The fiscal year 2023 witnessed a puzzling conundrum where electricity generation in the country plummeted by over 10%, capacity payments soared by a staggering 29%. This surprising divergence, where installed capacity grew amidst shrinking demand and soaring costs, highlights a critical turn for the country’s energy landscape. A recent review of the year that was for the power sector paints a grim picture of the current state of the country’s power sector. In an event, attended by a mix of both local and international experts, the think tank provided an in-depth look at the electricity sector’s turbulent year, from July 2022 to June 2023. Trends in Pakistan’s electricity and power sector

ERINSBOROUGH - Janet Andrewartha, who played Lyn Scully in Neighbours, has died at the age of 72. The actress joined the long-running Australian soap in 1999 as the Scully family matriarch. The soap’s official Instagram account paid tribute to the star, with a post reading: “Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha. I will miss her every day.” Stefan Dennis, best known for playing businessman Paul Robinson on Neighbours, said he was: “So very upset to lose the lovely Janet. We will all miss you dear girl.” Janet Andrewartha was also known for her roles in other Australian hits including A Country Practice and Blue Heelers.

CALGARY, CANADA - Thousands of Sikhs queued at the Calgary’s iconic Municipal Plaza – opposite the local United States diplomatic mission to take part in the Khalistan Referendum voting for the creation of an independent state of Khalistan for the Sikh nation. Organsied by the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, the voting has been organised in Calgary to seek opinion of Sikhs of Canada’s Alberta province on the creation of an independent state for Sikhs. An estimated one million Sikhs now live in Canada and nearly 100,000 live in Calgary. The SFJ leader announced that Calgary voting is dedicated to the nine Canadia national Sikhs assassinated by India for their supports for Khalistan. Those Canadian Sikhs are: Shaheed Lakhbir Singh Rode, Shaheed Bhupinder Singh Kooner, Shaheed Harjinder Singh Para, Shaheed Talwinder Singh Parmar, Shaheed Surinder Singh Shinder Commando, Shaheed Balbir Singh Khaira, Shaheed Jathedar Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Shaheed Mohinder Singh Kooner and Shaheed Surinder Singh Ravi.

Ø Is The US Sidestepping Pakistan’s Democratic Deficit? https://thefridaytimes.com/23-Jul-2024/is-the-us-sidestepping-pakistan-s-democratic-deficitØ US committed to supporting Pakistan in climate management, education: ambassadorhttps://www.dawn.com/news/1847824Ø $101 million in US aid for Pakistan sought by Biden administrationhttps://tribune.com.pk/story/2482467/101-million-in-us-aid-for-pakistan-sought-by-biden-administrationØ Comparing global views of the United States and China during the Trump and Biden administrationshttps://www.brookings.edu/articles/comparing-global-views-of-the-united-states-and-china-during-the-trump-and-biden-administrations/Ø This Was the Message Netanyahu Took to Congresshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/world/middleeast/netanyahu-congress-speech-takeaways.htmlØ Full text of Netanyahu’s address to Congresshttps://www.timesofisrael.com/were-protecting-you-full-text-of-netanyahus-address-to-congress/Ø Lost Decade — how the US fell behind in checking Chinahttps://www.ft.com/content/221c972b-c220-492d-a9e1-1af6a051c01fØ The Evolution of the U.S.-Japan Security Partnershiphttps://features.csis.org/evolution-of-the-us-japan-security-partnership/Ø The Post-Biden Foreign Policyhttps://www.hudson.org/democracy/post-biden-foreign-policy-walter-russell-meadØ Report: Israel: Major Issues and U.S. Relationshttps://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44245Ø UNICEF chief calls for urgent security reset in Gaza amid ‘new horrors’https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152471Ø UN chief welcomes agreement between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamashttps://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152431Ø Report: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report 2024: Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its formshttps://reliefweb.int/report/world/state-food-security-and-nutrition-world-report-2024-financing-end-hunger-food-insecurity-and-malnutrition-all-its-forms-enarruzhit#:~:text=The%20report%20highlights%20that%20access,amid%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemicØ Report: Asia & The Pacific Regional Trends – Forced Displacement and Statelessness 2023https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/asia-pacific-regional-trends-forced-displacement-and-statelessness-2023Ø Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory ‘unlawful’: UN world courthttps://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152296

It was embarrassing to note that seven of the eight captains were wearing kits that had the name of the respective country as the most outstanding feature. The only exception was Pakistan whose team kit had its sponsor’s name as the dominating feature. I wonder who designed this kit and who granted the approval. Do the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have any system to check such blunders that hurt the sentiments of the cricket fans and degrade the name of the country? How low are they going to stoop in order to please the sponsors?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that there was “every indication” that Lebanese group Hezbollah was behind a rocket strike in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights that killed 12 young people. “Every indication is that indeed the rocket was from Hezbollah. We stand by Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks,” Blinken told reporters in Japan. “We are determined to bring the Gaza conflict to a close. That has been one of our goals from day one, from October 7 on, and we’ll continue to do that.

Thousands of firefighters were battling a rapidly expanding wildfire in northern California on Saturday, as the blaze more than doubled in size within 24 hours. The Park Fire had burned over 350,000 acres (141,640 hectares) approximately 90 miles (144 km) north of Sacramento as of Saturday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. The Park Fire was the largest of dozens of wildfires across the country, which have collectively burned more than 2 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. In Oregon, several fires were also burning, including the Durkee Fire, which had scorched more than 288,000 acres in the eastern part of the state. Tragically, a firefighter died after a single-engine tanker crashed near the Falls Fire in southeastern Oregon, the US Forest Service reported on Friday.

If a voice blender-mixer existed, an ardent music enthusiast like myself would be tempted to combine the best of all worlds. Undoubtedly, the one and only, the legendary singer with the soul-stirring voice – Mohammed Rafi. The softness of his voice refined the compositions of the numerous music directors, he sang for. Rafi’s voice continues to be a euphoric opiate, for his millions of fans across geographies, generations and cultures. His voice is a constant source of comfort, whether he's singing joyous geets, soulful ghazals, powerful qawwalis, devotional bhajans, or uplifting naats.

ISLAMABAD - The federal government has started legal proceedings against TTP militants Noor Wali Mehsud and Ahmed Hussain Alias Ghat Haji after their recently phone call interception. Security and law enforcement agencies conducted a forensic test of the intercepted phone call which established the fact that voices in the phone call were those of Kharji Noor Wali Mehsud and Ahmad Hussain Ghat Haji and none others. In the intercepted phone call, Kharji Noor Wali Mehsud is giving instructions to Ahmed Hussain to attack Pakistani government properties and schools. Following this, a girls’ school in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district was blown up with an IED while a teacher Meera Jan of Tank district was also killed. The sources said those involved in acts of terrorism will not be forgiven under any circumstances, and that under the guise of the so-called Shariah, heinous acts and bloodshed of innocent people will never be allowed.

RAWALPINDI - The security forces on Saturday killed four Khariji terrorists during a joint intelligence-based (IBO) operation in Tank District on reported presence of terrorists. During conduct of the operation, after intense fire exchange, four Kharji terrorists of Fitna Al Khawarij were sent to hell, says a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Kharji terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against Security Forces as well as abduction and target killing of innocent civilians, it said. “Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji terrorist found in the area as Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, addressed Christians in West Palm Beach, Florida, stating that if they vote for him in the upcoming election, they won't need to vote again in four years. He told Christians on Friday that if they vote for him this November, "in four years, you don't have to vote again. Trump said: "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote," Trump said. Jason Singer, a Harris campaign spokesperson, in a statement did not directly address Trump's remarks about Christians not having to vote again.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned the violent actions of Israeli forces in Khan Younis in Gaza, where thousands have fled amid intense clashes. He called on the international community, including the United Nations, to fulfill their responsibilities. "Due to the siege of Khan Younis, the supply of food and other necessities of life has been suspended in the area. According to the United Nations, the invasion of Khan Younis has displaced at least 180,000 Palestinians in the first four days, many leaving without their belongings. He mentioned that Pakistan had dispatched around 1,200 tonnes of relief goods to Palestine via Pakistan Air Force planes and another 1,500 tonnes through three ships.

DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the importance of elections in Iran, particularly given the country’s regional and international significance. This outcome was surprising to many, as Dr Pezeshkian was a relatively lesser known candidate and his previous two presidential attempts had been unsuccessful. However, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood pointed out, Dr Pezeshkian was a seasoned parliamentarian, former health minister, and distinguished academic and surgeon. Dr Pezeshkian aims to balance relations with all countries, enhance regional partnerships, and explore economic and technological opportunities. Dr Aslan stressed the importance of understanding Iran’s regional policies, particularly after the 1979 revolution which raised concerns in Turkiye.

BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) said on Saturday that it has detained a suspect involved in planning a terrorist attack targeting one of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, Trends reported. According to the SCNS, the detained individual is a Kyrgyz citizen linked to an international terrorist organization. The committee has not released the suspect’s name or specific details about the planned attack or the terrorist group involved. Authorities are working to uncover further details about the terrorist network, including identifying additional members and understanding the full scope of the planned attack. Kyrgyzstan has been active in counter-terrorism efforts and has previously cooperated with international partners to address security threats.

KARACHI - Gulberg police on Thursday late night “picked up” Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairman Asad Iqbal Butt from his house but allowed him to go after questioning him for a couple of hours. According to HRCP member, Prof Dr Tauseef Ahmed, police raided his at around 1:30 after midnight. They took him to police station for “interrogation” about his intention to attend the rally. He (Dr Tauseef) and other rights activists reached the police station on receiving the news of his arrest. They claimed that three Baloch activists were taken away from Lyari for distributing pamphlets and installing banners for the BYC rally in Gwadar.