Lahore Qalandars will be looking to put up an impressive performance to start their campaign on a high, when they face defending champions Islamabad United, in the season opener of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) fourth edition in Dubai on Thursday.
India’s next Big Dream! Send an Indian into Space on Indian Technology
BY PALLAWA BAGLA
New Delhi,=India has a new dream, a deep conviction to launch an Indian into space, from Indian soil on an Indian rocket by 2022 which is before the seventy-fifth birthday for India’s independence. Work has started in right earnest at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which is expected to deliver this Herculean task in less than 1.4 billion dollars, possibly the cheapest human space flight ever to be undertaken in the world. This confidence and promise comes riding on the repeated successes that the Indian space agency has tasted in the past.
Russia, Turkey, Iran to hold Syria summit
SOCHI (DNA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to host his Iranian and Turkish counterparts Thursday to discuss how to resolve the conflict in Syria as Islamic State jihadists made a last stand in the east of the country and Washington prepares to withdraw troops.A flurry of diplomatic efforts this week are focusing on the eight-year conflict in which more than 350,000 people have died.The international anti-IS coalition is set to meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will attend a conference on the Middle East in Warsaw.
IIUI President, Somalian Ambassador discuss educational cooperation
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 (DNA) – Ambassador of Somalia to Pakistan Khadija Mohamed Almakhzoumi called on Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, President, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) at his office.During the meeting, issues pertaining to mutual interests and educational cooperation were discussed. The ambassador hailed IIUI that it is providing quality education to the students of Muslim world. He said that university produced mention-able graduates who are on the key posts in Somalia and they are also the ambassadors of IIUI’s message of peace
Go Green” poster contest to raise climate change awareness
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 (DNA) – The High Commission of Canada sponsored a poster contest for schoolchildren in Islamabad to raise awareness of climate change and promote the benefits of a natural and healthy environment.The students designed posters to highlight the importance of preserving and protecting a healthy environment.The prize distribution ceremony was held at SLS Montessori & School in Islamabad, where the top five winners’ posters were displayed and the students were given prizes and certificates. All other participants and participating schools received certificates.Paul M. Gareau, Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada praised the schoolchildren’s artwork, stating “he was delighted to see young Pakistanis helping spread the message of the need to protect the environment.
PTCL, Careem join hands for discounted rides
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 (DNA) – PTCL collaborates with Careem to offer discounts on rides for its customers across Pakistan. This agreement was signed at PTCL HQ in Islamabad today.PTCL customers will get up to 100% credit back (up to Rs. 250) on their first ride with Careem. Those customers, who are already using Careem App, will also receive 50% discount (upto Rs 125) on Careem’s Go+ and Business Rides. The exclusive discount promo codes will be delivered to PTCL customers through their PTCL monthly bill, sms and email.On the occasion, Moqeem ul Haque, Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL, said, “This agreement offers value and convenience to our customers, by providing them discounts for their travel with Careem.We are passionate about using new digital services to further facilitate our customers and this is one way to express our gratitude towards them.”=DNA
CURTAIN RAISER: Crown Prince HRH Muhammad bin Salman to Pakistan on Feb 16
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness, Muhammad bin Salman will visit Pakistan on 16-17 February 2019. His Royal Highness holds important portfolios in the Kingdom’s government, including that of the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and the Defense Minister.The Crown Prince will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including members of the Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen. This will be first state-level visit of His Royal Highness to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of the Crown Prince in April 2017.During the visit, His Royal Highness will call on the President of Pakistan. He will also meet the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff.
Pakistani model Fia Khan meets Ranveer & Alia, sings Apna Time Ayega
Pakistani model Fia Khan who made her debut in Teefa in Trouble, recently met the Gully Boy superstar Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in Berlin.The actress was super excited for the gala premier of Gully Boy and posted on Instagram about her meet up with the on screen couple. “Super excited for the Gala premier of Gully Boy tonight at Berlinale,” she said.Fia Khan also shared her lip sync of the song “Apna Time Ayega”.
ECC approves measures for revival of cotton crop
ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Economic Coordination Committee on Tuesday approved measures for revival of cotton crop in the country.The decision was taken during its meeting in Islamabad with Finance Minister Asad Umar in chair.During the meeting, Secretary Ministry of National food Security & Research gave the meeting a detailed presentation on issues and challenges in the cotton sector. Experts in the field of cotton growing who were specially invited to the meeting also gave their input for developing the cotton crop.The ECC decided that ministry of national food security & research will present, within 30 days, a plan for strengthening research and development services for different crops with particular focus on cotton. The ministry will also submit plan for revitalization of federal institutions tasked with the responsibility of developing the cotton sector.
Hundreds flee US-backed Syria battle for last IS holdout
NEAR BAGHOUZ (DNA) – Exhausted families trudged out of the Islamic State group s last bastion in eastern Syria Tuesday, as Kurdish-led forces boxed holdout jihadists into an ever-shrinking pocket.Hundreds fled at night but hundreds more during the day as plumes of grey smoke billowed into the sky over Baghouz, where diehard IS fighters are making their last stand.The extremist group declared a cross-border “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq in 2014, but various military campaigns have chipped it down to a fragment on the Iraqi border.After a pause of more than a week to allow out civilians, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declared a last push to retake the pocket from the extremists on Saturday.Aided by the warplanes and artillery of a US-led coalition, the Kurdish-led alliance has pressed into a patch of less than four square kilometres (one square mile)
