The Plastic Quagmire
One of the primary challenges exacerbating Pakistan’s plastic crisis is the inadequate waste management infrastructure. The consequences of Pakistan’s plastic quagmire extend beyond the pollution of water bodies and pose a severe threat to marine biodiversity. Coastal communities, which heavily rely on marine resources for sustenance and livelihoods, are disproportionately affected by the plastic pollution crisis. Addressing Pakistan’s plastic crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that involves public awareness campaigns, education initiatives, industry collaboration, and international support. Revealing the economic costs associated with plastic waste, these studies reinforce the urgency of the problem and the need for immediate action.
Source:The Nation
January 09, 2024 15:52 UTC
Severe cold, fog paralyse life across K-P plains
Photo: APPThe grip of severe cold and dense fog across most plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, has disrupted normal life, causing widespread inconvenience, with grim anticipations that the temperature is likely to drop further. For the past week, the plains of K-P have been engulfed in an unyielding veil of bitter cold and thick fog. Meanwhile, despite the education department's directive to resume classes for middle, high, and higher secondary schools, attendance remained strikingly low. In defiance of the severe cold, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stood firm on its decision not to extend winter holidays for schools in the plains, reopening the schools on Monday. It is pertinent to note that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government extended the winter holidays for government and private primary schools until January 13 due to severe cold and fog.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 09, 2024 08:15 UTC
25 killed in bus, truck crash in Brazil
BRASÍLIA - At least 25 people have been killed after a tourist bus collided with a truck in Bahia state in northeastern Brazil, state firefighters said Monday. “Military firefighters responded to an incident that left 25 dead” near the municipality of Gaviao, about 155 miles (250 kilometers) from the capital of Bahia state, Salvador. Five people were also injured in the accident Sunday night, according to Brazilian press reports, which also published images of the twisted fuselage of the truck. The bodies of the victims have been handed over to police for identification, the firefighters said. The mayor’s office of Jacobina, a city close to the accident, declared three days of official mourning on Monday and is preparing a “collective wake” for the victims.
Source:The Nation
January 09, 2024 06:31 UTC
Rain, wind, snow headed our way
Here in the local Tribune coverage area, that includes a lot of rain, high winds and a chance of snow flurries on the back end of the system. Further south, there will be the chance of tornadoes while parts north will have a better chance of snow. Windy, with a southeast wind 15 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 35 mph in the evening. Temperature will fall to around 47 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Tuesday night, a slight chance of rain showers before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 9 p.m. and midnight.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 09, 2024 05:48 UTC
Privatisation dilemma
The future of Pakistan Steel Mills hangs in the balance as it is conspicuously absent from the latest list of the government’s privatisation program. Despite being deemed urgent for loss-making public enterprises like steel mills and PIA, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Privatization asserts that rehabilitation or privatisation is not currently feasible. While progress is being made on the privatisation of other institutions, including PIA, obstacles such as political opposition and court decisions persist, negatively impacting the nation. The imperative now is to forge a national consensus and proceed with the privatisation process to prevent the wastage of national resources. There is a proposal from the Federal Minister for Privatization to transform the steel mills into an export promotion zone.
Source:The Nation
January 09, 2024 04:04 UTC
777 Partners pump more money into Everton as takeover approval rumours swirl
Everton’s prospective new owners 777 Partners have provided the club with a fresh loan as the wait to see if they will pass the Premier League owners’ and directors’ tests goes on. Those loans will be turned into equity should their takeover be approved, or join lengthening list of creditors should it be rejected. That deadline has now passed of course, but 777 have already got the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Football Association, with Myers suggesting final approval from the Premier League could be confirmed any day now. That suggestion was tempered on Monday, with another reliable source, BBC Sport’s Shamoon Hafez, reporting that the process was still ongoing. Though 777 are willing to provide loans during the approval process they are unlikely to do so indefinitely, so it feels like the process will have to come to a definitive conclusion sooner rather than later.
Source:The Nation
January 09, 2024 01:18 UTC
Leeds/Moody split Battle of the Bridge hardwood edition
The Lady Blue Devils jumped out early, winning the first quarter 21-5 to start things off. Moody’s Serenity Rutledge and Kendall Stephens each scored six to lead Moody in the quarter, closely followed by Tarryn Woodall’s five points. For the Blue Devils, Emma Kile led with five points. The first quarter was quite a battle with Leeds edging out the Blue Devils 14-12. Moody’s Jaylen Retta hit two three-pointers to lead the Blue Devils while Walton and Boaz Thornton added five each.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 08, 2024 22:59 UTC
Spending restraint a must for economic stability
Read Analysts urge politicians to draw up economic stability plansA common theme emerging from pronouncements by senior political figures across the spectrum as an electoral promise is restraint on public spending. Read SIFC key to economic stability, says IT ministerA political consensus must evolve on public spending restraint. It may be worth noting that while we have recently seen a new SOE policy, our privatisation policy is a one-page shallow document dating back to 1994. It’s time for leading parties across the spectrum to develop a consensus on public spending restraint. They should do a better job now.THE WRITER IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRIME, AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC POLICY THINK TANKPublished in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2024.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 08, 2024 15:16 UTC
BMP calls for solid economic plan, as uncertainty looming in 2024
He pleaded for formulating economic plans aimed at reviving growth in large-scale manufacturing, small and medium-sized segments, the service sector, and exports. He said that there was a complete breakdown of economic policymaking, as the country’s fiscal policy had become subservient to monetary and exchange rate policies. He said that the monetary tightening and exchange rate depreciation resulted in higher inflation, public debt and debt servicing. Although 2024 is considered the year for general elections, fears are looming for a possible political crisis in the country. In this regard, the interest rate should be gradually reduced to boost economic activity and industrialisation within the country.
Source:The Nation
January 08, 2024 12:37 UTC
National Probe
Imran Khan’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau sparked widespread protests culminating in acts of vandalism and violence across the nation. Such widespread unrest prompted the National Security Committee’s endorsement to thoroughly investigate these incidents despite opposition from rights organisations and activists. Uncovering the truth behind the planning and execution of these events is not only essential for justice but also imperative to prevent similar breaches of national security in the future. The committee’s mandate extends beyond mere fact-finding; it underscores a proactive approach by recommending preventive measures and enhancements to the existing legal framework to avert similar occurrences. It is not aimed at arbitrary reprisals but rather at a meticulous review of the events, aiming to unearth the truth and prevent a recurrence.
Source:The Nation
January 08, 2024 09:12 UTC
Face The Nation: Cheney, Desantis, Van Hollen
Face The Nation: Cheney, Desantis, Van Hollen Missed the second half of the show? The latest on...Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney tells "Face the Nation" that "we have to be prepared" to defeat the former president at the ballot box, 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tells "Face the Nation" that if the upcoming election is about former President Trump or "religating the past elections," it will be a "really nasty election", and Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who recently took an official trip to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, tells "Face the Nation" that there needs to be a "24/7 operation" getting aid into Gaza because it's a "24/7 humanitarian crisis."
Source:The Nation
January 08, 2024 01:01 UTC
Social media, internet services reportedly disrupted
Internet monitoring service Netblocks on Sunday reported a widespread disruption in social media platforms across Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Read more: Twitter fixes links outage that hit thousands of usersDowndetector also reported that all major social media platforms were disrupted across Pakistan. Meanwhile, PTI leader Sayed Zulfi Bukhari said that the internet services were shut down to stop the party’s fundraiser. Caretaker IT Minister should resign for this continuing damage to Pakistanis https://t.co/W9pyXzRr6A — PTI (@PTIofficial) January 7, 2024This is not the first time that social media and internet services have been disrupted in the country. It is pertinent to mention that the disruption of the internet and social media services incurred billions of rupees worth of losses to Pakistan’s telecom sector.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 07, 2024 15:09 UTC
Voice and vote
Elections in Pakistan are pivotal events that play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s political landscape. These elections provide citizens with the opportunity to voice their opinions and elect representatives who will govern and legislate on their behalf. The electoral process involves political parties presenting their manifestos, and candidates vie for seats through a competitive and democratic framework. The democratic process remains essential for the country’s governance, reflecting the diverse perspectives and aspirations of its populace. As Pakistan continues to navigate its democratic journey, ensuring fair, transparent, and inclusive elections remains crucial for fostering a stable and representative political environment.
Source:The Nation
January 07, 2024 14:24 UTC
Nation-wide anti-polio campaign of varied duration to start from tomorrow
Nation-wide anti-polio campaign of varied duration to start from tomorrowA nation-wide anti-Polio drive of varied duration begins tomorrow to administer vaccine drops to children under five years age. During the campaign, Polio teams of health department will go door to door in all 159 districts of the country. In Punjab, during a week-long polio campaign over twenty three million children will be administered polio drops. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over seven point four million children up to five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops during five-day drive. In Balochistan, over 2.5 million children up to five years of age would be administered anti-polio drops during week-long polio drive.
Source:The Nation
January 07, 2024 11:39 UTC
Deteriorating situation in IIOJK warrants global intervention on Kashmir dispute: APHC
All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders while paying glowing tributes to the victims of Sopore massacre have said that the deteriorating situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir warrants an international initiative on the Kashmir dispute. The APHC leaders and organizations in their statements in Srinagar deplored that Indian troops are perpetrating crimes against humanity and war crimes to suppress the Kashmiris’ freedom struggle. Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi-led Indian government continues to snatch the properties of innocent people of occupied Kashmir to punish them for their affiliation with the ongoing freedom movement. A forceful anti-India protest demonstration was held at Burhan Wani in Muzaffarabad, today, on the completion of 31 years to the Sopore massacre. A large number of people participated in the demonstration organized by Tehreek-e-Shababul Muslimeen Students Wing.
Source:The Nation
January 07, 2024 09:09 UTC