SAARC is Dead
On December 8, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar extended felicitations to the SAARC Member States and the people of South Asia on the 39th SAARC Charter Day hoping for the resolution of issues impeding the revival of the eight-member organisation. The last complete SAARC summit was hosted by Nepal in 2014. Reactivating SAARC has become hugely important because South Asia is facing challenges like never before. Worsening air quality in SAARC countries, particularly in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is another area where cooperation is inevitable, sooner than later. India’s participation in the long overdue SAARC summit in Pakistan could be a first step in this regard.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 21:13 UTC
Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 10, 2023
Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 10, 2023 This week on "Face the Nation," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on the fate of the aid package to Israel; plus Save the Children president and CEO Janti Soeripto joins to discuss humanitarian efforts in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 18:06 UTC
Blink
However, at the time, so deep was the guilt of Nawaz Sharif, that any suggestion of its impropriety, was tantamount to challenging the very credibility of our judicial system, and the process of accountability. This video showed the late Judge claiming that he had decided the case against Nawaz Sharif under coercion and pressure from ‘certain individuals’. And that the new political emperor, having arrived in Pakistan from Avenfied Apartments, now donned the invisible garment of inculpability. A Court that does not judge by the standards of our tainted law, or through the force of a compromised prosecutorial system. Where fleeting moments of insignificant political considerations will not come to the aid of the rich and the powerful.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 17:02 UTC
Rich nations, GCC urged to use SDRs to fund climate action in Africa
“We are having conversations with various countries that have SDRs that are not used because, frankly, they don’t need them. As a result, most of these SDRs have remained unused by the rich nations. Though the rich nations agreed to pledge $100 billion worth of their SDRs for climate finance for Africa, there still remains a shortfall of $15 billion. This is where the GCC leaders can step in, say the experts as their own unused SDRs can be leveraged to raise the much-needed funds for the African nations as well as other vulnerable countries. “So you’re talking about roughly $190 billion of additional headroom in the World Bank alone that could help drive development and climate resilience in countries that get money from the World Bank.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 15:56 UTC
Founder’s legacy upheld: Pakistani govt, nation stands firm on Palestine issue; says Ashrafi
Furthermore, he mentioned Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in addressing the Palestine issue through backdoor channels with friendly countries. In 2006, the United Nations also adopted the solution, albeit not accepted by Israel, he added. During this period, certain OIC member countries forged diplomatic ties with Israel, exercising autonomy in their foreign policies. Ashrafi emphasized that since 2002, all political parties in successive Pakistani governments, with the inclusion of various religious groups, supported this solution. He clarified that Pakistan was fostering positive relations with brotherly Islamic nations, which had a favourable impact on Pakistan’s economic conditions.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 14:58 UTC
A Fair Trial
It underlines the PPP’s persistence and commitment to legal processes, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring a transparent judicial process. This pursuit of justice is not only about Bhutto’s case but sets a precedent for the fairness of legal proceedings in Pakistan. The meeting’s discussions on challenges faced by citizens and their potential solutions highlight the PPP’s holistic approach to governance. Zardari’s vision for economic recovery, emphasising the digitalisation of crucial departments like food, education, and health, echoes the party’s commitment to effective governance and transparency. The PPP’s stance on the Bhutto case aligns with its broader goals of ensuring justice, fair governance, and a better future for all Pakistanis.
Source:The Nation
December 10, 2023 13:30 UTC
Glimmer of Hope
His remarks echoed both a deep-seated commitment to South Asian cooperation and a pragmatic understanding of the challenges that lie ahead. Beyond regional cooperation, the Prime Minister’s message addressed the critical issue of economic development within Pakistan. He emphasized the government’s commitment to undertaking economic documentation and institutional reforms, aligning with the nation’s long-term priorities. Furthermore, the PM acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the increased investor confidence, offering a glimmer of hope for the country’s economic future. By prioritising cooperation, addressing common challenges, and implementing crucial reforms, Pakistan can contribute to building a more prosperous and secure future for the entire region.
Source:The Nation
December 09, 2023 21:01 UTC
Politics of Nawaz’s naysayers has ended, says Maryam
According to Maryam, her father faced false cases and conspiracies, including disqualification over allegations of not taking a salary from his son. Maryam stated that Nawaz's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to his commitment to public service. The PML-N leader argued that, whenever the decision-making power rested in the hands of the people, they consistently favoured Nawaz Sharif. Despite claims from political opponents that Nawaz Sharif's politics had come to an end, Maryam asserted that the reality was quite the opposite, as evidenced by Nawaz's return to the country and the people's continued support in elections. Maryam maintained that Nawaz Sharif's enduring popularity and the lack of substantiated accusations against him speak volumes about his contributions to Pakistani politics.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 09, 2023 18:37 UTC
Egyptian actress Amira Adeeb nabs Hollywood breakout role in Jeffrey Elmont’s ‘No Nation’
And local people — descendants of the Ryukyuan Kingdom that was absorbed into Japan in 1872 — still take a fierce pride in being distinct. Now Japan’s most southerly prefecture, Okinawa consists of more than 150 islands, dotted between southern Kyushu to a point just over the horizon from Taiwan. Some of the more remote islands are uninhabited while others have just a handful of homes in communities that have changed little in generations. Bullocks pull wooden carts across the beach flats and the sound of three-string “shamisen” being plucked floats on the warm evening air. A series of decorated gateways lead deeper into the complex, their designs reflecting Chinese as well as Japanese and Ryukyuan influences.
Source:The Nation
December 09, 2023 16:33 UTC
Georgia receiver Jackson Meeks reveals why he’s entering transfer portal
ATHENS — Jackson Meeks opened up about entering the NCAA transfer portal, calling it the toughest decision in his life. Meeks, a junior receiver on scholarship at Georgia, won two national championships with his teammates but shared how he yearns for more on an individual level than he has been able to achieve. Last season Meeks had six catches for 65 yards, and as a freshman in 2021, he had three catches for 44 yards. Meeks, who played for Pat Nix at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., aid he’s hoping Alabama wins the national title. List of Georgia players in NCAA portal at time of publication(ratings per 247Sports composite)OL Austin Blaske, 2020 signee, 3-star, 529th nationallyPK Jared Zirkel, 2020 signee, 3-star, 1,927th nationallyQB Brock Vandagriff, 2021 signee, 5-star, 17th nationallyLB Xavian Sorey, 2021 signee, 5-star, 26th nationallyDL Jonathan Jefferson, 2021 signee, 4-star, 129th nationallyWR Jackson Meeks, 2021 signee, 3-star, 659th nationallyCB Nyland Green, 2021 signee, 4-star, 72nd nationallyWR Mekhi Mews, 2021 class, walk-onOLB CJ Madden, 2022 signee, 4-star, 352nd nationallyOLB Darris Smith, 2022 signee, 4-star, 163rd nationallyMLB EJ Lightsey, 2022 signee, 3-star, 494th nationally
Source:The Nation
December 09, 2023 14:35 UTC
Pak economy is back on track: PM Kakar
KARACHI - Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday said that the government was ensuring the implementation of its institutional reform agenda besides taking practical steps for documentation of the economy. In the meeting, the CEO Pakistan Stock Exchange thanked the prime minister for his visit and gave a detailed briefing regarding the stock exchange. Prime Minister Kakar commended the services of Pakistan’s business community and investors for the country. Prime Minister Kakar said the bullish sentiment in the stock exchange was made possible by an improved economy, the participation of foreign investors, a high yield, and a stable exchange rate. In her address, Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar welcomed the prime minister to launch Government Sukook Auction through PSX.
Source:The Nation
December 09, 2023 13:41 UTC
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Mahira Khan's 'heart bleeds and breaks' for Palestine
Renowned Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan recently took to social media to share her profound grief and express solidarity with the people of Palestine amid the ongoing brutalities in the region. In her statement, Khan conveyed a poignant message: "Nothing feels good. We resume work, we worry about our child’s exams, or mother’s health, or our own...But through it all...The heart bleeds and breaks. May the universe be kind to… — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) October 20, 2023Uhhh I call it loud and clear. https://t.co/1YVhNNxCKO — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) October 20, 2023Furthermore, Khan retweeted a statement by Fatima Bhutto, echoing her sentiments about the tragic situation in Gaza.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 09, 2023 10:48 UTC
Google admits to staging Gemini AI demo video
In an opinion piece published in Bloomberg, Google has admitted to staging parts of its demo video for newly launched GPT-4 competitor, Gemini. The company not only edited the speed of output, but also added the implied voice between human voice and AI user. The original demo was made "using still image frames from the footage, and prompting via text," rather than having Gemini respond to a drawing or change of objects on the table in real time. The misleading video puts into question Gemini's capabilities, especially since the demo lacked a disclaimer. https://youtu.be/UIZAiXYcGemini's co-lead, Oriol Vinyals, on X denied any wrongdoing and said that "all the user prompts and outputs in the video are real," and that his team made the video "to inspire developers."
Source:The Express Tribune
December 09, 2023 10:30 UTC
Climate Education
A recent World Bank report, “Climate Silence in Pakistan,” resonates with an overarching sentiment among Pakistanis – a profound concern regarding the adverse impacts of climate change. Women, often serving as primary caregivers for children, exhibit a deeper apprehension about the potential impact of climate change on the younger generation. Similarly, educated individuals are more inclined to acknowledge climate change as a significant threat, emphasising the vital role of education in shaping attitudes and responses towards environmental issues. This link between education and climate concern highlights the importance of fostering knowledge about climate change for a sustainable future. Investing in education programmes that prioritise environmental awareness and sustainability education becomes imperative, not just for individuals but also for broader societal change.
Source:The Nation
December 09, 2023 02:44 UTC