CORPUS CHRISTI, AUG 26 (DNA) – Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast late Friday, unleashing torrents of rain and packing powerful winds as it became the first major storm to hit the US mainland in 12 years. President Donald Trump granted Texas Governor Greg Abbott s call to declare a “major disaster” zone in the state in order to speed federal aid to the millions in harm s way. The arrival of the storm — which was packing sustained winds of 130 miles (215 kilometers) an hour — was the first major domestic challenge for Trump, who the White House said would head to the affected region early next week.
Jacqueline Fernandez expresses utmost wish to learn Urdu
MUMBAI, AUG 25 (DNA) – Bollywood actress and model Jacqueline Fernandez, who was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Bahrain, has expressed her utmost wish to learn Urdu.Jacqueline said, “I have a genuine interest to learn Urdu, a language that sounds so beautiful. At times, I read something and if I find any word that sounds interesting, I note it down, learn it and try to incorporate it in my conversation. In fact, once I learn the language, I want to read books in that language. It’s a gradual process, but I want to learn everything slowly,” Jacqueline said during an interview.
Football: Ronaldo named UEFA player of season for 2016-2017
MONACO, AUG 25 (DNA) – Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA Player of the Season for 2016-2017 on Thursday after a campaign which saw the Portuguese superstar help Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double. It was the third time that Ronaldo had won the award which was presented on the sidelines of the Champions League group stage draw. His great rival Lionel Messi has won the prize on two occasions and could pave the way for him to capture a fifth Ballon d Or title.”There are the same goals every year, to meet the same challenges, win everything if possible, qualify for the World Cup with my national team,” said Ronaldo.
Indus Motor’s net profit surges to Rs13bn
KARACHI, AUG 25 (DNA)- Indus Motor Company Limited’s (IMC) on Friday announced a 13pc hike in net profit as profit surged to Rs13 billion for the financial year ended June-30, 2017. As per bourse filed on Thursday, the earnings per share (EPS) stood at Rs165.41. The documents also showed an upward trajectory of 3pc to Rs112.271 billion in company’s revenue for FY 2016-17. It stood at Rs108.758 billion for the FY 2015-16. The company announced a cash dividend of Rs35/share in addition to the combined interim cash dividend of Rs80/share already paid to shareholders.
Worst violence in months kills 12 in Myanmar’s Rakhine
YANGON, AUG 25 (DNA) – At least 12 people including five police officers were killed Friday in Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state as Rohingya militants launched pre-dawn raids on border posts, according to the office of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. It is the worst outbreak of violence for months in the coastal state bisected by religious hatred and follows a milestone report by a commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan urging immediate action to heal the divide. More than 20 police posts came under attack by an estimated 150 militants in the early hours of Friday, prompting soldiers to fight back, the statement issued by the State Counsellor’s office said.
FPCCI demands Rs3 per unit reduction in power tariff for export sector
ISLAMABAD, AUG 22 (DNA) – Former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Ishrat Hussain has said that exports play a very important role in keeping the economy stable therefore this sector should be facilitated. Reasons behind dwindled exports include cost and availability of energy, want of skilled labour and lack of interest in imparting training to the staff on the part of export industries, he said. Dr. Ishrat Hussain who has also served as Advisor to the government said this while speaking at a seminar regarding export competitiveness in the FPCCI.
Gov’t releases Rs.53.615 billion for development projects
ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) – The government has so far released Rs53.615 billion under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2017-18 for various ongoing and new schemes against their total allocations of Rs.1001 billion. The released funds include Rs5083.980 million for federal ministries and Rs14420 million for special areas, according to data of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. Out of these allocations, Rs2600 million have been released for Communication Division (other than National Highway Authority) for which the government has earmarked Rs13660 million under PSDP 2017-18.
Comedy legend Jerry Lewis dies at 91
WASHINGTON, AUG 21 (DNA) – Veteran Hollywood comedian Jerry Lewis, who died Sunday aged 91, perfected a goofy brand of slapstick that endeared him to millions over the course of a career spanning six decades. One of the most popular American entertainers of the 1950s and 60s, Lewis made his name as the clown behind such quirky comedies as “The Nutty Professor” but also won acclaim as a writer, actor and philanthropist. The comedy legend, who at the peak of his popularity was among the world s biggest movie draws, died at his home in Las Vegas early Sunday morning.
Muslim national council to help ’embed Islam in a 21st-century British context’
LONDON, AUG 21 (DNA) – Britain’s Muslim clerics are going to set up their first national council in which the most senior imams are to issue progressive religious rulings in order to “embed Islam in a 21st-century British context.” Qari Asim, one of the prominent imams in Britain, said the authority will promote an interpretation of Islam in line with British values. Asim, who is the chief imam of Makkah mosque in Leeds, said British Muslims needed an authoritative and credible voice that could speak out on the issues as diverse as terrorism, organ donation and Islamophobia.
Week-long Turkish Food Festival begins at Islamabad Serena Hotel
ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 (DNA) – The Islamabad Serena Hotel, in collaboration with the Embassy of The republic of Turkey, inaugurated a week-long Culinary Art Turkish Food Festival at the Grand Zamana Restaurant.The experts of Turkish cuisine were transported from the one and only Ottoman Imperial Palace and Hotel on the Bosphorus, Çırağan Palace Kempinski located in timeless Istanbul, Turkey. The Islamabad Serena hotel was delighted to welcome sous-chef, Serdar Öngel, chef de partie, Davut Kutlugün and pastry chef and chocolatier, Servet Kanat, who are the experienced chefs exclusively came for this festival from the magnificent Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.
