In a recent announcement, the National Institute of Health’s National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) confirmed 15 cases of the JN.1 variant of the Omicron variant in Pakistan. This multi-pronged strategy is crucial in addressing the threat posed by JN.1, classified as a variant of interest (VOI) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and known for its heightened transmissibility. This collaborative approach highlights the comprehensive nature of the effort to identify and address cases promptly, underscoring the importance of a unified front in the battle against the variant. The health ministry’s emphasis on preparedness and timely measures, as outlined in the advisories, is vital in ensuring a collective strategy to mitigate the potential spread of this more transmissible variant. As the nation faces the challenges posed by this new variant, the unity and co­ordination demonstrated in these efforts lay a solid foundation for effec­tively mitigating risks and protecting the well-being of the population.

HYDERABAD - Meh­ran University Vice Chancel­lor Dr Taha Hussain Ali has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and regret over the sad demise of student Has­nain Mustafa Samo who was killed in firing by motorbike snatchers on other day. In his condolence message, the VC, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anil Kumar, Registrar Lach­man Dass Sotahar and oth­ers prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul and for the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

The State Bank of Pakistan has reported an improvement in its current account balance from July to December of the current fiscal yearAccording to the details, the latest figures revealed an improvement in the current account deficit with a loss recorded at $83.1 million during the period of July-Dec FY24, meanwhile $3.62 billion of loss was recorded in the current account balance during the period of July-Dec FY23. This positive trend is a testament to the efforts and strategies implemented by the bank to stabilize its financial standing. The current account balance for December 2023 reflected a surplus of $39.7 million compared to the figures recorded a loss of $36.5 million in December 2022. November 2023 saw a temporary setback, with a current account deficit of $1.5 million. However, the overall trend indicates a positive trajectory in the State Bank’s financial performance.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a rally in Warren, Michigan, US, October 1, 2022. Trump took over half the votes, propelling him towards what looks set to be a close and deeply acrimonious election campaign against Biden, a Democrat, in November. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 45, finished well behind Trump in second place in Iowa, edging out former U.N. Trump garnered 51%, DeSantis 21% and Haley 19%, with 99% of the expected vote tallied, according to Edison Research. Nearly two-thirds of Iowa caucus-goers embraced his false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, saying they did not think Biden legitimately beat Trump.

In the countdown to the upcoming general elections in Paki­stan, a significant demographic shift is unfolding—a surge in the number of young voters. With the majority of young voters engaging in the digital realm, there exists a potent potential for them to wield influence through online channels. The sheer volume of young voters has the potential to be a game-changer, especially if they turn out in large numbers on election day. Delving into the geographical distribution, it’s noteworthy that some districts in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa exhib­it particularly high proportions of young voters, surpassing 50 percent. Similarly, in Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan stands out with 50.87 percent young voters.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally launched a ‘Public Charter of Economy’, detailing his 10-point electoral pledge aimed at reviving the ailing economy, containing the unprecedented inflation and ushering the country into an era of growth and development. By enhancing investment, Bilawal stated, the government could ensure long-term and sustainable inclusive growth. “The PPP will implement a two-pronged investment plan under which the public-private partnership model of Sindh will be applied across the country,” he continued. He added that the public sector and the public-private sector investments would focus on jobs creation. He assured that a PPP government would provide sustainable solutions to the energy crisis by providing electricity through indigenous sources and renewables.

CITY OF IRONDALEThe City of Irondale, City Hall, and other City Departments will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16. Clay City Hall will also have altered hours & be open from 11 am – 3 pm. CITY OF LEEDSThe City of Leeds City Hall and non-public safety city operations will delay opening on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, till noon. CITY OF ARGOArgo City Hall will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16, due to weather concerns. JEFFERSON COUNTYUpdated: The Jefferson County Courthouse and its satellite locations will be closed today, Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

The lone game this week will be a Friday night game against Moody at home. This week, Leeds will go to Spain Park on Tuesday followed by a Friday night rivalry game against Moody. The Blue Devils entered the Purple Palace and the end result was a Springville win, 68-47. Next up was a Friday night trip to Leeds to take on the Greenwave, where it was a last-second win for Springville, 39-38 in what was a great basketball game. This week, Springville will play out of area twice, taking on Fort Payne on Tuesday and traveling to Pelham on Friday night.

Additionally, the gas sector circular debt also surged over Rs3 trillion, bringing the total unfinanced debt to Rs5.73 trillion. The total energy sector circular debt now equals 5.4% of the size of Pakistan’s economy, as the wrong policies of ending the circular debt through price increases have failed to yield the desired results. Energy Minister Mohammad Ali has now proposed a plan to reduce the energy sector circular debt by Rs1.268 trillion or 22% of the stock. Read Gas circular debt set to soar by Rs275bThe circular debt has made the power and gas sector companies unviable and is now affecting the country’s lending options. China has now linked the approval of a $600 million commercial loan with the settlement of the Rs400 billion circular debt.

Oxfam called on Monday for governments to rein in corporate power by breaking up monopolies; instituting taxes on excess profit and wealth; and promoting alternatives to shareholder control such as forms of employee ownership. “This inequality is no accident; the billionaire class is ensuring corporations deliver more wealth to them at the expense of everyone else,” said Oxfam International Interim Executive Director Amitabh Behar. Oxfam said its report, based on data sources ranging from the ILO and World Bank to the Forbes annual rich list, showed such aspirations were far from being fulfilled. Meanwhile nearly 800 million workers saw their wages over the past two years fail to keep up with inflation. Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

ISLAMABAD - The experts at a webinar on po­tential of agricultural food systems and lessening climate impacts have underscored the need to en­hance extensive flow of informa­tion to the stakeholders including media and manage the data gover­nance for the advanced studies ly­ing on the shelves to revolutionise the agricultural food systems. However, it is important to under­stand their impacts on the agricul­ture and food sectors. Rolle said there was need to revisit the agriculture sector of Pakistan by farming systems and observe its weather patterns that will be the best combination of crop farmers and systems. The current agricul­ture food policy not providing the desired relief and it’s a window opportunity to revisit the policy,” she added. “Wheat Cotton and Rice system for climate and food security op­tions is an opportunity to diversi­fy agricultural patterns.

James Edward King, age 86 of Ohatchee, AL passed away peacefully on Friday, January 5, 2024. He was born July 5, 1937 in Arab, Alabama to Grady and Flossie King. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, known affectionately as “Jim Jim” His humble heart and kind nature touched the lives of many. Left to cherish his memory are, his wife, Mary Streip King, his son Rick King (Beth), daughters Denise Pugh (Gerald) and Angela Self (David). Six Great-Grandchildren, Austin Booker, Dylan Booker, Jaxson Booker, Eden Booker, Bradley Barton and Dolly Barton.

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, while referring to the PTI, said on Monday that a ‘terrorist party’ cannot be allotted an electoral symbol. Amid mounting criticism over the delay in its election strategy and ticket allocations, the PML-N only four days ago unveiled plans to kickstart its electoral campaign from today. #اوکاڑہ_میں_امید_سحر pic.twitter.com/BQFBoMgaiS — PMLN (@pmln_org) January 15, 2024Bashing the PTI even further today, Maryam said that the party's election symbol was not a ‘bat’, but a ‘baton’. Your election symbol should have been a stolen watch,” the PML-N leader said in reference to Imran’s conviction in the Toshakhana case. Maryam said there was much hue and cry over the PTI’s electoral symbol being withdrawn, adding that it was actually the party’s “fraudulent intra-party polls that have been exposed”.

Amid concerns surrounding the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday said that those who think the polls won’t happen are “mistaken”. The statement comes as multiple resolutions have been submitted in the Senate seeking a delay in polls, citing security and weather concerns. "Those who think elections won't happen are mistaken. He said that the party’s candidates in Punjab have been given an electoral symbol other than arrow — PPP’s traditional election symbol. After the “exclusion” of PTI, the contest was between the arrow and the lion, PML-N’s election symbol, vowing to give Nawaz Sharif’s party a tough challenge.

Lauderdale County – Ice and snow is present on roadways throughout the county. Franklin County – Ice and snow is present on roadways throughout the county. Colbert County – Ice and snow is present on roadways throughout the county. Lawrence County – Ice and snow is present on roadways throughout the county. Marion County – Ice and snow is present on roadways throughout the county.