ISLAMABAD, FEB 23 (DNA) – Loadshedding may return to haunt consumers as losses have tripled from 2013 to reach Rs 360 billion, said Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, in a statement on Thursday. According to a press release issued by the minister, losses have decreased but a significant increase in the supply of electricity has resulted in electricity losses to rise to Rs 360 billion this year.
Abbas to seek wider peace process in UN speech: officials
RAMALLAH, FEB 20 (DNA) – Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will call for an alternative to US-mediated negotiations with Israel during a rare address to the United Nations Security Council, Palestinian officials said Monday. Addressing the council Tuesday for the first time since 2009, the longtime Palestinian leader is expected to call for multiple international powers to facilitate peace negotiations and again criticise the United States controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel s capital.
Over 50 Palestinians died awaiting Israeli medical permit: WHO
GAZA CITY (DNA) – More than 50 Palestinians died waiting for Israeli visas to travel for medical treatment last year, with only around half of all applications granted, new figures showed Tuesday. A total of 54 Palestinians died awaiting permits in 2017, the World Health Organization said, in what rights activists called an overly bureaucratic system which deprives Palestinians of their right to healthcare. The WHO said it did not have a directly comparable figure for 2016, but Al Mezan Center for Human Rights said it had recorded only a couple per annum in previous years.
Democracy best way to serve people: President Widodo
DNA
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for a firm commitment to democracy as it is the only way to serve interests of the people. He was addressing the joint session of the Parliament in Islamabad soon after his arrival on January 26. The Indonesian President said democracy provides space for people in decision-making process, helps maintain political stability and achieve growth. Joko Widodo said economy of a country or a region can grow if there is political stability and security. He said economic activities will never take place if there is conflict or war. He said conflicts and wars benefit no one and people mainly women and children become most impacted in such situations.
Jahangir Khan becomes Brand Ambassador for Serena
ISLAMABAD, FEB 06 (DNA) – Serena Hotels announced renowned squash legend, Mr. Jahangir Khan would be the Brand Ambassador of Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative. The signing ceremony formalized a relationship that began with Jahangir Khan’s involvement in various squash tournaments supported by Serena Hotels. Serena Hotels sports diplomacy calendar includes a range of tournaments and competitions, in golf, polo, cricket, football, skiing, tennis and squash.
Changing sands of Pakistan’s politics
By Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Departure of Tahirul Qadri, Chief of Pakistani Awami Tehreek (PAT) abroad should not auger well for the nascent political alliance that seems to have died a pre-mature death after PPP pulled out of the alliance, on the pretext that it was not happy with the PTI Chief Imran Khan’s derogatory remarks about the Parliament. Although, various political parties had gathered under the banner of PAT to mount a collective struggle to get justice for the victims of the Model Town incident, factually the underlying motives were to not only destabilize the Punjab government but also to bear pressure on the Federal Government paving way for early elections or removal of the government before March in order to stop the Senate elections.
Brexit would damage UK growth, says leaked cabinet report
LONDON, JAN 30 (DNA) – Brexit would leave the UK worse off under three possible scenarios: a comprehensive free trade deal, single market access and no deal at all, according to a leaked government analysis of the economic impact of leaving the EU. The document was meant to be shown confidentially to cabinet ministers this week but was leaked in an embarrassing development for Theresa May and David Davis, the Brexit secretary.
Fear of backlash from Taliban bars Security Forces to launch offensive: Afghan Analyst
KABUL, JAN 29 (DNA) – General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Central Command, has said that the recent attacks by militants in Afghanistan will not impact the US commitment to Afghanistan . The recent attacks have served only to bolster the US commitment, he said. “(The attacks do) not impact our commitment to Afghanistan , our commitment to the mission and seeing this through and our commitment about making sure that the Afghan national security forces have what they need to deal with this particular enemy,” he stated.
Political commitment needs for mandatory legislation on the fortification of wheat flour and edible oil/ghee in Pakistan
By, Laila Rubab Jaskani
Pakistan is facing micronutrient deficiencies challenge, causing the socio and economic losses. National Nutrition Survey, 2011 revealed very high rates of micronutrient deficiencies – 51% of pregnant women are anaemic, 37% iron deficient, 46% deficient in vitamin A, and 69% in vitamin D. The problem repeats itself in children with 62% of under 5s suffering from anaemia and 54% from vitamin A deficiency. Micronutrient malnutrition can be addressed by using low cost and proven interventions such as food fortification.
Bulgaria assumes EU presidency for first time
BRUSSELS: Bulgaria has assumed to the rotating EU presidency for next six months. There will be four priorities during the time of the Bulgarian presidency of the EU, said the country’s EU ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev. The four presidency priorities are: the future of Europe and the young people; European perspective and “connectivity” of the Western Balkans; security and stability in a “strong and united” Europe and, lastly, the digital economy.
