" which the band had hinted might be its last full-length work.
    The EP, originally slated for release last month, will come out on July 14 in digital formats and on August 4 on CDs and vinyl, the band´s label said.
    With additional input from AFP


  24. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/5b3b0d4642962f42cd0c77e83548871a.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgNzoyMjoyNyBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPVVVd3lyUEx2d21CYWtEdXY0ZUtDR1E9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed former bureaucrat Tariq Bajwa as the new governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    The approval to this effect was given by President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday following which a notification was issued by the Finance Ministry.
    The seat had fallen vacant in April this year when Ashraf Mehmood Wathra completed his three-year term as the SBP governor.
    Bajwa retired last month as the finance secretary. 
    Sources said Bajwa's first order of business after assuming office would be to order the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the recent hike in the value of the US Dollar against the Pakistani Rupee. 
    Moreover, the dollar spiked to Rs106 Friday morning after an increase of 30 paisas. 





  25. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed remarked that the letters from Qatar, which were provided as evidence by the Sharif family in the Panama papers case, have no legal value.

    The politician was speaking during Geo Pakistan transmission on Friday.
    He also said that hearsay has no legal value in the court. However, the ruling Sharif family had still spun the Panama case around the letters from Qatar.

    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/52e2c90d2dd7f7da3b4f1550a979886b.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgNzoxNjo0NyBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPU1VZ2xld05uem8vT1YyYk16b2Z3N3c9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] On Maryam Nawaz, he remarked that she made an impressive entry into politics on July 5. ?She [Maryam] claimed that she has nothing to do with the case. What will happen when proof against her is surfaced during the investigation??

    Speaking about the Panama verdict, he remarked that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders distributed sweets even though two of the judges had called party leaders ?Godfather.?
    He added, that the case is likely to come to an end before Eid-ul-Azha. 


  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...