LAHORE, DEC 10 (DNA) – Although the Supreme Court of Pakistan conditionally allowed the Punjab government to complete the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project, the litigation already delayed the project by a year and is likely to escalate cost by more than Rs10 billion. An executive of a contracting company told that all construction works near heritage sites had been halted since January 28, 2016, when the court issued the first stay order. The court took almost 22 months to announce its verdict about the project’s fate. This not only delayed the scheme, but caused huge financial losses to the public exchequer.
Seeing the pain of the Palestinian people makes me cry: Bella Hadid
DEC 10 (DNA) – Bella Hadid has spoken up against the injustice towards Palestinians and she’s heartbroken. the model shared, “Watching the news and seeing the pain of the Palestinian people makes me cry for the many many generations of Palestine.” Bella is referring to Trump’s recent decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel. “I have determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” the US leader said in a speech from the White House. “It’s the right thing to do.”
State of Palestine rejects US decision of moving embassy to Jerusalem
RAMALA, DEC 07 (DNA) – The State of Palestine expresses its adamant and unequivocal rejection of the announcement made by US President Donald Trump. The American Administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an act of hostility against the Palestinian people, their inalienable national rights. Further, the State of Palestine views this policy announcement as an assault on the spirit and letter of international law, including the United Nations Charter, which does not accept the acquisition of territory by force nor the consequences that result from such illegal actions. It is also an assault on the spirit and standing of Jerusalem as a city at the heart and spiritual center of billions of people around the world.
Saudi-led coalition intensifies Yemen air strikes after Saleh’s death
ADEN, (DNA) – A Saudi-led coalition intensified air strikes on Yemen early on Wednesday as the armed Houthi movement tightened its grip on the capital after it killed former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who switched sides in the civil war.Saudi Arabia and its allies struck a day after Saleh’s son vowed to lead a campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthis.The intervention by Ahmed Ali, a former leader of the elite Republican Guard once seen as a likely successor to his father, gives the anti-Houthi movement a potential figurehead after a week of fighting that saw the Houthis rout Saleh’s supporters in the capital.
How parents behave is linked to suicide risk: study
MIAMI: (DNA) – Teenagers who feel their parents rarely express interest in their emotional well-being are far more likely to consider suicide than youths who say their parents are involved and proud of them, US researchers said on Tuesday.The findings by the University of Cincinnati come as the suicide rate among teenagers rises in the United States, adding to concern among parents, educators and health experts.In the past month alone, a 10-year-old girl in Colorado and a 13-year-old in California have hung themselves. Their parents say bullying at school contributed to the girls’ deaths.
$12,000 and rising: Bitcoin’s price soars to all-time high record
TOKYO, (DNA) -: Bitcoin extended its eye-popping rally on Wednesday, breaking above $12,000 to a record high despite questions about the cryptocurrency’s real value and worries about a dangerous bubble. Bitcoin received a boost after Friday’s announcement by the main U.S. derivatives regulator that it would allow CME Group Inc and CBOE Global Markets to list bitcoin futures contracts. The move opens the door to added regulation but also more mainstream adoption, as bitcoin futures and other derivatives would make it easier to trade the new asset class. Bitcoin’s meteoric ascent of over 10-fold from below $1,000 at the start of the year has drawn regulatory scrutiny around the world.
Salman Khan features in Variety’s ‘500 Most Influential’ list for 2017
NEW DELHI, (DNA) – Variety Magazine came up with its list of 500 ‘most influential business leaders shaping the global entertainment industry’ for the year 2017 which features 12 Indian personalities, comprising of three Bollywood stars.Salman Khan featured in the list as actor and producer. The 51-year-old actor will be seen opposite Katrina Kaif in Tiger Zinda Hai on December 22. The two have impressed their fans with latest photoshoot.Other Bollywood stars in the list included Priyanka Chopra – as artist, actress and producer – and Karan Johar – as writer, director and producer. Variety Magazine’s list of 500 ‘most influential business leaders shaping the global entertainment industry’ also features nine other Indians.
Trump likely to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital next week: official
WASHINGTON:, (DNA) – President Donald Trump is likely to announce next week that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a senior administration official said on Friday, a move that would upend decades of American policy and possibly inflame tensions in the Middle East. Trump could make the controversial declaration in a speech on Wednesday though he is also expected to again delay his campaign promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The senior official and two other government sources said final decisions had not yet been made.
Europe’s Muslim population to grow strongly, even if migration ends: study
PARIS: (DNA) – Muslims could make up over 11 percent of Europe’s population in the coming decades, compared with just under 5 percent currently, if legal migration levels are maintained, a report by a US-based think tank said Thursday. The Pew Research Center, in a study entitled “Europe’s Growing Muslim Population” issued three projections based on different migration scenarios — zero arrivals, “medium” flows and “high” migration. It showed that even if all migration into Europe stopped immediately, the Muslim population of the 28-member European Union plus Norway and Switzerland would rise to 7.4 percent from 4.9 percent in 2016.
Seven hospitalised after bizarre sorcery act in Indonesia
JAKARTA, (DNA) – Seven people in Indonesia were hospitalised after rinsing their hands in acid, police said Tuesday as they hunted for the self-styled sorcerer who promised the men it would make them invincible. The bizarre ritual last week left the men, residents of the Rawa Kopi village just outside the capital Jakarta, with serious burns on their hands, authorities said. A mystery man named Didi, who moved into the village several months ago, claimed he was a master of traditional magic — known as Debus — which is supposed to protect a person from physical injury. The self-proclaimed magician offered free lessons and promised to make the unlucky men invincible.
