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PM inaugurates model village for Ghizer people

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PM inaugurates model village for Ghizer people

The model village has been built over 110 kanal of land. Every home in the village consists of two bedrooms and is equipped with a water supply, solar power, and road connectivity

Bureau Report

GHIZER, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated a model village to provide a housing facility to the people of the Bubar Village of Gilgit’s Ghizer district, who had lost their homes consequent to the floods in 2022.

The model village has been built over 110 kanal of land. Every home in the village consists of two bedrooms and is equipped with a water supply, solar power, and road connectivity.

The prime minister, who earlier distributed allotment certificates among a few of the entitled people, asked the authorities concerned to immediately build a school, dispensary and playground for the village. The dispensary should be equipped with first aid, ultrasound, X-ray and maternity care facilities, he added.

He also called for the third-party validation of the project to address the shortcomings and asked to add chimneys in all the newly constructed houses to avert any untoward incident, particularly during the winter.

Wearing a traditional Gilgit cap Pakul and robe, he instructed Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to supervise the construction of the school at the village.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, who had also visited the flood-hit village in 2022 after it was completely destroyed, recalled teenage girl Qandeel and her father were among the only survivors of their family.

He said that he had announced Rs5 million endowment fund for Qandeel that had increased to Rs6.7 million to support her expenditures and make her pursue her dreams.

The prime minister appreciated GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and other senior officers for supervising the project.

Earlier, the prime minister also unveiled the plaque for the 216-kilometer Gilgt Shandur Road that would be completed by November 2025 and reduce the inter-city travel duration from eight hours to three hours.

In his address, GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan thanked the prime minister for supporting the GB people in distress. He said the 2022 floods killed several residents in the Bubar village and the newly built model village was equipped with all basic amenities including connectivity.

In his remarks, a Community Member of the Village also thanked the prime minister, GB chief minister, former CM Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman and district administration for their efforts to build the model village and the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Attaullah Tarar and Amir Muqam accompanied the prime minister.

Japan provides grant assistance to three NGOs for development projects in Pakistan

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Japan

ISLAMABAD, NOV 6 /DNA/ – The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance up to USD 194,493 (equivalent to around PKR 54 million) in total to three local NGOs for development projects in Pakistan.

The grant contracts were signed between WADA Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and representatives of the three NGOs at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad on November 6, 2024. The three NGOs that will implement the projects are (1) Friends Welfare Association (2) Al Khidmat Foundation Pakistan and (3) Al Mezan Islamic Model Secondary School.

Friends Welfare Association will receive a USD 59,764 grant (equivalent to around PKR 16.64 million) to build a new water scheme in one of the most underdeveloped areas of Mansehra District. The project will benefit 6,000 people or around 895 households of the area. The project is related to the provision of clean drinking water to the people of that area by constructing water tanks and establishing water supply lines. This is expected to free women and children from the labor of fetching water.

Al Mezan Islamic Model Secondary School will receive a USD 64,528 grant (equivalent to around PKR 17.87 million) to build a road with its supporting bridges over a big water channel which will provide a safe way to the school children to reach their schools. The project will benefit 2,540 people or around 300 households of the area by providing them a safe access to travel main city, markets and hospitals.

Al Khidmat Foundation Pakistan will receive a USD 70,201 grant (equivalent to around PKR 19.5 million) to implement a project related to the provision of clean drinking water to the people of an industrial area, Faisalabad. Seven water filtration plants will be installed in Faisalabad city and Okara city to provide filtered water to about 2,870 people in the vicinity of the plants and protect residents from waterborne diseases.

At the signing ceremony, His Excellency, Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro expressed his expectation that these development projects in cooperation with local communities would have a positive impact on uplifting the living standards of Pakistani people at the grassroots level.

The Government of Japan will provide further flexible and timely support to local NGOs through grant assistance to improve the social wellbeing of the people of Pakistan at the grassroots level.

Donald Trump addresses supporters, says he wants a world free from wars

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US Election

Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become 47th United States president: US media

This is a magnificent victory for the American people, I will fight for every citizen,” says Donald Trump crowd after win

Age: 78

Birthplace: Queens,NY

Previous Presidential Campaigns: 2000,2016,2020

Donald Trump — from 45th president to 2024 candidate amid legal battles

He is the first president convicted of criminal charges after leaving the office

Donald Trump remains a significant figure in American politics. He served as the 45th president of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. He secured this position after defeating Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

According to the New York Times, he won the Electoral College with 304 votes, compared to 227 votes secured by Clinton. As per the BBC, he received the votes of more than 62 million Americans, the most for a Republican candidate. However, Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 presidential election to end up in the Oval Office. The former president is aiming to make a comeback as a candidate for the 2024 elections.

Early Days

Trump is the fourth child of New York real estate tycoon Fred Trump. Despite his family’s wealth, he used to work the lowest-tier jobs within his father’s company. Later his father enrolled him in the military academy at the age of 13.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

The former president managed his father’s residential projects across NYC before renaming the company the Trump Organisation in 1971. He described his father, who passed away in 1999, as his main inspiration.

Trump also ventured into entertainment, owning beauty pageants and creating/hosting NBC’s The Apprentice, popularising the catchphrase “You’re fired!”

He authored books, appeared in films and wrestling shows, and sold various products. Despite a Forbes-estimated net worth of $7.5 billion, he faced six business bankruptcies, including Trump Steaks and Trump University.

The candidate of the Republican Party is famous for his three marriages. His first wife, Ivana Zelnickova, was a Czech athlete and model and he had three children with her. They, however, divorced in 1990.

He married actor Marla Maples in 1993, two months after the birth of their only child, Tiffany. After divorcing Maples in 1999, he married former Slovenian model Melania Knauss in 2005. Their marriage endures to this day, and they share a son, Barron William Trump.

Political Career

The former president started his political career in 2000 by entering as a candidate for the Reform Party, and later with the Republican Party in 2012.

Trump announced his bid for the White House in 2015, declaring the American Dream dead but promising to “bring it back bigger and better.”

In his speech, he proudly talked about his wealth and business achievements. He accused Mexico of sending drugs, crime, and rapists to the US and vowed to build a border wall that Mexico would pay for.

Despite controversy over a leaked video of him bragging about sexual abuse, Trump bagged support from his campaign slogan, ‘’Make America Great Again’. He was able to gain victory over the veteran politician Clinton and became the 45th President of the US on January 20, 2017.

Trump’s Presidency

Trump’s administration saw an average inflation-adjusted GDP growth of 2.67%, based on World Bank data. Including the time after Covid-19 spread, which average drops to 1.45%.

During his presidency, an al Qaeda terrorist entered his administration and killed three American soldiers.

The former president also supported the Supreme Court’s decision over abortion pills under the presidency of Joe Biden. He noted that he believes there should be exceptions for rape, incest, and protecting the life of the mother, a stance he has repeated in recent months after announcing in April that let the states decide on the abortion restrictions, rather than federal authorities.

According to a new non-partisan analysis, Trump’s administration approved $8.4 trillion in new debt.

Despite receiving a record 74 million votes, Trump lost the election to Biden by over seven million votes in 2020. He repeated claims of voter fraud in numerous court cases but to no avail.

Foreign Policy and Legislative Actions

As per the BBC, in his era, the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal on May 8, 2018. Later, in October of 2018, the then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo officially announced that the US was terminating the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran. They made this announcement right after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered the US to lift sanctions against Iran, as this could affect imports of humanitarian goods and civil aviation safety.

During his tenure, he signed HR-1 – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, on December 22, 2017. On November 16, 2017, the House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by a vote of 227—205.

While signing the bill, Trump said, “This is the bill right here; we’re very proud of it… I consider this very much a bill for the middle class and for jobs. Corporations are literally going wild for this.”

The First Step Act of 2018 — passed under Trump’s presidency — is a US law aimed at reforming the criminal justice system. This act also focused on reducing sentences for non-violent offences and improving prison conditions. The law also emphasises rehabilitation and support programmes to lower the chances of reoffending.

Moreover, Trump withdrew from major climate and trade agreements, banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, issued other tough immigration restrictions, launched a trade war with China, and reshaped Middle Eastern relations.

Capitol Incident

After Trump’s defeat in 2020, his supporters stormed the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. They did this to try to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, which showed that Joe Biden had won. It was a significant and violent attack that led to several arrests and raised concerns about American democracy.

Legal Challenges and Controversies

The former president has faced various legal challenges since leaving office in 2021, including those related to his business practices and actions during his presidency. These legal actions have attracted significant media attention.

CNN revealed details of the legal actions against the President of 2016, making him the first president, who was convicted of criminal charges after leaving office. Earlier in May, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. In June 2023, the Federal Court charged him for mishandling classified documents he retained upon leaving office. A court ruled the 45th president to pay $5 million in damages after charging him for journalist E Jean Carroll sexual abuse case.

Additionally, in August 2023, the American politician faced charges in Federal Court for attempting to interfere with the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. A Georgia grand jury indicted him.

On February 16, 2024, Trump, along with his two sons, his company, and its executives, pleaded guilty in a New York civil fraud case. This allowed him to receive loans and insurance at lower rates. The court ordered the former president to pay a $355 penalty. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit in 2022.

Comeback

Trump has been an active member of the Republican Party, issuing endorsements in elections across the country.

His campaign focuses on themes similar to previous ones, emphasising issues such as immigration, economic growth, and national security.

After Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are the main runners for the presidential elections of 2024.

Americans do not like Trump universally due to his policies.

As per the BBC, Trump has promised his supporters that November 5, 2024, will be “the most important date in the history of our country.”

Shah Rukh Khan reveals he’s quit smoking

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan surprised fans with the revelation that he has quit smoking. The actor, who once admitted to smoking up to 100 cigarettes a day, shared this news during a meet-and-greet event on Saturday.

In a video posted by the fan page Shah Rukh Khan Universe, SRK is seen announcing to a thrilled crowd, “There’s a good thing – I’m not smoking anymore, guys.”

Reflecting on his decision, the ‘Dunki’ star humorously noted that he expected to feel less breathless after quitting but admitted that he’s still adjusting to the change. “Mujhe laga tha ki I will not feel so breathless, but abhi bhi feel kar raha hoon (I thought I wouldn’t feel breathless after quitting smoking, but I still do),” Khan said, acknowledging the adjustment period. He remained optimistic, saying, “Inshallah, woh bhi theek ho jayega (By God’s grace, that will also be fine).” Shah Rukh received touching birthday tributes from his family. His daughter Suhana Khan shared a nostalgic photo collage on social media, featuring vintage black-and-white pictures of SRK playing with his children Aryan and Suhana. “Happy Birthday (heart emoji). Love you the most in the world.” she captioned one of the images.

His wife, Gauri Khan, shared a glimpse of the birthday celebration with family and friends. In a heart-warming photo, SRK is seen cutting his birthday cake with Gauri and Suhana by his side. “A memorable evening last night with friends and family… happy birthday,” she captioned the post.

Several Bollywood celebrities, including Kareena Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Kamal Haasan, Farah Khan, and Vicky Kaushal, also extended their warm wishes to Shah Rukh on his 59th birthday.

Voting time extended in Pennsylvania as ‘software malfunction’ disrupts ballot scanning

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Voting time extended in Pennsylvania as 'software malfunction' disrupts ballot scanning

WASHINGTON: Voting time has been extended in the state of Pennsylvania because of disruption caused by a software malfunction, the Office of County Commissioners said on Tuesday.

The malfunction hindered voters’ ability to scan ballots.

“The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the County’s Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots,” the Office of County Commissioners said as quoted by CNN.

Spokesperson of Pennsylvania Department of State Matt Heckel said “We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and are committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election”.

As Election Day arrives, 3 factors driving our divided electorate: ANALYSIS

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Election Day

WASHINGTON: Political polarization in this country is such that partisans look at each other with mutual incomprehension. Plenty of Vice President Kamala Harris’ supporters can’t fathom someone voting for former President Donald Trump, and vice versa.

The ABC News/Ipsos polling this cycle hasn’t been conducted to monotonously recite the score of the game, but to try to understand the concerns and motivations on each side.

Looking at the big picture, we continue to see three powerful factors in the country’s divisions: economic, demographic and cultural.

Economically, it’s hard to get ahead, but it’s harder still if you’re one of the nearly two-thirds of adults who don’t have a four-year college degree. Wealth and income gaps have grown dramatically and housing costs are brutal. Moderating inflation, after a 40-year-high, doesn’t mean the floodwaters have subsided; they’re just rising more slowly. Real median household income under President Joe Biden’s administration is down 0.7% from its high under Trump. The price of a dozen eggs is up 161%.

Signs are seen outside a polling station at Palm Beach County Library during early voting in the presidential election in West Palm Beach, Florida, Nov. 3, 2024.
Marco Bello/Reuters
MORE: Election stays close in final weekend with a dispirited electorate: Poll
Demographically, we witness growing diversity. The under-18 population is now a majority-minority. The population overall has gone from 80% white in 1980 to 58% white in the most recent data. When any group sees its traditional cultural dominance contracting — particularly when it’s also experiencing diminished economic opportunity — ingathering and resentment toward outgroups can occur.

Culturally, there are major crosscurrents. Americans won the constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Americans lost the constitutional right to abortion. You can buy recreational marijuana in 24 states. You can carry a concealed firearm without a permit in 29 states. From transgender rights to DEI initiatives, controversies rage. Shifts on each of these reassure one segment of the population while they deeply trouble another.

Consider the crosscurrents in the ABC News/Ipsos polling — 56% of Americans want the federal government to restore the constitutional right to abortion. An identical 56% of that polling favor mass deportation of immigrants. The latter has grown by 20 percentage points since 2016.

Demographic trends, in particular, have political impacts. The share of voters who are white has declined from 90% in 1976 to 67% in 2020, per exit polls. Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections based on their support from the growing population of people of color.

People cast their ballots on the last day of early voting for the general election in Michigan at the Livingston Educational Service Agency in Howell, Michigan, Nov. 3, 2024.
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Nearly eight in 10 Republicans in ABC News/Ipsos polling are white. The party has struggled to appeal to members of racial and ethnic minority groups — a reason to watch the Hispanic voter closely on Election Day. As things stand, since 2000, Republicans have won white people by 12 to 20 points, while Democrats have won everyone else by 44 to 64 points.

We can drill down further: the GOP vote is based on vast support from non-college white people, especially non-college white men. And there are white evangelical Christians — Republican presidential candidates have won them by 50 to 62 points in available exit poll data since 2004, while losing everyone else by 13 to 28 points. Bloc voting gives these groups considerable clout.

To the current election, briefly: Trump supporters are deeply skeptical of the country’s direction and by extension the institutions that brought it to this place. They feel left behind; some are empowered by Trump’s norms-busting rhetoric. He encapsulates their grievances. Nearly six in 10 Trump supporters think the country’s best days are behind it. Nearly all, 98% – say the country is “seriously off on the wrong track.” They are eager to kick over the traces of the status quo.

In ABC News/Ipsos polling, Harris supporters reflect the more diverse Democratic coalition and a less dire outlook. More than seven in 10 of her supporters say the country’s best days are ahead. Half say the country’s seriously off on the wrong track — still a lot, but vastly fewer than among Trump supporters. Although the gender gap has looked typical, abortion access has been a mobilizing factor among women.

PHOTO: A supporter attends a rally by Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich., and a supporter attends a rally by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Macon, Georgia, Nov. 3, 2024.
A supporter attends a rally by Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich., and a supporter attends by former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Macon, Georgia, Nov. 3, 2024.
AP/Getty Images
MORE: Most voters ready to accept election results but doubt Trump will: Poll
Still, even among Harris’ own supporters, polling shows just more than a third say they’ve gotten better off financially under the administration in which she’s No. 2. She’s had trouble in her short campaign persuading people she’ll take the country in a new direction.

Against this background we’ve seen hot rhetoric, deep suspicion and fear for what’s ahead. Of Harris supporters, 96% don’t think Trump will accept the election outcome, while 59% of Trump supporters don’t think Harris will accept it. Half of the nation thinks Trump is a fascist. Among the other half, 87% are lined up to vote for him, according to polling.

Ultimately, for the third cycle straight, this election will come down to a choice between two fundamentally different visions of America and two fundamentally different leaders, in style and substance alike. We’ll learn soon which approach is more embraced in what is, by any measure, inexorably a changing country.

E-MAGAZINE NOV 2024

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E-MAGAZINE NOV 2024

E-MAGAZINE NOV 2024

Ipsos Research Reveals Path Forward: Technology and Youth Key to Pakistan’s Future

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Ipsos

ISLAMABAD, NOV 5 /DNA/ – Despite encountering multiple economic and social challenges, depression and disillusions, the Pakistanis are generally an optimistic nation and exhibit a unique blend of traditionalism (emphasis on family, religion), nostalgia (longing for the past), and status-consciousness (valuing material goods, global brands, career success).

These are some of the main highlights of the social trends prevailing in Pakistan, according to a thinktank ‘Ipsos’ that has recently conducted an international survey ‘Ipsos Global Trends’ in 50 countries including Pakistan and India.

Managing Director (MD) of Ipsos, Abdulsattar Babar and Chief Knowledge Officer Simon Atkinson shared the Pakistan-related highlights of the survey with a select gathering of diplomats, media persons, civil society representatives and academia at the Residence of the French Ambassador Mr Nicolas Galey here on Tuesday.

The session featured key values and beliefs of Pakistanis, comparing them to global trends and suggesting a roadmap for the future-based on 50,000 interviews across 50 countries representing 90pc of global GDP and 75pc of the global population.

Ambassadors of Germany, Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, diplomats from the US, UK high commission and many others attended the ceremony and asked interesting and soul-searching questions such as evolution of relations among people, nations and how they are motivated by their obsessions and passions.

However, the focus of the media persons’ questions was Pakistan and its people’s reactions to the questionnaire Ipsos’ experts had designed. It may be mentioned that in all the 50 countries the same questionnaire was distributed and in Pakistan around 1,000 people hailing from diverse backgrounds and regions were asked those questions.

However, the findings of the study didn’t entirely give a rosy picture of Pakistani society, as they (the people of Pakistan) are conservative about the role of women in society and restrict them to that of a wife or mother’s role.

Interestingly, a similar reaction was given by the people in India, said Mr Atkinson when they were asked how they looked at it. While in some Muslim countries’ women are not considered like that, they are more liberal, proactive and perform their duties with much confidence. This shows it is more or less not related to religion but culture, he said.

A plus point that the study highlighted was Pakistanis’ readiness for technology adoption, he said. Besides they also anticipate long life spans and prioritize physical to mental health.

While concerned about discrimination, they are generally more optimistic and happier than the global average. Despite these distinct traits, they share global concerns about wealth inequality, appreciate quality customer experiences, value individual autonomy, and embrace a present-focused mindset due to an uncertain future, the study revealed.

A key takeaway is the need to leverage technology, social media, youth, and women, build brand trust, and capitalize on the nation’s optimism to address societal divisions, economic disparities, and climate change.

Incident involving two Chinese nationals in Karachi

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Incident involving two Chinese nationals in Karachi

KARACHI, NOV 5 /DNA/ – This morning two Chinese nationals were injured in Karachi as a result of a firing incident following a dispute with a private guard. The injured were immediately taken to hospital and are under treatment.

We extend our sympathies to the families of the injured and offer prayers for their swift recovery.

The incident is under investigation. Pakistan remains resolute in bringing to justice the responsible individual. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.

Pakistan and China are close partners and iron-brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny.

Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

CASS hosts book launch highlighting importance of definitive accounts on novel economic technologies like DAOs

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CASS

‘We must develop definitive accounts of novel economic technologies.’

ISLAMABAD, NOV 5 /DNA/ – This was the core message of a book launch for the edited volume titled ‘Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Innovation and Vulnerability in the Digital Economy,’ held at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad.

Dr Usman W. Chohan, Advisor for Economic Affairs and National Development at CASS presented key findings of the co-edited volume and urged all stakeholders in Pakistani society to be aware of emerging economic technologies for Pakistan’s development.

Focused on the blockchain-based technology known as ‘Decentralised Autonomous Organizations’ (DAOs), the edited volume brought together 11 renowned authors from eight countries spanning seven academic disciplines, including economics, technology, mathematics, law, and sociology, among others. Dr Chohan’s presentation covered the preparation, vision, and structure of the book, which aims to serve as a definitive account of DAO technologies from a multidisciplinary perspective.

President of CASS, Islamabad, Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd) delivered concluding remarks and congratulated Dr Chohan on this eighth book in his six years at CASS and emphasised the role of innovation and technology in economic development. He urged young Pakistanis to remain abreast of economic technologies and to make contributions to their advancement. Given the scope and detail covered in the collective research endeavor, he  lauded the comprehensiveness of the book and expressed hope that the co-edited volume would serve as a valuable resource on DAOs internationally for many years to come.

The launch was followed by inauguration of the ‘Dr Usman W Chohan Book Corner’ in the Centre’s library showcasing his books written and edited over the past few years at CASS, Islamabad.

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