BAKU: Pakistan and UNICEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at prioritising the protection of children from the severe effects of climate change. The MoU was signed during the COP29 global climate conference in Baku on Saturday, with Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam witnessing the ceremony at the Pakistan Pavilion. Ministry of Climate Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director also signed the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action, affirming their commitment to collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on the younger population. Representatives from the federal and provincial governments of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa also pledged their support, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the rights and interests of children affected by the climate crisis. Under the MoU, UNICEF will work with federal and provincial governments to ensure that children’s rights are central to climate action and future investments.

Harvey is the first female author to win the prize since 2019. Photo: AFPA lifelong fascination with outer space inspired British author Samantha Harvey to write her novel Orbital, which this week won the prestigious Booker Prize. The 49-year-old author admitted that she had no specialist knowledge but was instead inspired by the live video feed from the International Space Station. But she insisted: "I think this novel is really more about the Earth than it is about space itself. But I think that's something that's entirely beyond my remit."

ISLAMABAD, NOV 16: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned a “terrorist attack” in Kalat, stating that such cowardly acts cannot deter the country’s resolve. In a post on X today, premier Shehbaz — while condemning the latest attack — sent his “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families”. “Such cowardly acts cannot deter our resolve — together with our nation and security forces, we will eliminate this menace,” the premier said. Screengrab taken from PM Shehbaz’s X accountFurther details regarding the Kalat attack are awaited as the authorities are yet to officially release any information regarding the casualties, if any. On September 26, at least two policemen were among a dozen people injured by a bomb attack, which targeted a police vehicle in Quetta.

Xi Jinping Kicks Off Chancay Megaport Opening As Trade Relations Flourish The new port symbolizes deepening ties between China and Peru, enhancing trade routes across the PacificOn November 14, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the Chancay Megaport during a ceremony attended by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and various high-profile officials. Situated approximately 80 kilometers north of Lima on Peru's Pacific coast, the Chancay Port is geared up to become one of the most significant logistics hubs between Asia and Latin America. The potential economic benefits of the Chancay Port are significant, with estimates predicting it could generate around $4.5 billion annually for Peru and create over 8,000 jobs. The Chancay Port is also expected to significantly alter the logistics of agricultural exports, which is particularly important for South American nations eager to expand their market reach. Political analyst Parsifal D’Sola stated, "The Chancay port is the perfect opportunity to make a big splash, not only in Peru, but at a global level."

General Syed Asim Munir says Fitna al-Khwarij has become a core for all terrorist organisations and proxies worldwide. COAS further said that without comprehensive laws and regulations, misinformation and hate speech will continue destabilising political and social structures. Stressing the need for comprehensive laws and regulations, Asim Munir said that without comprehensive laws and regulations, misinformation and hate speech would continue to destabilize political and social structures. Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism, COAS said terrorism remained a shared challenge for all humanity at the global level. General Asim Munir said Pakistan is a nation of 240 million people, with approximately 63 per cent of its population under the age of 30.

The Sindh High Court has issued an order stopping recruitment for Grade-16 positions through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC), directing the College Education Department to fill only half of the posts via the commission. In a hearing on a petition challenging recruitment practices in the College Education Department, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that department rules mandate that 50% of appointments be made through promotions and 50% through the SPSC. The court had previously instructed the College Education Department to leave 125 of these positions open for internal promotion, but the department proceeded with all recruitment through the SPSC. “Under the rules, only 50% of Grade-16 hires should be made through the public service commission,” the lawyer stated. The petition was filed by an employee of the College Education Department.

Immigration Cuts Challenge Housing Solutions Across Borders Debates between policymakers and community leaders rise amid housing shortages from Canada to the U.S. The impact of immigration policies on housing and the economy has become increasingly significant and contentious. The PBO noted, "the federal government is overestimasting the impact its cuts to immigration will have on the country's housing shortage." A perspective shared by various analysts claims this could offer cities more breathing room to address their respective housing shortages. For regions facing housing shortages, leaders have begun exploring alternative solutions, such as expedited housing developments and the use of vacant properties.

The Punjab government has recently made significant changes to its agricultural income tax (AIT) laws. These changes aim to align AIT rates with federal income tax rates, expand the tax base to include income from commercial livestock, and eliminate certain exemptions. The goal is to create a more equitable tax system and increase government revenue. Additionally, the involvement of revenue officials, who have a reputation for corruption, raises concerns about fair and equitable tax collection. Critics argue that the changes could disproportionately burden smallholder farmers, who may struggle to comply with the new regulations.

Conversely, if environmental pollution continues to rise, not only will our well-being suffer, but the well-being of future generations will be at risk too. Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, exhaust emissions from vehicles, excessive noise from traffic, loudspeakers, industrial sounds, and the use of pesticides in agriculture significantly contribute to environmental degradation. Environmental pollution leads to an increase in diseases and poses serious risks to our health and well-being. To combat environmental pollution, it is crucial to adopt integrated measures addressing air, soil, water, and noise pollution. By increasing awareness among everyone, we can combat environmental pollution and safeguard our nation.

Australia defeated Pakistan in the second T20 match to win the 3-match series by 2-0. The national team was bowled out for 134 runs in response to the target of 148 runs given by Australia. Pakistan’s first wicket against Australia fell for 12 runs, when Babar Azam returned to the pavilion after scoring just 3 runs. Earlier, Josh Ingles, the captain of the Australian team, won the toss and decided to bat first. On this occasion, the captain of the national team, Muhammad Rizwan, said that the first goal is to win the match and equalize the series.

This declaration came the same day as the Interior Ministry sought a ban on VPNs. The animus against X is because it has been the main place where the keyboard warriors of the PTI have exerted themselves. The ban on X has been challenged in court, but no decision has been reached so far. Already, the ban on X has failed to the extent that the Prime Minister uses it quite openly. Even the most weighty state machineries seem unable to prevent people from using the Internet for private purposes.

Arshad Nadeem, a beacon of hope for Pakistan, has brought immense joy to the nation with his historic Olympic gold medal and world record achievement. Speaking about his journey, Arshad revealed the overwhelming emotions he experienced upon returning home as a national hero. Recalling his contrasting experiences at the airport, Arshad shared that before departing for the games, his travel documents were scrutinized thoroughly. Earlier, in an interview, Arshad revealed that he had already gotten all of the government-announced awards, but that some of the private sector’s promised awards had not yet been delivered. Arshad Nadeem was also commended by Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra, who also spoke highly of their friendship.

In a significant development aimed at tackling the region’s smog crisis, the Punjab government successfully conducted a cloud seeding operation on Friday using locally developed technology, resulting in artificial rainfall. The Provincial Meteorological Department confirmed rainfall in Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Chakwal, and Talagang, attributing it to the cloud seeding effort. According to meteorologists, cloud seeding was conducted around 2 pm, with subsequent rainfall observed within hours in Jhelum and Gujar Khan. Experts expressed optimism that cloud seeding could lead to showers in Lahore as well, potentially alleviating the city’s severe smog. "This time, however, we achieved success using 100% local expertise and technology,” she added.

ISLAMABAD - The federal government has decided to keep the prices of High Speed Diesel and Petrol unchanged for the second fortnightly of November. The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has worked out the consumer prices of petroleum products, based on the price variations in the international market during the last two weeks and has accordingly been decided the prices of Petrol and HSD will remain unchanged during the next fortnight, said a notification issued by the Finance Division here Friday night. According to the notification, the price of HSD will remain at the existing Rs 255.14 per litre, while petrol will remain at Rs 248.38 per litre during the next fortnightly starting today. Notably, for the first fortnightly of November the federal government had jacked up the prices of High Speed Diesel by Rs 3.85 per litre and Petrol by Rs 1.35 per litre. Similarly, for the last fortnightly of October, the federal government had jacked up the price of High Speed Diesel by Rs 5 per litre, while kept the rate of Petrol unchanged.

Pakistan’s Tik Tok star Manal Malik has seen an extraordinary rise in popularity in India these days due to his viral viral video. Indian users also searched for terms like ‘Pakistani HD Video’ and ‘Pakistani Viral MMS’ in large numbers. Some people termed the video as a publicity stunt by Manahal Malik, while others voiced their support and said that the fake video was created with the help of AI to defame TikTok. It should be remembered that Pakistani actress Mishi Khan criticized Manahil Malik by calling this video as an attempt to gain fame. After this controversy, Manahil Malik also shared an emotional message on Instagram in which she announced that she is staying away from social media.