NATION MOURNS LOSS OF LIVES IN GREECE FERRY DISASTER: Pakistan begins operation against human traffickers
The nation observed a mourning day on Monday over the Greece boat disaster, in which dozens of precious lives were lost. The ferry boat was carrying up to 750 people that went down 50 nautical miles off Pylos in southern Greece, it further said. Earlier, another man, Sajid Mahmood, wanted in connection with the ferry tragedy, was also offloaded and arrested by the FIA at the Karachi airport. On the directions of the PM Shehbaz Sharif, a committee had been formed to probe the boat tragedy. This statement endorsed an independent investigation reported by BBC that poked holes in the Greece authorities’ account of the incident.
Source:The Nation
June 20, 2023 13:33 UTC
Defending champions USA win CONCACAF Nations League final
LAS VEGAS: The United States beat Canada 2-0 on Sunday in Las Vegas to secure their second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title. First-half goals from Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun were enough to give the United States the victory in their first meeting with Canada in a tournament final. Richards opened the scoring when he headed home a Gio Reyna corner in the 12th minute. Reyna was again the provider in the 34th minute when his through ball was dispatched by Balogun into the bottom corner. Mexico beat Panama 1-0 earlier on Sunday in the third-place match.
Source:The Nation
June 20, 2023 13:21 UTC
21-year-old found dead inside vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds
From The Tribune staff reportsBESSEMER — A 21-year-old man has died after a suspect opened fire on him in his vehicle while exiting a mobile home park on Saturday, June 17. Before 4 p.m. Saturday, the victim, who has yet to be identified, was exiting Woodward Estates in Lipscomb in his vehicle when another vehicle pulled up alongside and began shooting at him. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds but was able to flee the scene. Jefferson County Sheriff’s detectives are conducting the investigation into the shooting. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450, option 2.
Source:The Express Tribune
June 20, 2023 08:15 UTC
71-year-old father shot and killed in domestic dispute with family member the day before Father’s Day
From The Tribune staff reportsBIRMINGHAM — A Birmingham father was killed in a domestic dispute with a family member at his home on Saturday, June 17. Shortly after 1 p.m., officers were dispatched to a call in the 4700 Block of Avenue T in Ensley. Officers arrived on the scene and then entered a residence when they observed the victim, Eugene Holiday, 71, of Birmingham, lying unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and then pronounced the victim deceased. The initial investigation suggests the victim was shot by an adult family member during a domestic incident.
Source:The Express Tribune
June 20, 2023 02:16 UTC
A Significant Meeting
The meeting between China and the United States is a significant event with far-reaching global consequences. As the highest-ranking US official visit to China since 2018, the meeting presents an opportunity for both nations to address a range of pressing issues and resolve their differences. However, the topics of discussion for the China-US meeting extend beyond trade. In order to achieve positive outcomes from the China-US meeting, both nations need to approach the discussions with a willingness to cooperate and compromise. Resolving the trade war, addressing security concerns, and collaborating on global challenges are imperative for both nations and the international community.
Source:The Nation
June 20, 2023 01:33 UTC
Novel financing
Blue finance focusses on ocean-linked sectors, including but not limited to shipping, seafood, marine renewable energy, including coastal wind energy, ocean thermal energy and tidal energy, port construction, coastal tourism, coastal infrastructure, offshore oil, and gas exploration, etc. - Advertisement -Blue finance is all about monetary tools or reserves that ensure the conservation of the ocean environment. The expansion of blue finance is thus critical since it supports and promotes the global transformation into economic growth associated with ocean sustainability. The emerging global intimidations in the form of climate change and man-made pollution have been challenging concerning the growth of blue finance. For Pakistan, there is a growing need to research and highlight the potential for ocean financing and the challenges focusing on the sub-themes, such as marine conservation, fisheries and coastal infrastructure.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 20, 2023 00:56 UTC
Greece shipwreck: FIA forms teams in major cities to arrest traffickers as nation observes day of mourning
ISLAMABAD, JUN 19: The nation observed a day of mourning on Monday for the victims of last week’s Greece boat tragedy as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said that it had formed teams in major cities across the country to nab traffickers. Moreover, special teams have been formed in Islamabad, Lahore, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi to arrest the suspects as soon as possible. Earlier today, the spokesperson said the agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Gujrat had apprehended a “key suspect” involved in the boat tragedy. In addition, the agency said that it was carrying out raids in order to apprehend more individuals involved in human trafficking. The spokesperson further said that three people including a “key suspect” allegedly involved in the incident had been apprehended.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 23:54 UTC
Pakistan to face Bangladesh in Five-Nation Basketball C’ship semifinal
LAHORE -Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the Five-Nation International Basketball Championship semifinal at Male, Maldives today (Tuesday). Pakistan basketball team won the last three matches as they defeated Maldives 65-63, Bhutan 76-53 and Bangladesh 84-66 points respectively to book berth in the semifinals, where they will take on Bangladesh while Nepal will compete against Bhutan. Muhammad Shahbaz Ali is leading the national team, which is participating in any international event after seven years.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 22:00 UTC
Eidul Azha to be observed on June 29 in Pakistan
The Zilhaj moon has been sighted and Eidul Azha will be celebrated across the country on Thursday, June 29, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad announced on Monday. The testimonies for sighting of Zilhaj moon were received from various parts of the country including Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, Maulana Azad said. Consequently, Eidul Azha in the country may occur on Thursday, June 29, or Friday, June 30. Eidul Azha commemorates the Quranic tale of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah, before the Almighty replaced the son with a ram to be sacrificed instead. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and several other Gulf nations usually celebrate Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha simultaneously.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 21:11 UTC
BISP beneficiaries to get Rs9,000 from today
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri on Sunday said that the beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will start getting the increased amount of Rs9,000 from Monday (today). She said that the amount will be issued to 9 million beneficiaries, adding that for the convenience of the people, these stipends will be issued from 1,559 campsites that have been specially established for the people. Shazia said that the beneficiaries should receive the full amount allocated for them and they should claim its receipt as well. The scope of Benazir Education Stipends was also increased from six million children (52 per cent girls) beneficiaries to 8.3 million children with an allocation of Rs55 billion. As many as 92,000 students would be given Benazir Undergraduate Scholarships through Rs6 billion while the number of Benazir Nashonuma programme beneficiaries was increased up to 1.5 million through Rs32 billion.
Source:The Express Tribune
June 19, 2023 17:41 UTC
Nation grieves over boat tragedy: Crackdown on human traffickers begins
The prime minister directed an immediate crackdown against agents involved in the heinous crime of human trafficking and called for bringing them to justice. The people rescued so far included 43 Egyptian nationals, 47 Syrian nationals, 12 Pakistani nationals, and two Palestinians, the Hellenic Coast Guard were quoted by international media outlets. Separately, AJK police DIG Dr Kahlid Mehmood Chohan, in a statement, said that a grand operation had been started against human traffickers after the boat tragedy near Greece. Maryam, while extending sympathies to the bereaved families, welcomed the decision of the prime minister to observe Monday as a day of mourning. She called for strict action against human smugglers playing with the lives of people and prayed for the departed souls.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 14:42 UTC
Budget FY24: missing the bus again
Photo: fileThe macroeconomic instability that plagues Pakistan today dates back to 1989 –the year which marked the end of Afghanistan’s invasion and consequently, the stoppage/ slowdown of US aid through the Pressler Amendment. This growth, however, was accompanied by a relatively high inflation, low employment, low current account and budgetary deficits. The next stint of political and economic stability started after the APS attack in 2014 and ended in 2017 with the Panama Paper case. The partial indexation of pays, pensions and current expenses can hardly make any impact on economic growth, apart from appeasing the inflation-hit government employees. This type of budget might be the second-best arrangement in the current macroeconomic scenario and political instability, but it is not an optimum way to approach and tackle the problem.
Source:The Express Tribune
June 19, 2023 09:33 UTC
The teacher that he was
Shoaib Hashmi was my economics teacher in Government College till 1967, before he went to the London School of Economics (LSE) for his advanced studies. He was quite popular among the students for his friendly nature and liberal views. But, more than the cigarette, I am recalling the episode to show his friendly nature and general approach to students and studies. He was a much-loved teacher at the college. His friendly nature revolved around his amazing sense of humour, which was actually a blend of the wit and sarcasm of Gawalmandi and Mozang.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 19, 2023 06:26 UTC
World Refugee Day to be observed tomorrow
ISLAMABAD - The World Refugee Day will be observed on June 20 (tomorrow) across the world including Pakistan to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. Each year on June 20, the United Nations (UN), United Nation’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and civil society organizations around the world host World Refugee Day events in order to draw the public’s attention to the millions of refugees and Internally displaced persons, a Private news channel reported. On this Day, Pakistan pays special tribute to UNHCR the United Nations refugee agency for its commendable work in support of refugees and host communities throughout the world. The Day is viewed as a chance for everyone to learn about, appreciate and enjoy “the rich diversity” of the refugee populations. We call on the international community to support the Organization in its efforts towards durable solutions for refugees worldwide.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 03:31 UTC
Pakistan’s Mikaeel sweeps ATF 14&U singles, doubles titles in Japan
LAHORE-Mikaeel Ali Baig, a talented tennis player and youngest recipient of ISPR’s Pride of Pakistan Award, has made waves at the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14&U tournament held in Japan. Throughout the tournament, Mikaeel displayed his dominance by winning all five singles matches in straight sets, losing only a total of nine games. “In the doubles category, Mikaeel joined forces with Japanese player Rinsei Makihara. Mikaeel’s exceptional achievement of claiming both the singles and doubles championships in the same tournament sets him apart from his competitors at the ATF 14&U in Japan. In order toestablish myself in Pakistan, I’ve had to constantly juggle between the USA and the Asian Tennis Circuit.
Source:The Nation
June 19, 2023 01:24 UTC