The Punjab government has approved a plan by the Safe Cities Authority to expand the network of surveillance cameras to 19 cities across the province. Cities including Lodhran, Bahawalnagar, Jhelum, Vehari, Layyah, Taunsa, Chiniot, and Toba Tek Singh will be equipped with approximately 5,000 cameras as part of the expansion. The project is estimated to cost Rs5.25 billion, with a completion deadline set for June 2025. Officials have confirmed that the first phase of the project is already underway in cities such as Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala.

ISLAMABAD - The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) is urgently calling for immediate regulation on emerging tobacco and nicotine products, which have seen a troubling rise in popularity among children and youth in Pakistan. “The industry is aggressively promoting emerging nicotine products, which are designed to attract young users through appealing marketing strategies that mislead them into believing that these products are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Research indicates that many young people mistakenly believe that using emerging nicotine products is safe, often leading to increased experimentation and addiction. The government must act swiftly to restrict emerging tobacco and nicotine products to protect the health of our future generations,” he urged. Emerging tobacco and nicotine products often feature vibrant packaging, trendy designs, and enticing flavors aimed specifically at younger audiences.

Trump's Comeback Victory Signals Major Political Shift Biden calls for unity as Trump prepares for transformative second term amid global tensionDonald Trump has secured his second term as President of the United States after achieving victory over Kamala Harris, marking the beginning of what many are calling 'Trump 2.0.' There were fears stemming from Trump’s previous claims of election fraud and conspiracy theories surrounding the electoral process. Trump's election victory has significant ramifications—not only for domestic policy but also for international relations. Global leaders, from Xi Jinping of China to Vladimir Putin of Russia, have expressed their eagerness to reengage with the United States under Trump's leadership. The mood on Wall Street appears optimistic, with the stock market responding positively to Trump's victory.

Mumbai, Nov 8: Veteran actor Anupam Kher took to social media to pen a heartfelt note for his “guru and friend” Mahesh Bhatt. The filmmaker congratulated Kher on completing 40 years in the Indian film industry with a special note. On Friday, the Special 26 actor took to his Instagram handle and dropped a photo featuring him and Bhatt. Alongside the image, the actor expressed his emotions through a lengthy note where he called Mahesh Bhatt a man who gave him his identity as an actor on screen. Thank you Mahesh Bhatt for making me feel like this on the release day of my most special film #Vijay69 You are the reason I’m here.

Mumbai, Nov 8: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has again received another threat message on Thursday, two days after he got a death threat allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Mumbai Traffic Control room received a threat message for Salman late Thursday night. The reported members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang even threatened to kill a songwriter who penned a track on Lawrence Bishnoi in one month's time. If Salman Khan has the courage then he should save him.” The police are looking out for the person and are tracing the number. On November 5, Mumbai Police received a threatening message for Salman, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & THE UNITED NATIONSØ How Donald Trump completed a historic political comeback https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/06/politics/how-donald-trump-won/index.html Ø PM Shehbaz looks forward to working with new US admin https://www.dawn.com/news/1870625/pm-shehbaz-looks-forward-to-working-with-new-us-admin Ø Pakistan to welcome UN, US for peace, ceasefire efforts in Gaza, Lebanon: Asif https://www.nation.com.pk/07-Nov-2024/pakistan-to-welcome-un-us-for-peace-ceasefire-efforts-in-gaza-lebanon-asif Ø Two Pakistan-origin candidates win US elections https://tribune.com.pk/story/2507814/us-elections-pakistani-american-salman-bhojani-wins-in-texas Ø Each President Would Have Different Policies Toward Iran https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/each-president-would-have-different-policies-toward-iran-hr-mcmaster Ø The State—and Fate—of America’s Indo-Pacific Alliances https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/11/the-state-and-fate-of-americas-indo-pacific-alliances.html Ø As Middle East Crisis Grinds On, Pentagon Shows Signs of Strain https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/11/05/pentagon-middle-east-israel-gaza/ Ø Pakistan for focus on ‘UN-recognised disputed territories’ https://tribune.com.pk/story/2507080/pakistan-for-focus-on-un-recognised-disputed-territories Ø Lebanon conflict at ‘critical point’ with more than 3,000 confirmed dead https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156571 Ø Lebanon: UN condemns increasing loss of life and civilian suffering https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156496 Ø How has the war in Gaza affected UNRWA’s ability to support Palestinians? https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156606 Ø Rise in Afghan opium cultivation reflects economic hardship, despite Taliban ban https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156566

Plastic pollution stands as one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today. With millions of tons of plastic waste entering our oceans each year, decisive action is imperative. I urge our community to implement stricter regulations on single-use plastics, such as banning plastic bags and straws, which significantly contribute to this crisis. In addition, we should promote robust recycling initiatives that not only encourage responsible disposal but also support local recycling facilities. Educational campaigns are essential to raise awareness about the devastating impact of plastic on marine life and ecosystems.

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is working actively to address the challenges of refineries. The SIFC has directed Petroleum Division for refinery upgradation project. A plan to establish a hydrocracker unit is under consideration to convert PARCO furnace oil into petrol and diesel. One billion dollar investment in the hydrocracker unit will strengthen the energy sector.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will urge developed countries attending the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku to fulfill their pledges and provide easy access to climate funding without attaching conditions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coordinator on climate change said on Thursday. The COP29 climate conference, scheduled to take place in Baku between November 11 and 22, will layout new policies and bring together representatives from various nations to discuss the adverse impacts of climate change and evaluate available solutions for adaptation. Pakistan is ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The country’s adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change is inevitable and likely to become critical in the future. Alam said vulnerable countries were suffering from their own economic challenges and vulnerabilities, while at the same time, many countries faced additional restraints on climate funding.

“One of the cornerstones of Dr Iqbal’s philosophy is transformation of individuals making them productive citizens,” Dr Younas said. “The individual garners respect through the nation and the nation gets its strength from individuals. “His philosophy makes Allama Iqbal relevant to all societies and nations. The experts believe that Pakistan can touch heights of success by following Dr Iqbal’s teachings as his legacy as a poet and philosopher continues to inspire generations. As the nation is all set to celebrate Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s 147th birth anniversary with overwhelming reverence and enthusiasm, it also needs to teach younger generation Allama Iqbal’s philosophy and vision preparing them for building a strong, progressive and prosperous society.

Azerbaijan ambassador Khazar Farhadov speaks at a victory day reception in Islamabad on November 7, 2023. He said November 8 signified not only a military victory but also a triumph of the Azerbaijani people's determination to protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said on September 27, 2020, Armenia launched attacks on Azerbaijani civilians and military positions, sparking a counter-offensive by Azerbaijan in defence of its homeland. Further emphasising the nation’s commitment to peace, the envoy described Azerbaijan’s recent military actions in Garabagh on September 19-20, 2023, which resulted in the swift restoration of sovereignty over the region. Mr Farhadov also outlined the steps taken by Azerbaijan to build a sustainable future in the aftermath of the conflict.

The government’s ongoing negotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) over the revision of their sovereign contracts aim to reduce electricity tariffs, which is presented as a welcome step toward alleviating the burden on consumers. However, while this move may yield short-term fiscal savings, it does little to address the fundamental issues plaguing Pakistan’s power sector. The real crisis lies in the broader inefficiencies of the power sector: rampant system losses, widespread theft, and the continued reliance on expensive fossil fuels for electricity generation. The power sector is already facing a significant shortfall in investment, and the fear of further arbitrary contract revisions could deter future investors, exacerbating the crisis in the long run. Only with a comprehensive, long-term strategy can Pakistan hope to solve its electricity crisis and make power affordable for its citizens.

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Listen to articlePakistan has achieved a new Guinness World Record for the largest human flag, with over 10,000 students from the Lahore Garrison Education System forming the national flag in Lahore. The record-breaking event, part of the Lahore Youth Festival organised by the Punjab government, saw students create a green and white human flag, breaking the previous record held by India, where 7,368 students had formed a similar flag earlier this year. After setting the new world record, students celebrated enthusiastically, waving flags and singing national songs. The Lahore Youth Festival’s remaining events are scheduled to run from November 8-10 at Fortress Stadium in Lahore Cantonment, with vibrant opening and closing ceremonies planned for the first and last days of the competition. Previously, India secured the Guinness World Record for the largest human image of a waving national flag, thanks to the collective effort of 7,368 students who formed the flag in Sonipat, Haryana, on March 19, 2024, according to the Guinness World Record website.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide a clear “yes or no” response regarding India’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Over the past few days, PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer has held extensive talks with ICC officials in Dubai. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also took part in discussions aimed at solidifying the tournament schedule, expected to be unveiled in Pakistan between November 10 and 12. Set to commence on February 19, 2025, this Champions Trophy marks Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC event in over a decade. Despite the tradition of Indian authorities withholding official confirmation, PCB has insisted on a written response from the BCCI.